Who will rescue the Earth? Who is not indifferent to it`s destiny? Eternal struggle of Good and Evil. Rescuing the Earth and the mankind. These questions worry the minds and hearts of many people. But what is Good and Evil? Everything in this world is accepted comparatively: there`s nothing worse or better, and the division into “Pro” and “Con” didn`t happen at once. The ancient spirit – M.Z., the Black Tiger had to go out of the shadow in order to enter into an open battle for the preservation of the Earth and the rescue of the mankind, as particularly the people will become the “tool” in his hand, which will help to escape the inevitable end of the Universe.Without their help the Black (Tiger) will not do... The Tiger considered his mission the maintenance of the Earth and the struggle with the forces striving to violate the harmony of the established equilibrium. Within thousands of years the struggle continued with the varying success until one day came the understanding that the Earth inevitably approaches the collapse, and something terrible will occur that will destroy it. Time after time, exercising in his dream the nightmare of the Earth`s destruction, the Tiger understands that indeed it`s the end, but can not agree with it. Having overcome the inner fight, the Immortal Spirit divided: this is how appeared the White Tiger with the black stripes and the Black Tiger with the white ones - M.Z. The White Tiger had no doubts that the people are responsible for all the troubles and particularly they will be the reason of the Earth `s downfall. In order to prevent the inevitable one has to destroy the less evil – the mankind. However, the Black Tiger had the opposite meaning on this point, he didn`t want the death of the people and truly believed that with their help he`ll be able to rescue this Universe. After the battles and arguments, which were going on during centuries M.Z. was able to persuade the White Tiger that everything is not so unambiguous and people are not guilty, one has to find another reason. Tired of the struggle the White Tiger agreed to leave “the battle field”, promised to return back and finish the struggle when the Black Tiger will understand that the fight for the people is useless. The Supreme Custodian and the Head Custodian of the Earth, the Dragon, permitted M.Z. to take the human image, in order to go to the people and find out the reason of the forthcoming disaster and also to find the supporters, to become the single team for the sake of rescuing the Earth. Only together one can solve the problem – the Black Tiger was certain of it. The team was gathered, but for the preparation and realization into life the created plan they needed the time, the intensive trainings, the fulfilling of the not simple, not known to the people tasks. M.Z. adherents become very close, turning into one single unit in thoughts and actions. Not knowing each other and living their own lives, every member of the team is crazy about one and the same idea. No one of the rescue team knows M.Z. in face: the only thing they know are the bright eyes under the magic helmet. Is he a human being indeed? No one of the people knows it. Notwithstanding the resistance of the high and mighty of this Universe, and that the White Tiger «washed one`s hands of it” and decided not to rescue the Earth, the Black Tiger didn`t step away of his decision – to rescue the most dear thing to him – the Earth. How much will cost the rescue operation to him? Whom or what one will have to sacrifice? Will M.Z. break his life principles for the sake of preservation of the Universe?

Presents strategies with reachability graph analysis for optimizing resource allocation systems Supervisory Control and Scheduling of Resource Allocation Systems offers an important guide to Petri net (PN) models and methods for supervisory control and system scheduling of resource allocation systems (RASs). Resource allocation systems are common in automated manufacturing systems, project management systems, cloud data centers, and software engineering systems. The authors—two experts on the topic—present a definition, techniques, models, and state-of-the art applications of supervisory control and scheduling problems. The book introduces the basic concepts and research background on resource allocation systems and Petri nets. The authors then focus on the deadlock-free supervisor synthesis for RASs using Petri nets. The book also investigates the heuristic scheduling of RASs based on timed Petri nets. Conclusions and open problems are provided in the last section of the book. This important book: Includes multiple methods for supervisory control and scheduling with reachability graphs, and provides illustrative examples Reveals how to accelerate the supervisory controller design and system scheduling of RASs based on PN reachability graphs, with optimal or near-optimal results Highlights both solution quality and computational speed in RAS deadlock handling and system scheduling Written for researchers, engineers, scientists, and professionals in system planning and control, engineering, operation, and management, Supervisory Control and Scheduling of Resource Allocation Systems provides an essential guide to the supervisory control and scheduling of resource allocation systems (RASs) using Petri net reachability graphs, which allow for multiple resource acquisitions and flexible routings.

An action-packed middle-grade fantasy with classic writing, a resourceful heroine, a host of magical creatures, and no shortage of narrow escapes—for fans of Story Thieves, Inkheart, Coraline, and Harry Potter. For Alice, danger threatens from inside the library as well as out. Having figured out the role her master and uncle, Geryon, played in her father's disappearance, Alice turns to Ending—the mysterious, magical giant feline and guardian of Geryon's library—for a spell to incapacitate Geryon. But, like all cats, Ending is adept at keeping secrets and Alice doesn't know the whole story. Once she traps Geryon with Ending's spell, there's no one to stop the other Readers from sending their apprentices to pillage Geryon's library. As Alice prepares to face an impending attack from the combined might of the Readers, she gathers what forces she can—the apprentices she once thought might be her friends, the magical creatures imprisoned in Geryon's library—not knowing who, if anyone, she can trust.

This dark, suspenseful tale by New York Times bestseller JaQuavis Coleman is an urban love story with an unforgettable conclusion. A man’s quest to escape his past life is an uphill battle. After seeking a Cuban voodoo doctor to receive a spiritual advantage on his upcoming court case, Saint opens Pandora’s box. The Santeria voodoo seemed to work, but at what cost? Saint’s dangerous visit to Cuba comes with much more than he anticipated as he enters an underground secret society of high stakes gambling. He gets tangled in a web of heinous crimes, money games, and backstabbing. Torn between a woman he meets in Cuba and his wife at home, Saint finds himself embroiled in an intricate plan, which threatens his freedom and everything that he has worked for. Lines are crossed, both internationally and morally.

The Forbidden Library kicks off an action-packed fantasy series with classic appeal, a resourceful heroine, a host of magical creatures, and no shortage of narrow escapes--perfect for fans of Story Thieves, Coraline, Inkheart, and Harry Potter Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within. It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

First published in 1971, these Guides provide invaluable information on thousands of commercial ports and terminals across the globe. They are compiled and published annually by LR OneOcean, whose years of global maritime experience allows them to provide expert and innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and overall industry success. The Guides cover a significant geographical breadth, and the most recent volume includes information on over 12,500 ports, harbours and terminals worldwide. These are fully indexed and contain detailed port plans and mooring diagrams.

An ingenious assortment of "interviews" with some of the world's most famous--and late--personalities asks probing questions about their lives, anchievements, and more in dialogues with Alexander the Great, Emily Dickinson, Albert Einstein, Nostradamus, Thomas Jefferson, Caligula, Beethoven, Buddha, Edgar Allan Poe, Leonardo da Vinci, Joan of Arc, and many others. Original. 45,000 first printing.