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The field of Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) has grown rapidly in the last few decades, allowing the development of faster and more reliable assistive technologies based on direct links between the brain and an external device. Novel applications of BCIs have also been proposed, especially in the area of human augmentation, i.e., enabling people to go beyond human limitations in sensory, cognitive and motor tasks. Brain-imaging techniques, such as electroencephalography, have been used to extract neural correlates of various brain processes and transform them, via machine learning, into commands for external devices. Brain stimulation technology has allowed to trigger the activation of specific brain areas to enhance the cognitive processes associated to the task at hand, hence improving performance. BCIs have therefore extended their scope from assistive technologies for people with disabilities to neuro-tools for human enhancement. This Special Issue aims at showing the recent advances in BCIs for human augmentation, highlighting new results on both traditional and novel applications. These include, but are not limited to, control of external devices, communication, cognitive enhancement, decision making and entertainment.

Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) --- speller --- Graphical User Interface (GUI) --- SSVEP --- P300 --- MI --- hybrid --- human performance --- performance prediction --- indoor room temperature --- office-work tasks --- electroencephalography (EEG) --- brain computer interface --- complete locked-in state --- communication --- Artificial Neural Network --- 20-questions-game --- augmented cognition --- brain–computer interfaces --- superintelligence --- heuristic search --- electroencephalography --- brain-computer interfaces --- waveform --- p300 --- SIFT --- PE --- MP --- SHCC --- n/a

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The Special Issue on Advances in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) explores four important topics of research in the framework of WDNs, namely simulation and optimization modelling, topology and partitioning, water quality, and service effectiveness. With regard to the first topic, the following aspects are addressed: pressure-driven formulations, algorithms for the optimal location of control valves to minimize leakage, the benefits of water discharge prediction for the remote real time control of valves, and transients generated by pumps operating as turbines. In the context of the second topic, a topological taxonomy of WDNs is presented, and partitioning methods for the creation of district metered areas are compared. In relation to the third topic, the vulnerability to trihalomethane is assessed, and a statistical optimization model to minimize heavy metal releases is presented. Finally, the fourth topic focusses on the estimation of non-revenue water, including leakage and unauthorized consumption, and on the assessment of service under intermittent supply conditions.

valve --- pump --- real time control --- pressure --- water distribution modelling --- leakage --- non-revenue water --- multiple regression analysis --- artificial neural network --- water distribution network --- water distribution network --- graph partitioning --- modularity --- district metered areas --- water distribution network management --- complex network theory --- topological analysis --- mathematical model --- valve --- pressure --- leakage --- optimization --- water distribution network --- snapshot simulation --- pressure-driven --- energy recovery systems --- runaway conditions --- unsteady flow --- water hammer --- water distribution system --- water quality --- disinfection by-products --- vulnerability --- water quality (WQ) --- blending --- release of heavy metals (HMR) --- dual response surface optimization (DRSO) --- multiple source waters blending optimization (MSWBO) --- intermittent water supply --- water service quality --- 24

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Buildings are one of the main causes of the emission of greenhouse gases in the world. Europe alone is responsible for more than 30% of emissions, or about 900 million tons of CO2 per year. Heating and air conditioning are the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Most buildings currently in use were built with poor energy efficiency criteria or, depending on the country and the date of construction, none at all. Therefore, regardless of whether construction regulations are becoming stricter, the real challenge nowadays is the energy rehabilitation of existing buildings. It is currently a priority to reduce (or, ideally, eliminate) the waste of energy in buildings and, at the same time, supply the necessary energy through renewable sources. The first can be achieved by improving the architectural design, construction methods, and materials used, as well as the efficiency of the facilities and systems; the second can be achieved through the integration of renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) in buildings. In any case, regardless of whether the energy used is renewable or not, the efficiency must always be taken into account. The most profitable and clean energy is that which is not consumed.

greenhouse --- floor envelope design --- ground heat transfer --- thermal insulation --- energy modeling --- life cycle cost analysis --- nearly zero energy building --- artificial neural network --- performance parameter design --- energy saving ratio --- dynamic simulation --- urban modelling --- co-simulation --- simulation engines --- building stock energy demand --- building --- energy --- heat load --- sensitivity --- glazing --- surface cooling --- three-phase unbalance minimization --- model predictive control --- home energy management system --- perturbation and observation --- adjustable step size --- low power loss --- maximum power point tracking --- HVAC demand --- prediction --- energy efficiency --- residential buildings --- Ipomoea batatas --- lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), thermal performance --- extensive green roof --- subtropical climate --- artificial neural network --- big data --- energy-performance gap --- building energy prediction --- building user activity --- single-person household --- Korean household energy consumption --- analytical hierarchy process --- energy efficiency promotion --- influencing factors --- residential buildings --- policy design --- building energy --- passive architecture --- test method --- energy performance standard --- zero energy building --- technology package --- renovation --- energy renovation --- demolition --- new construction --- energy use --- energy performance --- life cycle cost --- optimization --- OPERA-MILP --- multi-family buildings --- Arab region --- building sector --- energy efficiency --- energy productivity --- GCC --- Maghreb --- Mashreq --- space heating --- domestic hot water (DHW) --- air, ground and water source heat pump (ASHP, GSHP and WSHP) --- coefficient of performance (COP) --- seasonal performance factor (SPF) --- energy pile --- energy tunnel --- Level(s) --- green building rating systems --- Building Research Establishment Assessment Method (BREEAM) --- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) --- Haute Qualité Environnementale (HQE) --- Leadership in Energy &amp --- Environmental Design (LEED) --- energy efficiency --- subtropical climate building --- Minimum-Energy Building (MEB) --- building refurbishment --- building rehabilitation --- building renovation --- envelope airtightness --- envelope thermography --- envelope transmittance

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This Special Issue presents the work of 30 scientists from 11 countries. It confirms that the impacts of global change, resulting from both climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure, are huge on worldwide coastal areas (and critically so on some islands in the Pacific Ocean), with highly negative effects on coastal groundwater resources, which are widely affected by seawater intrusion. Some improved research methods are proposed in the contributions: using innovative hydrogeological, geophysical, and geochemical monitoring; assessing impacts of the changing environment on the coastal groundwater resources in terms of quantity and quality; and using modelling, especially to improve management approaches. The scientific research needed to face these challenges must continue to be deployed by different approaches based on the monitoring, modelling and management of groundwater resources. Novel and more efficient methods must be developed to keep up with the accelerating pace of global change.

artificial neural network --- support vector machine --- time series model --- freshwater-saltwater interface --- direct prediction --- recursive prediction --- geophysics --- groundwater --- hydrogeology --- aquifer --- atoll --- freshwater lens --- sea-level rise --- flooding --- groundwater --- tide --- submarine groundwater discharge --- atoll island --- groundwater storage --- freshwater resilience --- MODFLOW/SEAWAT --- saltwater intrusion --- water resources management --- seawater intrusion --- coastal aquifer --- arid and semi-arid regions --- cation exchange --- Tripoli --- Libya --- seawater intrusion --- multi-layered coastal aquifer --- offshore geophysics --- numerical model --- tidal signal --- sea–aquifer relations --- fish ponds --- sharp interface numerical modeling --- freshwater lens --- saltwater intrusion --- well salinization --- small islands --- Tongatapu --- saltwater intrusion --- sea level rise --- Nile Delta aquifer --- fresh groundwater volume --- extraction --- Nile Delta governorates --- SGD --- SGD model --- Radon --- coastal aquifer --- nutrient discharge --- Gaza Strip --- saltwater intrusion --- groundwater resources --- coastal aquifer --- climate change --- modelling --- monitoring --- salinization --- water resources management

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The rapid growth of modern industry has resulted in a growing demand for construction materials with excellent operational properties. However, the improved features of these materials can significantly hinder their manufacture and, therefore, they can be defined as hard-to-cut. The main difficulties during the manufacturing/processing of hard-to-cut materials are attributed especially to their high hardness and abrasion resistance, high strength at room or elevated temperatures, increased thermal conductivity, as well as resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Nowadays, the group of hard-to-cut materials is extensive and still expanding, which is attributed to the development of a novel manufacturing techniques (e.g., additive technologies). Currently, the group of hard-to-cut materials mainly includes hardened and stainless steels, titanium, cobalt and nickel alloys, composites, ceramics, as well as the hard clads fabricated by additive techniques. This Special Issue, “Advances in Hard-to-Cut Materials: Manufacturing, Properties, Process Mechanics and Evaluation of Surface Integrity”, provides the collection of research papers regarding the various problems correlated with hard-to-cut materials. The analysis of these studies reveals the primary directions regarding the developments in manufacturing methods, characterization, and optimization of hard-to-cut materials.

magnesium --- alloying --- spark plasma sintering --- elastic modulus --- corrosion resistance --- bioactivity --- additive manufacturing --- SLM technology --- porosity research --- microhardness research --- drilling --- dynamometer --- hole quality --- forces --- roundness --- roughness --- wear --- chips --- burr --- abrasive machining --- sapphire substrate --- resin bond --- surface --- texture --- machining --- multiscale --- aluminum alloy 6061 T6 --- surface finish --- high speed milling (HSM) --- roughness --- modeling --- intelligent optimization --- hard turning --- surface roughness --- cutting temperature --- evolutionary algorithm --- Ti-6Al-4V --- alloy --- EDC --- microcracks --- microhardness --- adhesion strength --- fused deposition modelling --- investment casting --- mathematical modelling --- aluminium matrix composite --- environmentally friendly --- nano-cutting fluids --- nickel-based alloys --- turning --- optimization --- micro-groove --- titanium alloy --- surface integrity --- material swelling and springback --- ultrasonic elliptical vibration assisted cutting --- artificial neural network --- prediction --- tool wear --- ultrasonically assisted turning --- Nimonic-90 --- surface roughness --- power consumption --- optimization --- nature inspired hybrid algorithm --- hard–to–cut materials --- machining --- additive manufacturing --- mechanics --- surface integrity