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Artificial Intelligence and Autoimmune Diseases: Applications in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutics (Studies in Computational Intelligence #1133)
by Khalid Raza Surender SinghThe book provides an overview of various autoimmune disorders and how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will be used for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these disorders. AI algorithms are used to create synthetic patient populations with the properties of actual patient cohorts, build personalized predictive models of drug combinations and unravel complex relationships between diet, microbiome, and genetic line-up to determine the comparative treatment response. The book highlights clinical applications and challenges of AI for the diagnosis and treatment/management of autoimmune disorders which includes Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Type I Diabetes, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), and other critical diseases.
British Modern International Thought in the Making: Politics and Economy from Hobbes to Bentham (International Political Theory)
by Benjamin Bourcier Mikko JakonenThis book articulates international political theory in dialogue with economics on several questions. It asks: how has modern international theory been adjusted and nourished by economic ideas, theories and practices? How far has the distinctive contribution of some theorists to international theory been informed by their views on economy? What has been the impact of the theory of the state for economic and international theory? What sort of economic thinking has led to revise the debates constitutive for the modern international realm? How have economic debates been rhetorically connected to political debates in the field of international relations?
Climate Change, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation: Understanding and Addressing Threats with Insights for Policy and Practice
by Abha Lakshmi Singh Saleha Jamal Wani Suhail AhmadThis contributed volume offers a wide variety of cases exploring how humanity can adapt to a changing climate. The volume features a wide variety of contributions from geographers, primarily in India but with plenty of global cases to provide a broad comparative perspective. A primary goal of this book is to bridge the gap from conceptual and data-driven analysis of climate change and adaptation to practical planning approaches and strategies. The book compiles contributions that address human well-being and environmental effects related to climate change, including analysis and modelling of ecosystem services, socio-ecological research and sustainable governance of ecosystems. Results reported in this book are conducive to a better understanding of the climate emergency, climate-related impacts and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The cases here also provide researchers with new examples of applications of vulnerability assessment methods. The volume offers insights regarding vulnerable areas in India, an exploration of how some regions have coped with these issues, and a discussion of the impacts that public policy has had on vulnerability in the regions studied. The focus on vulnerability will assist decision-makers in and outside India in targeting policies aimed at poverty reduction in agricultural communities as well. Though the cases here primarily focus on India, the methodologies presented here are transferable to many other parts of the world.
Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures 2023: Proceedings of the 14th Annual Meeting of the BICA Society (Studies in Computational Intelligence #1130)
by Alexei V. Samsonovich Tingting LiuThe book focuses on original approaches intended to support the development of biologically inspired cognitive architectures. It bridges together different disciplines, including artificial intelligence, linguistics, neuro- and social sciences, psychology and philosophy of mind, among others. The chapters are based on contributions presented at the 2023 Annual International Conference on Brain-Inspired Cognitive Architectures for Artificial Intelligence (the 14th Annual Meeting of the BICA Society, BICA*AI 2023), organized in collaboration with the University of Ningbo and held on October 13-15, 2023, in Ningbo, China. The book discusses emerging methods, theories and ideas towards the realization of general-purpose humanlike artificial intelligence or fostering a better understanding of the ways the human mind works. It provides engineers, mathematicians, psychologists, computer scientists and other experts with a timely snapshot of recent research and a source of inspiration for future developments in the broadly intended areas of artificial intelligence and biological inspiration.
Dryland Social-Ecological Systems in Changing Environments
by Bojie Fu Mark Stafford-SmithThis open access book prepared by a joint working group committed to critical research on dryland social-ecological systems (SESs) presents a timely synthesis of up-to-date knowledge in various thematic fields relevant to dryland SESs. It aims to organize key salient concepts and establish a conceptual framework relevant to the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural understanding of dryland SESs, which have specific contexts and a geographically representative structure. Through synthesizing research across the world and analyzing scientific evidence for good practices, it has the potential to promote collaboration among global researchers as well as communication with policy makers, managers, and practitioners for dryland ecosystem management to promote sustainability. It calls for synergies between different sectors and countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in drylands.
Equity Crowdfunding for SMEs: An Alternative Financing Tool (SIDREA Series in Accounting and Business Administration)
by Giuseppe ModaffariThis book focuses on the relevance of equity-side innovative financial tools for SMEs in overcoming financial threats. Scholars identify difficulties in the financial sphere as the main causes of SME mortality. Such problems do not allow them to reach sustainable growth. It thus becomes critical to have the best knowledge of innovative financial tools to overcome financial constraints. By exploring the origin of financial needs, the book aims to observe how innovative equity-side financing tools, particularly equity crowdfunding, contribute to the SME dimension. The work outlines the main development factors, observing equity-crowdfunding’s effect on the rate at which SMEs reach sustainable total development (STD). Moreover, outlining the fundamentals of the main theories developed on financing choices, the work concludes with a systematic literature analysis on equity crowdfunding, highlighting the main features that currently increase scholars’ interest in the topic.
The American Naturalist, volume 203 number 4 (April 2024)
by The American NaturalistThis is volume 203 issue 4 of The American Naturalist. Since its inception in 1867, The American Naturalist has maintained its position as one of the world’s premier peer-reviewed publications in ecology, evolution, and behavior research. Its goals are to publish articles that are of broad interest to the readership, pose new and significant problems, introduce novel subjects, develop conceptual unification, and change the way people think. The American Naturalist emphasizes sophisticated methodologies and innovative theoretical syntheses — all in an effort to advance the knowledge of organic evolution and other broad biological principles.
The Unmaking of June Farrow: the enchanting and captivating new novel from the bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting
by Adrienne YoungTHE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'Beautiful, atmospheric . . . you must read this book' 5* reader reviewIn the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm - and the mysterious curse that has haunted them for generations. The madness that led to Susanna Farrow's disappearance left her daughter, June, to be raised by her grandmother. Everyone in Jasper is certain it's only a matter of time before she finds the same end, but June has kept secret that her unravelling has already begun.After her grandmother's death, June follows a series of clues that link her mother's disappearance to the town's dark history, leading finally to a mysterious door.Behind it may lay the answer to the mysteries that have always lingered like a dark shadow. Upon crossing the threshold, June embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but entangle her fate and her heart in a star-crossed love.With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant story with romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible: a story you will never forget.HEAR WHAT EVERYONE'S SAYING ABOUT ADRIENNE YOUNG'Spellbinding' JODI PICOULT'Delightful' 5* READER REVIEW'Bewitching' REBECCA ROSS'Addictive' 5* READER REVIEW'Thrilling' STEPHANIE GARBER'Captivating' 5* READER REVIEW 'Immersive' SUE LYNN TAN
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
by Patricia A. McKillipSybel, the beautiful great-granddaughter of the wizard Heald, has grown up on Eld Mountain with only the fantastic beasts summoned there by wizardry as companions. She cares nothing for humans until, when she is 16, a baby is brought for her to raise, a baby who awakens emotions that she has never known before.But the baby is Tamlorn, the only son of King Drede, and, inevitably, Sybel becomes entangled in the human world of love, war and revenge - and only her beasts can save her from the ultimate destruction...
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia
by Ursula K. Le GuinOne of the very best must-read novels of all time - with a new introduction by Roddy Doyle'A well told tale signifying a good deal; one to be read again and again' THE TIMES'The book I wish I had written ... It's so far away from my own imagination, I'd love to sit at my desk one day and discover that I could think and write like Ursula Le Guin' Roddy Doyle'Le Guin is a writer of phenomenal power' OBSERVER'There was a wall. It did not look important - even a child could climb it. But the idea was real. Like all walls it was ambiguous, two-faced. What was inside it and what was outside it depended upon which side of it you were on...'Shevek is brilliant scientist who is attempting to find a new theory of time - but there are those who are jealous of his work, and will do anything to block him. So he leaves his homeland, hoping to find a place of more liberty and tolerance. Initially feted, Shevek soon finds himself being used as a pawn in a deadly political game.With powerful themes of freedom, society and the natural world's influence on competition and co-operation, THE DISPOSSESSED is a true classic of the 20th century.
The Compassionate Teacher: Why compassion should be at the heart of our schools
by Andy SammonsAsk any teacher why they went into teaching, and they'll invariably refer to students or their subject. Yet, modern educators are faced with a dilemma: the industry judges us primarily on outcomes, offering the justification that grades improve life chances. Grades improve life chances as much as money buys happiness: it's no more than a prop or a poor substitute. Unless the profession starts to get to the heart of its reason for being, we might as well all pack up and go home. Education has a problem with its `why,' and unless it starts to encourage and insist its stakeholders start to improve their understanding of why compassion and relationships should be at the heart of everything we do, the same familiar cyclical mistakes will continue to be made, and all of those lovely things that we say we do in modern education such as improving life chances, creating citizens of the future and shaping young minds will be no more than an accidental and indirect by-product of time spent in our educational establishments.
The Wake-Up Call: The addictive enemies-to-lovers romcom from the author of THE FLATSHARE
by Beth O'Leary'Beth O'Leary is that rare, one-in-a-million talent who can make you laugh, swoon, cry and ache all in the same book' Emily HenryThey'll do anything to save the hotel, except work together . . .Welcome to Forest Manor Hotel, where the staff and guests are one happy family. Except for Izzy and Lucas - bitter rivals banned from working the same shift, for everyone's sake. After struggling for years, the hotel may soon have to close its doors forever. But when Izzy returns a guest's lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management this might fix everything. With four rings still sitting in lost property, Izzy and Lucas are forced to work together to try to save the day. But as their rivalry becomes something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas start to wonder if there's more at stake here than the hotel's future . . .This Paperback Edition has Exclusive Extra Content'Heart-warming, touching, sharp and sexy' Lia Louis'Gorgeous, evocative' Carley Fortune'This is not just a great rom com, this is a Beth O'Leary rom com' Gillian McAllister'An utterly delicious read' Louise O'Neill
The Fair Botanists: The bewitching and fascinating Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year pick full of scandal and intrigue
by Sara Sheridan*SELECTED AS THE WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*'Compelling, fascinating . . . A cracking good read' Val McDermid'An evocative, enjoyable portrait of 1820s Edinburgh' Sunday Times'Lush, seductive' Daily Mail'Completely enchanting' Scotsman'A beautiful tale of scandal and intrigue' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora***Could one rare plant hold the key to a thousand riches?It's the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is abuzz with rumours of King George IV's impending visit. In botanical circles, however, a different kind of excitement has gripped the city. In the newly-installed Botanic Garden, the Agave Americana plant looks set to flower - an event that only occurs once every few decades. When newly widowed Elizabeth arrives in Edinburgh to live with her late husband's aunt Clementina, she's determined to put her unhappy past in London behind her. As she settles into her new home, she becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden which borders the grand house and offers her services as an artist to record the rare plant's impending bloom. In this pursuit, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative, dark art of perfume creation. Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city . . . And when they are revealed, they can carry the greatest of consequences . . .***'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' Katie Fforde'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' Red Magzine'Lively and generous-hearted, with an array of utterly engaging characters, this enchanting novel reads like a warm tonic for the soul' Mary Paulson-Ellis'As rare and lush as the Agave flower itself, The Fair Botanists is a richly realised, transportive delight' Rachel Rhys'Beautiful . . . Every sentence is a gift. If you love The Doll Factory or The Binding, you'll love this' Miranda Dickinson'Delightfully original, sensuous historical fiction, led by a charge of female characters as captivating and complex as the brightest of botanical flowers' Cari Thomas
Spells for Forgetting: the spellbinding magical mystery, perfect for winter nights
by Adrienne Young'Spellbinding' JODI PICOULT'Bewitching' REBECCA ROSS'Exquisite' STEPHANIE GARBER'Captivating' SUE LYNN TAN'There were tales that only the island knew. Ones that had never been told. I knew, because I was one of them'Emery Blackwood's life was forever changed on the eve of her high school graduation, when the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her best friend, Lily. She'd once dreamt of running away with August, eager to escape the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and chase new dreams together. Now, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence among this tight-knit community steeped in folklore and tradition, ruled by the seasons and ancient superstitions.But when August returns after fourteen years to bury his mother's ashes, Emery must confront her first love and the reason he left so abruptly. But the town wants August gone again. And as the island begins to show signs of strange happenings, the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises threatens to reveal the truth behind Lily's death once and for all.Readers love Spells for Forgetting'A beautifully dark tale of magic and love' 5* reader review'Had me hooked from the start' 5* reader review'I adored this book' 5* reader review'Magical and mysterious and addictive' 5* reader review
The Abyss: The Morland Dynasty, Book 18 (Morland Dynasty #18)
by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles1833: the industrial age is sweeping through England and the Stephensons are planning the greatest engineering scheme ever undertaken- a railway line from Liverpool to London.At Morland Place, Nicholas had hoped that his brother Benedict, had been banished forever, but railway fever has brought Benedict back to Yorkshire as an engineer on the Leeds & Selby line. It is a lonely life and he fears he will never be wealthy enough to marry his new love, Miss Fleetham. Nicholas fears that Benedict is not only a threat to his inheritance but to Morland Place itself, as plans to bring the railway to York will desecrate the estate.The conflict between the brothers mirrors the nation's battle between the old and new, but the Morland feud seems certain to end in tragedy and no-one the victor.
BGE S1-S3 History: Second, Third and Fourth Levels
by Simon Wood Claire Wood Brian McMaster Eleanor Trevena Angela KeilSyllabus: CfE (Curriculum for Excellence, from Education Scotland) and SQALevel: BGE S1-3: Second, Third and Fourth LevelsSubject: HistoryDiscover, debate and work like historians in S1 to S3. From Iron Age Scotland, through the Atlantic slave trade, women's suffrage and the World Wars to 1960s America, this source-rich, research-based narrative explores diverse and dynamic historical contexts.Covering CfE Second, Third and Fourth Level Benchmarks for Social Studies: People, Past Events and Societies, this ready-made and differentiated course puts progression for every pupil at the heart of your curriculum.> Improve historical thinking skills: Pupils' understanding of Scottish, British, European and World History develops as they analyse and evaluate contemporary source material> Follow a consistent, classroom-tested lesson structure: Each lesson begins with a learning intention and thought-provoking starter before progressing to exposition and activities> Meet the needs of each pupil in your class: The content and activities are designed to ensure accessibility for those with low prior attainment, while extension tasks will stretch high achieving pupils> Effectively check and assess progress: End-of-lesson questions and research tasks support formative assessment, helping you to monitor progression against the Experiences & Outcomes and Benchmarks> Lay firm foundations for National qualifications: The skills, knowledge and understanding established through the course will set up pupils for success at National 5 and beyond> Deliver the 'responsibility for all' Es and Os: Literacy skills are given great prominence throughout the book, with comprehension and extended writing underpinning many activities
A Wizard of Earthsea: The First Book of Earthsea (The\earthsea Cycle Ser. #1)
by Ursula K. Le GuinGed, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth. Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.
Body Clocks: The biology of time for sleep, education and work
by Paul Kelley Sian GriffithsOur body's clocks make the difference between happiness and depression, health and illness, and even life and death. The brilliant scientist Paul Kelley makes a compelling case for all organisations to allow people to work and study the hours that suit their personal circadian rhythms. That way, Paul argues, we would all be more productive, a great deal of ill health would be avoided and the world would be a better and happier place.
A Song of Me and You: everyone knows this rock star's name: only his first love understands his heart
by Mike GayleMike Gayle: emotions you'll never forget, stories you'll want to shareHelen and Ben parted as heartbroken 18-year-olds and went their very separate ways.Twenty years later, mother-of-two-teenagers Helen is still in Manchester, a part-time primary teacher, stunned by the behaviour of her love-rat husband. In an old T shirt and scruffy jeans, she feels at the lowest point in her life.And suddenly, impossibly, Ben is standing on her doorstep. Tired maybe, lonely even, but clearly still the world-famous, LA-based multi-millionaire rockstar he has become.Can you ever go back?For Helen and Ben, so much has happened in the years between. But just to sit in the kitchen for a while and talk - that would be nice.Before the world comes crashing in.Friendship, love, heartache and hope collide in this unforgettable emotional journey, from the author of Half A World Away.'The escapist pageturner of the summer' The Sunday Times Your favourite writers are already falling in love with this story . . . 'Moving, uplifting, unforgettable. Mike always writes from the heart and creates stories we fall in love with' Lisa Jewell'Full of relatable characters and as Mike takes us on a journey through all their high and lows and we're with them every step of the way . . . A wonderful story' Ruth Hogan'Poignant. Powerful. Beautiful' Milly Johnson'Funny, real and unexpected, a story that will keep you hooked to the very last page' Alexandra Potter Fans love this new story . . . 'I've always been a fan of Mike's books BUT this one is my absolute favourite'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Mike writes so well and creates the best, most memorable characters'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Had me absolutely gripped'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Outstanding. Loved it and devoured every page'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The New Couple in 5B: A Novel
by Lisa Unger"Spine-tingling fun." —People&“Lisa Unger, you&’ve done it again.&” —Sarah Michelle Gellar, Emmy Award-winning actressA couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad&’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn&’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there&’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.Looking for more spine-tingling thrillers? Check out these other titles by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger: Under My Skin The Stranger Inside Confessions on the 7:45 Last Girl Ghosted Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
The Thorn
by Neil CarmichaelPalestine, A.D. 33, a time when Jewish life was lived under the political oppression of Roman imperialism and the spiritual oppression of religious tradition-was turned upside down by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. All Josiah bar Godel wants to do is marry Anna and become the most celebrated artisan of his day. All Saul of Tarsus wants to do is eradicate the threat Jesus' blasphemous teachings pose to sacred Jewish law. The events of Pentecost that spring put their lives on a collision course, leading to a fatal encounter which haunts them both. Over the next thirty years their spiritual journeys conspire to bring them to a destination neither expects. -
Through Thick and Thin (London Confidential Ser. #2)
by Sandra ByrdFifteen-year-old Savvy Smith, an American living near London, sees her chance to write a full column for her school newspaper, and must rely on her Christian faith when she is forced to choose between friends, family, and fame.
21st Century Challenges Facing Cultural Landscapes
by Juliet Ramsay and Ken TaylorThrough stories of diverse landscapes from around the world, this book captures human cultures and their land use practices in the environments they inhabit. The chapters cover topics from heritage in the 21st Century, appreciating and safeguarding values while facing challenges wrought by change.This title will lead readers through fascinating stories of landscapes and people. We learn of the physical and spiritual structure of rice terraces of the Honghe Mountains in China maintained by following a 1300 year sustainable practice of water allocation, while the colonial tea plantations of the Sri Lankan highlands are managed by Indian Tamils who now seek tourism as a means of additional income. Sustainable agricultural methods in the USA are being introduced to prevent landscape loss while in Australia a challenge confronting family farms is progressing to rural industrialisation. Challenges are further outlined in the mythical story of Finland's Saint Henrik pilgrimage and in the intangible Ui-won gardens of Korea. The huge challenge for Japan's landscapes is the legacy from fierce natural 21st Century disasters while in Australia's Dampier Archipelago, an avoidable yet brutal development on a unique Aboriginal rock sculptured landscape highlights serious concerns about heritage governance. These remarkable stories of landscapes and their management are inseparable from the communities that inhabit them. This book was originally published as a special issue of Landscape Research.
Kang Youwei Engages India: His Travel Narratives (1901–1902) and Predicaments of Civilization and Nation
by Kamal Sheel Ranjana SheelThis book is the first annotated translation of the travelogues of Kang Youwei, one of the most famous intellectuals and modernisers of late 19th-century China. These travelogues offer insights into Kang’s perceptions of India, which influenced modern intellectual discourse on India in China. These perceptions not only had a great impact on the thinking of other intellectuals but were also responsible for the larger construct that China developed about India during the republican and post-liberation period. The texts provide meaning to many dilemmas and predicaments that enshrouded the concept of civilisation and its linkages with the modern concepts of nationalism and modernity in Asian countries such as China and India. They are a valuable prism in gauging the early 20th-century intellectual and Chinese moderniser mind as it grappled with the challenges and uncertainties of those times. An important contribution to the study of Sino-Indian interactions, the book will be an indispensable resource for students and researchers of nation, nationalism, civilisation, empire, modern history, translation studies, Chinese Studies, and Asian studies.
America's Game: A Critical Anthropology of Sport (Sport in the Global Society)
by Benjamin Eastman, Michael Ralph and Sean BrownThis insightful volume considers how to locate America in the sporting world: in the traditions and rituals of a national pastime or in the baseball academies run by American professional teams in the Dominican Republic? With the athletes that carry a flag in Olympic ceremonies or among the executives in the boardrooms of Nike? The contributors arg