- Table View
- List View
Innovative Methods in Computer Science and Computational Applications in the Era of Industry 5.0: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics in Engineering ICAIAME 2023, Volume 2 (Engineering Cyber-Physical Systems and Critical Infrastructures #10)
by D. Jude Hemanth Utku Kose Bogdan Patrut Mevlut ErsoyThis book provides a wide collection of the recent studies triggering innovative ways to advance computer science and computational applications. The collection enables readers to understand more about technological conditions advancing industrial perspectives towards Industry 5.0. The research studies included in the book were accepted and presented in the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics in Engineering (ICAIAME 2023), which was held in Belek, Antalya, Turkey (on 3–4–5 November 2023). By covering the scientific scope of the conference, the book informs the readers about the cutting-edge data-driven solution aspects, intelligent algorithms, and mathematical background applied for solving different kinds of engineering problems. The book is used as a reference source by the wide readership including international researchers, professionals, practitioners from industry, degree students, and experts from all engineering disciplines.
Innovative Methods in Computer Science and Computational Applications in the Era of Industry 5.0: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics in Engineering ICAIAME 2023, Volume 1 (Engineering Cyber-Physical Systems and Critical Infrastructures #9)
by D. Jude Hemanth Utku Kose Bogdan Patrut Mevlut ErsoyThis book provides a wide collection of the recent studies triggering innovative ways to advance computer science and computational applications. The collection enables readers to understand more about technological conditions advancing industrial perspectives towards Industry 5.0. The research studies included in the book were accepted and presented in the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics in Engineering (ICAIAME 2023), which was held in Belek, Antalya, Turkey (on 3–4–5 November 2023). By covering the scientific scope of the conference, the book informs the readers about the cutting-edge data-driven solution aspects, intelligent algorithms, and mathematical background applied for solving different kinds of engineering problems. The book is used as a reference source by the wide readership including international researchers, professionals, practitioners from industry, degree students, and experts from all engineering disciplines.
Accountable and Explainable Methods for Complex Reasoning over Text
by Pepa AtanasovaThis thesis presents research that expands the collective knowledge in the areas of accountability and transparency of machine learning (ML) models developed for complex reasoning tasks over text. In particular, the presented results facilitate the analysis of the reasons behind the outputs of ML models and assist in detecting and correcting for potential harms. It presents two new methods for accountable ML models; advances the state of the art with methods generating textual explanations that are further improved to be fluent, easy to read, and to contain logically connected multi-chain arguments; and makes substantial contributions in the area of diagnostics for explainability approaches. All results are empirically tested on complex reasoning tasks over text, including fact checking, question answering, and natural language inference. This book is a revised version of the PhD dissertation written by the author to receive her PhD from the Faculty of Science, University ofCopenhagen, Denmark. In 2023, it won the Informatics Europe Best Dissertation Award, granted to the most outstanding European PhD thesis in the field of computer science.
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management
by Dhaval Thakor Patel Amit TiroshVon Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an inherited disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of both benign and cancerous tumors and cysts in many parts of the body. Considering the number of manifestations of the VHL disease, screening and management is complex and requires a multidisciplinary effort as well as an understanding of the interplay between all the manifestations. This book is one of the first to provide fundamental knowledge about VHL and the know-how on the various manifestations of this complex syndrome. Various aspects of VHL are reflected in this book's table of contents, written by the leading experts in each field discussed. Comprehensive and easy-to-use, this book offers a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the manifestations and management of patients with VHL and serves as the definitive book on the management of patients with VHL for surgical oncologists, endocrinologists, urologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologist, radiologists, and all primary care physicians.
Mathematics in Politics and Governance
by Francisco J. Aragón-Artacho Miguel A. GobernaThis book presents the mathematical tools that politicians use to make rational decisions about health, education, culture, economy, finance, transportation, and national defense for their citizens. The selection of topics addressed is based on the experiences of four veteran politicians who have doctorates or master’s degrees in mathematics. The exposition also considers the mathematical tools used by politicians to capture votes or optimize their impact on the design of electoral districts, i.e., gerrymandering, without forgetting the mathematics applied to parliamentary activity and political science.Aimed at a general educated readership, a basic knowledge of mathematics is the only requisite to understanding most of the book. Certain sections, denoted in the book with a star, contain more advanced material and require some knowledge of undergraduate math. A later chapter is dedicated to applications and techniques of machine learning and the final chapter discusses a variety of cases where political decisions have affected mathematical development. Readers gravitating towards this book are those who are curious about the history of mathematics, including optimizers and mathematicians who would like to learn more about the historical roots of their discipline. There will also be strong appeal to mathematically-oriented economists, political scientists, and people generally interested in mathematics.Mathematics is – or it should be! – an important part of our culture. The impact of mathematics is sometimes silent, but a powerful one. The authors of this book did an incredible work in digging out areas of mathematical reasoning that pervades social and political life. Reading this book, we will all enrich our vision of mathematics’ value for society.(Nuno Crato, Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Lisbon, former minister of Education and Science of Portugal 2011–2015)This monograph shows in an impressive way that mathematics can be very helpful in making and evaluating political decisions and that it is indispensable in the progressive penetration of all areas of society with scientific methods. This also includes politics. Not everything in politics can be justified or related to mathematics, but politics should not be made in contradiction to mathematical truths. For me, this is a central message of this publication.(Johanna Wanka, Professor of Applied Mathematics, Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, former Minister of Education and Research, Germany 2013–2018)
Project Management Tools (AI for Risks)
by David L. OlsonThis book is devoted to presenting models that have been applied in project management. There are a variety of project domains. We discuss engineering/construction projects, software development projects, massive projects to include governmental undertakings, and pharmaceutical product development. Chapter 1 gives an overview of projects, and discusses the difficulties in completing projects on time, within budget, and at designed functionality. While the successful completion of a project is a challenge, there are some things that can be done to improve the probability of a project’s success. The book reviews a number of project management concepts. These include developing organizational ability to work on projects, as discussed in Chapters 2 and 3. Sponsor expectations can be based on better information if a good job of project development, estimation and selection is conducted, as discussed in Chapters 4, 5 and 6. Project planning tools involving the critical path method are covered in Chapter 7. Tools to evaluate project risk are covered in Chapter 8. The critical chain method is covered in Chapter 9. Chapter 10 discusses means to rush projects when circumstances demand, to include project crashing as well as Agile and SCRUM approaches used in software engineering projects. Chapter 11 covers project implementation and control, including assessment of delay responsibility.
Intelligent Information Processing XII: 13th IFIP TC 12 International Conference, IIP 2024, Shenzhen, China, May 3–6, 2024, Proceedings, Part II (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #704)
by Zhongzhi Shi Jim Torresen Shengxiang YangThe two-volume set IFIP AICT 703 and 704 constitutes the refereed conference proceedings of the 13th IFIP TC 12 International Conference on Intelligent Information Processing XII, IIP 2024, held in Shenzhen, China, during May 3–6, 2024. The 49 full papers and 5 short papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 58 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: Volume I: Machine Learning; Natural Language Processing; Neural and Evolutionary Computing; Recommendation and Social Computing; Business Intelligence and Risk Control; and Pattern Recognition.Volume II: Image Understanding.
Radikale Werte: Die Interessen der Menschen und ihre gesellschaftlich-politische Durchsetzung
by Max HallerEin berühmter, immer wieder zitierter Satz von Max lautet: „Interessen (materielle und ideelle), nicht: Ideen, beherrschen unmittelbar das Handeln der Menschen. Aber: die ‚Weltbilder‘, welche durch ‚Ideen‘ geschaffen wurden, haben sehr oft als Weichensteller die Bahnen bestimmt, in denen die Dynamik der Interessen das Handeln fortbewegte.“ Die neuere Soziologie ist diesem Grundsatz allerdings nicht gerecht geworden. Werte und ihre Wirkung werden entweder als gegeben vorausgesetzt (so bei Talcott Parsons) oder überhaupt als irrelevant betrachtet (so in der Rational Choice- und Systemtheorie). Die umfangreiche, empirische Werteforschung hat vielfältige Ergebnisse erbracht, blieb jedoch weitgehend ohne theoretisches Fundament, sodass ihre Befunde vielfach anfechtbar sind. Weber selbst gab im Hinblick auf die Frage nach der Relevanz der Werte nur unbefriedigende Antworten: Die Entscheidung für bestimmte Werte sei eine rein individuelle Angelegenheit und zwischen den verschiedenenWerten gebe es einen unversöhnlichen Kampf. Im vorliegenden Buch wird diese Problematik erstmals in der deutschen Soziologie umfassend untersucht und es wird dafür (u.a. im Anschluss an Autoren wie Immanuel Kant, George H. Mead und Raymond Boudon), eine neue, konstruktive und erklärungsstarke Lösung gefunden. Unter Zuhilfenahme von Überlegungen aus Philosophie, Sozialtheorie und empirischer Sozialforschung sowie unter Einbeziehung historischer Kämpfe zur Anerkennung und Durchsetzung der Werte kann man feststellen, dass es gesellschaftliche Grundwerte gibt, dass deren Anzahl klar bestimmbar ist und dass zwischen ihnen keineswegs Konflikt, sondern Komplementarität besteht. Mit diesen Thesen und Befunden kann dieses Buch als neues soziologisches Standardwerk angesehen werden. Es hat auch für Vertreter vieler anderer geistes- und sozialwissenschaftlicher Disziplinen grundlegende Bedeutung.
Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering: 27th International Conference, FASE 2024, Held as Part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2024, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, April 6–11, 2024, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14573)
by Dirk Beyer Ana CavalcantiThis open access book constitutes the proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering, FASE 2024, held in conjunction with ETAPS 2024 which took place in Luxembourg in April 2024. The 14 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 41 submission. The proceedings also include 5 short papers from the Test-Comp 2024 event that was hosted by FASE. They deal with the broad field of software engineering, focusing on requirements, design, architecture, modeling, applications of AI to software engineering and software engineering for AI-based systems, quality, model-driven engineering, processes, and software evolution.
Künstliche Intelligenz, Mensch und Gesellschaft: Soziale Dynamiken und gesellschaftliche Folgen einer technologischen Innovation
by Michael Heinlein Norbert HuchlerKünstliche Intelligenz (KI) stellt eine Schlüsseltechnologie des gesellschaftlichen Wandels im 21. Jahrhundert dar. Mittlerweile werden zahlreiche technologische Anwendungen genutzt, die auf maschinellem Lernen und den damit verbundenen Möglichkeiten der Datensamm¬lung, -nutzung und -verwertung aufbauen. Indem KI große Datenmengen beherrschbar und verborgene Muster und Zusammenhänge sichtbar macht, wird vieles schneller, einfacher und effizienter – sei es im Alltag, in der Arbeit oder in Organisationen. Offen bleibt jedoch nach wie vor die Frage, welche tiefgreifenden und teilweise latenten Folgen für den Menschen als soziales Wesen und das gesellschaftliche Zusammenleben mit dem Einsatz und der Entwick¬lung von KI verbunden sind. Wie wandelt sich das Verhältnis von Mensch und Technik durch KI und wie ist dieser Wandel zu bewerten? Welche Chancen, aber auch Risiken eröffnen sich durch den Einsatz und die Entwicklung von KI für Mensch und Gesellschaft? Welchen Grenzen unterliegt der Wandel und welche Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten bieten sich? Und nicht zuletzt: Was und wer bestimmt die Entwicklungspfade, die KI nimmt – mit welchen Folgen und für wen?
The Way You Make Me Feel: Love in Black and Brown
by Nina Sharma&“Nina Sharma&’s thoughtful debut is equal parts memoir, criticism, and long-ranging conversation with a new friend. A love story for the ruminative reader that is generous with both scrutiny and romance.&” —Melissa Febos, author of Girlhood, winner of the National Book Critics Circle AwardA hilarious and moving memoir in essays about love and allyship, told through one Asian and Black interracial relationshipWhen Nina Sharma meets Quincy while hitching a ride to a friend&’s Fourth of July barbecue, she spots a favorite book, Maxine Hong Kingston&’s The Woman Warrior, in the back seat of his cramped car, and senses a sadness from him that&’s all too familiar to her. She is immediately intrigued—who is this man? In The Way You Make Me Feel, Sharma chronicles her and Quincy&’s love story, and in doing so, examines how their Black and Asian relationship becomes the lens through which she moves through and understands the world.In a series of sensual and sparkling essays, Sharma reckons with caste, race, colorism, and mental health, moving from her seemingly idyllic suburban childhood through her and Quincy&’s early sweeping romance in the so-called postracial Obama years and onward to their marriage. Growing up, she hears her parents talk about the racism they experienced at the hands of white America—and as an adult, she confronts the complexities of American racism and the paradox of her family&’s disappointment when she starts dating a Black man. While watching The Walking Dead, Sharma dives into the eerie parallels between the brutal death of Steven Yeun&’s character and the murder of Vincent Chin. She examines the trailblazing Mira Nair film Mississippi Masala, revolutionary in its time for depicting a love story between an Indian woman and a Black man on screen, and considers why interracial relationships are so often assumed to include white people. And as she and Quincy decide whether to start a family, they imagine a universe in which Vice President Kamala Harris could possibly be their time-traveling daughter.Written with a keen critical eye and seamlessly weaving in history, pop culture, and politics, The Way You Make Me Feel reaffirms the idea that allyship is an act of true love.
Lavash at First Sight
by Taleen VoskuniSparks fly between two women pitted against each other in this delectable new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, Bro. Twenty-seven-year-old Nazeli &“Ellie&” Gregorian enjoys the prestige of her tech marketing job but is sick of the condescending Patagonia-clad tech bros, her micromanaging boss, and her ex-boyfriend, who she&’s forced to work with every day. When Ellie&’s lovingly overbearing parents ask her to attend PakCon—a food packaging conference in Chicago—to help promote their company and vie to win an ad slot in the Superbowl (no big deal), she&’s eager for a brief change and a delicious distraction. At the conference, she meets witty, devil-may-care Vanya Simonian. Ellie can&’t believe how easy it is to talk to Vanya and how much they have in common—both Armenian! From the Bay Area! Whose families are into food! Their meet-cute is cut short, however, when Ellie&’s parents recognize Vanya as the daughter of the owners of their greatest rival, whose mission (according to Ellie&’s mother) is to whitewash and package Armenian food for the American health-food crowd. Sworn as enemies, Ellie and Vanya must compete against each other under their suspicious parents' scrutiny, all while their feelings for each other heat to sizzling temps.
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.
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.
DK Eyewitness Kraków (Travel Guide)
by DK EyewitnessWhether you want to enjoy a coffee in Kraków's iconic market square, explore the cavernous Wieliczka salt mine, or simply indulge in moreish Pierogi, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Kraków has to offer. With winding medieval streets, monumental palaces, soaring Gothic spires, and an imposing castle overlooking the city, Kraków is a historic gem. This array of medieval architecture belies the city's cosmopolitan vibrancy; Kraków abounds with atmospheric pubs, trendy wine bars, and an excellent assortment of eateries serving delectable Polish delicacies.Our updated guide brings Kraków to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover: -Our pick of Kraków's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay -Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the city easy -Easy-to-follow itineraries -Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe -Color-coded chapters to every part of Kraków, from the Old Town to Wawel Hill, Kazimierz to Piasek and Nowy Swiat -A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Poland.
Animal Models of Human Disease (Elements in the Philosophy of Biology)
by null Sara GreenThe crucial role of animal models in biomedical research calls for philosophical investigation of how and whether knowledge about human diseases can be gained by studying other species. This Element delves into the selection and construction of animal models to serve as preclinical substitutes for human patients. It explores the multifaceted roles animal models fulfil in translational research and how the boundaries between humans and animals are negotiated in this process. The book also covers persistent translational challenges that have sparked debates across scientific, philosophical, and public arenas regarding the limitations and future of animal models. Among the are persistent tensions between standardization and variation in medicine, as well as between strategies aiming to reduce and recapitulate biological complexity. Finally, the book examines the prospects of replacing animal models with animal-free methods. The Element demonstrates why animal modeling should be of interest to philosophers, social scientists, and scientists alike.
The Cambridge World History of Sexualities: Volume 1, General Overviews (The Cambridge World History of Sexualities)
by Wiesner-Hanks, Merry E. Mathew KueflerVolume I offers historiographical surveys and general overviews of central topics in the history of world sexualities. Split across twenty-two chapters, this volume places the history of sexuality in dialogue with anthropology, women's history, LGBTQ+ history, queer theory, and public history, as well as examining the impact Freud and Foucault have had on the history of sexuality. The volume continues by providing overviews on the sexual body, family and marriage, the intersections of sexuality with race and class, male and female homoerotic relations, trans and gender variant sexuality, the sale of sex, sexual violence, sexual science, sexuality and emotion, erotic art and literature, and the material culture of sexuality.
Suspension of Belief (Elements in Ancient Philosophy)
by null Daniel VazquezThis Element offers a systematic outline of ancient conceptions and uses of suspension of belief (understood broadly) while engaging with contemporary philosophy. It discusses the notion of epochē ('suspension of judgement') and other related terms, like aporia, aphasia, paradox, hypothesis, agnosticism, and Socratic wisdom. It examines the Academic and Pyrrhonian sceptics and some of their arguments and strategies for suspension. It also includes the use and conditions for suspension of belief in other philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Plotinus, Protagoras, and Democritus. The Element is divided into four thematic sections, each addressing one of the following questions: What is suspension of belief? When does it arise? What could its scope be? And what are its practical and moral implications?
Quilting Through Life: Patterns and Prose for Every Stage of Life (Spiral Bound to Lay Flat)
by Jenny DoanStep-by-step quilting instructions and personal stories to inspire both seasoned pros and new quilters alike.America's quilter, Jenny Doan, has always believed that quilts are more than fabric and stitches. They become keepers of memories, milestones, and stories; creating profound connections across generations.By alternating personal stories with detailed step-by-step guidance on how you can make quilts for all of life's milestones—from new births, to marriages, to loss and grief—Jenny comes alongside you to share the joy and transformative power of quilting in her passionate and innovative way.With beautiful, full-color images and easy-to-follow diagrams to help you with your own projects, Quilting Through Life is a creative and authentic guidebook to the art of quilting. It's an art designed to be shared with family and friends, crafted from the scraps of memories, laughter, and tears. It's an art that allows us to express how we feel, create something beautiful, and extend the warmth in our hearts to wrap around those we love.From choosing your fabrics and selecting a pattern to creating mitered corners, Quilting Through Life will walk you through how to stitch a legacy of love for every stage of life.
The Beginner's Bible Craft and Activity Book: 30 Fun Projects Based on Bible Stories (The Beginner's Bible)
by The Beginner's BibleUnleash your creativity and make your favorite Bible stories come to life! Featuring 30 fun and engaging activities, including crafts and recipes, with easy-to-follow instructions, The Beginner&’s Bible Craft and Activity Book turns any time into playtime. Kids will love transforming everyday objects into artful masterpieces, and each craft is inspired by a beloved Bible story right from The Beginner&’s Bible!The Beginner's Bible is a perennial favorite with young children and their parents, impacting 28 million families for over 30 years. Now kids ages 4-8 can interact with their favorite Bible stories and characters like never before!The Beginner&’s Bible Craft and Activity Book:Features 30 fun and unique activities, including crafts and recipesTakes inspiration from favorite Bible stories from the Old and New TestamentsIncludes beautiful and unique crafts made from common household items, with easy-to-follow instructions and a shopping guideIs the perfect quiet time activity for kids 4-8 to do at home, during Sunday school, or wherever inspiration strikesFeatures vibrant, three-dimensional art and full-color photosIs part of The Beginner&’s Bible® brand, the bestselling Bible storybook brand of our time, impacting 28 million families for over 30 years Review The Beginner&’s Bible&’s complete library for dozens of titles available for kids of all ages and reading levels.
The Daily Family Conversation Starter: 365 Ways to Nurture Connection, Inspire Play, and Empower Your Kids
by Katie ClemonsYour stronger family connection starts here with just 5 minutes of conversation each day. The Daily Family Conversation Starter contains 365 easy and imaginative ways to check in with your kids, develop their growth mindset, and get both serious and silly—together! Every interactive activity and open-ended conversation prompt will help you build the family bond you've always dreamed of.Prompts like these will get your family talking—and you may find it hard to get them to stop!Who made you laugh today?What would you do if you had a tail?Why do you think it's important to try new things, even if it means you get knocked down?In addition to engaging conversation starters, you'll find inside:Easy activities for working togetherFill-in-the-blank questions that everyone can answerSpontaneous games that infuse whimsy into your family's daily routineMini essays to help your family discuss difficult topics or new concepts Whether commuting together, sitting at the dinner table, or preparing for bedtime, The Daily Family Conversation Starter invites you to share, discover, and laugh together as you create family memories that last a lifetime.
The Proposal Plot (An Amish of Marigold Novel #2)
by Kathleen FullerA headstrong young businesswoman. An unlucky-in-love bachelor. And the chaperoning assignment that keeps pushing them together.For someone so strong-willed and certain, Ella Yoder has never been more unsure of her life. It's been a year since she convinced her father to move with her and her younger sister Junia to Marigold, Ohio, to open E and J Grocery. Ella's got a keen eye for running a business and has big dreams to expand. But her plans are stalled because Junia refuses to lift a finger at the store--or listen to her about anything.Nelson Bontranger knows one thing for sure: creating his own artisan deli meats is his passion. Well, maybe one other thing: he's sworn off women forever. After two bouts of heartbreak, he's not willing to open up himself to a third. When he eyes his own butcher shop next to E and J Grocery in Marigold, he's surprised to learn that Ella has had her eye on the property for some time. He doesn't trust this stubborn, pushy young woman--and for her, the feeling is mutual.Against their wishes, Ella and Nelson's paths continue to cross when Nelson's nephew Malachi falls head over heels for Junia. Nelson and Ella are brought together to keep the lovebirds in check, but somewhere along the line, their frustration turns to something altogether more pleasant. But they will both need to come to terms with past pain before they can find their future happiness.
1 Corinthians: Living Together in a Church Divided (New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series)
by Scot McKnightPaul writes a letter to a church routinely in disagreement with Paul's vision for how to live as a Christian in Corinth (a Roman city). The Corinthians were daily challenged to pursue Romanitas, or the social, cultural, and religious life of the elites in the Roman world, and thus the Corinthians were pursuing too much prestige and status and honor. Various factions, or divisions, had formed among the house churches. Paul addresses a series of church problems presenting themselves in Corinth that need to be understood and corrected so the believers of Corinth can walk in the way of Christ more consistently.Scot McKnight provides scholarly insights with a pastoral heart for all the books of the New Testament. The NIV is used as the primary Bible text but McKnight also includes insights from his own translation of the entire New Testament. Each Bible study features a short, compact, clear exposition that both summarizes the whole and gives the reader a clear focus for what is central to the passage.McKnight also offers some historical context; connects the passage to the larger story of the Bible; provides an illustration, a metaphor, or an image that brings the passage alive; and provides a list of 2-3 resources for further reading or study. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily reading.
The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life
by J. Warner WallaceExplore fifteen life-truths gleaned from both contemporary murder investigations and ancient biblical wisdom."Every murder investigation teaches two lessons: a death lesson and a life lesson."For decades, cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace investigated the causes behind deaths and murders, chasing one lead after another as he attempted to solve the case. Several of these cases remain open, unsolved mysteries. . .But even those that haven't yet revealed the identity of the killer do expose the truths of human nature: what's important to us, what threatens our well-being, and what causes us to flourish.Join Wallace as he investigates life lessons he learned as a detective, so that you can:Better understand your own identity and the identity of your Creator.Rethink the nature of death so you can live a better life.Uncover life-truths gleaned from both contemporary murder investigations and ancient biblical wisdom.Discover profound attributes of human beings that will guide you down the path of true self-discovery. Each chapter introduces you to an investigation of a death as Wallace and his partner Rick chase down leads and along the way learn guiding principles to help you thrive and flourish as a human being created in the image of God.
The Overcomers: God's Vision for You to Thrive in an Age of Anxiety and Outrage
by Matt ChandlerAre you ready to live fully prepared and fully equipped to handle anything life throws at you? As Christians, we can be courageous and confident, knowing that God has placed us in human history for His purposes, and He will empower us regardless of our circumstances. Drawing on the book of Revelation and historical examples, The Overcomers will put steel in the spines of believers and remind them of the fierce, conquering, commanding authority of God over all the earth.You were made for this exact moment in human history. Things may look gloomy, and you may feel discouraged, but because of the promise and hope found in Scripture, you can be brave, confident, and victorious today!In The Overcomers, Matt Chandler reminds readers that they don't have to be anxious or afraid of anything in the present or in the future because both have already been won. We are not victims but overcomers—and we are a key part of what God is working out in our day. God is at work in the mess, just as He has always been, and He continues to accomplish His purpose of seeking and saving the lost.In this book, believers will:Find courage and confidence from fellow believers who have gone before us.Feel empowered as God reminds them of His promises fulfilled and yet to come.Understand the strategies, tactics, and deceptions Satan uses to try to keep us paralyzed with anxiety and fear.Learn to live a victorious Christian life marked by the power and presence of God. The apostle John wrote his letter to a certain group of people in a particular place at a specific time. Although it was written to them, it was also written for us. The Overcomers takes a chapter-by-chapter view of Revelation rather than a line-by-line deep dive, helping readers practically understand what God wants to say to us today through this extraordinary book written thousands of years ago. Believers will be reminded that they are uniquely wired and uniquely placed in this moment in history as part of God's big plan to push back darkness and to establish light. Christ has overcome, and in Him we, too, are the overcomers!