Sparkling Books Ltd.
The Financial System Limit by investment manager David Kauders FRSA, is now published in print. This book challenges Keynesian policy assumptions followed by central banks.
View Rights PortalThe Financial System Limit by investment manager David Kauders FRSA, is now published in print. This book challenges Keynesian policy assumptions followed by central banks.
View Rights PortalSparsile Books is an independent publisher, based in Glasgow, specialising in high quality fiction and non-fiction. We see publishing as an art in itself, and work closely with our authors to ensure that the books we publish give readers a unique vision of the world. Since our beginning in 2018, we have been fortunate to discover some truly exceptional writers, and look forward to developing many more.
View Rights PortalMay the Loveforce Be With introduces a new lineage in energy healing, Kali-Ki ReikiTM, that was revealed to the author, Joni Dittrich, Ph.D. (Rajashree Maa), in a series of mystical encounters with the Divine Mother appearing as the goddess Kali Maa. The book brilliantly tells the stories of these encounters and presents the healing symbols that She revealed, explaining how these symbols can be used both for mind-body healing and spiritual awakening, or what Rajashree Maa calls "wisening." While traditional reiki systems also use symbols to transmit healing energy, the symbols introduced in Kali-Ki Reiki are seen as unique, three-dimensional, active, intelligent forms of light that tap into certain universal energy frequencies that are particularly attuned to the evolving conscious awareness as well as the personal and societal dilemmas of our current times. The fact that these symbols were revealed by Divine Mother to a woman in this era points to a need in today's world to re-establish our connection with the feminine forces of nature and spirit. The healing energy transmitted through these symbols is called Loveforce, which is considered to be the manifesting, creative, and healing power of the Limitless Love that is the Source of all that is.
Life Skills Age Group: 12 years and over This book includes 40 stories designed to help readers acknowledge and understand different social norms and learn how to respond appropriately. Each story is accompanied by activities that encourage adolescents to practice their learned skills in a structured manner. Additionally, the book covers important topics such as: Developing empathy and self-awareness to help adolescents identify and accept their feelings. Guidance for parents and teachers to support adolescents in developing social skills effectively. "Life Skills for Autistic Adolescents" is a valuable resource for helping older children improve their social skills and build healthy relationships.
Despite many books on plant invasions, none has focused on the role of species interactions. This book is a comprehensive overview of how plant invasions are mediated by varied species interactions and how such invasions influence this important component of biodiversity which involves the interactions (the 'glue') among a community's species. Besides highlighting relevant findings, the book digs deeply into new methodologies to understand species interactions in plant invasions and how this can improve management of invaded communities. The book covers: - Main theories/hypotheses in plant invasion ecology that invoke species interactions - Plant invasions promoted by mutualistic interactions and release from enemies - Antagonistic interactions preventing or hindering plant invasions - Consequences of plant invasions on native species interactions and ecosystem functioning - The interaction network approach to understanding plant invasions - Importance of considering species interactions in managing plant invasions Future avenues of research are highlighted in a final chapter. Table of contents Part I: Background Chapter 1: Plant invasions: the role of biotic interactions – An overview Chapter 2: The role of biotic interactions in invasion ecology: theories and hypotheses Part II: Positive and negative interactions in the soil Chapter 3: Soil biota and non-native plant invasions Part III: Mutualistic interactions that promote plant invasions Chapter 4: Pollination interactions promoting plant invasions- Chapter 5: Seed dispersal interactions promoting plant invasions Chapter 6: Ungulates as dispersal vectors of non-native plants Chapter 7: The role of plant-plant facilitation in non-native plant invasions Chapter 8: How direct and indirect non-native interactions can promote plant invasions, lead to invasional meltdown, and inform management decisions Part IV: Antagonistic interactions that hinder plant invasions Chapter 9: Biotic resistance to plant invasions Chapter 10: EICA 2.0: A general model of enemy release and defence in plant and animal invasions Chapter 11: The role of pathogens in plant invasions Chapter 12: Direct and indirect effects of herbivores influencing plant invasions Part V: Consequences of plant invasions for biotic interactions among native species Chapter 13: Impacts of non-native plants on plant-pollinator interactions Chapter 14: The effect of non-native plant invasions on seed dispersal of native plants Chapter 15: Allelopathic disruptions of biotic interactions due to non-native plants Chapter 16: Competition between native and non-native plants Chapter 17: Indirect biotic interactions between non-native plants and native plants and animals Part VI: Novel techniques and experimental approaches in the study of plant invasions Chapter 18: How a network approach has advanced the field of plant invasion ecology Chapter 19: Molecular ecology of plant-microbial interactions during invasions: progress and challenges Part VII: Biotic interactions and the management of ecosystems invaded by non-native plants Chapter 20: How can progress in the understanding of antagonistic interactions be applied to improve biological control of plant invasions? Chapter 21: Restoration of pollination interactions in communities invaded by non-native plants Chapter 22: Restoration of seed dispersal interactions in communities invaded by non-native plants Chapter 23: Multiple feedbacks due to biotic interactions across trophic levels can lead to persistent novel conditions that hinder restoration
Spirituality is the Final Frontier for ScienceContrary to popular belief, not all scientists are materialists fervently discounting the spiritual. Science, Being, & Becoming is about the spiritual lives of scientists, their actual transpersonal, metaphysical and mystical experiences. The book's material is derived from intimate interviews with over 30 scientists as they describe the circumstances under which they had the experiences and how those experiences changed their consciousness, transformed their belief systems about the nature of the world, and changed their scientific work.
In the small house of a large family there was a furnace. And in the furnace lived a spark. Although she was tiny, she had a big dream. Once, on Christmas Eve, the furnace and the fire argued over which one of them was the most important between the two. All the sparks and coals intervened in the conversation. Until our little spark took a deep breath and... Do you know what happens to dreams during the magic night of Christmas? Serhiy Loskot will tell you in this beautiful story! From 3 to 6 years, 335 words Rightsholders: hanna.bulhakova@ranok-school.com
A sweeping historical saga about a city that defies the eroding power of time In one of the first Arabic novels about the COVID-19 pandemic, relationships begin and end much like the pandemic itself. From his balcony in Beirut, Ezzat notices a solitary light on a lone balcony in the building opposite. From that moment, a connection begins to form across the empty space between the buildings, communicated through the air and signals. The events unfold after the owner of the shadow steps out onto her balcony, confronting the voyeur. They share time, confusion... and desire. Ezzat and Tamer successively both fall in love with the same woman, and a cautious friendship develops between the two men. It soon evolves into more dangerous forms. The story also portrays the experiences of other building residents during the pandemic, who imposed strict isolation on themselves. The protagonists, particularly the two elderly lovers, live on the edge of catastrophic expectations, as when they imagine that a woman pressing the intercom downstairs to ask for food could be a sign of an impending widespread famine. The story does not conclude in a stalemate but rather with losers.
Medicine for the relief of pain has made little progress in the last 50 years. 16% of our population claim to suffer from chronic pain, for which no lasting help can be found, despite years of treatment by different doctors. Trigger point therapy experts have integrated myofascial techniques into their everyday therapy in recent decades and through this they have achieved good results even with complex and chronic problems. In this book, instructors from the Interest Group for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy (IMTT) in Switzerland present 33 complex cases of patients with chronic pain, whose pain they were able to relieve permanently with manual trigger point therapy and dry needling. Using these case studies, doublepage spreads with an educational, uniform layout clearly present the diagnosis, pathophysiology and chronifcation of myofascial pain syndromes and, in conclusion, describe encouraging and surprising successes despite previous therapy resistance.
Do you struggle with thoughts and feelings that make life difficult? Have you tried all sorts of ways of dealing with this without getting anywhere? Do you feel that life is passing you by? Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which this book describes in a clear and entertaining way, provides new and very enlightening insights into the causes of human suffering. At the same time, ACT shows how we can improve the way we handle the difficult aspects of being human, while also developing our abilities and strengths. This title shows how using the described simple but effective methods can lead you to a happier, better life. Target Group: people who want to utilize their potential more fully, people interested in acceptance and commitment therapy, people practicing or interested in psychotherapy (psychologists, doctors, coaches, social workers)
This book highlights the latest and most exciting technological tools for plant breeding that are becoming the staple of all crop improvement programs. Using case studies and an evidence-based approach to examine the current status of each technique, the book discusses the challenges so far uncovered and future trends. Crop improvement relies on modulating the genes and genomic regions underlying key traits, either directly or indirectly. Direct approaches include overexpression, RNA interference, and genome editing, while conventional breeding constitutes the indirect approach. The integration of cutting-edge tools and technologies has the potential to expedite improvements in crop species. Innovations such as next-generation sequencing, high-throughput genotyping, precision editing, and the utilization of space technology to accelerate growth have opened new avenues in crop improvement programs, aimed at delivering new crop varieties capable of resilience to a variety of challenges. The book presents a systematic guide to various genomics approaches deployed for trait discovery and improvement in crop species. The chapters comprehensively cover each application, its advantages, and disadvantages, and its potential for improvement, supported by illustrative examples. The book: · Emphasizes the latest scientific and technological tools which are becoming the norm in all major crop improvement programs · Explores innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies utilized in the development and improvement of climate-resilient crops. · Each chapter is supplemented with ample illustrations to clarify and summarize the key points and provides an easy-to-understand overview of the most important concepts, applications and advances in crop improvement technologies.
Since its creation in 1920, The International Mycological Institute has been concerned with the identification of plant-pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Part of its role has been the development of plant clinics, which have an important role in providing access for farmers and extension workers to specialist scientific services for the diagnosis of plant disease problems and advice on control measures. Clinics can also be bases from which surveys of crop problems are made and data on the needs of farmers are assimilated, in order to identify research priorities. This practical handbook provides information on all aspects of the technical procedures, material requirements and organisation for the effective operation of a plant clinic. It describes the diagnostic process, from field observation and collection through to methods of culture, microscopy, keeping records and reference material, general laboratory practice and equipment maintainance. The procedures described have been used successfully at IMI for many years, and through a series of training programmes, have been transferred to laboratories in many other countries. Essential reading for those involved in setting up and running plant clinics and plant quarantine facilities, this handbook will also be of interest to all practitioners and advanced students of plant pathology, particularly those concerned with diagnostics, and to crop protection specialists working in an advisory capacity.
This book summarizes the current achievements of metabolomics in revealing the roles of primary and secondary metabolisms of plants both used as major crops and for the production of medicines. It presents methods and applications of metabolomics for the exploration of stress responses, which may pave the way for obtaining climate-smart and stress-tolerant crops able to face biotic and abiotic stressors in a globally-changing climate. These technologies can advance the exploration of plant physiology as well as precision crop breeding for future anti-stress, high-quality, and high-yield plants and in doing so can achieve sustainable agriculture and therefore support the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the vision of sustainable agriculture. This book is an ideal reference for students, researchers, teachers, professors, and experts in the field of plant science and crop breeding. It provides an effective overview of the critical topic of plant science and will help to inspire and assist researchers as they design new experiments and methods.
Plant-parasitic nematodes are responsible for an estimated annual loss of US$100 billion worth of commodity, staple and industrial crops worldwide. With global changes in temperature, it is likely that this figure will increase as nematode pests thrive in previously unsuitable areas and increase their reproductive rate. Correct identification is essential in understanding nematode diversity and enabling management and control. Since the first edition of this book was published in 2012 (Mundiprensa, Mexico), advances in molecular techniques have transformed methods of studying and identifying species and proven helpful for disentangling species complexes. However, nematode crop damage can still be difficult to assess due to a lack of expertise (especially taxonomy) in making accurate diagnosis, and a lack of nematology courses and training within crop protection. This book addresses the need for a practical foundation course, and covers: · Biology, morphology, taxonomy and practical aspects of symptomatology, sampling, preparation and identification of nematodes using both classical and molecular approaches · Taxonomy, diversity and bionomics (e.g. biology, ecology, management) of the most economically important plant-parasitic nematode groups · Ecology (nematodes as bioindicators), biochemical and molecular processes involved in plant-nematode interactions, integrated pest management, quarantine issues, knowledge dissemination aspects and statistics This is an introductory text in practical nematology aimed at students of agronomy, biology, extension, phytosanitation and professionals involved in crop protection and plant disease diagnostics.
This companion to "The Business of Plant Breeding: Market-led Approaches to Plant Variety Design in Africa contains experiences from postgraduate educators training the next generation of African plant breeders and professional breeders that are implementing best practices in Demand-Led Breeding (DLB) in their current crop improvement programmes. It is written by highly experienced plant breeders representing several universities, national plant breeding programmes, regional and international agricultural research institutes in Africa, together with expert breeders from Australia and developers from private seed companies. It includes specifically points of learning from real implementation situations from crop breeding programmes in NARS and IARCs in Africa, Australia and internationally. It shares experiences on improving tropical crops, strengthening understanding on how to overcome challenges in designing new crops to increase smallholder farmer adoption and advocating best practices. It also presents five case studies on tropical crops, and discusses the need for an enabling policy environment and the changes needed for Africa to achieve its ambition for food security and Africa's vision 2063.
Bringing together ecology and management of invasive plants within natural and agricultural ecosystems, this book bridges the knowledge gap between the processes operating within ecosystems and the practices used to prevent, contain, control and eradicate invasive plant species. The book targets key processes that can be managed, the impact of invasive plants on these ecosystem processes and illustrates how adopting ecologically based principles can influence the ecosystem and lead to effective land management.