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Skandar and the Chaos Trials: The unmissable new book in the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter (Skandar #3)
by A.F. SteadmanHEROES AND UNICORNS AS YOU&’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. The epic adventure continues . . . Don&’t miss the unputdownable new book in the international bestselling SKANDAR series, for readers ages 9 to 99 and fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Impossible Creatures.Skandar and the Unicorn Thief was WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 and WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!Skandar and the Phantom Rider was one of THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2023 The Island always wins… Skandar and his sister Kenna are finally both at the Eyrie, but tensions are high. To survive their third year of training, Skandar and his friends must complete a series of terrifying trials across the Island&’s elemental zones. Friendships, allegiances and rider-unicorn bonds will be pushed to the limit – only the strongest will make it. Meanwhile Kenna&’s forged bond to a wild unicorn has left her alienated and alone. And when a terrible discovery puts the future of the Island in peril, all fingers point in one direction . . . As dark forces assemble, Skandar must decide how far is he willing to go – for Kenna, and for the Eyrie. Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out! Reader Reviews: ***** 'Overall amazing in every way. ***** &‘My daughter has rated them better that Percy Jackson.&’ ***** &’I don&’t know how I&’m going to wait for the next one.&’ ***** &’I have read Harry Potter and I think Skandar is better.&’ ***** &’Move over Harry Potter there&’s a new hero in town!&’ Have you read Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, the first book in the SKANDAR series?'Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.' – The Times Children's Book of the Week&‘Pacy, enthralling and epic, a gripping read.&’ – Louie Stowell, author of Loki &‘A dazzling feat of imagination. I loved every breathless moment of it!&’ – Cat Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper&’s Island and co-author of Twin Crowns&‘The best book I&’ve ever read.&’ – Patrick, age 10&‘My book of the year. Not since Harry Potter have I felt this excited about a series. Readers are sure to be clamouring for the next book. You&’ll never look at unicorns the same way again, nor will you want to!&’ – Dominique Valente, author of Starfell &‘Never have unicorns been so ferocious, fearsome and thrilling! A fantastically gripping read!&’ – Laura Ellen Anderson, author of Rainbow Grey&‘A magnificent book. I raced through it – at turns enthralled, delighted, amazed. It&’s everything I could have wanted and more. No doubt this book is going to fly.&’ – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear&‘Skandar and the Unicorn Thief brims with wild adventure, fierce sky battles, elemental magic, ferocious unicorns and a terrifying enemy. Steadman's cinematic writing draws you in from the very first page, creating a hugely compelling, unforgettable read. Endlessly thrilling, unputdownable and utterly unmissable.&’ – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn&‘A. F. Steadman has created a stunning new world that feels both familiar and fresh, with a cast of characters that will stay with you long after you&’ve finished reading.&’ –Tọlá Okogwu, author of
Skandar and the Chaos Trials (Skandar #3)
by A.F. SteadmanSkandar faces his greatest challenge yet in the thrilling third installment of the Skandar series from New York Times bestselling author A.F. Steadman!To survive their third year of training, Skandar and his friends must complete a series of terrifying trials across the Island&’s elemental zones. Friendships, allegiances, and rider-unicorn bonds will be pushed to the limit—only the strongest will make it. Meanwhile, Skandar&’s sister, Kenna, has finally reached the Eyrie. But with a forged bond to a wild unicorn, she is alienated and alone. And when a terrible discovery puts the future of the Island in peril, all fingers point in one direction… As suspicions grow and dark forces assemble, Skandar must decide where his loyalties lie. How far is he willing to go—for Kenna, and for the Eyrie?
Skateboarding For Dummies
by Daewon SongA beginner’s guide to skating for fun, fitness, and self-expression Skateboarding For Dummies teaches you the basics of the fun and popular sport of skateboarding, so you can start shredding. Author Daewon Song has been a pro skateboarder for 30 years and is considered to be the most technically gifted skateboarder of all time. He is passionate about the sport and shares his enthusiasm and experience in this easy-to-read guide. Skateboarding is a fun, challenging, and inclusive sport that can also be a powerful outlet for self-expression. With this book, you’ll learn cool tricks, safe skating, and skatepark etiquette. Plus, you’ll discover how skateboarding can bring positivity to your life, building your confidence and self-esteem. Shop for your first skateboard and essential accessories Learn the basics of riding a skateboard at a skatepark Get step-by-step instructions for performing classic tricks Discover the history of skateboardingSkateboarding is for everyone, regardless of age or background, and Skateboarding For Dummies is for anyone who wants to give this sport a try.
Skies of Thunder: The Deadly World War II Mission Over the Roof of the World
by Caroline AlexanderFrom the New York Times bestselling author, a breathtaking account of combat and survival in one of the most brutally challenging and rarely examined campaigns of World War IIIn April 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army steamrolled through Burma, capturing the only ground route from India to China. Supplies to this critical zone would now have to come from India by air—meaning across the Himalayas, on the most hazardous air route in the world. SKIES OF THUNDER is a story of an epic human endeavor, in which Allied troops faced the monumental challenge of operating from airfields hacked from the jungle, and took on &“the Hump,&” the fearsome mountain barrier that defined the air route.They flew fickle, untested aircraft through monsoons and enemy fire, with inaccurate maps and only primitive navigation technology. The result was a litany of both deadly crashes and astonishing feats of survival. The most chaotic of all the war&’s arenas, the China-Burma-India theater was further confused by the conflicting political interests of Roosevelt, Churchill and their demanding, nominal ally, Chiang Kai-shek.Caroline Alexander, who wrote the defining books on Shackleton&’s Endurance and Bligh's Bounty, is brilliant at probing what it takes to survive extreme circumstances. She has unearthed obscure memoirs and long-ignored records to give us the pilots&’ and soldiers&’ eye views of flying and combat, as well as honest portraits of commanders like the celebrated &“Vinegar Joe&” Stillwell and Claire Lee Chennault. She assesses the real contributions of units like the Flying Tigers, Merrill&’s Marauders, and the British Chindits, who pioneered new and unconventional forms of warfare. Decisions in this theater exposed the fault-lines between the Allies—America and Britain, Britain and India, and ultimately and most fatefully between America and China, as FDR pressed to help the Chinese nationalists in order to forge a bond with China after the war. A masterpiece of modern war history.
skin & bones: a novel
by Renée WatsonFrom the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a soulful and lyrical novel exploring sisterhood, motherhood, faith, love, and ultimately what gets passed down from one generation to the next At 40, Lena Baker is at a steady and stable moment in life—between wine nights with her two best friends and her wedding just weeks away, she&’s happy in love and in friendship until a confession on her wedding day shifts her world. Unmoored and grieving a major loss, Lena finds herself trying to teach her daughter self-love while struggling to do so herself. Lena questions everything she&’s learned about dating, friendship, and motherhood, and through it all, she works tirelessly to bring the oft-forgotten Black history of Oregon to the masses, sidestepping her well-meaning co-workers that don&’t understand that their good intentions are often offensive and hurtful. Through Watson&’s poetic voice, skin & bones is a stirring exploration of who society makes space for and is ultimately a story of heartbreak and healing.
The Skunks
by Fiona Warnick“A gleaming, zany little gem.” —Annie Hartnett, author of Unlikely Animals Reminiscent of Elif Batuman and Sally Rooney, Fiona Warnick’s precise and tender prose captures the formative moments of a young woman’s life, from the slow burn of a new crush to the swish of a skunk’s tail. Dear Skunks, I wrote. Then I got stuck. What was there to say about the skunks? Of course there was the smell—the spraying. Everyone’s mind jumped to the spraying. I often forgot about the spraying entirely, which was nice because it made me feel that I wasn’t like other people. From the outside, Isabel doesn’t seem to have much going on. It’s the summer after college graduation and she’s moved back to her hometown, where she spends her days house-sitting, babysitting, working the front desk at a yoga studio, and hanging out with her childhood friend Ellie. But on the inside, Isabel’s mind is always running, always analyzing, and right now, she’s trying hard to not let her thoughts give weight to boys. So when Isabel spots three baby skunks in the yard, their presence is not only a strangely thrilling break from the expected, it feels like a fortuitous sign from the universe. Skunks. That’s what she should be thinking about. As the summer unfolds, Isabel becomes increasingly preoccupied with the skunks, while also navigating her various jobs and an ambiguous relationship with Eli, the son of the couple she’s house-sitting for. In her own life and in the imagined inner lives of the skunks, Isabel ponders the nature of existence, love vs. infatuation, and the many small moments that make us animal, make us human. The Skunks is an unforgettable coming-of-age story about the complexities of crushes, desire, friendship, and modern life.
The Sky King (Skyriders #2)
by Polly HolyokeIn this soaring adventure for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and Wings of Fire, a new kind of monster launches an attack on the empire of Prekalt. Who can Kiesandra and her skysteed turn to for help in this life-and-death battle? Fresh from their victory over the frightening chimerae monsters, Kie and N'Rah are looking forward to a quiet life on her uncle's orchard, far from the turmoil of the capital city. They miss the friends they made there, but as sky couriers, their job keeps them busy. Then Kie unexpectedly receives a message from the emperor himself! He has an urgent mission for Kie and N'Rah—they need to find the Sky King, the elusive ruler of the wild skysteeds that soar across the land. After losing so many fighters in the Battle of a Thousand Chimerae, the empire is in desperate need of a hundreds of winged horses for their soldiers to ride. The wild herds are the only source, but bitter betrayals in the past have made the Sky King distrustful of humans. Kie's unique gift of communicating with all skysteeds makes her the best person for the job, but it would take a miracle for the Sky King to trust a young girl. Then a new threat emerges in the form of huge birds of prey called vultiren. With the fearsome creatures heading straight for the wild skysteeds&’ hidden refuge, Kie must convince the Sky King to ally with her—before their world is destroyed forever.
The Sky Was Ours: A Novel
by Joe Fassler&“An immersive fever dream of a novel, beautifully written and boldly imagined.&” —Leslie Jamison, New York Times bestselling author of The Empathy ExamsFrom prizewinning writer Joe Fassler comes a brilliant modern reimagining of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus as a story of obsession, longing, and the radical pursuit of utopiaIt&’s 2005, and 24-year-old Jane is miserable. Overworked, buried in debt, she senses the life she wanted slipping away—while the world around her veers badly off course, hurtling toward economic and ecological collapse. She wants to find something better. But she has no idea where to start. In a sudden and unprecedented burst of rebellion, Jane decides to abandon everything she knows, leaving behind her relationships and responsibilities to go on the road. That&’s how she meets Barry, a brilliant and charismatic recluse living on an isolated homestead near New York&’s Canadian border. For years, in secret, Barry&’s chased an unlikely obsession: to build a pair of wings humans can fly in, with designs inspired by an obscure precursor to the Wright Brothers. It&’s no mere hobby. He&’s convinced his dream of flight will spark a revolution, delivering us from the degradation of modern capitalism and the climate chaos that awaits us. Jane is captivated by Barry&’s radical vision, even as his experiments become more dangerous. But she&’s equally drawn to the enigmatic Ike, Barry&’s gentle, thoughtful son, who&’s known no other reality—and who only wants to keep his father alive, tethered to ground and to reason. So begins an inventive, dazzlingly beautiful story about the human desire for transcendence—our longing to escape the mundane and glide into a euphoric future. Inspired by the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, The Sky Was Ours is a powerful and imaginative debut that explores the question: If you had access to technology that allowed you to escape the confines of your life, would you use it? And if Barry&’s wings really could change the world, would that be freedom?
Sleeping Dogs: The new must-read thriller from the bestselling author of Firewatching
by Russ ThomasTHE NEWEST THRILLER IN THE DS ADAM TYLER SERIES, FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FIREWATCHING &‘I was hooked on DS Adam Tyler from the first page . . . Spot on&’ SAM HOLLAND _____________________________THE LIES OF THE PAST . . . When an anonymous tip lands on his desk, DS Adam Tyler is intrigued in spite of himself. The disappearance of a young mother twenty-four years ago was big news, but the case was never solved – this tantalizing new lead is something he simply can&’t ignore. But the letter has set in motion a dangerous chain of events, and Tyler&’s search for the truth soon leaves him fighting for his life. . . . LIVE IN THE PRESENT With Tyler out of action, DC Mina Rabbani must step up to lead the Cold Case Review Unit in his absence, retracing Tyler&’s steps and uncovering his secrets to figure out what he was working on. But as she begins to put the pieces together, the case starts to hit frighteningly close to home. Without DS Tyler to protect her, Mina realises that now she&’s the one with hard choices to make.And this time she&’s on her own.Brimming with character and tension, the DS Adam Tyler series is perfect for fans of Tana French, Adrian McKinty and M. W. Craven: #1 FIREWATCHING #2 NIGHTHAWKING #3 COLD RECKONING #4 SLEEPING DOGS PRAISE FOR THE DS ADAM TYLER SERIES: &‘Clever and compulsive&’ LOUISE CANDLISH &‘I loved it&’ LEE CHILD &‘A cracking read with a terrific new detective lead&’ SARAH HILARY &‘A rollercoaster ride&’ PETER ROBINSON &‘Wonderfully fresh and original&’ KATE RHODES &‘Superb&’ JAMES DELARGY &‘Totally absorbed me&’ CASS GREEN &‘Everything you could want from a crime novel&’ SARAH WARD &‘Hard-hitting&’ SUNDAY TIMES, CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH &‘Riveting&’ HEAT &‘Taut, intelligent and fast moving&’ DAILY MAIL
Slow Planning?: Timescapes, Power and Democracy
by Mark Dobson Gavin ParkerA deep exploration on how questions of time and its organisation affect planning practice, this book questions ‘project speed’: where time to think, deliberate and plan has been squeezed. The authors demonstrate the many benefits of slow planning for the key participants, multiple interests and planning system overall.
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
by Cal NewportA New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and IndieBound bestseller"Brilliant and timely" — Oliver Burkeman~ Do Fewer Things. Work at a Natural Pace. Obsess over Quality. ~ From the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work, a groundbreaking philosophy for pursuing meaningful accomplishment while avoiding overloadOur current definition of &“productivity&” is broken. It pushes us to treat busyness as a proxy for useful effort, leading to impossibly lengthy task lists and ceaseless meetings. We&’re overwhelmed by all we have to do and on the edge of burnout, left to decide between giving into soul-sapping hustle culture or rejecting ambition altogether. But are these really our only choices?Long before the arrival of pinging inboxes and clogged schedules, history&’s most creative and impactful philosophers, scientists, artists, and writers mastered the art of producing valuable work with staying power. In this timely and provocative book, Cal Newport harnesses the wisdom of these traditional knowledge workers to radically transform our modern jobs. Drawing from deep research on the habits and mindsets of a varied cast of storied thinkers – from Galileo and Isaac Newton, to Jane Austen and Georgia O&’Keefe – Newport lays out the key principles of &“slow productivity,&” a more sustainable alternative to the aimless overwhelm that defines our current moment. Combining cultural criticism with systematic pragmatism, Newport deconstructs the absurdities inherent in standard notions of productivity, and then provides step-by-step advice for cultivating a slower, more humane alternative.From the aggressive rethinking of workload management, to introducing seasonal variation, to shifting your performance toward long-term quality, Slow Productivity provides a roadmap for escaping overload and arriving instead at a more timeless approach to pursuing meaningful accomplishment. The world of work is due for a new revolution. Slow productivity is exactly what we need.
Sly the Fly to the Rescue
by Hamilton WilliamsSly the fly is always for a good adventure and he has one here in sly the fly to the rescue. How cool would it be to have a chance to be a hero? Sly has that chance as he dodges fly swatters, and an encounter with a bear, trying to rescue a pretty girl fly.There is never a boring day in the life of sly the fly.This adventure will have you on the edge of your seat cheering him on as he tries to be a hero in Sly the Fly to the Rescue!
A Small Collection of Happinesses: A tale of loneliness, grumpiness and one extraordinary friendship
by Zana Fraillon'I enjoyed this strange, inventive and moving tale' DAVID ALMONDAn unforgettable story of friendship, hope and happiness from renowned Australian writer Zana Fraillon.Are you ready? Are you listening? Something is about to begin.When Ada arrives on the day of the Great Summer Storm, it is like the wind had picked her up and blown her in - walking stick and all - and dumped her right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane.Unfortunately, Ada is not the kind of neighbour Hettie was hoping for. Cranky, impatient and a hater of cats, Ada has no intention of making friends.But as the summer unfolds, Hettie and Ada discover they have more in common than they think. Could their unlikely friendship be the missing piece they never knew they needed?With illustrations by Stephen Michael King.'A gem of a book. The story is a powerful one of community and understanding, exploring deep themes with the lightest of touch - and warm humour. One of the best books I've read this year - I loved it' GILL LEWIS, author of Moonflight'A beautiful story of friendship and love across generations for readers aged 12+ who enjoy Karen Foxlee and Kate DiCamillo's books' BOOKS+PUBLISHING
Small Hours: the spellbinding new novel from the author of ISAAC AND THE EGG
by Bobby Palmer'Powerful' JOANNA GLEN'Beautiful' KATE SAWYER'A triumph' JENNIE GODFREYThe eagerly awaited new novel from Bobby Palmer, author of the critically acclaimed debut Isaac and the Egg.If you stood before sunrise in this wild old place, looking through the trees into the garden, here's what you'd see:A father and son, a fox standing between them.Jack, home for the first time in years, still determined to be the opposite of his father.Gerry, who would rather talk to animals than the angry man back under his roof.Everything that follows is because of the fox, and because Jack's mother is missing. It spans generations of big dreams and lost time, unexpected connections and things falling apart, great wide worlds and the moments that define us.If you met them in the small hours, you'd begin to piece together their story.'A magical, comforting read that touches on father-son relationships, male mental health and the healing power of nature' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'A beautiful examination of love and loss' HEAT'Tender and touching' GLAMOUR PRAISE FOR ISAAC AND THE EGG'A tender story of love, grief and the transformative power of friendship' Guardian'Truly one of the most beautiful stories you will ever read' Joanna Cannon'Will linger longer after the final page' Independent'Unique, tender and funny' Pandora Sykes'A future classic' Clare Mackintosh'Like nothing I've ever read before' Stylist'An arresting debut novel about grief in the most wonderfully oblique way' Reverend Richard Coles'Just magic' Kate Sawyer
Small States in EU Policy-Making: Strategies, Challenges, Opportunities (Small State Studies)
by Anna-Lena Högenauer and Matúš MišíkSmall States in EU Policy-Making analyses how small states try to impact European Union policy-making through a range of strategies.With the last rounds of enlargement and Brexit, the number and weight of small states in the European Union have steadily increased. At the same time, small states face distinct challenges in different institutions, which may impact their strategies. Nonetheless, the existing literature primarily focuses on the Council of the European Union and the European Council and offers few insights into how small states navigate the other institutions. The contributions to this volume examine how small states can wield influence in different institutions, arguing that they do indeed pursue different strategies depending on institutional context. The policy case studies on the EU’s foreign and security policies confirm these findings: small states can have influence in EU policy-making and can create situations where their needs are met. They are most likely to succeed when they build foreign policy coalitions, when they anticipate major economic developments and when they manage to acquire a high level of expertise in a policy area. However, the case studies also show that there is a risk of small states becoming policy-takers in cases where they cannot provide leadership in terms of ideas and expertise and/or fail to build political weight through coalitions.This book will be of interest to academics and practitioners of European politics and the EU in particular, as well as policy-makers and practitioners working on small states.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.
Smart and Healthy Walking: Toward Better Health and Life in Smart Cities (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Tin-Chih Toly Chen Yun-Ju LeeThis book examines smart technologies and their invaluable role in augmenting the walking experience of mobile users. From meticulously planned walking routes to precise footprint detection and analysis, as well as cutting-edge fall detection and prevention mechanisms, these intelligent technologies have the potential to revolutionize healthy and smart walking. Against the backdrop of the post-COVID-19 era, where unrestricted mobility has become pivotal for restoring normalcy, the demand for smart healthcare solutions has soared. The book explores latest advances in sensor technology, cloud computing, deep learning, and networking and related innovative applications that can leverage smart technologies to enhance healthy walking.
Smart Grids as Cyber Physical Systems, 2 Volume Set
by O.V. Gnana Swathika K. Karthikeyan Sanjeevikumar PadmanabanSmart Grids as Cyber Physical Systems, a new two-volume set from Wiley-Scrivener, provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental security of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, offering clarity on specific operating and security issues that may arise that deteriorate the overall operation and efficiency of smart grid systems. It also provides techniques to monitor and protect systems, as well as aids for designing a threat-free system. This title discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) may be extensively deployed in the prediction of energy generation, electric grid-related line loss prediction, load forecasting, and for predicting equipment failure prevention. It also discusses power generation systems, building service systems, and explores advances in machine learning, artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, and hybrid mechanisms. Additionally, we will explore research contribution of experts in CPS infrastructure systems, incorporating sustainability by embedding computing and communication in day-to-day smart grid applications. This book will be of immense use to practitioners in industries focusing on adaptive configuration and optimization in smart grid systems. Through case studies, it offers a rigorous introduction to the theoretical foundations, techniques, and practical solutions CPS offers. Building CPS with effective communication, control, intelligence, and security is discussed from societal and research perspectives and a forum for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas and achieve progress in CPS is provided by highlighting applications, advances, and research challenges. This book offers a comprehensive look at ICS cyber threats, attacks, metrics, risk, situational awareness, intrusion detection, and security testing, providing a valuable reference set for current system owners who wish to configure and operate their ICSs securely.
Smart Learning Environments in the Post Pandemic Era: Selected Papers from the CELDA 2022 Conference (Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age)
by Demetrios G. Sampson Dirk Ifenthaler Pedro IsaíasThis edited volume presents the latest research focussing on current challenges on the deployment of smart technologies and pedagogies for supporting teaching and learning in the post-covid19 era. This is at the core of studying the evolution of the learning process, the role of technology-supported pedagogical approaches, and the progress of educational technology innovations in the context of digital transformation in education and professional training. A selection of the best papers from the Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age (CELDA) Conference, 2022 are included in this volume, bringing together high-quality research on Smart Pedagogies in the Post-Pandemic Era; Smart Learning Technologies in the Post-Pandemic Era; and Case Studies of Smart Learning Environments. The volume contributes to the discussion of current issues in digital education between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Smart Learning Solutions for Sustainable Societies (Lecture Notes in Educational Technology)
by Cândida Silva Susana Silva Dulce Mota Paula PeresThis book showcases research and project results on technology, smart learning, and sustainability education and analyzes smart learning solutions for lifelong learning. It discusses their impact and potential for transfer and scaling and reviews how real solutions perform in the real world. Sustainable societies are built on twenty-first-century skills. Attaining the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals requires a focus on a new set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, as well as novel and smart strategies that leverage state-of-the-art technologies and make these skillsets widely available in our societies to all groups of people, at any time in their lives, in professional as well as academic settings. This book serves as a helpful resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, and consultants from around the world who are involved in the study, management and development of educational technology, smart learning, sustainability education, and related issues.
Smart Management: How Simple Heuristics Help Leaders Make Good Decisions in an Uncertain World
by Jochen Reb Shenghua Luan Gerd GigerenzerWhy successful leaders must embrace simple strategies in an increasingly uncertain and complex world.Making decisions is one of the key tasks of managers, leaders, and professionals. In Smart Management, Jochen Reb, Shenghua Luan, and Gerd Gigerenzer demonstrate how business leaders can utilize heuristics—simple decision-making strategies adapted to the task at hand. In a world that has become increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), the authors make the case against complex analytical methods that quickly reach their limits. This against-the-grain approach leads to decisions that are not only faster but also more accurate, transparent, and easier to learn about, communicate, and teach. Smart Management offers an evidence-based yet practical discussion of how business leaders can use smart heuristics to make good decisions in a VUCA world.Building on the fast-and-frugal heuristics program, Smart Management demonstrates the efficacy of heuristic decision making in a twofold approach. First, it introduces the concept of ecological rationality, which prescribes the environmental conditions under which specific heuristics work well. Second, the book describes a repertoire of heuristics, referred to as the adaptive toolbox, that leaders, managers, and professionals can develop and rely on to make a variety of decisions, such as on business strategy, negotiation, and personnel selection. The toolbox not only showcases the practical usefulness of these heuristics but also inspires readers to discover and develop their own smart heuristics.
Smart Materials for Science and Engineering
by Upendra Kumar Piyush Kumar SonkarSMART MATERIALS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Smart materials, also known as advanced or creative materials, are described as advanced materials that react intuitively to environmental changes or as materials that can return to their original shape in response to certain stimuli. Smart materials are classified as either active or passive based on their characteristics. There are two types of active materials. The first kind cannot change its characteristics when subjected to outside stimuli, for example photochromatic spectacles that only alter their color when exposed to sunlight. The other, which includes piezoelectric materials, can change one sort of energy (thermal, electrical, chemical, mechanical, or optical) into another. When subjected to external pressure, it can generate an electric charge. As an example, optical fibers can transmit electromagnetic waves. In contrast, passive smart materials can transmit a specific sort of energy. They have some amazing qualities that set them apart from other materials, such as transiency, meaning they can react to different kinds of external stimuli immediately, self-actuation or the capacity to change their appearance and shape, selectivity where the response is divided and expected, directness when the response is limited to the activating event, shape-changing where the material can change its shape to external stimuli, their ability to determine their own health, also known as self-diagnosis, and their ability to self-heal. The ability to synthesize novel materials has substantially progressed thanks to science and technology over the past 20 years. They fall mostly into the following four categories: polymers, ceramics, metals, and smart materials. Among these, smart materials are gaining popularity since they have more uses than conventional materials. Smart materials are unusual substances that have the ability to alter their properties, such as those that can immediately change their phase when placed near a magnet or their shape simply by applying heat. Humanity will be significantly impacted by this new era of smart materials. For instance, some of them can adapt their properties to the environment, some have sensory capabilities, some can repair themselves automatically, and some can degrade themselves. These extraordinary properties of smart materials will have an effect on all facets of civilization. There are many different types of intelligent materials, including magnetorheological materials, electro-rheostat materials, shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, and more. This book describes many forms of smart materials and their possible uses in various fields. A literature survey discusses the different types of smart materials, such as based ceramics, polymers, and organic compounds and their needs, advantages, disadvantages, and applications will be comprehensively discussed. A discussion of well-established smart materials including piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, shape memory alloy, electro-rheological fluid, and magnetorheological fluid materials will be discussed with their present prospects.
The Smart Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 101 Brain-Healthy Recipes to Protect Your Mind and Boost Your Mood
by Serena Ball Deanna Segrave-DalyBoost your brain power, protect your memory, and balance your mood with the sunny flavors and proven benefits of the Mediterranean diet.Following the bestselling success of The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook and The Sustainable Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly share more than 100 recipes specifically formulated with your brain and mood in mind.With recipes that provide &“food for thought,&” from breakfast to dessert, as well as snacks, sides, and small plates, you&’ll reach for this book again and again—whether you&’re cooking a family dinner or a meal for a large gathering. Dishes include Mediterranean Sun Gold Granola, Berry Smart Seeded Dressing Over Greens, Green Falafel Fritters with Red Pepper Sauce, Sizzling Shrimp and Peppers with Cilantro, Moroccan Spiced Hot Chocolate, and more. You&’ll also find tools to make yummy and nutritious meals easier than ever before, including: A reader-friendly quick guide to the principles of cognitive and mental-healthy eating Healthy Kitchen Hacks for every recipe, including substitutions, prep tips, and timesaving suggestionsAdaptable recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan lifestylesFive-day meal plansEating a Mediterranean diet is one of the most effective ways to protect and enhance your brain health, halt inflammation, improve symptoms of depression, and help to reduce daily stress. Research shows results in less than two months—but good nutrition only works if you want to eat the food. That&’s where The Smart Mediterranean Diet Cookbook comes in. Serena and Deanna&’s smart recipes are layered with enticing Mediterranean flavors and the most potent brain-boosting ingredients. This book solves the dilemma of &“what&’s for dinner&” while enhancing your brain and mood with every dish.
Smart Trends in Computing and Communications: Proceedings of SmartCom 2024, Volume 4 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems #948)
by Tomonobu Senjyu Chakchai So–In Amit JoshiThis book gathers high-quality papers presented at the Eighth International Conference on Smart Trends in Computing and Communications (SmartCom 2024), organized by Global Knowledge Research Foundation (GR Foundation) from 12 to 13 January 2024 in Pune, India. It covers the state-of-the-art and emerging topics in information, computer communications, and effective strategies for their use in engineering and managerial applications. It also explores and discusses the latest technological advances in, and future directions for, information and knowledge computing and its applications.
Smell, Taste, Eat: The Role of the Chemical Senses in Eating Behaviour
by Lorenzo D. StaffordThis edited collection synthesises recent research into smell and taste and relates it to eating behaviour. Olfaction - the sense of smell - together with taste are known as the ‘chemical senses’ and are the oldest sensory system. It is paradoxical then that our knowledge (especially psychological) about these two systems remains far behind that of vision and audition. Nevertheless, the past twenty years has seen a significant increase in our understanding of these sensory systems and the contributors to this book, many of whom helped to reveal key findings in this research domain, explore theories which attempt to explain appetite control, associative odour learning and multisensory perception, among others. It further brings the reader up to date on the current state of knowledge on disordered eating and olfactory disorders. Finally, it bridges across different academic disciplines to reveal the importance of the chemical senses in indigenous people in Guyana.
Smoky Mountains Graveyard (A Tennessee Cold Case Story #5)
by Lena DiazSix bodies. No suspect. And a serial killer on the loose. Working a cold case, investigators Faith Lancaster and Asher Whitfield unearth a secret burial ground. And when a young woman goes missing, it&’s clear that the same person is to blame. Then he turns his rage on Faith. Now, as they race to protect others in danger, she is torn between keeping things professional and resisting the attraction she and Asher share.From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.Discover more action-packed stories in the Tennessee Cold Case Story series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order: Book 1: Murder on Prescott MountainBook 2: Serial Slayer Cold CaseBook 3: Shrouded in the SmokiesBook 4: The Secret She KeepsBook 5: Smoky Mountains Graveyard