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Angel of Mercy
by Heather GrahamHe’s no saint, but neither is she…Brad McKenna is a DEA agent running from lethal enemies, each painful step drawing him deeper into the tangled Everglades. But he can’t run forever, and when he is shot and left for dead, the last thing he expects is to wake up facing a silver-eyed angel.Wendy Hawk is no angel, but when she finds Brad wounded and unconscious, she acts instinctively to save him. Wendy is cautious by nature, and her reclusive existence is rocked by the intrusion of this rugged, hunted man. In the anonymity of darkness and unanswered questions, Brad and Wendy are drawn together—because now killers want both of them dead.FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!Standoff at Mustang Ridge by USA TODAY by Delores FossenWhen deputy sheriff Royce McCall responds to a break-in at his family’s cabin, he doesn’t expect the intruder to be the beautiful Sophie Conway! Sophie becomes a killer’s target, and Royce vows to protect her. But when the memories of their one-night stand become clearer, so does the fact that Sophie is keeping secrets…
A Proper Guardian
by Carolyn R. ScheidiesLady Winter Renton will marry only for love As the sole heir of her family's country estate, Lady Winter is plagued by greedy aristocrats looking for a marriage of convenience. Perfectly capable of running the estate after her father's death, she is infuriated by their scandalous proposals. She wants more than a heartless merging of property and bloodlines. Until she meets true love, Winter vows to carry on alone. Winter's appointed guardian, the dashing Earl of Alistair, is intrigued by his lovely young ward, and whisks her to London for a season of elegant balls and lavish soirees. As his admiration for her turns to love, Lord Alistair finds himself ensnared in rumors of political conspiracy and social scandal. Can Lady Winter trust in Lord Alistair's love, and have faith that God has a plan for the two of them-together?
No Apologies
by Sybil BartelNever apologizeHard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He's flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there's anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached-to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn't prepared for what happens next.Never fall in loveTwo rules, that's all Graham has-never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has "relationship" written all over her. But Graham can't stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he's prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham's past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.He should've known to walk away.91,000 words
Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision: 7th Chinese Conference, PRCV 2024, Urumqi, China, October 18–20, 2024, Proceedings, Part XII (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15042)
by Ran He Jie Zhou Cheng-Lin Liu Ming-Ming Cheng Kurban Ubul Hongbin Zha Zhouchen Lin Wushouer SilamuThis 15-volume set LNCS 15031-15045 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th Chinese Conference on Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision, PRCV 2024, held in Urumqi, China, during October 18–20, 2024. The 579 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 1526 submissions. The papers cover various topics in the broad areas of pattern recognition and computer vision, including machine learning, pattern classification and cluster analysis, neural network and deep learning, low-level vision and image processing, object detection and recognition, 3D vision and reconstruction, action recognition, video analysis and understanding, document analysis and recognition, biometrics, medical image analysis, and various applications.
The Intersection of Global Energy Politics and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis of Energy Markets and Economics (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences)
by Pardeep Singh Bendangwapang AoThis book provides an analysis of the concurrence of energy politics and global climate change. The book starts with an explanation of what roles energy and climate change play in the correlation process and the anthropogenic activities that hamper the smooth functioning of their co-existence. The next part discusses the institutions and industries directly related to energy and climate change. The third part focuses on energy economics and markets to understand the global drivers for economic development. After that, the book presents the world's energy demand due to globalization and the environmental cost involved, followed by the part highlighting the importance of energy transitions and the extent to which the global political set-up is engaged in catering to those transitions. The sixth part of the book takes a comprehensive view of climate change mitigation strategies and carbon and ecological footprints, followed by discussions of future scenarios for building a sustainable framework and forecasts of the resulting political and economic trends. Finally, the last part deals with the challenges faced during the convergence of energy politics and climate change. The book is a valuable resource for early career researchers, university teachers, and professionals in think tanks.
Demanding Energy: Space, Time and Change
by Gordon Walker Allison Hui Rosie DayThis edited collection critically engages with an important but rarely-asked question: what is energy for? This starting point foregrounds the diverse social processes implicated in the making of energy demand and how these change over time to shape the past patterns, present dynamics and future trajectories of energy use. Through a series of innovative case studies, the book explores how energy demand is embedded in shared practices and activities within society, such as going to music festivals, cooking food, travelling for business or leisure and working in hospitals. Demanding Energy investigates the dynamics of energy demand in organisations and everyday life, and demonstrates how an understanding of spatiality and temporality is crucial for grasping the relationship between energy demand and everyday practices. This collection will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of energy, climate change, transport, sustainability and sociologies and geographies of consumption and environment. Chapters 1 and 15 of this book are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com
The 8th International Conference on Information Science, Communication and Computing (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies #434)
by Yang Xiao Zhiqiang Wu Yuan Tian Yanfeng WangThis conference proceedings is a collection of the accepted papers of ISCC2024 - the 8th International Conference on Information Science, Communication and Computing, held in Zhengzhou, China, 23-25 August 2024. The topics focus on intelligent information science and technology, artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, cloud computing and big data, smart computing and communication technology, wireless network and cyber security. Each part can be used as an excellent reference by industry practitioners, university faculties, research fellows and undergraduate and graduate students who need to build a knowledge base of the latest advances and state of the practice in the topics covered by these conference proceedings. This will enable them to build, maintain and manage systems of high reliability and complexity. We would like to thank the authors for their hard work and dedication, and the reviewers for ensuring that only the highest quality papers were selected.
Soziale Bewegungen und der Wandel der Wirtschaftseliten in Europa nach 1945
by Stefan Berger Marcel BoldorfDieses Buch untersucht den Wandel der sozialen Bewegungen und der Wirtschaftseliten in Europa nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. In den Jahren nach 1945 stand Europa vor vielfältigen Herausforderungen, die durch die übergeordnete Frage verbunden waren, wie der Wiederaufbau des Kontinents vonstatten gehen sollte. Für die Mittelmächte lag die Umsetzung in den Händen der alliierten Besatzungsmächte, die den Prozess der Entnazifizierung und den Aufbau einer neuen Wirtschaftsordnung organisierten. In den Ländern, die nicht militärisch besetzt waren, bestand eine tiefe Kluft zwischen den neuen Regierungskräften und den ehemaligen Kollaborateuren. In beiden Fällen übernahmen soziale Bewegungen, die von Antifaschisten auf der linken Seite des politischen Spektrums gebildet wurden, die Aufgabe der gesellschaftlichen Neuordnung. Die Kapitel in diesem Buch untersuchen die Diskurse über die Wirtschaftssysteme und ihre Eliten, die in einer Reihe von europäischen Ländern in den Vordergrund rückten, und decken auf, wer daran beteiligt war, auf welche Widerstände diese sozialen Bewegungen stießen und wie es ihnen im Westen letztlich nicht gelang, einen Wandel herbeizuführen, während der Stalinismus in Osteuropa den Wandel gewaltsam erzwang.
Mexico's Fuel Trafficking Phenomenon: Analysing an Emerging Black Market (St Antony's Series)
by Samuel León SáezFuel trafficking has consolidated in recent years as a paramount illegal enterprise and a priority for Mexico´s diverse criminal actors. This black market has been growing at an overwhelming pace in Mexico since 2011: it is estimated that between 2013–2018, more than 100 million barrels containing different fuels were stolen from the country´s refineries, terminals and pipelines. This academic book focuses on finding explanations as to how this came to be. By examining the Mexican fuel black market, one of the largest and most sophisticated criminal enterprises of its kind worldwide, this timely investigation shines a light on this recently relevant criminal market, which has been detected across the world, including in North and South America, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This book will prove of relevance for readers interested in energy and security, illicit markets, criminality, modern-day Mexico and the challenges posed by the country´s security crisis. At a wider level, this work contributes with insights on the diversification and sophistication of criminality and black markets in Mexico, Latin America and the world.
Now You See It
by Cáit DonnellyFormer Navy SEAL Brady McGrath has no trouble attracting female attention. But women never stick around long once they learn he can read feelings through touch. When an old Navy buddy hires him to protect his sister, he doesn't need extra-sensory abilities to know someone wants something from Gemma Cavanagh-something worth killing for.Gemma's finally getting a handle on her own unique ability to make things disappear-even making them reappear on occasion. When someone breaks into her house and hacks into her computer, she's certain her soon-to-be-ex husband is to blame-until the police show up on her doorstep with the news he's been murdered. And she's their number one suspect.After barely escaping a firebombing, Gemma and Brady are forced into hiding-and forced to confront the chemistry between them. As they desperately search for the killer, can Brady help Gemma harness her abilities-and keep her from finding out about his own dark past?85,000 words
A Touch of Autumn
by Frances DevineEVERYONE KNOWS OLIVIA SHEPHERD LOVES CHARLES WAVERLYIt’s as plain as the aroma of peach pie in the kitchen of the Quincy School. The only person who doesn’t seem to notice is Charles. For years, Olivia has been his friend and confidante, hoping one day he would return her love. She never expected that tragedy would bring them together.After his marriage proposal is rejected by Helen, Charles is eager for a fresh start. As he and Olivia spend more time together, he starts feeling more than friendship for the lovely pastor’s daughter. When a forest fire threatens everyone in the school, will Charles come to the rescue-and admit his love-before it’s too late?
Passion to Protect
by Colleen ThompsonHotshot wilderness firefighter Jake Whitaker had been lucky to escape a massive blaze with his life. Now, with a body as scarred as his heart, the last thing he needs-much less wants-is to see his first love walk back into his life.With her abusive marriage behind her, Liane Mason brought her children home to Wolf River Lodge in a search for peace...a peace she can maintain only by keeping a cool distance from Jake. But when her children become hostages in a murderous plan, Jake is the only one she can turn to. And while love may never die, a passionate hatred can kill. In a battle of love versus vengeance, which side will win?
Passion's Song
by Farrah RochonA desire they never imagined... New Orleans has always been a musical city, and April Knight quickly fell under its spell. Despite the challenges of poverty and disillusionment, April defied everyone to realize her dream of becoming a celebrated cellist. Buoyed by her success, she's returned to the Ninth Ward to share her encouragement and enthusiasm with the local youth, unaware of a new passion that awaits. Years ago, Damien Alexander encouraged April to follow her ambitions, even as he followed his own. Now he has the opportunity to revitalize his old neighborhood, and he needs April's grace and charm to woo investors. Instead of the platonic arrangement they expected, a swift and intense spark of attraction suddenly changes the dynamic of their relationship. Will they be able to help their community and answer the sweet, sweet melody of love?
Engendering the Energy System: Looking Back to Go Forward
by Joy ClancyThis book brings together a comprehensive overview of gender and energy to provide an invaluable resource for researchers and practitioners. It addresses how energy access at the individual/household/community level is gendered in terms of decision making and where and how benefits accrue. At the institutional level it examines the role women play in the sector and the barriers they have to overcome to participate. At the policy level experiences with mainstreaming gender into energy policy are discussed. The book provides examples from both the Global South and the Global North and is set in the context of the energy transition. The book is a timely publication that highlights the global energy initiatives of SEforAll, the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Neuroscience of Yoga: Theory and Practice: Part 1
by Akshay Anand Pooja NadholtaThis book covers experimental theory and practice of yoga that have enhanced its neuroscientific understanding. This is an excellent handbook for the researchers in the field of evidence-based integrative health. It encompasses traditional and modern tools used in neuroscience. It also provides information for the modern biologists, physicians and policymakers, of how mind-body complexities in neuroscience, mental health and preventive healthcare can be useful for health and disease. It serves as a guide for integrative health practitioners, patients, educationists, philosophers, graduate students and faculty pursuing research in the field of biology, complimentary medicine, and other alternative therapies. The chapters in this book also serve as a comprehensive resource for clinical trials in Yoga. In addition, flow charts and illustrations have been provided to understand how healthy brain ageing can be achieved.
Human-Computer Interaction. Design and Research: 15th Indian Conference, IndiaHCI 2024, Mumbai, India, November 7–9, 2024, Proceedings, Part I (Communications in Computer and Information Science #2337)
by Nimmi Rangaswamy Gavin Robert Sim Pranjal Protim BorahThis two-volume proceedings, set CCIS 2337-2338, constitutes of the proceedings of 15th Indian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Design and Research, IndiaHCI 2024, held in Mumbai, India, during November 7–9, 2024. The 30 full papers and 12 short papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 235 submissions. These papers belong to various tracks which have been divided between the two volumes as follows: - Part I: Paper Track. Part II: Game Design Track, Student Research Consortium Track; Posters and demos Track; Artworks and installations Track.
Federal Canadian Correctional Officer Training: An Ethnographic Analysis
by Rosemary RicciardelliThe volume uses an ethnographical approach to examine all three stages of the Correctional Services Canada’s federal Correctional Officer Training Program offered for recruited individuals. It presents how officers are socialized, trained, and prepared (or not prepared) through training. This volume reveals the content and context of the training program, the role of values and ethics, the socialization process, the co-response model, the challenges of discretion, the gendered space, and the lessons of training. The ethnographic data is based on full immersion in uniform living in dorm, but also includes thematic analysis of content, field notes, and reflection. It features recommendations of international value for correctional officer training and identifies context and content needs. This monograph is ideal for graduate students and researchers interested in correctional services, officer training, and prison society.
The Proceedings of 2024 International Conference of Electrical, Electronic and Networked Energy Systems: Volume I (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering #1316)
by Yi Wang Limin Jia Zhengmao Li Fei Yang Xian Cheng Wanjun HuangThis conference is one of the most significant annual events of the China Electrotechnical Society, showcasing the latest research trends, methodologies, and experimental results in electrical, electronic, and networked energy systems. The proceedings cover a wide range of cutting-edge theories and ideas, including topics such as power systems, power electronics, smart grids, renewable energy, energy integration in transportation, advanced power technologies, and the energy internet. The aim of these proceedings is to provide a key interdisciplinary platform for researchers, engineers, academics, and industry professionals to present groundbreaking developments in the field of electrical, electronic, and networked energy systems. It also offers engineers and researchers from academia, industry, and government a comprehensive view of innovative solutions that integrate concepts from multiple disciplines. These volumes serve as a valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in electrical engineering.
Außenpolitische Deutungshoheiten: Medienframing und politische Kommunikation in Frankreich und Deutschland während der arabischen Umbrüche von 2011 (Studies in International, Transnational and Global Communications)
by Martin SchillerIn welchem Verhältnis stehen nationale Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik und Medien im Fall einer internationalen Umbruchssituation? Dieser Frage geht Martin Schiller am Beispiel der Berichterstattung französischer und deutscher Qualitätsmedien zum sogenannten Arabischen Frühling 2011 nach. Den theoretischen Zugang bildet die Indexing-Forschung, die postuliert, dass sich Leitmedien insbesondere in außenpolitischen Belangen am Meinungsspektrum innerhalb der politischen Eliten orientieren. Im Kontrast dazu zeigen frühere Befunde, dass in Umbruchssituationen von regionaler oder globaler Tragweite ein als unumstößlich geltender Elitenkonsens von Medien wirkmächtig infrage gestellt werden kann. Anhand eines innovativen „Indexing-Tendenz-Modells&“ untersucht der Autor, wie sich mediale und politische Konstellationen im Vergleich zwischen Frankreich und Deutschland und im Kontext der Umbrüche in Tunesien, Ägypten und Libyen im Frühjahr 2011 ausgestalten. Es zeigt sich, dass die Orientierung von Medien am außenpolitischen Elitendiskurs wesentlich durch die spezifischen Kommunikationsressourcen der Akteure im jeweiligen politisch-medialen System bedingt sind. Außerdem entwickelt das spezifische Framing der MENA-Region ein gewisses Eigenleben. Der inhaltliche Gehalt dieser Deutungsmuster trägt wesentlich dazu bei, ob sich zwischen medialen Stimmen und politischen Entscheidungsträgern in Paris oder Berlin Konflikte oder Konsens in der Bewertung des Arabischen Frühlings einstellen.
GIS in Environmental Engineering: Core Concepts for Sustainable Development (Synthesis Lectures on Sustainable Development)
by A. K. Haghi Shaheemath Suhara K. K.The book covers applications of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing in the fields of hydrology, water resource management, land use, rainfall variability, and groundwater mapping, to help professionals in the field identify change in patterns and guide them in making decisions that promote sustainable development.
Perilous Refuge
by Kathleen TailerNowhere to turn When she witnesses her boss's murder, Chelsea Rogers is forced on the run. Hiding out as a personal assistant to a wealthy matron on a Hawaiian vacation, she hopes to stay off-the-radar. But then Alex Sullivan, her employer's dashing but highly suspicious attorney, starts digging into her identity-and hired guns begin stalking her every move. Another murder leaves her with no choice-she has to trust Alex to have any chance of surviving. But when the threats against her put them both at risk, will the danger she can't outrun cost her the man she's learned to love?
A Reason to Believe
by Diana CoplandDetective Matthew Bennett doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the spirit of a murdered child leads him to her body, he's shaken to the core-and taken off the case. Unable to explain his vision, or to let go of the investigation, Matthew turns to renowned medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Though he has doubts about Kiernan's claims to communicate with the dead, Matt is nevertheless drawn to the handsome psychic, who awakens feelings he thought were long-buried.Haunted by the lingering spirit of the little girl, Kiernan is compelled to aid in the search for her killer. The chance to get closer to the enigmatic Matt is an unexpected bonus. Although Kiernan's been betrayed by people who turned out to be more interested in his fame than in himself, with Matt he's willing to risk his heart. As the two men grow closer, Kiernan helps Matt rediscover that life offers no guarantees-but love offers a reason to believe...81,000 words
Part of the Bargain
by Linda Lael MillerNO PLACE LIKE HOMEAfter a searing tragedy, Libby Kincaid just wants to go home. But the Circle Bar B ranch isn’t the haven she expects it to be. Malicious rumors about Libby are circulating through the ranch, and worse, her lifelong opponent, rancher Jess Barlowe, believes them. The cowboy is as sexy and rugged as ever…but now he’s promised to keep a very close eye on her…The more time Jess spends with Libby, the harder it is to resist her. He can’t get her out of his mind, but his doubts linger. Are the rumors true? Is he the man she really wants? And in the end, can a proud cowboy like Jess love a woman he can’t completely trust?FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!A Wife for a Westmoreland by New York Times bestselling author Brenda JacksonDerringer Westmoreland is haunted by memories of a woman whose face he cannot recall. When he finally traces his mystery woman, Lucia Conyers, she’s less than impressed with his charms. For the first time in his life, if he wants to win a woman’s heart, he’ll have to risk his own.
Childhood and Parenting in Transnational Settings (International Perspectives on Migration #15)
by Viorela Ducu Mihaela Nedelcu Aron Telegdi-CsetriThis book describes children and youth on the one hand and parents on the other within the newly configured worlds of transnational families. Focus is put on children born abroad, brought up abroad, studying abroad, in vulnerable situations, and/or subject of trafficking. The book also provides insight into the delicate relationships that arise with parents, such as migrant parents who are parenting from a distance, elderly parents supporting migrant adult children, fathers left behind by migration, and Eastern-European parents in Nordic countries. It also touches upon life strategies developed in response to migration situations, such as the transfer of care, transnational (virtual) communication, common visits (to and from), and the co-presence of family members in each other’s (distant) lives. As such this book provides a wealth of information for researchers, policy makers and all those working in the field of migration and with migrants.The chapter 'Afterword: Gender Practices in Transnational Families' is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license via link.springer.com.
Olga Lengyel, Auschwitz Survivor: Interdisciplinary Explorations
by Peter Davies Sheila E. Jelen Christoph Thonfeld Hannah HoltschneiderThis book arises out of a long series of conversations about one of the most intriguing, but still under-researched, aspects of testimony: how the remembering and telling of an individual Holocaust survivor changes through time, through shifting contexts and with increasing age. It comes at this issue from an interdisciplinary perspective, not with the intention to develop a synthetic method but to explore how different perspectives overlap, conflict with or complement each other. It sets its definition of 'testimony statement' very broadly, treating published texts, video testimonies, and fragmentary statements and publications as of equal interest, without a hierarchy of value. The book focuses on Olga Lengyel (1908-2001). She wrote a memoir about her imprisonment in Auschwitz, first published in French in 1946, which was translated into English with modifications in 1947, and, half a century later, in 1998, she gave video testimony for the USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive. Her testimony is well known enough to have gained a public profile and to have attracted some scholarly attention, but is not 'canonical'. Her work is internationally known, having been translated and received in a number of languages, and having been an inspiration for William Styron’s bestseller Sophie’s Choice. This book provides a condensed critical resource on Lengyel’s testimonies, addressing matters of historical veracity, of trauma, of gender, of memory, and of genre in the transmission and reception of Holocaust testimonies over time and across cultures.