Nikkola of Dur is no mans slave, no mans property, and no mans fool. She refuses to be a victim to the darkness that threatens everything she loves and dreams about. Rather than join those who did nothing to escape from the slavers, she chooses to flee into the wilderness. Even though her planet has been enslaved by imperial forces, she will not be discouraged by the overwhelming fear and hopelessness that surrounds her. Hers is a story of great eviland great good. Hers is a story of unimaginable terrorand those who bring hope to the hopeless.Hers is a story of a brutal dominationand the brave woman who fought for freedom. In book two of the Princesses of the Light saga, the battle rages for dignity and freedom of the human race. The Princesses of the Light fight to unlock the very Gates of Time and come back into reality. They are the champions of a culture that has balanced ancient traditions with modern technology without the loss of their moral core. The saga of the Princesses of the Light is not a fairy story, nor is it a childrens tale; it is a warning. The Light and the Dark are both very real, and they are both inside each of us. It is the responsibility of each individual to choose which will shape her soul.

Once, Juvana had been a space-faring worldbut a nuclear war destroyed all technology of the planet, taking them back to the Stone Age. This is the story of the people who brought Juvana back into the family of humanity and back to the starsand of the people who helped them. It is the story of heart and courage, of love and faith. It is the story of Juvana Rising.

The princesses of the light lived full lives. They died and met at the gates of time. There they found out they had to do it again. This is their story. It could also be the story of us.

The Princess of the Light: Book One of the Saga of the Princesses of the Light by James McKenzie The Princess of the Light by James A. McKenzie is a "fantastical" ride through space among thousands of civilizations that achieved much, but never conquered the problem of greed. This is a story that could have taken place several thousand years ago, or could possibly take place several thousand years in the future. This ethereal tale began in the surface world of Sha'nia, whose great trading ship returned from the cosmos with unexpected cargo-a plague that was so communicable that even trained medical personnel were unaware of it until it was too late. In two days, nearly the entire population had died. Now 6,000 people were the beneficiaries of 50 billion. In the Royal Palace, only 25 survived, including Queen Anne and her four children-William, Elizabeth, Andrea, and Andrew. They knew they were safe with the resources to feed, clothe, and educate themselves. However, over time, a problem came to light-only 100 women and 5 men remained fertile-how would they restore their population?Now, join the Sha'nia in their adventurous travels to other civilizations, as they look for ways to keep their planet alive. About the Author James A. McKenzie is a Michigan native, raised in Montrose, and currently residing in Haslett. The father of three children, he has enjoyed coaching their sports teams. An alumnus of Michigan State University, he trained as an engineer and is a skilled metal model maker by profession, able to create items that do not exist at present. If it can be imagined, he can make it. In addition to writing, his interests include sports and he has been a season ticketholder of Michigan State's women's basketball for years.

This book investigates the causes and consequences of image-based sexual abuse in a digital era. Image-based sexual abuse refers to the taking or sharing of nude or sexual photographs or videos of another person without their consent. It includes a diversity of behaviours beyond that of "revenge porn", such as the secret trading of nude or sexual images online; "upskirting", "downblousing" and other "creepshots"; blackmail or "sextortion" scams; the use of artificial intelligence to construct "deepfake" pornographic videos; threats to distribute photographs and videos without consent; and the taking or sharing of sexual assault imagery. This book investigates the pervasiveness and experiences of these harms, as well as the raft of legal and non-legal measures that have been introduced to better respond to and prevent image-based sexual abuse. The book draws on groundbreaking empirical research, including surveys in three countries with over 6,000 respondents and over 100 victim-survivor and stakeholder interviews. Guided by theoretical frameworks from gender studies, sociology, criminology, law and psychology, the authors argue that image-based sexual abuse is more commonly perpetrated by men than women, and that perpetration is higher among some groups, including younger and sexuality minority men. Although the motivations of perpetrators vary, a dominant theme to emerge was that of power and control. The gendered nature of the abuse means that it is best understood as a "continuum of sexual violence" because victim-survivors often experience it as part of a broader pattern of gendered harassment, violence and abuse. Written in a clear and direct style, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, law and psychology. Image-based Sexual Abuse is also an essential resource for activists, legal and policy practitioners, technology companies and victim-survivors seeking to understand the deeply complex nature of intimate-image sharing in a digital era.

Women, Business and the Law 2021 is the seventh in a series of annual studies measuring the laws and regulations that affect women’s economic opportunity in 190 economies. The project presents eight indicators structured around women’s interactions with the law as they move through their lives and careers: Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. This year’s report updates all indicators as of October 1, 2020 and builds evidence of the links between legal gender equality and women’s economic inclusion. By examining the economic decisions women make throughout their working lives, as well as the pace of reform over the past 50 years, Women, Business and the Law 2021 makes an important contribution to research and policy discussions about the state of women’s economic empowerment. Prepared during a global pandemic that threatens progress toward gender equality, this edition also includes important findings on government responses to COVID-19 and pilot research related to childcare and women’s access to justice.

Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites is a complete summary of the existing knowledge on this topic, from the basic concepts of synthesis and design to their applications in timely topics such as high-performance composites, environment, and energy issues. This book covers many aspects of synthesis such as in- situ polymerization within the interlamellar spacing of the clays or by reaction of pristine or pre-modified clays with reactive polymers and prepolymers. Indeed, nanocomposites can be prepared at industrial scale by melt mixing. Regardless the synthesis method, much is said in this book about the importance of theclay pre-modification step, which is demonstrated to be effective, on many occasions, in obtaining exfoliated nanocomposites. Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites reports the background to numerous characterization methods including solid state NMR, neutron scattering, diffraction and vibrational techniques as well as surface analytical methods, namely XPS, inverse gas chromatography and nitrogen adsorption to probe surface composition, wetting and textural/structural properties. Although not described in dedicated chapters, numerous X-ray diffraction patterns of clay–polymer nanocomposites and reference materials are displayed to account for the effects of intercalation and exfoliations of layered aluminosilicates. Finally, multiscale molecular simulation protocols are presenting for predicting morphologies and properties of nanostructured polymer systems with industrial relevance. As far as applications are concerned, Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites examines structural composites such as clay–epoxy and clay–biopolymers, the use of clay–polymer nanocomposites as reactive nanocomposite fillers, catalytic clay-(conductive) polymers and similar nanocomposites for the uptake of hazardous compounds or for controlled drug release, antibacterial applications, energy storage, and more. - The most comprehensive coverage of the state of the art in clay–polymer nanocomposites, from synthesis and design to opportunities and applications - Covers the various methods of characterization of clay–polymer nanocomposites - including spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and X-ray diffraction - Includes a discussion of a range of application areas, including biomedicine, energy storage, biofouling resistance, and more

This unique book provides a guide to the selection of appropriate production and manufacturing methods for postgraduate and professional manufacturing engineers. It starts by helping the reader to identify the required objectives of industrial management for their particular situation. Having identified the objectives an analytical assessment of the available production and management methods is made. The analytical system presents an objective method of production selection. For example, this practical book will help the reader to decide whether or not a local Just-in-Time process is needed or a full chain JIT method is needed. Alternatively the problem may be deciding between set-up time reduction or changeover time reduction. Should TQM be ceded to PCIs? This book covers nearly all methods of production and manufacturing and will prove the most comprehensive guide to choosing and using these methods. - Only book of its kind available - Widest coverage of methods available - Analytical approach to decision making

An essential resource for any company producing or selling fermented alcoholic beverages. It provides a practical overview of production, focusing on concepts and processes pertinent to all fermented alcoholic beverages, as well as those specific to a variety of individual beverages.

Isoprenoids are important in primary and secondary metabolism. They have implications in a myriad of physiological processes notably in plants, microorganisms and parasites, and biological activities at the cellular, organism, and ecosystem levels. The importance of isoprenoids in various areas of the scientific world has spurred intense research worldwide. Also their role in "nutraceuticals" has stimulated scientific curiosity. Literature on isoprenoids is widely scattered in journals with quite differing readerships and geographic distribution. A comprehensive book on isoprenoids does not exist. Isoprenoid Synthesis in Plants and Microorganisms: New Concepts and Experimental Approaches fills this gap by presenting the latest and the most applicable information on isoprenoids. The most recent TERPNET conference serves as the backdrop and provides much of the inspiration for the topics covered in the book. Additional topics of interest are covered as well, making Isoprenoid Synthesis in Plants and Microorganisms: New Concepts and Experimental Approaches the most comprehensive review of isoprenoid synthesis to date.