The primary function of a power system is to supply its customers with electrical energy as economically as possible and with acceptable reliability and quality. Generating capacity adequacy evaluation is the oldest and most extensively studied aspect of power system reliability assessment. A wide range of methods have been developed to perform this evaluation. Two computer programs were developed based on the analytical and simulation techniques and used as tools in this research work. A number of basic considerations in generating capacity adequacy evaluation are investigated. Generating unit residence time distributions and peaking load units are incorporated in the analysis.<p> Two commonly encountered misconceptions regarding the basic system reliability indices are examined by applying the two programs to two reliability test systems. Reliability index probability distributions can be used to supplement the information provided by the expected index values. The concept of creating distributions and the additional information that can be obtained is illustrated in this thesis. <p> Generating unit residence time distributions are generally categorized as being either exponential or non-exponential in form. The exponential distribution is utilized, however, in virtually all practical system studies. The impacts on the system reliability of non-exponential unit state residence time distributions are examined in this research. <p> Peaking load units and base load units have different operating characteristics. The functions of peaking load units vary with changes in the system operating conditions. This is examined in this research. <p>The conclusions and techniques presented in this thesis should prove valuable in power system planning and operation.

The primary function of a power system is to supply its customers with electrical energy as economically as possible and with acceptable reliability and quality. Generating capacity adequacy evaluation is the oldest and most extensively studied aspect of power system reliability assessment. A wide range of methods have been developed to perform this evaluation. Two computer programs were developed based on the analytical and simulation techniques and used as tools in this research work. A number of basic considerations in generating capacity adequacy evaluation are investigated. Generating unit residence time distributions and peaking load units are incorporated in the analysis.<p> Two commonly encountered misconceptions regarding the basic system reliability indices are examined by applying the two programs to two reliability test systems. Reliability index probability distributions can be used to supplement the information provided by the expected index values. The concept of creating distributions and the additional information that can be obtained is illustrated in this thesis. <p> Generating unit residence time distributions are generally categorized as being either exponential or non-exponential in form. The exponential distribution is utilized, however, in virtually all practical system studies. The impacts on the system reliability of non-exponential unit state residence time distributions are examined in this research. <p> Peaking load units and base load units have different operating characteristics. The functions of peaking load units vary with changes in the system operating conditions. This is examined in this research. <p>The conclusions and techniques presented in this thesis should prove valuable in power system planning and operation.

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to address mechanistic and performance changes following a peaking phase in individual event and team sport strength-power athletes. This purpose was addressed by conducting 4 separate investigations with track and field athletes, volleyball athletes, and a national level weightlifter. The following are the primary findings from these investigations. Division I collegiate throwers increased competition throwing performance, jumping performance, and preserved muscle architecture characteristics following an overreach and taper. There were moderate decreases in division I female collegiate volleyball athlete’s vastus lateralis muscle thickness with no statistical changes in jumping performance following a taper with no prior overreach in. There were moderate to very large differences in countermovement jump height supercompensation during the peaking phase in favor of the returners over the new players on a similar team of female volleyball athletes. Changes in serum concentrations of inflammatory, hypertrophic and endocrine markers corresponded with alterations in training volume-load and partially explained changes in jump, dynamic mid-thigh pull, and weightlifting performance following multiple competition phases in a national level weightlifter. Additionally, vastus lateralis cross-sectional area can be maintained following a competition phase in a high level weightlifter provided large changes in body mass are not attempted close to competition. The findings of these investigations support the use of overreach and tapering for strength-power athletes and provide an underlying biochemical, morphological, and biomechanical basis for the observed changes in performance.

The ever-growing need for high speed data transmission is driven by multimedia and telecommunication demands. Traditional metallic media, such as copper coaxial cable, prove to be a limiting factor for high speed communications. Fiber optic methods provide a feasible solution that lacks the limitations of metallic mediums, including low bandwidth, cross talk caused by magnetic induction, and susceptibility to static and RF interferences. The first scientists to work with fibers optics started in 1970. One of the early challenges they faced was to produce glass fiber that was pure enough to be equal in performance with copper based media. Since then, the technology has advanced tremendously in terms of performance, quality, and consistency. The advancement of fiber optic communication has met its limits, not in the purity of its fiber media used to guide the data-modulated light wave, but in the conversion back and forth between electric signals to light. A high speed optic receiver must be used to convert the incident light into electrical signals. This thesis describes the design of a 2.5 GHz Optoelectronic Amplifier, the front end of an optic receiver. The discussion includes a survey of feasible topologies and an assessment of circuit techniques to enhance performance. The amplifier was designed and realized in a TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS process.

Preparing for a national weightlifting championship: A case series. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2019—This study aimed to characterize psychological, physiological, and performance changes of a high-level female (24.5 years; 53.8 ± 0.3 kg; 155.4 cm) and male (25.8 years; 92.7 ± 1.2 kg; 189 cm) weightlifter over 28 weeks while preparing for a national championship. Body mass, hydration, psychological inventories, serum biomarkers, vastus lateralis muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and squat jump (SJ) performance were assessed weekly beginning 11 weeks from the competition date. Weightlifting performance goals were met for the female athlete (actual total = 159 kg) but not for the male athlete (actual total = 292 kg). Reductions in vastus lateralis CSA possibly took place the week leading into competition for both athletes. Both athletes reported positive recovery-stress states on the day of competition relative to baseline values. Fluctuations between steroid hormone concentrations and inflammatory markers were unpredictable and inconsistent for both athletes throughout the training program. Unloaded SJ height and rate of force development were the highest on competition day for both athletes. Based on these findings, it is possible for high-level male and female weightlifters to achieve and maintain peak preparedness 3–4 days before competition following a 1-week overreach and 3-week exponential taper, where training volume-load is reduced by half and intensity maintained or slightly increased relative to pretaper values. Furthermore, the short recovery and stress scale and SJ testing seem to be useful tools for sport scientists and coaches when monitoring high-level weightlifters preparing for competition.

The objective of this thesis is aimed at the design of low noise amplifier (LNA) for an ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver system using standard 0.18um CMOS process. A two amplified stage topology is proposed in the low noise amplifier. The first stage introduces inductively source degeneration, it can achieve wideband input impedance matching. The second stage introduces traditional CS configuration, it can improve the forward gain (S21). The second stage also used L-C section for output match. In order to improve the gain at high frequency, we introduces the series peaking between the first stage and second stage. We use the resistive-feedback between second stage and output, it can achieve wideband output impedance matching. The total power dissipation of the low noise amplifier is about 16.5mW at power supply 1.5 volt and the chip size is 920*940mm2. The simulated result shows that S11 is under -9dB, S22 is under -10dB, the forward gain S21 is 11.63dB~12.56dB at 3.1-10.6GHz, the reverse isolation S12 is under -32dB, and the noise figure is3.3dB~3.96dB.

The objective of this thesis is aimed at the design of low noise amplifier (LNA) for an ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver system using standard 0.18um CMOS process. A two amplified stage topology is proposed in the low noise amplifier. The first stage introduces inductively source degeneration and resistive-feedback, it can achieve wideband input impedance matching. The second stage introduces traditional CS configuration, it can improve the forward gain (S21). The second stage also used L-C section for output match. In order to improve the gain at high frequency, we introduces the series peaking between the first stage and second stage. The total power dissipation of the low noise amplifier is about 24.3mW at power supply 1.5 volt and the chip size is 1.283*1.008mm2. The simulated result shows that S11 is under -8dB, S22 is under -10dB, the forward gain S21 is 12.6dB~15.3dB at 3.1-10.6GHz, the reverse isolation S12 is under -30dB, and the noise figure is 3.24dB~4.84dB.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the efficacy of implementing a high intensity, high volume workout into the late stages of a taper, to identify if there was a performance enhancing effect beyond that of an intensity maintained, reduced-volume taper. Eleven male collegiate rowers (age 21.0 ± 1.9 years, VO2max 60.9 ± 5.8 ml/kg/min) completed 23 days of progressively overloaded training, followed by 5 days of reduced training volume. Participants were matched and randomly assigned to either a high intensity-low volume or high intensity-high volume treatment workout approximately 48 hours prior to an indoor rowing competition. Other than the treatment workout, all prescribed training was identical. Both tapers resulted in significant improvements in 2000 m ergometer performance; however there was no statistically significant difference between these groups (Low volume: 5.4 ± 2.7 seconds High volume 4.0 ± 3.3 seconds) Post race blood lactate tended to be higher following taper, however it did not reach significance (p = 0.06) and there was no difference between groups. There were no differences throughout training and taper for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct.), and plasma volume in either group. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), increased with training and increased further with taper in both groups; conversely, red cell distribution width (RDW) decreased with training and decreased further with taper in both groups. Jump height did not change from pre-taper to competition; however, there was a decrease in dip depth and a corresponding increase in peak acceleration and rate of force development in both groups. There was also a reduction in fatigue at competition compared to week 2 as measured by the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. These physiological and psychological adaptations may in part explain the observed combined 1.8% improvement in 2000m ergometer performance compared to pre-taper test times, however we were unable to discern any differences in any measured parameters between the higher volume and low volume treatment groups. The changes in hematological parameters may be indicative of decreases in erythrocyte age; and the adaptations to acceleration / rate of force development suggest potential improvements under the broad theme of movement economy. This study found that employing a 5 day reduced volume taper improved performance, however, implementing a higher volume, high intensity stimulus 48-52 hours prior to competition resulted in no added benefit and a potentially meaningful (1.4 seconds) yet not significant reduction in performance response to taper.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the efficacy of implementing a high intensity, high volume workout into the late stages of a taper, to identify if there was a performance enhancing effect beyond that of an intensity maintained, reduced-volume taper. Eleven male collegiate rowers (age 21.0 ± 1.9 years, VO2max 60.9 ± 5.8 ml/kg/min) completed 23 days of progressively overloaded training, followed by 5 days of reduced training volume. Participants were matched and randomly assigned to either a high intensity-low volume or high intensity-high volume treatment workout approximately 48 hours prior to an indoor rowing competition. Other than the treatment workout, all prescribed training was identical. Both tapers resulted in significant improvements in 2000 m ergometer performance; however there was no statistically significant difference between these groups (Low volume: 5.4 ± 2.7 seconds High volume 4.0 ± 3.3 seconds) Post race blood lactate tended to be higher following taper, however it did not reach significance (p = 0.06) and there was no difference between groups. There were no differences throughout training and taper for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct.), and plasma volume in either group. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), increased with training and increased further with taper in both groups; conversely, red cell distribution width (RDW) decreased with training and decreased further with taper in both groups. Jump height did not change from pre-taper to competition; however, there was a decrease in dip depth and a corresponding increase in peak acceleration and rate of force development in both groups. There was also a reduction in fatigue at competition compared to week 2 as measured by the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. These physiological and psychological adaptations may in part explain the observed combined 1.8% improvement in 2000m ergometer performance compared to pre-taper test times, however we were unable to discern any differences in any measured parameters between the higher volume and low volume treatment groups. The changes in hematological parameters may be indicative of decreases in erythrocyte age; and the adaptations to acceleration / rate of force development suggest potential improvements under the broad theme of movement economy. This study found that employing a 5 day reduced volume taper improved performance, however, implementing a higher volume, high intensity stimulus 48-52 hours prior to competition resulted in no added benefit and a potentially meaningful (1.4 seconds) yet not significant reduction in performance response to taper.

It is common practice for endurance athletes to manipulate training load prior to an important competition, known as tapering. An effective strategy aims to alleviate accumulated fatigue, whilst maximising physiological adaptation and facilitating a peak performance. Improvements in performance of 0.5 to 6.0% have been reported after a successful taper, a margin that could potentially have a dramatic influence on performance outcome at the elite level. This thesis explored the strategies currently employed by elite endurance athletes and investigated novel training manipulations during the taper to further enhance performance, to gain a more thorough understanding of the physiological mechanisms, and to identify a minimally invasive physiological biomarker capable of monitoring recovery status during the taper. Tapering strategies in elite endurance athletes were shown to be individualised and influenced by the preceding training load. Algorithms were developed, capable of explaining a large proportion of the variance (53-95%) in tapering strategy training variables (with the exception of interval volume), for a given pre-taper training load (Chapter III). A tapering strategy implemented using the algorithms was most likely to improve 1,500 m treadmill performance (ES = 0.53). When the intensity of final interval session was increased from 100% to 115% race speed, the effect on treadmill performance was unclear (ES = 0.22) and perhaps due to insufficient recovery to respond positively to the increased intensity interval session (Chapter IV). When continuous volume was reduced further (by 60%), the novel high intensity strategy was very likely to improve 1,500 m track performance (ES = 0.74), compared to the algorithm-derived taper (ES = 0.40) (Chapter VI). In middle-distance runners, training above race speed in the final days of the taper might be more beneficial than current practice, although training volume must be further reduced to compensate. It was possible to measure plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-6 receptor from capillary samples (Chapter II), although these markers in addition to C-reactive protein, testosterone and cortisol were not sensitive enough to detect changes in recovery status during tapering (Chapters IV and V). Measures of muscle maximum voluntary contraction force (algorithm-derived taper: 9%; ES = 0.39; novel taper: 6%; ES = 0.29), and rate of force development (algorithm-derived taper: ES = 0.53; novel taper: ES = 0.26) improved in response to tapering (Chapter IV), and could represent alternative non-invasive markers of recovery and taper effectiveness to facilitate peak performance.