Deceptive Patents: Deconstructing Juicy Whip

Moral utility largely prevents the granting of a patent if the patent would be injurious to the well-being of society. The moral utility doctrine has prevailed through much of American patent history and still endures in many parts of the world. In Juicy Whip I, the Federal Circuit chose to abandon the doctrine, but the court’s rationale in support of the decision was ill-suited. The court’s holding sanctioned deceptive patent applications but, intentionally or unintentionally, neglected applicable unfair competition, free speech, and consumer deception doctrines. In light of the Intellectual Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution, deceptive patents should be barred, because they convey no inherently useful qualities beyond deceiving consumers

Accuracy of range restriction correction with multiple imputation in small and moderate samples: A simulation study

Approaches to correcting correlation coefficients for range restriction have been developed under the framework of large sample theory. The accuracy of missing data techniques for correcting correlation coefficients for range restriction has thus far only been investigated with relatively large samples. However, researchers and evaluators are often faced with a small or moderate number of applicants but must still attempt to estimate the population correlation between predictor and criterion. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the accuracy of population correlation estimates and their associated standard error in terms of small and moderate sample sizes. We applied multiple imputation by chained equations for continuous and naturally dichotomous criterion variables. The results show that multiple imputation by chained equations is accurate for a continuous criterion variable, even for a small number of applicants when the selection ratio is not too small. In the case of a naturally dichotomous criterion variable, a small or moderate number of applicants leads to biased estimates when the selection ratio is small. In contrast, the standard error of the population correlation estimate is accurate over a wide range of conditions of sample size, selection ratio, true population correlation, for continuous and naturally dichotomous criterion variables, and for direct and indirect range restriction scenarios. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence about the accuracy of the correction, and support researchers and evaluators in their assessment of conditions under which correlation coefficients corrected for range restriction can be trusted. Accessed 2,759 times on https://pareonline.net from September 13, 2016 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

A Comparison of Three Approaches to Correct for Direct and Indirect Range Restrictions: A Simulation Study

A common methodological problem in the evaluation of the predictive validity of selection methods, e.g. in educational and employment selection, is that the correlation between predictor and criterion is biased. Thorndike’s (1949) formulas are commonly used to correct for this biased correlation. An alternative approach is to view the selection mechanism as a missing data mechanism. The aim of this study was to compare Thorndike’s formulas for direct and indirect range restriction scenarios with two state-of-the-art approaches for handling missing data: full information maximum likelihood (FIML) and multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE). We conducted Monte-Carlo simulations to investigate the accuracy of the population correlation estimates in dependence of the selection ratio and the true population correlation in an experimental design. For a direct range restriction scenario, the three approaches are equally accurate. For an indirect range restriction scenario, the corrections using FIML and MICE are more precise than when using Thorndike’s formula. The higher the selection ratio and the true population correlation, the higher the precision of the population correlation estimates. Our findings indicate that both missing data approaches are alternative corrections to Thorndike’s formulas, especially in the case of indirect range restriction. Accessed 3,954 times on https://pareonline.net from March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

How to Do Better with Gender on Surveys: A Guide for HCI Researchers

When including gender on surveys, HCI researchers must refrain from using only binary categories, making assumptions about participants' genders, and employing a one-size-fits-all approach for all research projects. HCI researchers have the responsibility to consider the complexity of their research participants’ genders. Inquiring into gender requires humility in attempting to “get it right.”https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154050/1/SpielHowTo.pdfDescription of SpielHowTo.pdf : Main articl

Micro-ethics for participatory design with marginalised children

Marginalised children are uniquely vulnerable within western societies. Conducting participatory design research with them comes with particular ethical challenges, some of which we illustrate in this paper. Through several examples across two different participatory design projects (one with autistic children, another with visually impaired children), we reflect on the often overlooked tensions on the level of micro-ethics. We argue we are often required to rely on multiple moral frames of references. We discuss issues that the immediate interaction between researchers and marginalised children in participatory projects can bring and offer an understanding of how micro-ethics manifest in these collaborations. We contribute to a theoretical exploration of ethical encounters based on empirical grounds, which can guide other researchers in their participatory endeavours

Needs Driven Design Solutions In Railroad Projects

This presentation highlights state, federal, and railroad stakeholder coordination in a public-private partnership. The Indiana Gateway Project is a $71.4 million construction project underway in northwestern Indiana. This project will help Norfolk Southern and Amtrak address the single most delay-prone intercity rail passenger corridor in the country. The White River Freight Railroad Bridge Replacement by Indiana Railroad is a$14M project which replaced the 115-year old bridge with a 1,271-foot long bridge in Greene County, IN. The presentation also provides a brief summary of the project management oversight role HNTB Corporation assumed in both project teams as a consultant for the Indiana Department of Transportation

Benefits of the Person-Oriented Perspective for Program Evaluation: Analyzing the Differential Treatment Effects of the Vienna E-Lecturing Program

Background: In program evaluation interventions are usually examined for global effects but not always for differential effects. The reasoning behind the focus on global effects is that most of the concepts applied in data analyses, and most of the hypotheses being assessed, are variable-oriented. Consequently, existing differential effects will not be detected through global analyses based on a variable-oriented perspective. Accordingly, the intervention under evaluation will be wrongly considered to be ineffective. Purpose: This contribution, therefore, argues for the application of person-oriented analyses in addition to the common variable-oriented approach in order to identify the differential effects of an intervention during evaluation. Setting: Both approaches will be applied in the evaluation of a showcase program conducted in real life setting. The results of the two perspectives will be compared. Intervention: An internet supported program for the promotion of self-regulated learning in an academic context called Vienna E-Lecturing (VEL). Research Design: The evaluation of the VEL was conducted with a treatment-control-design. Data was collected at the beginning as well as at the end of the intervention. Data Collection and Analysis: Data regarding motivation as well as factual knowledge was collected. All motivational variables were assessed using previously published scales consisting of 3-4 items. Factual knowledge in statistics and methodology was tested regarding the aspects of reproduction, comprehension and the production of methodological content. Findings: The application of a variable-oriented perspective showed small effects with low practical relevance. Through the application of a person-oriented approach, and taking into account the theoretical framework of the intervention, three students groups which differed systematically in their learning motivation could be identified. For two of these groups the intervention was very successful. The discussion provides recommendations on how person-oriented approaches can be used systematically in program evaluation.  Keywords: person-oriented approach; program evaluation; differential effects; learning motivation; variable-oriented approach; academic contex

Gender Typicality and Prestige of Occupational Aspirations in Adolescents: The Relevance of Agency and Communion

Occupational gender segregation is still a persistent problem in the labor market. This study investigates gender differences in gender typicality and prestige of occupational aspirations in early adolescence, as well as the role of agency and communion in these differences. In total, 2779 adolescents (age 11–15) reported their occupational aspirations, later coded for gender typicality and prestige. Participants also described themselves spontaneously with three attributes, then coded in terms of agency and communion. The results showed significant gender differences in a stereotypical direction for 40% of the occupations named, with boys expressing a clear preference for male-dominated and girls for female-dominated occupations. Conversely, the results revealed higher aspirations among girls regarding occupational prestige. Communion was found to be a significant mediator between gender and aspirations to typically feminine occupations, while agency mediated the relationship between gender and the prestige of aspirations. The findings’ implications for theory and practice are discussed

California coastal offshore transport and diffusion experiments meteorological conditions and data

Four series of tracer experiments have been performed to parameterize an overwater-coastal transport and diffusion model. The experiment were carried out in the winter and summer near Ventura, CA and Pismo beach, CA. The tracer gas SF6 was released from the research ship RV/Acania, which also collected and extensive amount of overwater meteorological data. This report contains descriptions of all experiments, the overwater meteorological data, and calculated meteorological parameters that are needed to characterize the transport and diffusion. (Author)Prepared for: Outer Continental Shelf Office, Minerals Management Service, Los Angeles, CA.N6600l82WROOO17Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Silicon Oxide Surface Segregation in CO Oxidation on Pd: An in situ PEEM, MS and XPS Study

The effect of silicon oxide surface segregation on the locally-resolved kinetics of the CO oxidation reaction on individual grains of a polycrystalline Pd foil was studied in situ by PEEM, MS and XPS. The silicon oxide formation induced by Si-impurity segregation at oxidizing conditions, was monitored by XPS and its impact on the global and local (spatially resolved) kinetics of the CO oxidation was determined by MS and PEEM. The results reveal a drastic inhibiting effect of silicon oxide on the Pd reactivity towards CO oxidation, manifested both in the collapse of the global CO2 formation rate and in the modified local reactive properties of individual Pd micrograins. The presence of adsorbed oxygen on the Pd surface effectively enhances the silicon segregation to the Pd surface