Abstract-This paper analyzes rectangular and circular patch antennas fabricated from meshed conductors and backed with solid ground planes. Because of the meshing, the antennas are rendered optically transparent, where the transparency is determined by the mesh geometry. It is found that although there is a compromise between the antenna's efficiency and the optical transparency of the meshed patch, it is possible to optimize the antenna by refining mesh lines to certain extent. The limiting factors for refining mesh lines include material handling and fabrication process as well as the increased line impedance when being refined, which accordingly causes loss in antenna's efficiency. A refined mesh with thin linewidth increases both antenna performance and transparency. Additionally, it is found that the reduction of certain mesh lines increases the optical transparency with minimal hindrance to the antenna's efficiency, leading to further enhancement to the see-through percentage. Although it is possible to refine mesh lines to improve the antenna's efficiency or gain, it is seen that there is a limit for such an optimization method. This limit is closer to the efficiency of a solid patch for a lower transparency, whereas it is lower for increased transparency. Cross polarization level was also examined, and there was no significant effect on such a parameter due to meshing.

A liquid impedance cell for broadband impedance measurements up to 110 MHz is presented. The design incorporates temperature control and minimizes parasitic capacitance and inductance. The cell is simple to fabricate and uses chemically resistant materials, stainless steel, and Teflon. This dielectric cell can be used in a variety of liquid measurements, particularly those related to impedance measurements of biological objects in solution. Temperature control is illustrated in measurements of the permittivity of deionized water from 5 to 55  °C. Numerical fitting procedures employed on the relaxation curves indicate good agreement with previous studies on beta-lactoglobulin and hen lysozyme. Titration capability is demonstrated through dielectric titration of hen lysozyme and beta-lactoglobulin.

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a worldwide unsolved problem. Access to renal replacement therapies (RRT) is still a challenge in some developed countries and even more so in developing countries. Allo-hemodialysis (alloHD) is a recently proposed, still hypothetical, alternative RRT where the blood of a healthy subject (“buddy”) flows countercurrent to the patient’s blood through the dialyzer. Solutes and fluid are transferred to the buddy and then cleared by his/her healthy kidneys, making alloHD essentially a procedure where the buddy “donates” kidney function intermittently to the patient. Its drastically reduced complexity makes ­alloHD particularly attractive for low-resource settings. The acceptance of alloHD by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals (HCP) is unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed the preferences and acceptance of alloHD in 3 groups: caregivers related to ESKD patients, nonrelated caregivers (nrCG), and HCP. Four areas were explored: RRT preferences, kidney organ donation for transplant acceptance, ­alloHD acceptance as a potential RRT, and alloHD technique acceptance. Hemodialysis was the preferred form of RRT. Kidney donation acceptance was similar in all groups. Intermittent kidney function donation (i.e., alloHD) was mainly accepted by related and nrCG but less accepted by HCP (87, 90, and 60% respectively, p < 0.01). New RRT alternatives such as alloHD are expected to be better received and accepted once animal, and clinical studies have demonstrated their feasibility, safety, and benefits. New RRT strategies are required primarily in most vulnerable populations and should be explored.