This book captures advancements in the applications of computational intelligence (artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.) to problems in the mineral and mining industries. The papers present the state of the art in four broad categories: mine operations, mine planning, mine safety, and advances in the sciences, primarily in image processing applications. Authors in the book include both researchers and industry practitioners.

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The world of laser matter interaction has known great and rapid advancements in the last few years, with a considerable increase in the number of both experimental and theoretical studies. The classical paradigm used to describe the dynamics of laser produced plasmas has been challenged by new peculiar phenomena observed experimentally, like plasma particles’ oscillations, plume splitting and self-structuring behavior during the expansion of the ejected particles. The use of multiple complementary techniques has become a requirement nowadays, as different aspects can be showcased by specific experimental approaches. To balance these non-linear effects and still remain tributary to the classical theoretical, views on laser produced plasma dynamics novel theoretical models that cover the two sides of the ablation plasma (differentiability and non-differentiability) still need to be developed. Plasma is a strongly nonlinear dynamic system, with many degrees of freedom and other symmetries, favorable for the development of ordered structures, instabilities and transitions (from ordered to chaotic states). In such contexts, we showcased research based on global and local symmetries, complexity and invariance. This special number highlighted exciting new phenomena related to laser produced plasma dynamics with the implementation of theoretical models, towards understanding the complex reality of laser matter interaction.

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Archaeometry is based on the necessary interdisciplinary relationship between diverse branches of the natural and social sciences. This relationship is essential in archaeology, since, from physical materials (objects), scholars have to face questions that go beyond the limits of the tangible and pertain instead to abstract and social concerns. Currently, archaeometric studies are fundamental to the accurate classification and characterization of archaeological materials, providing relevant data, among other aspects, about their production, function and social meaning. In this book, we present a set of papers that show the potential of mineralogical studies (e.g. petrography, mineral geochemistry, X-ray Diffraction) and multiproxy approaches to characterize the composition of a wide diversity of archaeological materials such as ceramics, terracotta, tiles, metals, glazes, glass and mortars related to several periods (Bronze Age, Roman, Middle Age, Modern period). In this sense, this book can be of interest for specialized researchers who seek specific case studies and are mainly concerned with certain kinds of materials, but also for those students, researchers and professionals who look for a practical overview of the chief methods that can be followed in the study of material culture.

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This book is made up of contributions dealing with heritage stones from different countries around the world. The stones are described, as well as their use in vernacular and contemporaneous architecture. Heritage stones are those stones that have special significance in human culture. Examples include some very important stones that have been either neglected because they are no longer extracted, or stones that have great significance in commercial terms but knowledge of their national and/or international heritage has not been well documented. In this collection of articles, we have tried to spread awareness of architectural heritage around the world, the natural stones that have been used in its construction, and the need to preserve historical quarries that once provided the source of such stones. Historical quarries are linked to regional culture and tradition. Because of the specific technical and aesthetical characteristics of heritage stones, which have lasted for centuries, these historical quarries should be preserved to be able to use the stones for the proper restoration of monuments and historical buildings to avoid negative actions that can be observed in many places in the restoration of buildings, which are some times part of World Heritage sites. The final intention of this book is to continuosly grow the interest on this fascinating subject of heritage stones.

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