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We propose to synthesize a control policy for a Markov decision process (MDP) such that the resulting traces of the MDP satisfy a linear temporal logic (LTL) property. We construct a product MDP that incorporates a deterministic Rabin automaton generated from the desired LTL property. The reward function of the product MDP is defined from the acceptance condition of the Rabin automaton. This construction allows us to apply techniques from learning theory to the problem of synthesis for LTL specifications even when the transition probabilities are not known a priori. We prove that our method is guaranteed to find a controller that satisfies the LTL property with probability one if such a policy exists, and we suggest empirically with a case study in traffic control that our method produces reasonable control strategies even when the LTL property cannot be satisfied with probability one.

We propose to synthesize a control policy for a Markov decision process (MDP) such that the resulting traces of the MDP satisfy a linear temporal logic (LTL) property. We construct a product MDP that incorporates a deterministic Rabin automaton generated from the desired LTL property. The reward function of the product MDP is defined from the acceptance condition of the Rabin automaton. This construction allows us to apply techniques from learning theory to the problem of synthesis for LTL specifications even when the transition probabilities are not known a priori. We prove that our method is guaranteed to find a controller that satisfies the LTL property with probability one if such a policy exists, and we suggest empirically with a case study in traffic control that our method produces reasonable control strategies even when the LTL property cannot be satisfied with probability one.

Artificial intelligence-enabled clinical decision support systems (AI-CDSS) have the potential to significantly improve healthcare systems globally. Despite their potential, AI-CDSS still lack widespread acceptance among practitioners. In the past two decades, researchers have proposed several competing models to predict an individual’s intention to use information technology (IT), leading to a fragmented theoretical foundation and little coherent integration (Bagozzi, 2007). The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT; Venkatesh, Morris, Davis & Davis, 2003) has synthesized many of these models and has been applied extensively to study the intention to use AI-enabled tools in healthcare (e.g., Fan, Liu, Zhu, &·Pardalos, 2020; Prakash & Das, 2021). However, since its introduction, researchers have applied the UTAUT with other theories expanding the model by introducing additional predictors of AI-CDSS usage intention. Other researchers (e.g., Greenhalgh et al., 2017) have developed new models placing a stronger focus on the meso- (e.g., organizational context) and macro-level (e.g., sociocultural, or regulatory context). With this review, the goal is to help streamline future research efforts and potentially contribute to the development of a more parsimonious model of AI-CDSS usage in healthcare by answering the following questions. Are the predictors according to the UTAUT statistically significant? What are the predictors beyond the UTAUT that have been introduced? How do these insights advance the development of an integrated theoretical foundation of AI-CDSS usage in healthcare? To achieve this goal, we use meta-analytic techniques to synthesize the evidence on theoretically justified predictors of AI-CDSS usage intention according to the UTAUT. In this context, we further explore, i) the incremental value of the UTAUT predictors using relative weights analysis, and ii) the relationship between theoretically justified predictors that expand the UTAUT and AI-CDSS usage intention. In addition, we critically assess the theoretical and practical contributions of predictor variables and paths beyond the UTAUT that were not included in our meta-analytic synthesis using a narrative synthesis approach. We combine a meta-analytic approach with a narrative synthesis for two reasons. First, an initial literature review revealed that most newly introduced predictors of the intention to use AI-CDSS have been researched in only one study (e.g., autonomy, training), thus preventing the application of meta-analytic techniques. Second, a narrative synthesis allows us to contextualize and critically evaluate the newly introduced predictors and models in comparison to more established models, such as the UTAUT.

This paper on identifying education outcomes for students with disabilities proposes a framework for applying an outcome-based approach throughout the education system, by looking at the needs of the three major levels of the system (local, state, and national); defining different uses for the term "outcome" in order to achieve consensus and understanding; and matching uses with the needs of the specific levels of the system. The paper organizes use of the term "outcomes" into three categories: learning outcomes, actualized outcomes, and system outcomes. Education is not seen as a traditional linear system, but rather as an interactive and dynamic system where each level has the power to influence all other levels. Each level of the educational system must attend to four demands for collecting data--program improvement, policy development, accountability, and public information. Differences in the scope and focus of decisions that must be made at each level, and resulting data priorities, vary from one level of the system to the next. Priorities and degree of specificity should be taken into consideration for both defining an outcome and establishing data collection systems. An outcome-driven education system can then be developed by effectively using the principles that started with the outcome-based education movement and the data collected from an outcome-driven accountability system. (Contains 18 references.) (JDD)

Issues and problems associated with university involvement in public sector activities and the knowledge transfer process are examined. After a brief statement of the state-of-the-art in knowledge transfer, attention is directed to one of the basic issues presented in the literature: the appropriateness and inappropriateness of university involvement in public service. An opinion favoring a more responsive stance on the part of universities was interpreted from the literature. The academic community and nonacademicians have suggested that the university is a source of knowledge needed for decision-making in various kinds of action programs. Consideration is given to types of knowledge, since there are conceptual variations regarding the product(s) that universities have to offer to the public. Various knowledge transfer models are compared, and a composite knowledge transfer model that utilizes concepts from these models is examined. The basic thrust of the composite model is the concept of university-user partnership as proposed by Moe (1977). Two basic functions of the model are a clearinghouse function within the university and a linking function. Both of the basic functions of the model can be made operational through a relatively small organizational structure (e.g., the community services office). To facilitate the operation of this office, a needs assessment methodology is offered--the Social Mapping Matrix Assessment (SMMA), which can be used for inventory purposes to identify on-campus resources, such as institutes, and the types of services they can provide. A second use is a type of catalog for use by university sub-units and clients. Steps that would bring this model to an action stage are briefly considered. (SW)

This article is from Medical Decision Making , volume 33 . Abstract We introduce the series of 7 tutorial papers on evidence synthesis methods for decision making, based on the Technical Support Documents in Evidence Synthesis prepared for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Decision Support Unit. Although oriented to NICE’s Technology Appraisal process, which examines new pharmaceutical products in a cost-effectiveness framework, the methods presented throughout the tutorials are equally relevant to clinical guideline development and to comparisons between medical devices, or public health interventions. Detailed guidance is given on how to use the other tutorials in the series, which propose a single evidence synthesis framework that covers fixed and random effects models, pairwise meta-analysis, indirect comparisons, and network meta-analysis, and where outcomes expressed in several different reporting formats can be analyzed without recourse to normal approximations. We describe the principles of evidence synthesis required by the 2008 revision of the NICE Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal and explain how the approach proposed in these tutorials was designed to conform to those requirements. We finish with some suggestions on how to present the evidence, the synthesis methods, and the results.

This article is from Medical Decision Making , volume 33 . Abstract Inconsistency can be thought of as a conflict between “direct” evidence on a comparison between treatments B and C and “indirect” evidence gained from AC and AB trials. Like heterogeneity, inconsistency is caused by effect modifiers and specifically by an imbalance in the distribution of effect modifiers in the direct and indirect evidence. Defining inconsistency as a property of loops of evidence, the relation between inconsistency and heterogeneity and the difficulties created by multiarm trials are described. We set out an approach to assessing consistency in 3-treatment triangular networks and in larger circuit structures, its extension to certain special structures in which independent tests for inconsistencies can be created, and describe methods suitable for more complex networks. Sample WinBUGS code is given in an appendix. Steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of drawing incorrect conclusions from indirect comparisons and network meta-analysis are the same steps that will minimize heterogeneity in pairwise meta-analysis. Empirical indicators that can provide reassurance and the question of how to respond to inconsistency are also discussed.

Part of the 'Evidence synthesis and translation of findings for national clinical guideline development: addressing the needs and preferences of guideline development groups' project with funding from Health Research Board (HRB) Emerging Investigator Award (EIA-2019-09)

Part of the 'Evidence synthesis and translation of findings for national clinical guideline development: addressing the needs and preferences of guideline development groups' project with funding from Health Research Board (HRB) Emerging Investigator Award (EIA-2019-09)

Part of the 'Evidence synthesis and translation of findings for national clinical guideline development: addressing the needs and preferences of guideline development groups' project with funding from Health Research Board (HRB) Emerging Investigator Award (EIA-2019-09)

This volume was digitized and made accessible online due to deterioration of the original print copy.

Evolutionary approach to constructing decision trees is investigated. A method for sample reduction, allowing to exclude irrelevant and uninformative features is created. Evolutionary method for constructing decision trees is proposed. Experiments on the synthesis of diagnostic models based on the proposed methods are conducted

Evolutionary approach to constructing decision trees is investigated. A method for sample reduction, allowing to exclude irrelevant and uninformative features is created. Evolutionary method for constructing decision trees is proposed. Experiments on the synthesis of diagnostic models based on the proposed methods are conducted

When treating Markov decision processes (MDPs) with large state spaces, using explicit representations quickly becomes unfeasible. Lately, Wimmer et al. have proposed a so-called symblicit algorithm for the synthesis of optimal strategies in MDPs, in the quantitative setting of expected mean-payoff. This algorithm, based on the strategy iteration algorithm of Howard and Veinott, efficiently combines symbolic and explicit data structures, and uses binary decision diagrams as symbolic representation. The aim of this paper is to show that the new data structure of pseudo-antichains (an extension of antichains) provides another interesting alternative, especially for the class of monotonic MDPs. We design efficient pseudo-antichain based symblicit algorithms (with open source implementations) for two quantitative settings: the expected mean-payoff and the stochastic shortest path. For two practical applications coming from automated planning and LTL synthesis, we report promising experimental results w.r.t. both the run time and the memory consumption.

From the bitsavers.org collection, a scanned-in computer-related document. xerox :: parc :: techReports :: CSL-77-2 Strategy Construction using a Synthesis of Heuristic and Decision-Theoretic Methods

Scoping review to 1) map which patient-reported barriers and facilitators to participation in shared decision-making (SDM) recently have been studied across different patient groups and summarizing the results, and 2) analyse the differences and similarities between different population groups, to elucidate the mechanisms of varying decision role preferences within the patient population

When treating Markov decision processes (MDPs) with large state spaces, using explicit representations quickly becomes unfeasible. Lately, Wimmer et al. have proposed a so-called symblicit algorithm for the synthesis of optimal strategies in MDPs, in the quantitative setting of expected mean-payoff. This algorithm, based on the strategy iteration algorithm of Howard and Veinott, efficiently combines symbolic and explicit data structures, and uses binary decision diagrams as symbolic representation. The aim of this paper is to show that the new data structure of pseudo-antichains (an extension of antichains) provides another interesting alternative, especially for the class of monotonic MDPs. We design efficient pseudo-antichain based symblicit algorithms (with open source implementations) for two quantitative settings: the expected mean-payoff and the stochastic shortest path. For two practical applications coming from automated planning and LTL synthesis, we report promising experimental results w.r.t. both the run time and the memory consumption.

The synthesis of reversible functions has been an intensively studied research area in the last decade. Since almost all proposed approaches rely on representations of exponential size (such as truth tables and permutations), they cannot be applied efficiently to reversible functions with more than 15 variables. In this paper, we propose an ancilla-free synthesis approach based on Young subgroups using symbolic function representations that can efficiently be implemented with binary decision diagrams (BDDs). As a result, the algorithm not only allows to synthesize large reversible functions without adding extra lines, called ancilla, but also leads to significantly smaller circuits compared to existing approaches.

Rapid appraisal of evidence for innovations in health and social care. Part of the Greater Manchester ARC (NIHR ARC-GM).

Note this registration has been withdrawn: Note this registration has been withdrawn: Abstract: Background: Organizations are currently tasked with integrating the most recent evidence into the decision-making process. While a ‘living evidence’ (LE) model has been proposed and has already been integrated into the development of recommendations, there still exists a gap in the process of delivering its updated results to decision-makers. Despite the availability of existing evidence structured summary formats, there remains a need for a more efficient strategy for comprehensive and timely dissemination. Objective: To develop a user-friendly evidence summary format for health decision-makers that accommodates the periodic and/or constant updates of evidence syntheses developed under the LE approach. Methods: We will conduct a multi-design iterative study that enables the systematic and rigorous development of LESS based on agreed-upon format for reporting updates in LE synthesis. Stage 1: A scoping review for the identification of LE synthesis reporting formats, including living evidence synthesis structured summaries. Stage 2: Brainstorming meetings with key thematic experts aimed at developing the initial draft of the LE synthesis updates reporting format. Stage 3. Expert consultation (Delphi consensus): We will run two consultations, the first aimed at achieving consensus on the content of the LE synthesis updates reporting format, and the second aimed at consensus on the structure of the LESS and the appropriateness of the proposed format. Stage 4: Piloting the final LESS will undergo testing during the development of evidence summaries for real-life decision-making. Conclusions: The resulting LE synthesis updates reporting format will serve as a basis for developing LESS, which will support the delivery of reliable and updated information to health decision-makers. Keywords: living evidence synthesis, evidence summaries, evidence report, health decision-making, living evidence, evidence structured summaries, living evidence structured summaries. Plain language summary Evidence summaries have gained popularity for their ability to condense information for decision-making processes. However, keeping these summaries up to date presents a challenge due to the constantly evolving nature of evidence. A new approach known as “Living Evidence” permits the continuous identification of new evidence and its incorporation into the synthesis of evidence supporting decision-making. This study aims to develop a format for easily reporting evidence synthesis updates, tailored for decision makers. Our methodology involves searching various sources for existing evidence summary formats, extracting relevant items based on specific criteria and describing the characteristics in each format to create a checklist. Through an iterative process, including a Delphi consensus, we will create a preliminary format of the Living Evidence Structured Summary (LESS). In the final stage, we will test this format during the development of evidence summaries in the context of real-life decision-making scenarios.

We propose to synthesize a control policy for a Markov decision process (MDP) such that the resulting traces of the MDP satisfy a linear temporal logic (LTL) property. We construct a product MDP that incorporates a deterministic Rabin automaton generated from the desired LTL property. The reward function of the product MDP is defined from the acceptance condition of the Rabin automaton. This construction allows us to apply techniques from learning theory to the problem of synthesis for LTL specifications even when the transition probabilities are not known a priori. We prove that our method is guaranteed to find a controller that satisfies the LTL property with probability one if such a policy exists, and we suggest empirically with a case study in traffic control that our method produces reasonable control strategies even when the LTL property cannot be satisfied with probability one.

This paper considers the permissive supervisor synthesis for probabilistic systems modeled as Markov Decision Processes (MDP). Such systems are prevalent in power grids, transportation networks, communication networks and robotics. Unlike centralized planning and optimization based planning, we propose a novel supervisor synthesis framework based on learning and compositional model checking to generate permissive local supervisors in a distributed manner. With the recent advance in assume-guarantee reasoning verification for probabilistic systems, building the composed system can be avoided to alleviate the state space explosion and our framework learn the supervisors iteratively based on the counterexamples from verification. Our approach is guaranteed to terminate in finite steps and to be correct.

The rural community is characterized by a decreasing population and an eroding of local taxable wealth which contribute to the ineffectiveness of community agencies or institutions to serve citizens' needs. The rural community resists widespread effort to change existing conditions since rural people are generally conservative and often do not have the financial resources to solve indigenous problems. Although local boards of education are delegated the authority to determine educational policy, they rarely make decisions that might raise the ire of the local power structure. To a large degree, local educational programs are determined by the attitudes of local administrators, teachers, school board members, parents, and other adults in the community. Most administrators and teachers in rural areas are themselves products of the rural subculture and reflect the attitudes of the community in which they work. Education continues to be viewed as an expense rather than an investment, with the school being an agency for passing on the eternal verities rather than an agency for social change. The recent move toward the educational cooperative and an emphasis in administrator and teacher preparation programs on educational change and innovation are seen as constructive efforts to improve rural schools. (JH)

The rural community is characterized by a decreasing population and an eroding of local taxable wealth which contribute to the ineffectiveness of community agencies or institutions to serve citizens' needs. The rural community resists widespread effort to change existing conditions since rural people are generally conservative and often do not have the financial resources to solve indigenous problems. Although local boards of education are delegated the authority to determine educational policy, they rarely make decisions that might raise the ire of the local power structure. To a large degree, local educational programs are determined by the attitudes of local administrators, teachers, school board members, parents, and other adults in the community. Most administrators and teachers in rural areas are themselves products of the rural subculture and reflect the attitudes of the community in which they work. Education continues to be viewed as an expense rather than an investment, with the school being an agency for passing on the eternal verities rather than an agency for social change. The recent move toward the educational cooperative and an emphasis in administrator and teacher preparation programs on educational change and innovation are seen as constructive efforts to improve rural schools. (JH)

This paper introduces a novel method for synthesizing digital circuits derived from Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) that can yield to reduction in power dissipation. The power reduction is achieved by decreasing the switching activity in a circuit while paying close attention to information measures as an optimization criterion. We first present the technique of efficient BDD-based computation of information measures which are used to guide the power optimization procedures. Using this technique, we have developed an algorithm of BDD reordering which leads to reducing the power consumption of the circuits derived from BDDs. Results produced by the synthesis on the ISCAS benchmark circuits are very encouraging.

This paper introduces a novel method for synthesizing digital circuits derived from Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) that can yield to reduction in power dissipation. The power reduction is achieved by decreasing the switching activity in a circuit while paying close attention to information measures as an optimization criterion. We first present the technique of efficient BDD-based computation of information measures which are used to guide the power optimization procedures. Using this technique, we have developed an algorithm of BDD reordering which leads to reducing the power consumption of the circuits derived from BDDs. Results produced by the synthesis on the ISCAS benchmark circuits are very encouraging.

This paper introduces a novel method for synthesizing digital circuits derived from Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) that can yield to reduction in power dissipation. The power reduction is achieved by decreasing the switching activity in a circuit while paying close attention to information measures as an optimization criterion. We first present the technique of efficient BDD-based computation of information measures which are used to guide the power optimization procedures. Using this technique, we have developed an algorithm of BDD reordering which leads to reducing the power consumption of the circuits derived from BDDs. Results produced by the synthesis on the ISCAS benchmark circuits are very encouraging.

This paper describes a class of decision procedures that we have found useful for efficient, domain-specific deductive synthesis. These procedures are called closure-based ground literal satisfiability procedures. We argue that this is a large and interesting class of procedures and show how to interface these procedures to a theorem prover for efficient deductive synthesis. Finally, we describe some results we have observed from our implementation. Amphion/NAIF is a domain-specific, high-assurance software synthesis system. It takes an abstract specification of a problem in solar system mechanics, such as 'when will a signal sent from the Cassini spacecraft to Earth be blocked by the planet Saturn?', and automatically synthesizes a FORTRAN program to solve it.

This article is from Medical Decision Making , volume 33 . Abstract In meta-analysis, between-study heterogeneity indicates the presence of effect-modifiers and has implications for the interpretation of results in cost-effectiveness analysis and decision making. A distinction is usually made between true variability in treatment effects due to variation in patient populations or settings and biases related to the way in which trials were conducted. Variability in relative treatment effects threatens the external validity of trial evidence and limits the ability to generalize from the results; imperfections in trial conduct represent threats to internal validity. We provide guidance on methods for meta-regression and bias-adjustment, in pairwise and network meta-analysis (including indirect comparisons), using illustrative examples. We argue that the predictive distribution of a treatment effect in a “new” trial may, in many cases, be more relevant to decision making than the distribution of the mean effect. Investigators should consider the relative contribution of true variability and random variation due to biases when considering their response to heterogeneity. In network meta-analyses, various types of meta-regression models are possible when trial-level effect-modifying covariates are present or suspected. We argue that a model with a single interaction term is the one most likely to be useful in a decision-making context. Illustrative examples of Bayesian meta-regression against a continuous covariate and meta-regression against “baseline” risk are provided. Annotated WinBUGS code is set out in an appendix.

This article is from Medical Decision Making , volume 33 . Abstract In meta-analysis, between-study heterogeneity indicates the presence of effect-modifiers and has implications for the interpretation of results in cost-effectiveness analysis and decision making. A distinction is usually made between true variability in treatment effects due to variation in patient populations or settings and biases related to the way in which trials were conducted. Variability in relative treatment effects threatens the external validity of trial evidence and limits the ability to generalize from the results; imperfections in trial conduct represent threats to internal validity. We provide guidance on methods for meta-regression and bias-adjustment, in pairwise and network meta-analysis (including indirect comparisons), using illustrative examples. We argue that the predictive distribution of a treatment effect in a “new” trial may, in many cases, be more relevant to decision making than the distribution of the mean effect. Investigators should consider the relative contribution of true variability and random variation due to biases when considering their response to heterogeneity. In network meta-analyses, various types of meta-regression models are possible when trial-level effect-modifying covariates are present or suspected. We argue that a model with a single interaction term is the one most likely to be useful in a decision-making context. Illustrative examples of Bayesian meta-regression against a continuous covariate and meta-regression against “baseline” risk are provided. Annotated WinBUGS code is set out in an appendix.

This article is from Medical Decision Making , volume 33 . Abstract This checklist is for the review of evidence syntheses for treatment efficacy used in decision making based on either efficacy or cost-effectiveness. It is intended to be used for pairwise meta-analysis, indirect comparisons, and network meta-analysis, without distinction. It does not generate a quality rating and is not prescriptive. Instead, it focuses on a series of questions aimed at revealing the assumptions that the authors of the synthesis are expecting readers to accept, the adequacy of the arguments authors advance in support of their position, and the need for further analyses or sensitivity analyses. The checklist is intended primarily for those who review evidence syntheses, including indirect comparisons and network meta-analyses, in the context of decision making but will also be of value to those submitting syntheses for review, whether to decision-making bodies or journals. The checklist has 4 main headings: A) definition of the decision problem, B) methods of analysis and presentation of results, C) issues specific to network synthesis, and D) embedding the synthesis in a probabilistic cost-effectiveness model. The headings and implicit advice follow directly from the other tutorials in this series. A simple table is provided that could serve as a pro forma checklist.

LibriVox volunteers bring you 15 different recordings of <em>To My Cat</em> by Rosamund Marriott Wilson. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of August 19th, 2007

2Hampstead Mystery

By Arthur J. Rees and John R. Watson

A murder whodunit... <br />Location:</b> Hampstead, England. <br /><b>Victim:</b> Sir Horace Fewbanks, a distinguished High Court judge. Cause of death: gun shot wound. <br /><b>Investigator:</b> Private Detective Crewe, a wealthy bachelor who has taken up crime detection as a hobby, because it provides intellectual challenges more satisfying even than playing twelve simultaneous boards against Russian chess champion Turgieff. <br /><b>His sidekick:</b> Joe is a fourteen year old Cockney boy, whom Crewe saved from a life of crime by hiring him as a messenger-boy and shadower. <br /><b>Other whodunit elements:</b> clues galore, suspects in abundance, an inquest, a trial, and an elegant resolution. (Summary by Maikki)

A guide for Christians to walk a godly life. Covering various practical and spiritual topics.<br /><br />This project was proof listened by Guero and Laura Victoria.

This book is an exposition of Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It was written in 1663, one year after Thomas Watson and many other Puritan ministers were forced out of their pulpits by the Act of Uniformity. Watson's book radiates comfort in the midst of suffering. Its content is equally applicable to Christians facing trials today. (Introduction by rosea)

The poacher of these "Confessions" was no imaginary being. Following in his father's and forefather's footsteps, he learnt from an early age the practical skills of poaching and woodcraft. It was, however, Mother Nature that made old "Phil" a Poacher but she also made him a Sportsman and a Naturalist at the same time. Never did any man appear in closer sympathy with the wild creatures about him. <br> Even when about eighty years of age, there was still some of the old erectness in his carriage; some of the old fire in his eyes. As a young man he was handsome, though in later years his features were battered out of all original conception. His silvery hair still covered a lion-like head, and his tanned cheeks were hard and firm. <br> If his life had been a lawless one he had undoubtedly paid a heavy price for his wrong doings. Great as a poacher, he must have been great whatever he had been. (Confessions of a Poacher / TND)

6Mystery of the Downs

By Arthur J. Rees and John R. Watson

"The storm had descended swiftly, sweeping in suddenly from the sea, driving across the downs to the hills at high speed, blotting out the faint rays of a crescent moon and hiding the country-side beneath a pall of blackness, which was forked at intervals by flashes of lightning." - Book's opening sentence

"The Art of Divine Contentment" is an exposition by the Puritan minister Thomas Watson of the text found in Philippians 4:11: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." It examines the nature of contentment and how to live it out in the Christian life, both by answering questions regarding problems with contentment and by giving examples of practical contentment. It is a good read for people with religious or historical interests. - Summary by J L Raimundo

A nice little story about a widower, his 18-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, and their vacation from their home in Colorado to the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There they meet some friendly locals, and... the story continues.<br /> The reader picked up this book at a thrift store, saw it was out of copyright, and recorded it "sight unseen". It was worth the risk. (Summary by TriciaG)

9Monitor and the Merrimac: Both sides of the story

By Samuel Greene, H. Ashton Ramsay, Eugene Winslow Watson and John Worden

The American Civil War lasted four years, from 1861 to 1865. It included some iconic battles that have maintained enough interest to merit recounting the events in countless books. One such seminal battle was that of the USS Monitor versus the USS Merrimack, two ironclad ships, repurposed and redesigned to have a defensive advantage against conventional wooden war ships of the 19th century. The Monitor and the Merrimack faced off in a duel in the harbor at Hampton Roads, Virginia. The event represented the beginning of a new era of naval warfare. “The Monitor and the Merrimac” is a unique historical account of the first-hand experiences and perspectives of soldiers on each of the two ships. - Summary by Jeffery Smith

10Witch of the Glens

By Sally Watson

The time is 1644 in Inverness Scotland. Kelpie, now a teenage girl, doesn't remember being kidnapped by Gypsies. They had kidnapped her at a very young age because her "Second Sight" that was indicated by her blue ringed eyes. Kelpie desperately wishes she were a witch and often wondered where she had come from. We follow Kelpie through a series of events that changes her life forever. - Summary by kirk202

Mr. Watson published a variety of books upon practical subjects, and of a useful nature. But his principal work was his Body of Divinity in 176 Sermons upon the Assembly’s Catechism, which did not appear till after his death. It was published in one volume folio, in 1692, accompanied with a portrait of the author by Sturt, a recommendatory Preface by the Rev. William Lorimer, and the attestation of twenty-five other ministers, of principal note in that day; and has since passed through a number of editions both in England and Scotland. - Summary by Biographical Notice