Peak load estimation is a critical element in utility decision making. An electric utility must construct, maintain, and operate equipment sufficient to meet the peak, or maximum demand level. Electric utilities have utilized several methods of analyzing energy consumption which have yielded various levels of accuracy for estimating maximum demand. In this research, a new method, Nonlinear Load Research Estimation (NLRE), is proposed to estimate the peak load and load characteristics of individual and group of different customer classes. Load research data is used to develop KWHr-to-KW conversion factors, diversity factors, and average time-varying load data as a function of customer class, month, and type of day. Load research data is used to derive monthly load shapes by customer class. These profiles are used to apportion customer KWHr usage among billing cycles according to the split indicated by test data. This parsed KWHr can be further allocated based on type of day to estimate weekday and weekend peak values. / Ph. D.

According to Jungian typology, the essence of most problems encountered in navigating the midlife journey stem from inadequate development and/or inappropriate use of one's inferior ego function, yet the use of typology has not been directly applied as a midlife transition technique. Implicit in Jungian literature, when one is familiar with one's inferior ego function and knows how to identify and contend with its outward manifestations, one is likely to cope with psychic conflicts more appropriately and may maneuver through the midlife years more smoothly. Conversely, when one is not familiar with the inferior ego function and its outward manifestations, one may become easily confused and/or distressed with the inevitable psychic conflicts, which typically surface during midlife. This research addressed the development of a short-term psycho-educational intervention to assist persons in midlife transition, specifically addressing the development of the inferior ego function, and assessing how such an intervention would impact upon the midlife transition in terms of stress-anxiety and depression reduction. The nine-hour intervention was composed of three three-hour sessions. This action study considered these questions: (1) whether there were overall significant differences in stress-anxiety and depression levels of workshop participants versus comparison group participants; (2) what kinds of insights about midlife transition would be identified by subjects as a result of participation in a short-term psycho-educational intervention focusing upon midlife; (3) what manifestations of this training would be experienced in participants' everyday lives regarding typical features, sensitivities, projections, eruptions, and expressions of each of the four inferior ego functions in midlife; (4) what strategies would be identified for coping with midlife change; and (5) whether there would be evidence of internalization of material presented in the intervention. An experimental pre- and post-test design using an off-the-shelf stress-anxiety measurement instrument, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAD), and an off-the-shelf depression measurement instrument, the Personal Assessment Inventory (PAD), were used for the study. The two groups were compared according the results of the pretest/post-test STAI and PAI scores. Four qualitative components also were included in the research design (1) participants' journalized reflections; (2) researcher's observations; (3) post-intervention evaluation questions; and (4) post-intervention follow-up questions. Qualitative data was collected, analyzed, and reported narratively with supporting tables where necessary. Quantitatively, a statistical analysis of the STAI and PAI indicated a significant difference among individuals grouped according to ego function and a significant interaction between ego functions and group membership. Another significant difference was identified in post-depression means of the two groups. Within-group comparisons indicated a significant decrease in state anxiety for the treatment group and in depression for the comparison group. Qualitatively, all psychological types in the treatment group were able to report tangible effects of the workshop in terms of understanding and utilizing their learnings in their everyday lives -- whether it be a cognizance of their own formerly unconscious behaviors or the behaviors of significant others. Participants further characterized the workshop as a very positive and enlightening experience. / Ed. D.

The Comprehensive Teacher Training Project (CTTP) is a distance education program developed and field tested between July 1990 and June 1992 in St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It combined instructional modules, telephone tutorials, and periodic group instruction to help unqualified assistant teachers (UATs) pass the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams in English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Science. To offset the high rate of attrition associated with distance education programs, student support interventions were devised to help UATs develop coping strategies and study techniques. To counteract the community’s perception that qualified teachers are insensitive subject specialists, workshops on nation building and empowerment were designed. This ethnographic study, which was conducted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the field testing period, sought to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of seven UATs as they matriculated through this distance education program. The study collected data through interviews, observations, and assessments of UATs, their significant others, marker/tutors (M/Ts), and country coordinator. These data were collected from UATs' communities in 1991 and during the workshops in the summers of 1990 and 1991. The study found that UATs experienced success in courses which were well written, taught what the syllabus prescribed, and what the exam tested. Those who were task-oriented, studied consistently, and community oriented, usually experienced success. M/T-initiated periodic face-to-face instructional workshops and regular telephone counseling which provided UATs with academic reinforcement and a sense of belonging. Those UATs whose significant others were supportive of their participation in the CTTP were more likely to succeed. The study also found that successful UATs adopted creative teaching techniques and active listening skills from M/Ts. Many of the lessons learned from the program were transferred to other aspects of their lives. The study concluded that Integrated Science was the most successful course and should be used as a model for the English course. UATs who felt comfortable with themselves, knew how to study, and used their time wisely usually experienced success, saw themselves as nation builders, and were perceived by the community as effective leaders. / Ed. D.

The main building of the Solitude complex is one of the oldest buildings on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary research for the master preservation plan of the historic landmark. In order to preserve and renovate the building, a field survey was conducted to collect data. Under the guidelines of the Historic American Building Survey, the building has been fully documented on measured drawings, and visible defects have been inspected. Computer programs were used as a means to execute drawings; a written report of the survey was organized according to the major building components. By using the knowledge of architectural history, building construction, preservation philosophy, and wood preservation technology, the collected data was analyzed, the causes of the defects were diagnosed, and the preservation treatments were suggested. Furthermore, recommendations for adaptive reuse are proposed. Meanwhile, this study also leaves openings for further study in some special fields. / Master of Science

Within a group of streets and neighborhoods and at the very fringe of the French Quarter is a boulevard named Esplanade. It is here where an attempt is made to explore particular architectural issues in the design of a hospice. Issues that have a significance both to this project and to others beyond it. An exploration that bridges between the architectural and experiential qualities of the past and present by creating a modern, architectural language that makes places that support the issues of history, surroundings, density, typology and style. / Master of Architecture

Ed. D.

M.S.

At the conception of this research, a separation methodology for obtaining purified mctallofullerene [A_m@C_2n, m = # of metal atoms, A, and C_2n = # of carbons in the surrounding cage] samples was not yet developed. Isolation of these metal-encapsulated fullerenes was strongly desired for characterization of their physical and chemical properties. Predicted applications for these novel species include their use as possible superconductors, catalysts, and non-linear optical devices. However, initial purification efforts have been hindered by several difficulties. These factors include a low abundance (< 1%) in the raw extract, uncertain stability in aerobic environments, co-elution of A_m@C_2n with empty-cage fullerenes, and the need for selective chromatographic detection. In this research, these difficulties have been overcome with the development of a continuous-flow, on-line HPLC-EPR apparatus. Advantages include a selective, non-invasive detector with chromatographic separations being performed in a controlled anaerobic environment. This on-line approach permits the selective detection of only those metallofullerenes with an odd-number of encapsulated atoms. The ability to continually monitor separations of these paramagnetic species ultimately permits the optimization of chromatographic parameters. The methodology developed from this on-line HPLC-EPR approach has ultimately resulted in purified empty-cage (C₆₀, C₇₀...C₉₆) and metallofullerene samples (Sc₂@C₇₄, Sc₂@C₇₆, Sc₂@C₇₈, Sc₂@C₈₀, Sc₂@C₈₂, Sc₂@C₈₄ - two isomers, Sc₂@C₈₆, Sc₂@C₈₈, Sc₂@C₉₀, Sc₃@C₈₂, Sc₄@C₈₂, La₂@C₇₂, Er@C₈₂, Er₂@C₈₂ - two isomers, and Er₂@C₉₂). / Ph. D.

Ph.D.

With increasing global competitiveness, top management of multinational corporations have realized that their resources cannot be effectively and efficiently transformed into marketable outputs without having managers who have global perspectives and a familiarity with the company's interest in overseas operation. To create a management team with global perspectives, multinational firms are using expatriate managers to fill overseas managerial positions. In Pacific Asia, the region's economic growth has attracted tremendous investments in hotel development from multinational companies, and these companies are increasingly hiring foreign professionals and managers to fill their business needs. However, while some expatriates have been very successful in Asia, many others encountered inherent problems related to overall satisfaction in the foreign environment which may lead to failures in their assignments. Failures in overseas assignments or expatriate turnovers are very costly to multinational companies. Current literature indicates a void in the research on predictors of hotel expatriate satisfaction and the relationship between satisfaction and turnover. The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents (predictors) and consequences (turnover) of hotel expatriate satisfaction in three Asian countries; China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The study consisted of a mailed survey of the expatriate hotel managerial employees in the three countries, followed by compilation and statistical analysis of relevant data to obtain empirical results which are used to develop a model of antecedents and consequences of hotel expatriate satisfaction. The findings from this study suggests that expatriate satisfaction can be predicted by five factors; (1) cultural adjustment, (2) skill variety, (3) role clarity, ( 4) participation, and (5) cross-cultural training. In addition, the research indicates that both expatriate job and general satisfaction relate to turnovers, and job satisfaction has stronger impact on expatriate's intention to quit. / Ph. D.