A study of factors that discriminate between different degrees of religiousness in people

The first question that will probably confront the reader of this paper will be, what is meant by religiousness, be measured or compared between personalities or groups? The same question has been asked of psychologists about other terms such as intelligence and emotion, either of which could be substituted in the title of this paper and still not make it any clearer. The answers to this question have varied except where operational definitions have been demanded, which, of course, boil down to emotional or intellectual behavior as measured by a given test in relationship to others taking the test. Religiousness will have to be defined in a similar manner

The design of a data set interface

This paper describes the data set interface which connects the SCC-650 digital computer to the IBM-360 computer by means of a data communications link over a telephone line. To provide the necessary background information, the basic concepts and techniques of digital data communications are discussed. In conjunction with these concepts, several possible system arrangements of modems, terminals, and computers are given. Also two computer-to-computer networks are discussed. The first one is the system used at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory for the acquisition of experimental data. The second system, the one in which the interface operates, is the data communications system on the campus of the University of Missouri-Rolla. The interface connects directly between the SCC-650 computer and a data set. Its basic function is to convert serial data to parallel data and vice versa. In particular communication between the computer and the interface is parallel, and communication between the interface and the data set is serial. The interface provides the necessary control and timing signals to control the transmission and reception of data. Finally, an extensive interrupt system is provided to increase the flexibility and the use of the interface when communicating between the SCC-650 and the IBM-360 computers --Abstract, pages ii-iii

FLOWWARE -- A flow charting method to describe digital systems

FLOWWARE is an interactive, graphical language to aid in the understanding and design of digital networks. The language is based upon the concept of flow charting. The user specifies the register layout of the system and the sequential operation in the form of a diagram on a graphics terminal. FLOWWARE makes full use of a local minicomputer to perform editing and drawing functions, and a remote large computer to perform translation and simulation. This division of labor allows the user to build his description off-line without having the remote computer program active --Abstract, page ii

Provably safe systems: the only path to controllable AGI

We describe a path to humanity safely thriving with powerful Artificial General Intelligences (AGIs) by building them to provably satisfy human-specified requirements. We argue that this will soon be technically feasible using advanced AI for formal verification and mechanistic interpretability. We further argue that it is the only path which guarantees safe controlled AGI. We end with a list of challenge problems whose solution would contribute to this positive outcome and invite readers to join in this work.Comment: 17 page

The Price Isn\u27t Right: How Libraries Can Overcome the Invisible Cost of Education

The rising cost of textbooks is a growing concern among students, faculty, and administrators at institutions across the country. According to the College Board, the average student spends approximately $1,200 per year on textbooks and supplies. This price point can be a roadblock for many students and can potentially change the course of their academic pursuits. Certain disciplines have higher material costs, which can impact student retention and success in those fields. Reserve programs are a common occurrence in academic libraries, however variable and non-standard. Historically, few libraries purchase textbooks for reserves given their high cost and frequent edition revisions. This presentation will discuss how one small liberal arts college implemented a total reserves policy, acquiring all required course texts for every class with no additional funding to the library. The library started this program in response to student concerns over textbook affordability and equity of access. It has allowed for new partnerships on campus beginning with the College Store and progressing to the Office of Advancement. The continued success of the program has raised awareness on campus to the invisible costs of education and sparked new conversations and initiatives on textbook affordability and open educational resources. Several departments within the library worked together to set up the initial program and create a sustainable model of both budgets and staffing. Our collaborations with other departments on campus strengthened communication to and from faculty and developed new opportunities and audiences for fundraising. Demonstrated success from high circulation and positive student feedback have shown the library to be a leader on campus. Participants will come away with an understanding of the upfront and maintenance costs associated with implementing such a program; how to find avenues for collaboration and fundraising; and what equity looks like in an academic library

Effects of Fiscal Policy on Consumer Confidence

It has long been debated which type of fiscal policy is most effective in a recession, a tax cut or an increase in government spending. Throughout the history of the United States, many administrations have tried to implement various forms and combinations of tax cuts and spending hikes to jump start the economy. Some were effective, and some were not. By determining what it is that makes fiscal policy effective, the government can be better prepared and more informed when designing fiscal policy in the future. Consumer confidence is one relevant metric for this analysis because it is sensitive to changes in government policy, especially in a recession. Furthermore, consumer confidence indexes are often used to analyze and even predict the state of the economy. Many studies have provided evidence for these conclusions. This thesis intends to address this macro issue on a micro scale by examining the effect of different fiscal policies and fiscal policy combinations on the consumer confidence levels of individuals