Human-computer hybrid teams can meet challenges in designing complex engineered systems. However, the understanding of interaction in the hybrid teams is lacking. We review the literature and identify four key attributes to construct design research platforms that support multi-phase design, hybrid teams, multiple design scenarios, and data logging. Then, we introduce a platform for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design embodying these attributes. With the platform, experiments can be conducted to study how designers and intelligent computational agents interact, support, and impact each other.

This study explored how perceptions of resource control levels are related to perceptions of friendship functioning in late adolescent friendship dyads (92 female dyads, 43 male dyads; mean age = 19.59 years). Resource control, relationship influence, and positive and negative friendship features were determined using self- and friend-reports. Contrary to expectations, a latent actor-partner interdependence model (Olsen & Kenny, 2006) revealed uniformly positive effects of perceived resource control on friendship functioning. Perceived resource control was positively associated with positive friendship features and unrelated to negative friendship features for both friends. Results highlight the importance of studying friendship within the context of power and considering relationships and power as complementary rather than opposing elements of the social system.

We have been investigating the spectroscopy of actinides in materials having relevance to nuclear waste management. Discussed here are the excitation and emission profiles of curium in high temperature borosilicate glasses, and pure halide compounds. Probing the local coordination environment of Cm(III) in these matrices has been one of the goals of this study. Comparison of the nephelauxetic effects indicate that the silicate matrix provides a more basic environment than either F− or Cl− surroundings found in pure compounds of curium. As a result, f - f transition energies are red shifted significantly in the silicate matrix as compared to that of the neat CmF3 system. Moreover, laser induced emissions have been noted with CmF4 after treatment at elevated temperatures. The higher energy spectral region, consisting of emission bands at 20100 and 16750, is assignable to f - f transitions in Cm(III), which is the expected thermal decomposition product. Energy transfer from Cm(III), followed by a second photon absorption is believed to be responsible for the strong emission bands at 12550, and 13580 cm−1. from presently unidentified emitting species. Results are discussed in relation to the oxidation state and fluorescence dynamics of actinide species in neat compounds, as well as in matrices being considered for waste immobilization.

Thin films of polymers containing p-cyanoazobenzene side chains were studied to reveal its applicability for optical storage media, surface grating optics and aligning films for liquid crystal (LC) display devices. We followed the generation of optical anisotropy of LPLirradiated films of three polymethacrylates with azobenzene side chains exhibiting amorphous, crystalline and liquid-crystalline natures during heat treatment by mean of an ellipsometry and polarized UV-visible spectroscopy. Whereas photogenerated optical anisotropy of amorphous polymer films disappeared above glass transition temperature, the photo-induced anisotropy of films of liquid crystalline and crystalline polymer films was significantly amplified by heat treatment. In case of crystalline polymers amplified optical anisotropy was maintained even at 300°C whereas partial decomposition was observed.

We have investigated certain aspects of the fundamental chemistry and materials science of the 4fand several 5f-elements in three glass matrices. Two of these matrices were high-temperature (850° and 1450°C melting points) silicate-based glasses and the third was a sol-gel glass. Optical spectroscopy was the principal investigating tool. One aspect of the work here was to ascertain the oxidation state exhibited by these elements in the different glasses, as well as the factors that control and/or may alter this state. An important finding was noting a general correlation between the oxidation states obtained in the two high-temperature glasses and those observed in the oxides of these elements. Of the twenty three f-elements considered here, only three exceptions (Ce, Am and Bk) or examples of variable behavior (Pr, Tb, U and Cf) to this correlation were noted. One explanation offered for the exceptions is based on the stability afforded by the oxides' fluorite lattice. The correlation also applied to the sol-gel glasses after they had been heated. Other oxidation states for some elements could be obtained in the sol-gel glasses prepared at 25°C. Presented here is a summary of the oxidation states observed for these elements in three glass matrices and how these states correlate with those observed in the oxides of these elements and with the relative oxidation potentials for the elements.

Spectroscopie properties of selected 4f-elements in a sol-gel and two high temperature silicate based glasses are reported. In particular, the spectral properties of the Eu3+ ion have been used to probe the local coordination environment of the f-elements in these glass matrices. Luminescence studies of the high temperature glasses indicated that the electric dipole allowed f-f transitions dominate the spectra which suggests that the local symmetry around the 4f-ions is low. Temperature-dependent spectroscopie studies of the sol-gel glasses indicated that the f-elements retain a “solution-like” environment prior to thermal processing. After heat treatment, an increase in the emission intensities of the electric-dipole transitions is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the magnetic-dipole allowed transitions. Moreover, excited state interactions has also been observed in the high temperature glasses that contain certain multiple f-elements. In Pr-Sm systems, exclusive excitation of the Sm3+ ion with a 514 nm argon ion laser line provides a higher-energy emission band (ca. 490 nm) from the Pr3+ ion (3P0 → 3H4) transition. This energy up-conversion is attributed to energy transfer from the 6H13/2 level of the Sm3+ ion to the 3Hg6 state of the Pr3+ ion. Following a second photon absorption, the Pr3+ ion is excited to the emitting 3P0level.

We have pursued some of the fundamental chemistry and materials science of americium in three glass matrices, two being high-temperature (850° and 1400°C melting points) silicate-based glasses and the third a sol-gel glass. Optical spectroscopy was the principal investigating tool in the studies. One aspect of this work was to determine the oxidation state exhibited by americium in these matrices, as well as factors that control and/or may alter this state. We have noted a correlation between the oxidation state of the f-elements in the two high-temperature glasses with their high-temperature oxide chemistries. One exception was americium: although americium dioxide is the stable oxide encountered in air, when this dioxide was incorporated into the high-temperature glasses, only trivalent americium was found in the products. When trivalent americium was used to prepare the sol-gel glasses at ambient temperature, and after these products were heated in air to 800°C, again only trivalent americium was observed. Potential explanations for the unexpected behavior of americium is offered in the context of its basic chemistry. Experimental spectra, spectroscopie assignments and other pertinent data obtained in the studies are discussed.

Several oxidation states of neptunium and plutonium, Pu(III), Pu(IV), Pu(VI), Np(IV), Np(V), and Np(VI), were studied in glasses prepared by a sol-gel technology. The oxidation state of these actinides in the sol-gel product was examined by absorption spectroscopy after solidification, aging, and thermal treatment. The oxidation state of the actinides in the starting solutions was essentially maintained through the solidification process of the silica matrix. However, during densification and removal of residual solvents at elevated temperatures, both actinides converted eventually to their tetra valent states while in the different sol-gel products. This finding is in accord with reports that tetravalent states of plutonium and neptunium are acquired in glass products prepared by dissolution of the actinide in molten glasses. Comparisons between room temperature spectra obtained from neptunium and plutonium in heated sol-gel products and from molten glass products showed subtle differences that can be related to the metal ion's environments.

Platelet α2-adrenoceptor binding was measured in 108 women in the 36th week of pregnancy, at ten and twenty days and at three and six months post-partum. An age matched non-pregnant control group of women (N = 25) was also studied. The number Bmax) of α2-adrenoceptors was elevated antepartum but fell to control values on the tenth post-partum day. At three and six months post-partum, however, α2-adrenoceptor Bmax was again increased. Women who developed maternity blues (N = 59) had significantly more platelet α2-adrenoceptors than those who did not (N = 49) at both ten and twenty days post-partum. In addition their α2-adrenoceptor Bmax was greater than controls at all time points measured except the tenth post-partum day. In contrast, the α2-adrenoceptor Bmax of women without the blues did not differ from controls at any stage. It is suggested that women who develop maternity blues may have a relatively enduring abnormality in α2-adrenoceptor sensitivity which is associated with psychological symptoms when concentrations of circulating sex-steroids suddenly change.