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Snowed In for Christmas: A Holiday Romance Novel
by Sarah Morgan"Morgan is a masterful storyteller…. For fans of Jojo Moyes, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Stacey Ballis. —Booklist What happens if the only Christmas celebration you want to attend is one you haven't been invited to? USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan delights with this hilarious and heartwarming Christmas cracker of a novel! A family gatheringThis Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family&’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don&’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.An uninvited guestLucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She&’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn&’t want to intrude on the Miller family&’s perfect Christmas.A Christmas to rememberWhen Lucy appears on the Miller family&’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross&’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can&’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life.Find out what happens when a career-driven woman exchanges her briefcase for a Christmas-kissed cottage in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan's heartwarming story, The Holiday Cottage! More captivating stories by Sarah Morgan: The Holiday Cottage The Summer Swap The Book Club Hotel The Island Villa Snowed In For Christmas
The Summer Swap: A Novel
by Sarah MorganFrom the author of The Book Club Hotel, a widow's plan to spend the summer in Cape Cod is upended by an unexpected guest and a secret that could change everything... Perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Jennifer Weiner. "The perfect summer novel—sharp, smart and so much fun!" —Viola Shipman, USA TODAY bestselling author, on The Island VillaCecilia Lapthorne always vowed she&’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her seventy-fifth birthday party to return to the remote Cape Cod cottage—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron. But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one.After dropping out of medical school, aspiring artist Lily is cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, Dune Cottage seems the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia&’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites.Then Todd, Cecilia&’s grandson—and Lily&’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship. Will Lily find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…Find out what happens when a career-driven woman exchanges her briefcase for a Christmas-kissed cottage in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan's heartwarming story, The Holiday Cottage! More captivating stories by Sarah Morgan: The Holiday Cottage The Book Club Hotel The Island Villa Snowed In For Christmas
The Holiday Cottage
by Sarah MorganFrom USA TODAY bestselling author of The Book Club Hotel, Sarah Morgan returns with a heartfelt story of friendship, finding yourself, and the surprising ties that bring us together. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Jennifer Weiner.To the outside world, Imogen is a marketing dynamo. Her colleagues don&’t know that while her high-achieving professional image is real, the happy childhood stories she spins are as fake as her pretend enthusiasm for Christmas. Working 24/7 has always been her solution to surviving the festive season—until burnout leads to a catastrophic blunder.Suddenly, Imogen is handed a holiday gift she definitely doesn&’t want: enforced time off work to recuperate. Then an invitation arrives from her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at her guest cottage in the Cotswolds. From the thatched roof to the cozy open fireplace, Holly Cottage is a picture-perfect haven… Can it provide the fresh start Imogen so desperately needs?For Dorothy, helping Imogen offers a longed-for chance to make reparations for her own past. But as her daughter Sara keeps reminding her, it brings risks, too. Yet Dorothy knows that only a leap of courage will allow her family to grow and heal. And perhaps this Christmas, with Dorothy&’s help, the new life that Imogen is slowly piecing together could be better than anything either of them could imagine…Perfect for fans of: The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan Strong, hardworking women Complex family relationships Christmas Hallmark movies Rebecca Serle and Jojo Moyes
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
by Brian P. Moran Michael LenningtonThe guide to shortening your execution cycle down from one year to twelve weeks Most organizations and individuals work in the context of annual goals and plans; a twelve-month execution cycle. Instead, The 12 Week Year avoids the pitfalls and low productivity of annualized thinking. This book redefines your "year" to be 12 weeks long. In 12 weeks, there just isn't enough time to get complacent, and urgency increases and intensifies. The 12 Week Year creates focus and clarity on what matters most and a sense of urgency to do it now. In the end more of the important stuff gets done and the impact on results is profound. Explains how to leverage the power of a 12 week year to drive improved results in any area of your life Offers a how-to book for both individuals and organizations seeking to improve their execution effectiveness Authors are leading experts on execution and implementation Turn your organization's idea of a year on its head, and speed your journey to success.
Today's TBB: C++ Parallel Programming with Threading Building Blocks
by Michael J. Voss James R. ReindersThis open-access book serves as a comprehensive guide for C++ programmers looking to master Threading Building Blocks (TBB). Authored by two experts in TBB and parallel programming, the book distills decades of collective experience in developing and teaching parallel programming concepts, presenting insights in a clear and accessible manner. Today&’s TBB starts with foundational principles, explaining key concepts and terminology used in parallel programming. It then introduces the major components of TBB including parallel algorithms, flow graphs, and task groups that help you fully leverage the power of multicore systems. The book emphasizes TBB's higher-level parallelism capabilities, which facilitate the creation of portable, scalable applications for modern CPUs. Key topics, including memory management in parallel contexts and effective synchronization for data structures, are well explored, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of these critical concepts. Later chapters delve into advanced topics including cancellation, exception handling, composability, performance tuning, and transitioning legacy code from older versions of TBB to Today&’s TBB. For nearly two decades, TBB has been invaluable to programmers, and this book leverages the latest advancements in C++ alongside TBB to enhance your parallel programming capabilities. TBB excels in unlocking the performance of code that is not well-suited for accelerators, making it an essential tool in the realm of parallel computing. If you work with technologies like CUDA, SYCL, or OpenCL for accelerated computing, mastering TBB will also enable you to orchestrate parallelism effectively on the host CPU, optimizing performance in the face of Amdahl&’s Law. What You'll Learn Create Scalable Code: Use TBB for portable, simple, and efficient programming. Parallelization Strategies: Implement best practices for intensive tasks. High-Performance Applications: Develop scalable parallel programs. Modern C++ Compatibility: Apply TBB with C++17 and later. Code Migration: Update legacy TBB code to leverage C++17 and Today&’s TBB. Think Parallel: Orchestrate parallelism in the entire computer system to your advantage. Who This Book Is For C++ programmers eager to harness the power of parallelism on multicore systems. Today&’s TBB is accessible to those with limited experience, with C++ or parallelism, providing clear guidance on best practices and techniques. Experienced programmers will find valuable insights for refining their skills, addressing advanced topics such as cancellation, exception handling, composability, and performance tuning. No prior experience in parallel programming or multicore processors is necessary; however, those with some background will discover even more depth and value throughout the book.
Practical Aspects of Declarative Languages: 27th International Symposium, PADL 2025, Denver, CO, USA, January 20–21, 2025, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15537)
by Esra Erdem Germán VidalThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 27th International Symposium on Practical Aspects of Declarative Languages, PADL 2025, held in Denver, CO, USA, during January 20–21, 2025. The 15 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 26 submissions. The accepted papers span a range of topics related to functional and logic programming, including some novel applications of Answer Set Programming, language extensions, runtime monitoring, program transformations, type-checking, and applications of declarative programming techniques to artificial intelligence and machine learning, among others.
Customizable Agile Development: Crafting Innovative Agile Frameworks to Suit Your Business Needs
by Kanika SudThe one-size-fits-all approach to Agile project management doesn't always fit an organization's needs. This book seeks to highlight the importance of experimentation and customization in modern project management practices. In an era of digital transformation and rapid disruption, organizations must continuously strive to innovate and tailor their methodologies in order to thrive. You'll start by looking at key fundamentals and challenges, setting an agile mindset to then explore the basics of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. Aided by practical examples and real-world case studies. you'll then move onto the more practical part of the book and can create customizable Agile frameworks using innovative practices and hybrid models to suit individual needs. With Customizable Agile Development as your guide, you'll be confident in how to adapt and create agile methodologies and frameworks that truly fit your requirements and needs. What You Will Learn Adapt Agile practices to their specific industry and context. Foster a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement. Create Agile frameworks that optimize efficiency and value delivery. Harness Agile methodologies to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Who This Book Is For Agile coaches and practitioners as well as product managers and strategy advisors
Foundations of Criminal Forensic Neuropsychology: Bridging Mind, Law, and Criminal Justice
by K. Jayasankara ReddyThis volume, written by experts from academia, research institutions, police organizations, and private industry, tackles the most pressing challenges in the global security domain. Focusing on the protection of critical infrastructures, counterterrorism, cybercrime, and border security, this book examines how advanced ICT solutions can address emerging threats in the modern security landscape. It delves into the application of artificial intelligence, the dark web, and large-scale data analysis to combat serious and organized crime, manage disasters, and protect national security. Through a collection of case studies from over 30 large-scale research and development projects, this book provides practical insights into the operational challenges and security gaps faced by security professionals worldwide. It explores not only the theoretical aspects of global security but also identifies real-world solutions for contemporary issues such as cybercrime, border surveillance, and crisis management. The book offers a unique, multidisciplinary perspective on security policy, highlighting the complexities of securing critical infrastructures and combating global threats. By focusing on both the operational and technological aspects of security, it presents actionable insights for policy makers, security professionals, and researchers. This book is ideal for professionals and scholars in the fields of global security, cybersecurity, law enforcement, and public policy, as well as those interested in the evolving role of technology in safeguarding critical infrastructure and managing crises.
Grief: A Guided Workbook to Help You Heal
by Christopher SpriggsWith comforting advice and supportive activities, Grief: A Guided Workbook to Help You Heal is a comforting companion to help you make sense of your feelings after experiencing loss. If you're dealing with grief, you may feel isolated and alone, but this book is here to offer you support through each step of this personal journey.
The Woman in Ward 9: A completely addictive psychological thriller with a heart-pounding twist
by Naomi WilliamsIs she a victim, a witness . . . or a killer?'Will definitely have you hooked!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Completely floored me' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Woah! I had to take a minute to catch my breath!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I read it in one sitting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐---Laura Winters doesn't know why she has lost her memory, or why she was found alone, soaked in someone else's blood.The only thing she is certain of is that I am the only psychologist she can - or will - talk to.I have six days to help Laura unlock her memories and find out the truth.But what has she forgotten - and what is she hiding?And how does she know so much about me?With tension you could cut with a knife and twists that will have your head spinning, The Woman in Ward 9 is sure to keep you reading late into the night.---Praise for The Woman in Ward 9:''I inhaled The Woman in Ward 9. Such a clever, chilling and unputdownable thriller . . . with a killer twist that made me want to read it all over again' CLAIRE DOUGLAS'Wrapped itself tighter and tighter around me until I could hardly breathe' S E LYNES'Dark, twisted and razor-sharp. You'll be racing towards a nail-biting ending and then you'll want to read it all over again' LAUREN NORTH'Keeps you guessing right until the last word. Don't expect to sleep if you take this one to bed' G. D. WRIGHT'Dark, gripping, and utterly unputdownable . . . Prepare to be hooked!' EMILY FREUD'Dripping with tension and a creeping sense of unease . . . an utterly gripping, mess-with-your-mind thriller' A A CHAUDHURI
Canoeing the Congo: The First Source-to-Sea Descent of the Congo River
by Phil HarwoodEx-Marine Phil Harwood embarked on an epic solo journey on the Congo, the eighth longest river in the world. He faced swamps, man-eating crocodiles, snakes and spiders’ webs the size of houses. He collapsed from malaria, and was arrested. But he also received tremendous hospitality from proud people long forgotten by the Western world.
The Dream of a Common Movement: Selected Writings of Urvashi Vaid
by Urvashi VaidThe Dream of a Common Movement collects essays, interviews, and speeches by the late feminist and civil rights activist Urvashi Vaid, whose pioneering writing and organizing over the course of four decades fundamentally shaped the LGBTQ+ movement. Vaid explores the LGBTQ+ movement’s impact on the AIDS epidemic and its challenges as it developed a national presence. She calls out movement leaders and donors for not addressing gender, race, and class issues and passionately argues that the goal of any liberation movement should be transformation, not assimilation. In personal essays, Vaid describes a double consciousness forged by the experience of immigration and a complicated relationship with her Indian-American and lesbian identities. Whether she was focused on the Donors of Color Network, the 22nd Century Initiative, the Lesbian Political Action Committee, or other initiatives she launched, Vaid was steadfast in her vision of a more just society and believed deeply in the power of people coming together to effect change. Offering a window into the breadth of her progressive vision for social change, this volume inspires readers to never stop organizing and marching.
Design, Manufacturing, and Application of Negative Poisson’s Ratio Structure
by Guan Zhou Wanzhong Zhao Yingxin Hu Chunyan WangThe book focuses on the application methods of negative Poisson's ratio materials. This book classifies existing negative Poisson's ratio materials and demonstrates its innovation in the research of negative Poisson's ratio materials by providing methods for the production of negative Poisson's ratio polymers and composites, as well as optimisation methods. The book also systematically introduces the manufacturing methods and various application scenarios of negative Poisson's ratio materials, making it particularly suitable for readers interested in learning about new negative Poisson's ratio materials. This book will benefit researchers, engineers and graduate students in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing and related fields.
Advanced Technologies in Vascular Neurosurgery: Techniques, Controversies and New Paradigms
by Erol VeznedarogluFor the first time in the history of medicine, advances in technology have outpaced our ability to apply them in the clinical setting. With the likelihood of rapid change in the healthcare arena, a more critical question emerges in the adoption of new technology, which is what should we be doing with it. The brain remains the last frontier in medicine where we still lack a full understanding of its function and vast neural network. This allows for a perfect union of technology and discovery to contribute to better outcomes and develop cures for disorders of the nervous system. The ability to access virtually every area of the brain via the cerebrovasculature has never been more important. This text presents new technological advances in a comprehensive and balanced way. As we have learned countless times in modern medicine, new is not always better and in fact may be deleterious. The ability to assess newer techniques in a way that is always in the patient's best interest is the ultimate goal. Leaders in the field of vascular neurosurgery discuss new technologies as well as their controversies, from neurointervention and embolic protection devices to robot-assisted endovascular intervention and precision surgery for aneurysms. The result is an unbiased and comprehensive picture of the latest innovations in cerebrovascular surgery and the manner in which they are applied in the clinical setting. Advanced Technologies in Vascular Neurosurgery focuses on new procedures and technology as opposed to the traditional and stale “clip vs. coil” discussions. It the first discussion of artificial intelligence and robotics in vascular neurosurgery in text.
Waste to Value Innovations: Circular Economy for the Energy Sector
by Motaung Tshwafo EliasThis book highlights a need to engage research and innovation for energy production from waste given the challenges of insufficient electricity in most developing countries. It also highlights current policies and regulations to fast-track development of new technologies for renewable energy in developing countries. The chapters are tailored to support academics, industries and investors with competent approaches for starting groundbreaking projects. Investors will find the book relevant as it gives bearing of the new waste streams and forecast in Africa and the world. The knowledge in it gives channels to the world competent practical solutions in renewable energy. All the gaps related to waste and energy are well identified in South Africa and other selected counties.
Introduction to Quantum Science and Technology (Undergraduate Texts in Physics)
by David S. SimonThis textbook serves as a comprehensive introduction to quantum technology for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in physics and engineering. It provides readers with an in-depth overview of the wide range of quantum technology applications, from more well-known areas of quantum computing and quantum cryptography to lesser-known applications such as quantum communication, quantum-assisted measurement and sensing, and quantum microscopy. This book only assumes that the reader has had the standard courses in quantum mechanics and electromagnetism that are normally taken by physics majors during their sophomore or junior years. The overall structure of this textbook is divided into four parts. Part I covers background material in elementary quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, solid state physics, and other areas. Since the quantum states required for applications can exist in many types of physical systems, a broad background in many areas of physics is needed. This part of the book aims to ensure that all students have the necessary prerequisites, and to fill any gaps in their prior backgrounds. Part II covers additional topics in quantum mechanics beyond the basics. This includes topics such as interference of quantum states, unusual quantum effects that can be useful for applications, and the quantification of the amount of information carried by a quantum state. Part III is the heart of the book, discussing applications of the material from the previous chapters to real world problems such as high precision measurement, high resolution microscopy, quantum cryptography, and quantum information processing. Part IV covers more practical aspects, discussing detectors, light sources, atomic systems, and other topics that are essential for experimental implementation applications that were described from a more theoretical viewpoint in Part III. Each chapter also contains worked examples, additional problems, as well as supplementary "highlighted boxes" containing interesting applications, historical asides, advanced topics, or recent cutting-edge developments. This self-contained textbook provides a foundation for undergraduates that will prepare them to immediately enter quantum-based graduate research or to give them a head start when seeking employment in quantum-related industries.
Medizinische Schlüsseltechnologien in den Medien: Eine Analyse der Wirkung auf Informationssuche und Anschlusskommunikation
by Janine N. BlessingDas vorliegende Buch beschäftigt sich mit den kognitiven und emotionalen Prozessen im Anschluss an die Medienrezeption von bislang wenig bekannten Schlüsseltechnologien im Medizinbereich, wie Organ-3D-Druck oder Brain-Computer-Interfaces, deren Potenzial tiefgreifende gesellschaftliche Transformationen birgt. Aufbauend auf einer fundierten theoretischen Verknüpfung zweier Modelle analysiert Janine N. Blessing mittels einer Methoden-Triangulation, wie verschiedene mögliche Risiken einer Schlüsseltechnologie die Risikowahrnehmung und die Bereitschaft zur individuellen Auseinandersetzung beeinflussen können. Zudem wird die Darstellung unterschiedlicher Akteursgruppen, die im Rahmen der journalistischen Wissenschaftsberichterstattung zu Wort kommen können, näher betrachtet. Die Arbeit legt im Kontext individueller Auseinandersetzungsprozesse einen besonderen Fokus auf die Intention zur Informationssuche sowie die Intention zur Anschlusskommunikation - entscheidende Schritte, um Risiken und Potenziale neuer Schlüsseltechnologien zu verstehen und zu einer informierten Meinung zu gelangen.
Reading at Scale: Eine Mixed-Methods-Analyse der „Deutschen Novellenschätze“ (Digitale Literaturwissenschaft)
by Katharina HergetDie „Novellenschatz“-Reihe Paul Heyses prägt bis heute das deutsche Novellenverständnis: Begonnen mit dem populären „Deutschen Novellenschatz“ wurde ein Sammlungsvorhaben begründet, das eine dezidiert realistische Literaturgeschichte präsentiert. Zusammen mit seinen Fortsetzungen, dem „Novellenschatz des Auslandes“ und dem „Neuen Deutschen Novellenschatz“ ergibt sich ein Korpus aus insgesamt 213 Novellen, das sowohl den (heutigen) Kanon romantischer und realistischer Novellistik als auch das zeitgenössisch Erfolgreiche und Vielgelesene abbildet. In dem Spannungsfeld von realistischem Epochenbewusstsein und programmatischer Bestenauswahl im Angesicht von Massenliteratur erforscht die Studie die „Novellenschatz“-Sammlungen als ‚Arbeit am Kanon‘ – als nicht-narrative Form der Literaturgeschichtsschreibung. Im Mixed-Methods-Verfahren werden hierzu Operationalisierungen verschiedener Skalierungsebenen angewendet, um die Sammlungen und die ihr inhärenten Strukturen zu erfassen: Von hermeneutischen Lektüren über ein Leseexperiment zur heutigen Rezeption realistischer Novellistik hin zu Anwendungen der digitalen Literaturwissenschaft.
Effective Supply Mechanism of Urban Public Goods (Public Economy and Urban Governance in China)
by Baijun Wu Maogang Tang Zhen LiThis book meticulously elaborates on the theory of public goods supply, delving into government supply, market (private) supply, voluntary supply, and multi-stakeholder cooperative supply mechanisms. It conducts a comparative analysis of public goods supply and supply mechanism reforms across various countries. Not only does the book establish a model illustrating the relationship between public goods supply and economic growth, but it also examines the historical evolution of China's urban public goods supply mechanism reform, specifically within Chinese cities. Through this work, the book distills the unique characteristics of China's urban public goods provision and uncovers the underlying issues and influential factors in public goods supply. Additionally, it explores the evolutionary trajectory of urban public infrastructure and public services, analyzing supply mechanisms and performance. Ultimately, the book delves into the policies governing urban public goods supply, analyzing the decision-making mechanisms and influencing factors of these policies, and offering insightful suggestions for ensuring the effective supply of urban public goods in China.
Bioeconomy of Buildings: From Resource Flows to Meanings
by Jan GrossarthThis book looks at how the bioeconomy and circular economy can help make construction more ressource-conserving. The construction sector is at a crossroads, searching for pathways to smarter material use — whether bricks, steel, concrete, or wood. While technical solutions and innovative concepts exist, their widespread adoption lags. This inertia stems not just from technical or economic challenges but also from the deeper, often overlooked layers of social and cultural dynamics: the roles of actors, institutions, and collective perceptions of ecological crises. The book weaves together quantitative insights and qualitative reflections, exploring the rich history of resource-conscious construction while embracing the promise of groundbreaking biotechnological innovations. Can materials like lab-grown bioplastics, innovative cements, recycled components, or renewable resources such as CLT wood and straw bale construction drive progress toward material longevity? What contributions can sustainable architecture — rooted in aesthetics, character, originality, and historical continuity — make to these efforts? What roles do certifications and lifecycle assessments play? This book explores these questions, offering a compelling narrative through the bioeconomy approach, which envisions circular material flows grounded in economic pragmatism. "Since the 1950s, when craftsmanship in construction was replaced by industrial processes, knowledge about the value of materials was supplanted by cheap, poorly applied chemistry. As a result, we built residential developments and suburbs that are not only aesthetically unappealing but also riddled with hazardous waste. [...] This book by Jan Grossarth has several strengths. Firstly, it avoids the trap of suggesting that the future of construction must rely solely on wood and biological materials — eschewing the utopian vision of a 'back to nature' approach to building. Instead, it offers a broad overview of the bewilderingly numerous concepts and ideologies surrounding sustainability, bringing together many promising paths that are emerging in construction." Prof. Michael Braungart
Introduction to Elasticity, Fracture and Fatigue
by Kang Yong LeeThis book includes three big subjects such as elasticity, fracture, and fatigue. The contents came from his lecture notes are delivered to the third- and fourth-grade undergraduate students. To understand what this book talks about, the knowledge of mechanics of materials is required. This book consists of three parts. Part I deals with elasticity and consists of four chapters. Chapter 1 introduces tensor notation. In Chapter 2, three-dimensional governing equations in elasticity are introduced in tensor notation. It includes equilibrium equation, Hooke’s law, relationship between strain and displacement, traction vector, compatibility equations, and Navier’s equilibrium equations. Chapter 3 deals with two-dimensional elasticity. The difference of plane strain state and plane stress state is stated, and the governing equations of each state are obtained from three-dimensional governing equations. In Chapter 4, airy stress functions in Cartesian and polar coordinates are introduced. The transformation method between the governing equations in Cartesian coordinate and polar coordinator is also explained. Part II treats fracture and consists of three chapters. In Chapter 5, the difference between notch and crack, the concept, physical meaning, and importance of stress intensity factor, and theoretical and experimental plastic zone shapes and sizes at the crack tip are explained. In Chapter 6, the standard test method of plane strain fracture toughness is introduced. Chapter 7 deals with fatigue fracture. The standard test method of fatigue crack growth rate is briefly introduced. Part III deals with fatigue subject and has only one chapter, Chapter 8. It explains why fatigue data have scattering band, how to get constant hysteresis loop from random fatigue load, how to get fatigue life, and how to get approximation of S-N curves in metallic and non-metallic materials.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Agriculture, Industry, and Environment
by Vipin Chandra KaliaThis book overviews the sustainable production and diverse applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), with a special focus on agriculture, industry, and the environment. It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest strategies to overcome production challenges and enhance commercial feasibility. By exploring the potential of cost-effective raw materials and genetically engineered microbes, this volume highlights innovative approaches to ferment biowastes efficiently. The book also examines how blending different PHAs and modifying their chemical structures can expand their applications, making it a must-read for those interested in biotechnological advancements. Key concepts covered include the development of biosensors, bio-indicators, and biofuels, as well as the role of biopolymers in environmental bioremediation. The chapters are organized to provide insights into technological bioprocesses that can be translated into globally competitive business proposals. Readers will discover contributions from renowned scholars who probe critical questions about sustainable PHA production and its applications in various industries. This book is essential for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in biotechnology, environmental science, and agricultural engineering. It offers valuable information for those looking to develop eco-friendly solutions and sustainable business models. Whether you are an academic or a professional in the field, this volume provides the latest research and practical insights to help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of biopolymers.
The Importance of Being Different: Disability in Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales (Peculiar Bodies)
by Chris FossUnderstanding Oscar Wilde&’s characteristically unique approach to writing difference Over the course of his remarkable career, Oscar Wilde published two volumes of fairy tales: The Happy Prince and Other Tales and A House of Pomegranates. Both collections feature numerous stories with protagonists who may be said to be disability-aligned, owing to their pronounced physical differences. In The Importance of Being Different, Chris Foss explores the way that Wilde&’s stories problematically replicate many of the Victorian era&’s typical responses to disability but also the ways they diverge, offering a more progressive orientation—both through more sympathetic identifications with disability-aligned characters and through a self-conscious foregrounding of the mechanisms of pity and the consumption of pain. The first ever monograph to examine Wilde&’s work through a disability studies lens, this groundbreaking book encompasses all of his fairy tales as well as his writings during and after imprisonment. Even though Wilde unflinchingly represented the extent to which these peculiar bodies suffered rejection by society, he encouraged his readers to embrace them and to advocate for emotional responses that engage love and kindness toward both individual transformation and social change.
Spectacle Earth: Media for Planetary Change (Cultural Frames, Framing Culture)
by Andrew KalaidjianArtistic, literary, and technological depictions of the climate crisis and how they influence humanity&’s response What does it mean to watch a disaster unfold? Does exposure to a source of dread spur people to action or lull them into fatalism and complacency? Andrew Kalaidjian takes up these and other vital questions in Spectacle Earth, a lively and wide-ranging consideration of media engagement, passivity, and virtual environments in relation to ecological crises and climate change. Kalaidjian begins by tracing the long trajectory of environmental aesthetics and natural sciences that have led up to the Anthropocene. He then looks at the lessons learned from artist and activist movements of the 1960s and 1970s before laying out the new challenges in the digital age of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and virtual reality. The result is groundbreaking, offering readers a new media literacy that goes beyond individual therapeutic experience to provide forms of expression that can lead to the sorts of solidarity and connection needed to change the planet for the better.
The Complete Guide to Studying for your Social Work Degree (Critical Study Skills)
by Patricia Cartney Jane Bottomley Steven PryjmachukA one-stop guide for social work students that offers extensive study support and skills development.In this comprehensive guide, we cover four key areas all tailored specifically for social work: Studying for your Social Work Degree Academic Writing and Referencing Communication Skills, and Critical Thinking Skills. The compendium includes up to date coverage of all the relevant study skills required to succeed in a social work degree - including: the structure and culture of a social work degree, adopting a reflective and critical approach, and how to find your academic 'voice'. This book is also packed with tasks and numerous examples to aid student understanding, so learners can feel confident that they are fully equipped with all they need to maximise their potential.