Design and circuit analysis of a single and dual band-notched UWB antenna using vertical stubs embedded in feedline.

Within the frequency band designated by the FCC for UWB systems, there are other frequency bands that are also designated for use for other technologies like WLAN (5.15 - 5.35 GHz) and WiMAX (3.3-3.7 GHz). These systems can cause interference with UWB systems when operated at the same time. Therefore, an antenna operating in the UWB spectrum needs to have band-notch capabilities in order to mitigate interference resulting from nearby communication systems operating within the UWB frequency band. In this paper, the notched bands are achieved by using vertical stubs protruded from a microstrip feedline. The antenna is etched on a 25 × 30 mm2 substrate. Two antenna structures are presented; one is designed to notch an intended narrowband from 3.3 - 3.6 GHz and the second is designed to include an additional band notch from 5.15 - 6 GHz. The simulations and measurements show that the proposed antennas achieve an ultra-wide bandwidth of 3-10.6 GHz with successful single and dual band-notches, good gain and good group delay rejection in the notch bands. Stable radiation patterns with low cross polarization are also realized across the operating bandwidth. A detailed analysis of how the filtering is also achieved using circuit theory is presented in this work as well.

A survey of pediatric degree option program graduates in a doctor of pharmacy curriculum: Confidence and initial employment position.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Graduates from the pediatric degree option program (PDOP) were tracked to identify confidence with pediatric pharmacotherapy and categorize initial employment following graduation. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: The PDOP was established in 2011 and requires 16 credits of pediatric-focused didactic coursework and advanced pharmacy practice experiences. Thirty PDOP graduates completed a 30-item questionnaire to assess confidence in pediatric pharmacotherapy knowledge and skill statements and employment position following graduation. Responses were compared between those completing post-graduate pediatric pharmacy training and those who did not. FINDINGS: Nineteen (63.3%) graduates responded. All expressed "very high" or "high" confidence with dose calculations, first-line treatment selection for otitis media, and counseling caregivers on medications. However, <75% expressed "very high" or "high" confidence with identification of pharmacokinetic differences in neonates vs. children, utilization of growth charts, and counseling children. Ten (52.6%) respondents completed post-graduate training, and the remainder had an initial position in community or hospital pharmacy. There were no significant differences in pharmacotherapy skill and knowledge statements between those completing residency vs. those who did not. The most beneficial experiences reported were gaining clinical experience in pediatric pharmacy and medication safety. SUMMARY: Overall, PDOP graduates noted high confidence in pediatric pharmacotherapy skills and knowledge. Most felt that the PDOP influenced their initial career plans and made them more competitive for their initial position following graduation. The PDOP was well received and provided an opportunity for additional knowledge and skill development for students interested in pediatrics.

Visual versus kinesthetic mental imagery: efficacy for the retention and transfer of a closed motor skill in young children.

The main purposes of this study were (a) to compare the effects of mental imagery combined with physical practise and specific physical practise on the retention and transfer of a closed motor skill in young children; (b) to determine the mental imagery (visual vs. kinesthetic), which is the most efficient for retention and transfer of a closed motor skill; and (c) to verify the relationship between movement image vividness and motor performance. As for the secondary purpose, it was to compare the effects of gender on motor learning. Participants (n = 96) were selected from 3 primary schools. These participants were divided into 6 groups and submitted to different experimental conditions. The experimental task required the participants to throw, with the nondominant hand (left hand), a ball toward a target composed of 3 concentric circles. The results demonstrated that performance obtained by the mental imagery (visual or kinesthetic) combined with physical practise group was, during the retention phase, equivalent to that produced by the specific physical practise group but significantly superior during the transfer of closed motor skill. These results showed the potential benefits of mental imagery as a retention strategy intended for motor skills and performance enhancement. Such results could be explained by the similarity of 3 principal functional evidences shared by mental and physical practise: behavioural, central, and peripheral (as suggested by Holmes & Collins, 2001).

Description of a pediatric degree option program in a doctorate of pharmacy curriculum and its impact on pediatric-focused advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations and faculty scholarly productivity.

PURPOSE: To describe the development of a Pediatric Degree Option program and its impact on pediatric-focused advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and faculty scholarly productivity. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY: The Pediatric Degree Option program was established in 2011 and requires 16 h of didactic coursework and APPEs. The number of pediatric-focused APPEs and mean number of APPEs per pediatric faculty per year was compared pre- (2005-2010) and post-implementation (2011-2016). In addition, the median number of scholarship activities per student pre- and post-implementation was compared. The initial position obtained by graduates completing the degree option was collected. FINDINGS: Thirty students have completed the program. There were 146 pediatric-focused APPEs for the pre-implementation period and 259 post-implementation. However, there was an increase in pediatric faculty during the post-implementation, so there was no difference in the mean number of pediatric-focused APPEs per pediatric faculty in the pre- versus post-implementation period, 8.4 + 2.7 versus 6.9 +1.0, p = .224. A significant increase in the median number of pediatric-focused scholarly activities per student was observed pre-versus post-implementation, 3 (2-5) versus 5 (3-7), p = .005. Twenty-six (86.7%) students in the post-implementation period participated as a research assistant or coauthor in an original research or manuscript writing project. Students accepted a variety of positions after graduation including twelve (40%) accepting a PGY1 residency and eight (36.7%) as community pharmacists. SUMMARY: Although the number of pediatric-focused APPEs increased in the post-implementation, this did not result in an increase in the mean number of mean pediatric-focused APPEs per pediatric faculty member. However, it did allow a unique opportunity for 30 students with interest in pediatrics and allowed for content and skill development. The Pediatric Degree Option program allowed students to gain experience with pediatric-focused scholarly activities that also enhanced faculty productivity in scholarship and research.