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The Wartime Sisters: A Novel
by Lynda Cohen LoigmanFor fans of Lilac Girls, the next powerful novel from the author of Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist The Two-Family House about two sisters working in a WWII armory, each with a deep secret. "Loigman’s strong voice and artful prose earn her a place in the company of Alice Hoffman and Anita Diamant, whose readers should flock to this wondrous new book." —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale"The Wartime Sisters shows the strength of women on the home front: to endure, to fight, and to help each other survive.” —Jenna Blum, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Lost Family and Those Who Save UsTwo estranged sisters, raised in Brooklyn and each burdened with her own shocking secret, are reunited at the Springfield Armory in the early days of WWII. While one sister lives in relative ease on the bucolic Armory campus as an officer’s wife, the other arrives as a war widow and takes a position in the Armory factories as a “soldier of production.” Resentment festers between the two, and secrets are shattered when a mysterious figure from the past reemerges in their lives."One of my favorite books of the year." —Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Dollhouse and The Masterpiece "A stirring tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of long-buried secrets.” —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost and Sold on a Monday
The Italian State and International Terrorism, 1969–1986: The Lodo Moro (Security, Conflict and Cooperation in the Contemporary World)
by Valentine LomelliniThis book sheds light on the so-called ‘Moro Doctrine’, an Italian state security policy which has been portrayed in literature as an under-the-counter agreement made between Italy and Palestinian movement during the Cold War. The Moro Doctrine, or ‘Lodo Moro’ as it is known in Italy, aimed to protect the peninsula from Palestinian attacks by allowing terrorists to use Italian territory as a base for weapons and guerrilla fighters.Responsibility for the ‘Lodo’ was instrumentally placed on Aldo Moro, the five- time Prime Minister of Italy, after his death, and since then his name has become indelibly linked with the shame of having negotiated with Palestinian terrorists.Thanks to records collected from over twenty archives in Italy, the USA, France, Germany, Britain and Russia, concrete evidence shows that the significance of this agreement needs to be rethought. The author argues that the decision to adopt the Lodo was not solely made by Moro, but also involved key figures of the Christian Democrat and Socialist parties, various magistrates and even the President of the Republic. It illustrates how terrorism was used as an effective tool in international diplomacy to influence foreign and domestic policies.Offering a re-examination of Italian counter-terrorist policy, this book analyses how Italy responded to international terrorism during the Cold War, providing a useful read for those researching Italian and European history, Cold War studies, the history of international relations and diplomacy, and Middle-East history.
Mamasaurus
by Stephan LompThis colorful and reassuring picture book follows Babysaurus on an adventure as he enlists his prehistoric friends to seek his Mamasaurus. Is his Mamasaurus the fastest in the jungle? No. Is she the loudest? No. Is she the best flyer? No! Of course, Mamasaurus has been right there all along. And when Babysaurus needs a little help, she is ready with a big hug and a sweet, leafy snack. For Babysaurus, his Mamasaurus is the best mamasaurus in the world! Stephan Lomp has illustrated several books in his native Germany, and in this debut as both author and artist, he has created a fresh twist on a perennial theme that will win the hearts of little ones and their mamas as they snuggle up to read a new favorite.Plus, this is the fixed-format version, which looks almost identical to the print edition!
The Call of the Wild (Puffin Classics)
by Jack LondonPuffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childTo Buck it was boundless delight, this hunting, fishing, and indefinite wandering through strange places. Pampered dog Buck lives a comfortable life in Santa Clara Valley, where he spends his days eating and sleeping in the golden sunshine. But one day a terrible act of betrayal leads to his kidnap, and he is forced into a life of work and danger. Dragged away to be a sledge dog in the harsh and freezing cold Yukon, Buck must fight for his place in the wilderness - and a place to call home.The Call of the Wild is a beautiful and thought-provoking tale following a dog's journey of hope, resilience and finding your family. This edition includes an introduction by award-winning author Melvyn Burgess, a behind-the-scenes journey, an author profile, a guide to who's who, activities and more.
Highlander Unbound
by Julia LondonUSA TODAY bestselling author Julia London begins her acclaimed Lockhart series in this stunning novel of a love that knows no bounds.On leave from his Highland regiment, Captain Liam Lockhart comes to London on an urgent mission: to repossess the stolen family heirloom that could save his ancestral estate. He never dreamed it would involve surrendering his heart, but the beautiful and scandalous socialite Ellen Farnsworth sets his Highland blood aflame with a will as strong and reckless as his own. Though bound to Liam by a soul-searing passion, duty impels Ellen to commit a terrible betrayal. Now, driven by passion, pride, and vengeance, this fearsome Highlander will reclaim not only his family's ancient treasure, but the one daring woman he was meant to love for all time.
Trippy: The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics
by Ernesto LondoñoA moving, tender and thoughtful exploration of a complicated subject. Johann Hari, Sunday Times bestselling author of Stolen Focus and Lost ConnectionsA compulsively readable romp through a burgeoning scene that has immense potential for both harm and healing.Dan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of 10% Happier and host of the Ten Percent Happier podcastCourageous and revelatory... This journey inside the brain and around the world taught me more than any book I've read in a long time. It's an important book, one that will save people's lives.Benjamin Moser, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Sontag: Her Life and WorkWhen he signed up for a psychedelic retreat deep in the Brazilian rainforest, veteran New York Times journalist Ernesto Londoño was so depressed that he had come close to attempting suicide just weeks earlier. To his astonishment, the nine-day ayahuasca experience provided Londoño an instant reprieve from his depression and became the genesis of a personal transformation that anchors this sweeping exploration of the booming field of medicinal psychedelics. Londoño's deeply researched and brilliantly reported account introduces readers to a dazzling array of psychedelic enthusiasts who are upending our understanding of trauma and healing. From Indigenous elders who regard psychedelics as portals to the spirit world to religious leaders using mind-bending substances as sacraments, as well as war veterans who credit psychedelics with alleviating their PTSD, and clinicians trying to resurrect a promising field of medicine hastily abandoned in when the War on Drugs was announced in the 1970s.Trippy is the definitive book of psychedelics and mental health today, an in-depth and nuanced look at this booming industry which makes sense of the perils, limitations and promise of turning to psychedelics in the pursuit of healing.
Trippy: The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics
by Ernesto LondoñoA moving, tender and thoughtful exploration of a complicated subject. Johann Hari, Sunday Times bestselling author of Stolen Focus and Lost ConnectionsA compulsively readable romp through a burgeoning scene that has immense potential for both harm and healing.Dan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of 10% Happier and host of the Ten Percent Happier podcastCourageous and revelatory... This journey inside the brain and around the world taught me more than any book I've read in a long time. It's an important book, one that will save people's lives.Benjamin Moser, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Sontag: Her Life and WorkWhen he signed up for a psychedelic retreat deep in the Brazilian rainforest, veteran New York Times journalist Ernesto Londoño was so depressed that he had come close to attempting suicide just weeks earlier. To his astonishment, the nine-day ayahuasca experience provided Londoño an instant reprieve from his depression and became the genesis of a personal transformation that anchors this sweeping exploration of the booming field of medicinal psychedelics. Londoño's deeply researched and brilliantly reported account introduces readers to a dazzling array of psychedelic enthusiasts who are upending our understanding of trauma and healing. From Indigenous elders who regard psychedelics as portals to the spirit world to religious leaders using mind-bending substances as sacraments, as well as war veterans who credit psychedelics with alleviating their PTSD, and clinicians trying to resurrect a promising field of medicine hastily abandoned in when the War on Drugs was announced in the 1970s.Trippy is the definitive book of psychedelics and mental health today, an in-depth and nuanced look at this booming industry which makes sense of the perils, limitations and promise of turning to psychedelics in the pursuit of healing.
Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Conference on Material, Machines and Methods for Sustainable Development: Volume 2: Materials Applications, Machining, and Renewable Energy (Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering)
by Banh Tien Long Kozo Ishizaki Hyung Sun Kim Yun-Hae Kim Nguyen Duc Toan Nguyen Thi Hong Minh Pham Duc AnThis book presents selected, peer-reviewed proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Material, Machines and Methods for Sustainable Development (MMMS2022), held in the city of Can Tho, Vietnam, from 10 to 13 November 2022. The purpose of the conference is to explore and ensure an understanding of the critical aspects contributing to sustainable development with a focus on advanced mechanical engineering, automation, materials, machines and methods. The contributions published in this book come from authors representing universities, research institutes and industrial companies and reflect the results of a very broad spectrum of research, from micro- and nanoscale materials design and processing, to mechanical engineering technology in industry. Many of the contributions selected for these proceedings focus on materials modeling, eco-material processes and mechanical manufacturing. Volume 2 of this book focuses on topics dedicated to materials applications, machining, and renewable energy. Selected topics include: material machinability and economic efficiency, sustainable development manufacturing technology, environmental protection, as well as green development and climate change prevention.
Engineering the Eternal City: Infrastructure, Topography, and the Culture of Knowledge in Late Sixteenth-Century Rome
by Pamela O. LongBetween the catastrophic flood of the Tiber River in 1557 and the death of the “engineering pope” Sixtus V in 1590, the city of Rome was transformed by intense activity involving building construction and engineering projects of all kinds. Using hundreds of archival documents and primary sources, Engineering the Eternal City explores the processes and people involved in these infrastructure projects—sewers, bridge repair, flood prevention, aqueduct construction, the building of new, straight streets, and even the relocation of immensely heavy ancient Egyptian obelisks that Roman emperors had carried to the city centuries before. This portrait of an early modern Rome examines the many conflicts, failures, and successes that shaped the city, as decision-makers tried to control not only Rome’s structures and infrastructures but also the people who lived there. Taking up visual images of the city created during the same period—most importantly in maps and urban representations, this book shows how in a time before the development of modern professionalism and modern bureaucracies, there was far more wide-ranging conversation among people of various backgrounds on issues of engineering and infrastructure than there is in our own times. Physicians, civic leaders, jurists, cardinals, popes, and clerics engaged with painters, sculptors, architects, printers, and other practitioners as they discussed, argued, and completed the projects that remade Rome.
Sylvia Long's Mother Goose: Four Classic Stories
by Sylvia LongFeaturing four different Mother Goose rhymes—"Humpty Dumpty", "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Hickory, Dickory, Dock", and "Hey, Diddle, Diddle"—and accompanied by beautiful illustrations from celebrated children's book artist Sylvia Long, this collection of short ebooks is perfect for the young reader.
The Butterfly Assassin
by Finn LongmanWINNER OF AN ABA AWARD. Innocent by day, killer by night: a dark, twisting thriller about a teen assassin&’s attempt to live a normal life. Don't miss the second book in the trilogy, The Hummingbird Killer, out now. 'An electrifying debut!&’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You Trained and traumatised by a secret assassin programme for minors, Isabel Ryans wants nothing more than to be a normal civilian. After running away from home, she has a new name, a new life and a new friend, Emma, and for the first time, things are looking up. But old habits die hard, and it&’s not long until she blows her cover, drawing the attention of the guilds – the two rival organisations who control the city of Espera. An unaffiliated killer like Isabel is either a potential asset . . . or a threat to be eliminated. Will the blood on her hands cost her everything?From award-winning author Finn Longman, an exhilarating voice in YA fiction, comes an addictive trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games. PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN: 'This dark, enthralling thriller is a compulsive debut' The Guardian 'An immersive, fast-paced thriller' The Irish Times &‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead 'A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.&’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf &‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.&’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls &‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.&’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil &‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive&’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses
The Hummingbird Killer
by Finn LongmanFriend by day. Traitor by night. The second book in the dark, twisting thriller trilogy about a teen assassin&’s attempt to live a normal life. Don't miss the epic conclusion to the series, coming May 2024. 'A dark, enthralling thriller' The Guardian Teen assassin Isabel Ryans now works for Comma, and she&’s good at it: the Moth is the guild&’s most notorious killer, infamous throughout the city of Espera. But Isabel still craves normality, and she won&’t find it inside the guild. She moves in with a civilian flatmate, Laura, and begins living a double life, one where she gets to pretend she&’s free. But when Isabel&’s day job tangles her up with an anti-guild abolitionist movement, it becomes harder to keep her two lives separate. Forced to choose between her loyalty to her friends and her loyalty to Comma, she finds herself with enemies on all sides, particularly those from the rival guild Hummingbird, putting herself and Laura at risk. Can Isabel ever truly be safe in a city ruled by killers?From award-winning author Finn Longman, an exhilarating voice in YA fiction, comes an addictive trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games.PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN: 'An immersive, fast-paced thriller' The Irish Times 'An electrifying debut!&’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You &‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead 'A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.&’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf &‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.&’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls &‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.&’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil &‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive&’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses
Moth to a Flame
by Finn LongmanThe epic conclusion to the dark, twisting thriller trilogy about a teen assassin&’s attempt to live a normal life. &‘An immersive, fast-paced thriller&’ The Irish Times Isabel Ryans has fled Espera, leaving behind her identity as teen assassin the Moth. Now she&’s trying to adjust to the reality of the outside world. But her grief and trauma are catching up with her, and surrounded by civilians who will never understand what life is like in the walled city, she feels more alone than ever. When a journalist is murdered nearby, suspicion automatically falls on Isabel. And inside Espera&’s walls, the abolitionist movement is gaining strength. When Isabel&’s search for the killer leads to an unexpected reunion, she&’s forced to decide whether she can really leave the city behind, and what part the Moth might have to play in the uprising. Is Isabel Ryans the city&’s saviour . . . or its scapegoat? From award-winning author Finn Longman, an exhilarating voice in YA fiction, comes an addictive trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games. PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN: &‘This dark, enthralling thriller is a compulsive debut&’ The Guardian &‘An electrifying debut!&’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You &‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead &‘A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.&’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf &‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.&’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls &‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.&’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil &‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive&’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses
Strategic Brand Licensing: Building Brand Value through Enduring Partnerships
by Maria Cristina Longo Pete CanalichioThis book presents a roadmap for a brand licensing strategy to enable companies to leverage brand value and expand into other product categories or into different markets. Readers will understand both the risks and the benefits of partnerships, how to make the most of a brand's potential in the digital platform, and how to extend a product portfolio through established brands. Brand licensing can be of interest to many stakeholders, including large companies, entrepreneurs, retailers, agencies and even celebrities. This is also a relevant strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises that want to expand their business abroad, reconciling their limited size with their flexibility. Examples of long-standing partnerships are presented and analyzed, with detailed consideration of what has made them so successful.Through the presentation of case studies in the sectors particularly interested in brand licensing, including the art, character, entertainment, fashion, jewelry, sports and toys sectors, this book aims to highlight opportunities, limits and challenges from both the licensor and licensee’s perspectives. In particular, these case studies represent an effective basis for comparing different experiences and brand licensing strategies, allowing readers to understand both best practices and pitfalls to avoid when building an effective and enduring licensing program. Chapter objectives, summaries, key learning points and discussion questions reinforce understanding and aid reflection.Practical yet theoretically grounded, this book is particularly suitable for postgraduate, MBA and executive education students interested in strategic brand management, licensing strategy and brand expansion. This book can also serve as a valuable guide for professionals interested in expanding their brand portfolio.This book provides effective tools to evaluate the strategic side of brand licensing and the selection of the appropriate company to be a licensee. Online resources include PowerPoint slides, a test bank of exam questions, a case list and discussion questions.
A History of Chinese Literature
by Zhang LongxiZhang Longxi, an internationally renowned scholar of Chinese and comparative literature, is your guide to the three-millennia-long history of Chinese literature from the remote antiquity of oracle bones to contemporary works. Professor Zhang charts the development of the major literary forms in Chinese, including poetry, prose, song lyrics, and plays, and introduces the most famous poets and writers and their representative texts. Taking a period-based approach through the major dynasties, he places these forms, texts, and authors within their historical contexts and tells the fascinating story of Chinese literature with copious examples in English translation. He writes in a clear and accessible style and assumes no prior knowledge of Chinese history or Chinese literature. This book is an ideal introduction for students and the general readers who want to get a broad but thorough overview of Chinese literature in all its richness and diversity.
House Held Together by Winds (National Poetry Series)
by Sabra Loomis"These are my songlines; they helped me to re-connect with the landscape, and with my own life," says Sabra Loomis of the poems which appear in House Held Together by Winds. Winner of the 2007 National Poetry Series Open Competition as selected by James Tate (winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award), Sabra's work perpetuates NPS's tradition of promoting exceptional poetry from lesser known poets.For over twenty years, the National Poetry Series has discovered many new and emerging voices and has been instrumental in launching the careers of poets and writers such as Billy Collins, Mark Doty, Denis Johnson, Cole Swensen, Thylias Moss, Mark Levine, and Dionisio Martinez.
Io: A New View of Jupiter’s Moon (Astrophysics and Space Science Library #468)
by Rosaly M. C. Lopes Katherine De Kleer James Tuttle KeaneWritten by expert researchers, this book covers all the major aspects of research in Jupiter's moon Io, from the interior to its space environment. Io is one of the Solar System’s most exotic satellites. The book discusses Io's interior, geology, atmosphere, and, in particular, its active volcanism, which was discovered from observations by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979, confirming a possibility suggested from theoretical studies based on Io’s orbit. Our knowledge of Io’s volcanism, composition, and space environment was significantly increased as a result of observations by other spacecrafts, including Galileo.More than a decade after the 1st edition, “Io After Galileo”, this 2nd edition of the book now includes results obtained by the New Horizons mission and, more recently, Juno. It also presents observational results from ground-based telescopes using adaptive optics having provided resolutions that rival those of spacecraft.The book provides a review of the current status of Io research and gives an outlook to planned future observations. It thus serves as reference for researchers in the field and an introduction for PhD students and newcomers planning to study this exotic Solar System moon.
Los Monstruos: Rooster and the Dancing Diablo
by Diana LópezA thrilling follow-up to Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana López that explores the Texas-Mexico border myth of the Dancing Devil.The magical town of Tres Leches, home to the figures of Texas–Mexico border lore, has been through a lot. Most recently, the town was released from a curse that kept La Llorona, the wailing woman, haunting the shores of their river. But just when the townsfolk were preparing to return to sunny riverside picnics and barbecues, the children of Tres Leches mysteriously began to go missing. The town suspects another monstruo, the Dancing Devil, is luring kids to El Camarón Dance Hall & Arcade. The Dancing Devil&’s son, Rooster, who has a foot in both the human and monster worlds, feels compelled to lead the search for the missing children with the help of his friends, Ava (the daughter of La Lechuza) and Felice (the daughter of La Llorona). Their journey takes them to an old gothic mansion with a twisted family history and a pull so powerful that it&’s nearly impossible to resist.Picking up where Felice and the Wailing Woman left off, Rooster and the Dancing Diablo brims with magic, adventure, and Mexican folklore, and is perfect for fans of fantasy adventure series like Paola Santiago by Tehlor Kay Mejia and the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste.
From Stone to Flesh: A Short History of the Buddha (Buddhism And Modernity Ser.)
by Donald S. Lopez Jr.We have come to admire Buddhism for being profound but accessible, as much a lifestyle as a religion. The credit for creating Buddhism goes to the Buddha, a figure widely respected across the Western world for his philosophical insight, his teachings of nonviolence, and his practice of meditation. But who was this Buddha, and how did he become the Buddha we know and love today? Leading historian of Buddhism Donald S. Lopez Jr. tells the story of how various idols carved in stone—variously named Beddou, Codam, Xaca, and Fo—became the man of flesh and blood that we know simply as the Buddha. He reveals that the positive view of the Buddha in Europe and America is rather recent, originating a little more than a hundred and fifty years ago. For centuries, the Buddha was condemned by Western writers as the most dangerous idol of the Orient. He was a demon, the murderer of his mother, a purveyor of idolatry. Lopez provides an engaging history of depictions of the Buddha from classical accounts and medieval stories to the testimonies of European travelers, diplomats, soldiers, and missionaries. He shows that centuries of hostility toward the Buddha changed dramatically in the nineteenth century, when the teachings of the Buddha, having disappeared from India by the fourteenth century, were read by European scholars newly proficient in Asian languages. At the same time, the traditional view of the Buddha persisted in Asia, where he was revered as much for his supernatural powers as for his philosophical insights. From Stone to Flesh follows the twists and turns of these Eastern and Western notions of the Buddha, leading finally to his triumph as the founder of a world religion.
Death of an Author (British Library Crime Classics)
by E.C.R. LoracE. C. R. Lorac spins a twisting tale full of wry humor and red herrings, poking some fun at her contemporary reviewers, who long suspected the Lorac pseudonym to belong to a male author.Vivian Lestrange—celebrated author of the popular mystery novel The Charterhouse Case and total recluse—has apparently dropped off the face of the Earth. After he was reported missing by his secretary Eleanor, whom Inspector Bond suspects to be the author herself, crime and murder are afoot when Lestrange's housekeeper is also found to have disappeared.Bond and Warner of Scotland Yard set to work to investigate a murder with no body and a potentially fictional victim.With copies of the first and only edition incredibly rare today, Death of an Author returns to print for the first time since 1935. This edition includes an introduction by CWA Diamond Dagger and Edgar® Award–winning author Martin Edwards.
The Blue, Beautiful World: A Novel
by Karen LordAs first contact transforms Earth, a team of gifted visionaries races to create a new future in this wondrous science fiction novel from the award-winning author of The Best of All Possible Worlds.&“A complex story of first contact from a unique perspective that is warm, engaging, and wildly original.&”—Martha Wells, New York Times bestselling author of The Murderbot DiariesLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN&’S PRIZE FOR FICTIONThe world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact. Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies. And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. His hidden talent could be the key to uniting Earth as it looks toward the stars. But Owen&’s abilities are so unique that no one can control him and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?
RNA Folding: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2726)
by Ronny LorenzTo understand and predict the behavior and function of RNAs, sophisticated tools are required to simulate and analyze their potential for forming structures. This volume discusses the various levels of prediction and algorithmic approaches to RNA folding. The chapters in this book cover topics such as energy parameters of the nearest-neighbor (NN) energy model; classified dynamic programming to address exponential growth of candidate structures that an RNA molecule may fold into; sequence evolution and conserved structures among multiple RNA sequences; the latest framework capable of handling both positive and negative RNA sequence design objectives; and kinetic folding approaches that look at the dynamic nature of RNA folding. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, RNA Folding: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers who are interested in learning more about this important and developing field.
Reinforcement Learning: Aktuelle Ansätze verstehen – mit Beispielen in Java und Greenfoot
by Uwe LorenzIn uralten Spielen wie Schach oder Go können sich die brillantesten Spieler verbessern, indem sie die von einer Maschine produzierten Strategien studieren. Robotische Systeme üben ihre Bewegungen selbst. In Arcade Games erreichen lernfähige Agenten innerhalb weniger Stunden übermenschliches Niveau. Wie funktionieren diese spektakulären Algorithmen des bestärkenden Lernens? Mit gut verständlichen Erklärungen und übersichtlichen Beispielen in Java und Greenfoot können Sie sich die Prinzipien des bestärkenden Lernens aneignen und in eigenen intelligenten Agenten anwenden. Greenfoot (M.Kölling, King’s College London) und das Hamster-Modell (D.Bohles, Universität Oldenburg) sind einfache, aber auch mächtige didaktische Werkzeuge, die entwickelt wurden, um Grundkonzepte der Programmierung zu vermitteln. Wir werden Figuren wie den Java-Hamster zu lernfähigen Agenten machen, die eigenständig ihre Umgebung erkunden. Die zweite Auflage enthält neue Themen wie "Genetische Algorithmen" und "Künstliche Neugier" sowie Korrekturen und Überarbeitungen.
The Force of Truth: Critique, Genealogy, and Truth-Telling in Michel Foucault
by Daniele LorenziniA groundbreaking examination of Michel Foucault's history of truth. Many blame Michel Foucault for our post-truth and conspiracy-laden society. In this provocative work, Daniele Lorenzini argues that such criticism fundamentally misunderstands the philosopher’s project. Foucault did not question truth itself but what Lorenzini calls “the force of truth,” or how some truth claims are given the power to govern our conduct while others are not. This interest, Lorenzini shows, drove Foucault to articulate a new ethics and politics of truth-telling precisely in order to evade the threat of relativism. The Force of Truth explores this neglected dimension of Foucault’s project by putting his writings on regimes of truth and parrhesia in conversation with early analytic philosophy and by drawing out the “possibilizing” elements of Foucault’s genealogies that remain vital for practicing critique today.
The Routledge Handbook of the New African Diasporic Literature (Routledge International Handbooks)
by Lokangaka Losambe Tanure OjaideThe Routledge Handbook of the New African Diasporic Literature introduces world literature readers to the transnational, multivocal writings of immigrant African authors. Covering works produced in Europe, North America, and elsewhere in the world, this book investigates three major aesthetic paradigms in African diasporic literature: the Sankofan wave (late 1960s–early 1990s); the Janusian wave (1990s–2020s); and the Offshoots of the New Arrivants (those born and growing up outside Africa).Written by well-established and emerging scholars of African and diasporic literatures from across the world, the chapters in the book cover the works of well-known and not-so-well-known Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone writers from different theoretical positionalities and critical approaches, pointing out the unique innovative artistic qualities of this major subgenre of African literature. The focus on the “diasporic consciousness” of the writers and their works sets this handbook apart from others that solely emphasize migration, which is more of a process than the community of settled African people involved in the dynamic acts of living reflected in diasporic writings.This book will appeal to researchers and students from across the fields of Literature, Diaspora Studies, African Studies, Migration Studies, and Postcolonial Studies.