Best friends, Brandy Well and Steve Rixx, accidentally cross the almost invisible barrier that separates the human world and the elfin realm, known as The Elfin Barrier. What then ensues is the adventure of a life time for the two. They stumble upon a battle of power between a group of elves and a horde of creatures known as gobioids. The pair team up with the elves and meet Forrest, a brooding elf who doesn't trust humans, and Carina, the gentle and beautiful princess of her clan. Before they know it, Brandy and Steve are caught up in the fight of Good versus Evil that takes you on a journey to save the home of the elves in a tale filled with excitement, danger, friendship, a few dragons and a battle that will take your breath away.

In Glitter Town, love sprouts almost every day in every corner. But, there are boundaries as well. It is known that pixies and elves have a rivalry against each other, but that doesn't mean that a pixie and an elf can't fall in love. In this new Romeo and Juliet love story, visit Glitter Town and witness a forbidden relationship between Vocal, a beautiful chatterbox pixie, and Zepto, a handsome insecure elf.

It's been a long journey for the galaxy. A galaxy descending into war. Everything is unraveling. The Elves and their Santa have failed so many. Repercussions are inevitable. A great transition is coming to pass and with it the Mission will conclude. Santa Tiberius is faced with the reality of his poor decisions. His authority with the Elves hangs by a thread. It is not enough to admit he is the Last Santa, he must embrace it. Hard choices must be made. Never one to back down from a fight, Tiberius must step down and let others take over. The Elves struggle to unite in a vision fulfilling the Charter. Dedicated as they are, each Discipline, each faction has its own goals and methods. Every individual yearns to contribute, yet thousands of voices speaking at once are chaos. The era of Santa Claus is ending. The age of Elves is uncertain. A crossroads of choices looms ahead. Crystals, Runes, and Touchstones. The universe teems with the unknown, with secrets. Neither the Elves nor the Santas were the only beings charged with upholding the mantle of the Child's dream. Others work in their own mysterious ways towards the great Peace. Long ago the Nix, beings of living snow, took a vow to protect the Dedicated. They longed to share their unique gifts yet held back their most wondrous creations. The long-awaited revelation is nearly here, though not all will be worthy of their last gift. For the Dedicated deliver stardust dreams to the children of the heavens. Forever are the Elves, a Santa's time fleeting. From the top of the world to the heart of the stars. To the dreamers go the Child's epiphany. The Omega becomes an Alpha. Secrets wrapped in choices. Infinite paths to the Peace. All chasing the promise of a world without end... About the Magi Charter series: For over two thousand years the legend of Santa Claus has endured. His is a Mission of peace as outlined in the Magi Charter, given to the first Santa by the Child. From humble beginnings, following that First Christmas, the Santa lineage has been passed down through the ages. This epic adventure tells the story of those Santas from the founding of the North Pole and the origin of the ancient elves, to our modern times where the world's problems affect even those in the secluded complex of the North, and concluding in the distant future which finds Santa and the elves committed to their mission on a galactic scale where Christmas traditions are barely recognizable. In every era, those committed to the Mission must find a way to deliver that which is needed most to those most deserving.

This comprehensive volume on the blood-gas barrier (BGB) among vertebrates covers its structure and composition along with aspects of evolution, bioengineering, and morphometry. The book also discusses the embryological development of the BGB, including chronology of events and molecular control in vertebrates; modulation of the barrier function, including cyclic stretch-induced increases in alveolar epithelial permeability; mechanisms of lung vascular/epithelial permeability; transport mechanisms of the BGB, including sodium transport channels; factors affecting trans-barrier traffic of fluids, such as chronic elevation of pulmonary microvascular pressure; stress failure; regulation and repair in acute lung injury; chronic lung disease; and lung transportation. Ten authoritative chapters approach the blood-gas barrier holistically, from basic structure and development to pathology and treatment. Properties of the BGB are discussed in the earlier chapters, followed by prenatal and post-natal development and mechanisms of the healthy BGB. The latter half of the book delves into the pathology of the BGB, analyzing common afflictions and exploring options for treatment, including its alterations during lung transplantation. Intuitively structured and comprehensive, The Vertebrate Blood-Gas Barrier in Health and Disease is ideal for researchers and clinicians interested in pneumology and angiology.

A rolling tremor passes through the land of Uton signaling a return of long absent magic as well as an ancient evil that accompanies it. Ryson Acumen, purebred delver, senses the changes and begins his explorations to discover the source behind the upheaval. In his investigations, he learns that legends he considered fables hold more truth than fantasy. The delver encounters elves and learns the Sphere of Ingar, a talisman that captured all magical energies long ago, is free from its tomb in Sanctum Mountain. As violent, evil creatures return to shred the very fabric of reality, the sphere gains awareness and chooses to spew corrupted magical energies to obliterate all life. The sphere must be destroyed, but it rests within Sanctum, a hollow mountain with a single path to its center. The way to the sphere remains defended by devices created long ago, forged by members of each race to thwart entry to the mountain's core. Those that wish to defeat the sphere must not only overcome these barriers, they must conquer the mistrust which has flourished during the long period of separation. Human, elf, dwarf, algor and delver must reunite to defeat the obstacles that now protect the sphere. Once inside Sanctum, representatives of each race face the secrets of the ages that once undone will change their lives forever.

The book describes molecular principles and mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can drive the occurrence of diseases and the latest understanding of mtDNA biology. The book explores roles of mtDNA mutation and genetic changes in cancer, with a special focus on lung cancer, and the significance of approach, application, and bioethics of mtDNA sequencing. Authors made a great effort to overview roles of mtDNA signaling pathways, base excision repair, methylation, USP30-mediated regulation, mitochondrial ribosome, autophagy pathways, or ROS-dependent signaling in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. It also demonstrates the importance of basic mitochondrial genetics and the relationship between mutations and disease phenotypes and ageing. This book covers not only the basic information of mtDNA, the relationship of mtDNA and disease, but also mtDNA in stem cell and mitochondria and metabolism etc. The book is written for biological and clinical students and researchers in the field of mtDNA–associated diseases.

I've finally escaped the monster infested Elroe Labyrinth and now making my way towards the land of humans! But what was waiting for me on the surface was something even worse than dragons...it's MY MOTHER!! We don't have the greatest relationship for various spidery reasons but am I going to make it out of this family reunion in one piece?!