A stunning feminist reimagining of the life of Joan of Arc.

1412. France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, becoming an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries.

In Katherine J. Chen’s hands, the myth and legend of Joan of Arc is transformed into a flesh-and-blood young woman: reckless, steel-willed, and brilliant. This meticulously researched novel is a sweeping narrative of her life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence, to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, while her first taste of fame and glory leaves her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition.

With unforgettably vivid characters, transporting settings, and action-packed storytelling, Joan is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction, as well as a feminist celebration of one remarkable—and remarkably real—woman who left an indelible mark on history.

Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS): Global History and Methodology is a comprehensive guide for the safe and efficient performance of ISBCS. It provides an overview of the history, recommended protocols, necessary precautions, exclusion criteria, benefits and risks associated with this procedure, organizational standards, and more. Written by the most prominent ISBCS surgeons in the world, chapters recount the arguments for and against bilateral surgery that have been made throughout the ages, up to the present, and deliver achieved and proposed resolutions to all problems discussed. Topics such as ethics and medico-legal issues surrounding ISBCS are also discussed, and a chapter on the global evolution of bilateral cataract surgery provides readers with a complete overview of the development of ISBCS practices in countries from all continents.

Retrospective accounts of the careers of twelve prominent management scholars The field of academic management is more competitive than ever before. Moreover, scholars have to deal with rapid advances in technology and an increasingly globalized discipline. But, for those who are prepared, there are also great opportunities to generate new and noteworthy scholarship. In this book, Xiao-Ping Chen and Kevin H. Steensma bring together the wisdom of some of the most prominent voices in the field to show how to develop influential research and succeed in the world of management studies. In A Journey toward Influential Scholarship, twelve prominent management scholars provide retrospective accounts of their professional journeys. These specialists share how they originated, developed, and published their research, as well as the mistakes they made along the way. Their stories offer insights to new scholars, including how to properly observe organizational phenomena, how to ask important research questions, and how to transform these questions into potentially fruitful areas of research. The book also provides useful strategies for developing collaborative relationships, managing the peer review and publication process, and disseminating findings. In combination, the essays provide scholars with an array of pathways for turning research into influential scholarship. More broadly, this is an essential guide for how to pursue a successful career in the field of management.

Silicon Photonics, Volume 99 in the Semiconductors and Semimetals series, highlights new advances in the field, with this updated volume presenting interesting chapters on Transfer printing in Silicon Photonics, Epitaxial integration of antimonide-based semiconductor lasers on Si, Photonic crystal lasers and nanolasers on Si, the Evolution of monolithic quantum-dot light source for silicon photonics, III-V on Si nanocomposites, the Heterogeneous integration of III-V on Si by bonding, the Growth of III-V on Silicon compliant substrates and lasers by MOCVD, Photonic Integrated Circuits on Si, Integrated Photonics for Bio- and Environmental sensing, Membrane Lasers/Photodiodes on Si, and more.

Systems Evolutionary Biology: Biological Network Evolution Theory, Stochastic Evolutionary Game Strategies, and Applications to Systems Synthetic Biology discusses the evolutionary game theory and strategies of nonlinear stochastic biological networks under random genetic variations and environmental disturbances and their application to systematic synthetic biology design. The book provides more realistic stochastic biological system models to mimic the real biological systems in evolutionary process and then introduces network evolvability, stochastic evolutionary game theory and strategy based on nonlinear stochastic networks in evolution. Readers will find remarkable, revolutionary information on genetic evolutionary biology that be applied to economics, engineering and bioscience.

The complex and multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems requires that they are dealt with in an integrated manner. Modeling and software have become key instruments used to promote sustainability and improve environmental decision processes, especially through systematic integration of various knowledge and data and their ability to foster learning and help make predictions. This book presents the current state-of-the-art in environmental modeling and software and identifies the future challenges in the field.
* State-of-the-art in environmental modeling and software theory and practice for integrated assessment and management serves as a starting point for researchers
* Identifies the areas of research and practice required for advancing the requisite knowledge base and tools, and their wider usage
* Best practices of environmental modeling enables the reader to select appropriate software and gives the reader tools to integrate natural system dynamics with human dimensions

While the significance of networks in various human behavior and activities has a history as long as human's existence, network awareness is a recent scientific phenomenon. The neologism network science is just one or two decades old. Nevertheless, with this limited time, network thinking has substantially reshaped the recent development in economics, and almost all solutions to real-world problems involve the network element. This book integrates agent-based modeling and network science. It is divided into three parts, namely, foundations, primary dynamics on and of social networks, and applications. The authors begin with the network origin of agent-based models, known as cellular automata, and introduce a number of classic models, such as Schelling's segregation model and Axelrod's spatial game. The essence of the foundation part is the network-based agent-based models in which agents follow network-based decision rules. Under the influence of the substantial progress in network science in late 1990s, these models have been extended from using lattices into using small-world networks, scale-free networks, etc. The text also shows that the modern network science mainly driven by game-theorists and sociophysicists has inspired agent-based social scientists to develop alternative formation algorithms, known as agent-based social networks. It reviews a number of pioneering and representative models in this family. Upon the given foundation, the second part reviews three primary forms of network dynamics, such as diffusions, cascades, and influences. These primary dynamics are further extended and enriched by practical networks in goods-and-service markets, labor markets, and international trade. At the end, the book considers two challenging issues using agent-based models of networks: network risks and economic growth.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Offering the ability to process large or complex datasets, machine learning (ML) holds huge potential to reshape the whole status for solid ash management and recycling. Machine Learning for Solid Ash Management and Recycling is, as far as the author knows, the first published book about ML in solid ash management and recycling. This book highlights fundamental knowledge and recent advances in this topic, offering readers new insight into how these tools can be utilized to enhance their own work. The reference begins with fundamentals in solid ash, covering the status of solid ash generation and management. The book moves on to foundational knowledge on ML in solid ash management, which provides a brief introduction of ML for solid ash applications. The reference then goes on to discuss ML approaches currently used to address problems in solid ash management and recycling, including solid ash generation, clustering analysis, origin identification, reactivity prediction, leaching potential modelling and metal recovery evaluation, etc. Finally, potential future trends and challenges in the field are discussed.

Machine Learning Aided Analysis, Design, and Additive Manufacturing of Functionally Graded Porous Composite Structures presents a state-of-the-art review of the latest advances and cutting-edge technologies in this important research field. Sections provide an introduction to functionally graded porous structures and detail the effects of graded porosities on bending, buckling, and vibration behaviors within the framework of Timoshenko beam theory and first-order shear deformable plate theory. Other sections cover the usage of machine learning techniques for smart structural analysis of porous components as an evolution from traditional engineering and methods and focus on additive manufacturing of structures with graded porosities for end-user applications. The book follows a clear path from design and analysis to fabrication and applications. Readers will find extensive knowledge and examples of functionally graded porous structures that are suitable for innovative research and market needs, with applications relevant to a diverse range of industrial fields, including mechanical, structural, aerospace, energy, and biomedical engineering.

Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonists, Volume 170 in the International Review of Neurobiology series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics, including A2A Adenosine Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, Inverse Agonists and Partial Agonist, Chemistry – agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, Functional roles of adenosine receptors – biochemistry and neuronal plasticity, A2A and Depression, A2AR and glial function, The adenosine A2A receptor in the basal ganglia: expression in health and disease, heteromerization, functional selectivity and signaling, How and why A2a receptor become to be a therapeutic target in Parkinson’s disease therapy, and much more.

Digital Manufacturing: Key Elements of a Digital Factory explains the different devices and agents at the factory floor level that are driving the digital manufacturing revolution, including autonomous robots, process automation, artificial intelligence and cyber-physical systems. Individual chapters explore the fundamentals and benefits of major digital manufacturing tools including robotics, the industrial internet of things, digital twins, edge security, knowledge discovery, service-centric production, and related supply-chain strategies. Real-world case studies from industry are provided throughout to show how these work in practice. In addition to learning about individual technologies, readers will discover how they are integrating to drive the digital transformation of manufacturing ecosystem. Final sections present new business models working towards sustainable net zero operations and economy.

Advanced Ceramics for Energy Storage, Thermoelectrics and Photonics describes recent progress in ceramic synthesis and applications in rechargeable batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, ferroelectrics and thermoelectrics. Both fundamental scientific advancements and technological breakthroughs in terms of new ceramic chemistries, new synthesis methodologies, and new applications are discussed. The latest developments in advanced electrodes, ionic conductors, catalysts, and thermoelectric ceramics and their applications are also covered. With its focus on energy-related applications, the book will be a valuable reference resource for new researchers, academics and postgraduate students who are interested in delving deeper into energy-related materials research. Ceramic materials have long been admired and used in mechanical structures, taking advantage of their thermal and chemical stability. Some of their other properties can't be over-emphasized such as unique electrical, optical and magnetic properties that have found unprecedented applications in energy conversion and storage, communication, microelectronics and smart devices.

Circularity of Plastics: Sustainability, Emerging Materials, and Valorization of Waste Plastic takes an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to circularity and sustainability in plastics, with an emphasis on plastic waste and end-of-life treatment and options for recycling, re-use, valorization and development of biomass-based polymers. The book introduces key concepts of sustainable materials, the circular economy, and lifecycle assessment, and discusses challenges in the valorization of waste. Other sections cover the upcycling of waste plastic into new materials and fuels, with dedicated chapters exploring state-of-the-art techniques for conversion to new sustainable polymers, fuel, fine chemicals and carbon nanomaterials. Emerging technologies used to produce functional polymers from renewable feedstocks, including CO2, biomass, natural polymers, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate-based materials (PHAs) are then explored, with a final chapter focusing on applications of sustainable materials, challenges, and future perspectives. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, engineers, R&D professionals, and advanced students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, with an interest in sustainable materials, circularity in plastics, and polymer waste and valorization.