Improving Quantitative EDS Chemical Analysis of Alloy Nanoparticles by PCA Denoising: Part II. Uncertainty Intervals.

Analytical studies of nanoparticles (NPs) are frequently based on huge datasets derived from hyperspectral images acquired using scanning transmission electron microscopy. These large datasets require machine learning computational tools to reduce dimensionality and extract relevant information. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a commonly used procedure to reconstruct information and generate a denoised dataset; however, several open questions remain regarding the accuracy and precision of reconstructions. Here, we use experiments and simulations to test the effect of PCA processing on data obtained from AuAg alloy NPs a few nanometers wide with different compositions. This study aims to address the reliability of chemical quantification after PCA processing. Our results show that the PCA treatment mitigates the contribution of Poisson noise and leads to better quantification, indicating that denoised results may be reliable from the point of view of both uncertainty and accuracy for properly planned experiments. However, the initial data need to be of sufficient quality: these results can only be obtained if the signal-to-noise ratio of input data exceeds a minimal value to avoid the occurrence of random noise bias in the PCA reconstructions.

Exploring a Training IRAP as a single participant context for analyzing reversed derived relations and persistent rule-following.

Rule-governed behavior and derived stimulus relations have always shared strong conceptual links within behavior analysis. However, experimental analysis linking the two domains remains limited. The current study consisted of three experiments that aimed to continue to bridge this experimental gap. The first experiment sought to establish the extent to which a training version of the implicit relational assessment procedure (IRAP) could be used to establish and successfully reverse experimentally established derived relations. The results suggested that the Training IRAP could successfully produce derived reversals. Experiments 2 and 3 explored the extent to which reversed derived relations would control rule-governed behavior when the contingencies for rule-following competed with the rule. In Experiment 2, the task contingencies were immediately in opposition to the (reversed) derived rule, and participants generally responded in accordance with the task contingencies, rather than the rule. In Experiment 3, the task contingencies were initially rule-consistent before a contingency reversal that later made them rule-inconsistent. Here evidence of rule-persistence emerged. The results of the research are considered within the context of a recent framework that has emerged out of RFT for analyzing the dynamics involved in derived relational responding.

Glyphosate sustainability in South American cropping systems.

South America represents about 12% of the global land area, and Brazil roughly corresponds to 47% of that. The major sustainable agricultural system in South America is based on a no-tillage cropping system, which is a worldwide adopted agricultural conservation system. Societal benefits of conservation systems in agriculture include greater use of conservation tillage, which reduces soil erosion and associated loading of pesticides, nutrients and sediments into the environment. However, overreliance on glyphosate and simpler cropping systems has resulted in the selection of tolerant weed species through weed shifts (WSs) and evolution of herbicide-resistant weed (HRW) biotypes to glyphosate. It is a challenge in South America to design herbicide- and non-herbicide-based strategies that effectively delay and/or manage evolution of HRWs and WSs to weeds tolerant to glyphosate in cropping systems based on recurrent glyphosate application, such as those used with glyphosate-resistant soybeans. The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide an overview of some factors that influence WSs and HRWs to glyphosate in South America, especially in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay soybean cropped areas; (ii) to discuss the viability of using crop rotation and/or cover crops that might be integrated with forage crops in an economically and environmentally sustainable system; and (iii) to summarize the results of a survey of the perceptions of Brazilian farmers to problems with WSs and HRWs to glyphosate, and the level of adoption of good agricultural practices in order to prevent or manage it.

Habilidades sociais profissionais: produção científica nacional e relevância do tema para a saúde dos trabalhadores / Professional social skills: national scientific production and relevance of the theme to workers' health

O mundo do trabalho passa por acentuadas transformações e o cenário atual requer trabalhadores que possuam, além de competências técnicas e conhecimento sobre sua área de atuação, competências humanas bem desenvolvidas. Nesse sentido, a presença das Habilidades Sociais Profissionais (doravante HSP) no repertório comportamental dos profissionais configura-se como importante instrumental para o atendimento das demandas do mundo do trabalho contemporâneo. O presente ensaio teórico objetiva, mediante levantamento bibliográfico de produções nacionais, obtido por meio dos mais importantes indexadores eletrônicos da área da Psicologia, tecer considerações sobre as HSP e sua importância, tanto para o repertório dos profissionais quanto para o êxito das organizações. Devido à relevância da temática e seus benefícios junto as ações de prevenção do adoecimento psíquico ­ e, portanto, na promoção da saúde dos trabalhadores ­ conclui-se, por meio deste estudo, sobre a necessidade de maiores investimentos, por parte das organizações, na capacitação de seus trabalhadores em relação às HSP

The world of work undergoes major transformations and the current scenario requires workers who possess, in addition to technical skills and knowledge about their area of ​​expertise, well-developed human skills. In this sense, the presence of Professional Social Skills (PSS) in the behavioral repertoire of professionals is an important instrument for meeting the demands of the contemporary work world. The objective of this theoretical essay, through a bibliographical survey of national productions, obtained through the most important electronic indexes in the area of ​​Psychology, makes considerations about PSS and its importance, both for the repertoire of professionals and for the success of organizations. Due to the relevance of the theme and its benefits to the actions of prevention of mental illness - and, therefore, the promotion of workers' health - it is concluded, through this study, the need for greater investments by organizations in the workers in relation to PSS