To win the God of War’s favour was wise – to fall in love with him would ruin me.

As the heir to the Tianxia throne, Liyen must renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them. But when her grandfather steals to save her life, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Liyen’s home in revenge.

Liyen ascends vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. To learn their secrets and to protect her people, she forges a tenuous alliance with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War.

A treacherous attraction ignites as they are drawn together. Yet darker forces are closing in and with her kingdom plunged into peril once more, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means losing everything…even her heart.

A Generalized Framework of Linear Multivariable Control proposes a number of generalized models by using the generalized inverse of matrix, while the usual linear multivariable control theory relies on some regular models. The book supports that in H-infinity control, the linear fractional transformation formulation is relying on the inverse of the block matrix. If the block matrix is not regular, the H-infinity control does not apply any more in the normal framework. Therefore, it is very important to relax those restrictions to generalize the classical notions and models to include some non-regular cases. This book is ideal for scholars, academics, professional engineer and students who are interested in control system theory.

Due to the financial crisis around the world, stability of the banking sector is critical. Several rounds of banking reforms in China have aimed to improve performance and competition, and "Performance, Risk and Competition in the Chinese Banking Industry" provides a comprehensive analysis of performance, risk, competition and their relationships in Chinese banking industry. The book consists of seven chapters: the first chapter gives an introduction, followed by an overview of the Chinese banking sector in chapter two. Chapter three discusses corporate governance in the Chinese banking sector. The fourth and fifth chapters investigate risk, performance, competition, and their relationships. Chapter six outlines future development of the Chinese banking sector, and finally, chapter seven provides a conclusion.
provides a comprehensive analysis of risk conditions in the Chinese banking sectora detailed investigation on the performance of the Chinese banking sectorexamines the state of competition

Semiconductor gas sensors have a wide range of applications in safety, process control, environmental monitoring, indoor or cabin air quality and medical diagnosis. This important book summarises recent research on basic principles, new materials and emerging technologies in this essential field.
The first part of the book reviews the underlying principles and sensing mechanisms for n- and p-type oxide semiconductors, introduces the theory for nanosize materials and describes the role of electrode-semiconductor interfaces. The second part of the book describes recent developments in silicon carbide- and graphene-based gas sensors, wide bandgap semiconductor gas sensors and micromachined and direct thermoelectric gas sensors. Part 3 discusses the use of nanomaterials for gas sensing, including metal oxide nanostructures, quantum dots, single-alled carbon nanotubes and porous silicon. The final part of the book surveys key applications in environmental monitoring, detecting chemical warfare agents and monitoring gases such as carbon dioxide.
Semiconductor gas sensors is a valuable reference work for all those involved in gas monitoring, including those in the building industry, environmental engineers, defence and security specialists and researchers in this field.
Provides an overview of resistor and non-resistor sensorsReviews developments in gas sensors and sensing methods, including graphene based sensors and direct thermoelectric sensorsDiscusses the use of nanomaterials in gas sensing

This book provides an introduction to the physics of nanoelectronics, with a focus on the theoretical aspects of nanoscale devices. The book begins with an overview of the mathematics and quantum mechanics pertaining to nanoscale electronics, to facilitate the understanding of subsequent chapters. It goes on to encompass quantum electronics, spintronics, Hall effects, carbon and graphene electronics, and topological physics in nanoscale devices.
Theoretical methodology is developed using quantum mechanical and non-equilibrium Green s function (NEGF) techniques to calculate electronic currents and elucidate their transport properties at the atomic scale. The spin Hall effect is explained and its application to the emerging field of spintronics - where an electron s spin as well as its charge is utilised - is discussed. Topological dynamics and gauge potential are introduced with the relevant mathematics, and their application in nanoelectronic systems is explained. Graphene, one of the most promising carbon-based nanostructures for nanoelectronics, is also explored.
Begins with an overview of the mathematics and quantum mechanics pertaining to nanoscale electronicsEncompasses quantum electronics, spintronics, Hall effects, carbon and graphene electronics, and topological physics in nanoscale devicesComprehensively introduces topological dynamics and gauge potential with the relevant mathematics, and extensively discusses their application in nanoelectronic systems"

Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop.

In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life – and the healing power of books.

Willie Somerset Maugham is one of the greatest writers of the early twentieth century. But in 1921 he is beleaguered by an unhappy marriage, ill-health and business interests that have gone badly awry. He is also struggling to write.

His friend Robert Hamlyn offers an escape in the Straits Settlements of Penang, where Robert’s steely wife Lesley learns to see Willie as he is – a man who has no choice but to mask his true self.

As Willie prepares to leave, Lesley confides in him secrets of her own, including how she came to know the charismatic revolutionary Dr Sun Yat Sen. And more scandalous still, her connection to an Englishwoman charged with murder in the Kuala Lumpur courts – a tragedy drawn from fact, and worthy of fiction.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. With contributions from global leading scholars, this Research Agenda offers an interdisciplinary collection of ideas investigating gender and leadership; where we are today and where we are going. Using critical perspectives, chapters challenge the way we think about gender and leadership by questioning the status quo. Providing cutting edge discussion from authors of diverse genders, races, ages, ethnicities, and religions, this book provides analysis of the key issues and methodologies in modern leadership research. Forward thinking, it examines current guidelines and provides insight towards an equitable and positive change in leadership. Leadership scholars and graduate students interested in business leadership as well as gender and management more broadly will find this not only an informative but an illuminating read.

This state-of-the-art Encyclopedia provides a detailed snapshot study of politics in Asia. Curated by two internationally recognised scholars, entries offer key insights and critical reference points in order to navigate the vastness, diversity and dynamism of Asian politics. Cross-disciplinary in approach, this pioneering Encyclopedia of Asian Politics reviews a broad range of issues such as democratisation, identity politics, political culture and terrorism, as well as the regional divisions across Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. Contributors include a wealth of specialist academics and practitioners from a diverse array of fields. They provide case studies on specific countries for further insight, focussing on China, India, Japan, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam among other territories. Offering a high level of detail in an accessible manner, this definitive Encyclopedia will be crucial reading for students and academics in international relations, international politics, Asian studies and Asian politics. It will also prove an excellent reference point for practitioners and professionals working in the field. Key Features: Covers the latest developments in the field of Asian politics Signposts extensive additional resources for further reading and exploration Over 50 entries organised according to key geographic regions and conceptual themes Entries written by leading scholars reviewing core topics in the current political landscape

The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name...
We do it in the dark. Under the sheets. With a penlight. We wear sunglasses and a baseball hat at the bookstore. We have a "special place" where we store them. Let's face it: Not many folks are willing to publicly admit they love romance novels. Meanwhile, romance continues to be the bestselling fiction genre. Ever. So what's with all the shame?
Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan -- the creators of the wildly popular blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books -- have no shame They look at the good, the bad, and the ugly in the world of romance novels and tackle the hard issues and questions:
-- The heroine's irresistible Magic Hoo Hoo and the hero's untamable Wang of Mighty Lovin'
-- Sexual trends. Simultaneous orgasms. Hymens. And is anal really the new oral?
-- Romance novel cover requirements: man titty, camel toe, flowers, long hair, animals, and the O-face
-- Are romance novels really candy-coated porn or vehicles by which we understand our sexual and gender politics?
With insider advice for writing romances, fun games to discover your inner Viking warrior, and interviews with famous romance authors, "Beyond Heaving Bosoms" shows that while some romance novels are silly -- maybe even tawdry -- they can also be intelligent, savvy, feminist, and fabulous, just like their readers

A young ruler must forge a delicate alliance with the enigmatic God of War to protect her kingdom in this stunning romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, from Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

The young heir to a mortal crown, Liyen ascends a precarious throne when her grandfather dies, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals and take vengeance against those she feels responsible for his death. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.

This comprehensive Research Handbook examines the key drivers of the arms trade, mapping the main trends in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It also explores the principal defence markets internationally, including the US, China, India, Russia and the UK in greater detail. Across twenty-six chapters, international experts assess the central drivers of the arms trade, such as the insecurities of small states in an increasingly realist world of power politics, the continued presence of conflict, technological change and the presence of corruption. Analysing critical issues from the future of air and naval power and their implications for the trade to the impact of emerging technology and the prospects for arms control, the chapters raise a number of central issues as to the challenges and future direction of the arms trade. The Research Handbook concludes that defence spending and procurement have remained paramount and on a general upward trend since the Cold War, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. This Research Handbook will be a valuable resource for academics and students of international relations, security studies and political science. Its global approach will also be beneficial for arms policy analysts and defence professionals.

Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Global Financial Crisis, China's foreign policy shifted to become more assertive, effecting a systematic deterioration in the US-China relationship. In 2017, the US' China policy shifted from that of 'engagement' to 'strategic competition' under Trump, which has remained under the Biden administration.Indo-Pacific Security: US-China Rivalry and Regional States' Responses explores how states in the Indo-Pacific region have had to adjust to the reality and implications of this growing great power rivalry. In the process, it fills a gap in the area studies, international relations, and security studies literature. It provides a compelling account of the trajectory of US-China relations while illuminating the varied responses of regional states: from Australia, India and Japan, to South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Pacific Island states.

Are business schools on the wrong track? For many years, business schools enjoyed rising enrollments, positive media attention, and growing prestige in the business world. However, due to the disruption of Covid-19, many previously ignored issues relating to MBA programs resurfaced. As a result, MBA programs now face lower enrollments and intense criticism for being deficient in preparing future business leaders and ignoring essential topics like ethics, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. The Future of Business Schools discusses these issues in the context of three critical areas: complexity, sustainability, and destiny. How do we prepare students for a new and complex world, how can business schools focus on the planet's sustainability, and how will they shape a better future for everyone? The chapters present views and suggestions of business school professors, researchers, and leaders from different contexts and countries as well as ideas for business school stakeholders, on topics from program structures, course content, and teaching materials to research topics. In addition to examples of innovations, there are tools offered to help universities navigate complexity and prepare for uncertainty. The material will assist business school faculty, staff, and administrators as well as professionals, policymakers, and organizations in identifying new directions for business schools in this evolving field.

The world today needs mindful leaders who care for the holistic well-being of their students and staff, inspiring all to renew schools with compassion, creativity and courage. But what is mindful leadership, and how can leaders create and sustain mindful schools? Mindful Leadership for Schools draws on the educational thought of Confucius and explores how Confucian mindful leadership (CML) can offer a solution. This book shows how a Confucian mindful leader is one who attends to self, others, things and events respectfully, promoting the virtues of love, harmony and social justice through personal cultivation, role-modelling, community-building, coaching and initiating reforms. Tan explores how this approach complements and strengthens authentic, instructional, distributed and transformational leadership strategies, offering a novel and practical leadership approach that combines ancient wisdom and modern educational research.

A picture book from award-winning illustrator Shaun Tan, Tales from Outer Suburbia is a unique collection of original stories and illustrations. Shaun Tan, creator of The Arrival, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, reveals the quiet mysteries of everyday life: homemade pets, dangerous weddings, and secret rooms filled with darkness and delight!

Murry is tired of being told to hurry. It's not that he doesn't want to pick up the pace. Sloths just are not made to move fast. Can't everyone see that he is trying his best? Murry dreams of being good at sport. But whoever has seen a sloth win a race or score a goal? Poor Murry feels destined to be slow forever. However, one day, an excursion to the lake helps Murry discover his speed and that you don't always need to hurry to be fast. Hurry Murry! is a story about how it is possible to achieve success by going at one's own pace in a fast-moving world.

This book is about the management of cities amid the major challenges to fast growing cities as well as the struggling ones. It discusses trends in urbanization, urban challenges, the urban management approach, theories of the state and urban management, building capacity, urban planning, local economic development, housing, urban service delivery, public utilities, social services, general urban services, and transport. The book emphasizes general principles rather than specific case studies on managing cities.The book is of interest to practitioners and students in the built environment, including mayors, urban managers, urban planners, developers, lenders, insurers, architects, engineers, project managers, and other consultants, contractors, and suppliers.

Using a geographic lens to examine the adoption and dissemination of, and attention to 'fake news', this timely and important book explores how misinformation in the digital age calls attention to the multiple geographic dimensions of online fictions, conspiracy theories and political disinformation. Chapters delve into how social and digital media have rescaled and disrupted relations of trust and authority in the (mis)information age. The book draws on quantitative data and qualitative cases to shed light on the geographies of misinformation, covering urban legends, political rumors, information weaponization, and Climategate, as well as trade and financial fictions. The book explores in depth climate change misinformation, conspiracy theories and other critical contemporary events such as Pizzagate, Russian-led overseas political interference campaigns, and Cambridge Analytica. Geography and environmental studies scholars will benefit from the analysis of the denial of global climate change and geographic lens the book uses. It will also be an important read for practitioners and policy makers looking for a helpful reference summarizing interdisciplinary work on misinformation in accessible prose.

Semiconductors and Semimetals, Volume 111 highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on Precision Medicine. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

While many (East) Asians are becoming more confident in their own culture and ways of doing things, at the same time, they are open to the melding of east-west ways. Because of this form of cultural hybridization, it is useful to include the authors' multidisciplinary area studies training which decodes some of the cultural symbols and contextual language used in Asian negotiations. They do so keenly with globalization's impact in mind. Due to globalization, western styles of negotiations have constantly engaged closely with negotiations styles in Asia (including East Asia) and the cross-pollination of ideas between the two have resulted in hybridized negotiations styles in the contemporary setting.Distilled practitioner knowledge will be combined with literature review and theoretical readings to share with readers the intricacies as well as theoretician's conceptualizations of East Asian negotiation styles. The book is written from the sub-discipline of cross-cultural negotiating styles, adopting some sociological/anthropological perspectives, anecdotes and concepts to discuss this subject matter.This volume hopes to fill in the gap between theoretical and applied knowledge through the use of theoretical concepts that readers from the West and other English-language textbook readers are familiar with, while supplementing the concepts with practitioner-oriented case studies drawn from actual experiences. This prevents the publication from becoming a theory-heavy text.

A girl who lost her magic. The boy who found it. And a city having one Hell of a time . . . Rui is an Exorcist-in-training with one goal in mind - honing her magic to avenge her mother's death. Yiran is the black sheep of an illustrious family. The world would be at his feet - had he been born with magic. But when an accident causes Rui's power to transfer to Yiran, everything turns upside down. Without her magic, Rui has no tool for vengeance. With it, Yiran finally feels like he belongs. As dangerous monsters overrun the city, Rui will do whatever it takes to regain her power. Even if that means making a deal with a shadowy stranger to track down a god who does not wish to be found . . . A sparkling urban fantasy with an achingly slow burn romance at its heart, Darker By Four is the perfect book for fans of Legendborn and The Mortal Instruments, as well as anyone looking to immerse themselves in a shadowy world brimming with magic.