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We investigated the phenomenon of lightning strokes on 500-kV transmission lines from 1984 to 1993. The investigation covered the recording of lightning paths by still cameras and measurements of lightning current at the lower part of transmission tower on 31 towers, over a 12.7-km-long section of the transmission line. We also observed lightning on an isolated tower at a nuclear power station. In the course of lightning observations spanning a 10-year period, we have confirmed the suitability of the lightning protection design on transmission lines. The distribution of lightning incidence angle (θ) expressed in terms of (cosmθ) was characterized by exponent m = 2 for the three-dimensional observations and m = 3.5 for the two-dimensional observations. No cases of shielding failure on 500-kV transmission lines were observed. The ratio of lightning current at the top of the isolated tower to the lower part was about 11 to 1. In addition, the lightning current waveform at the top of the isolated tower was similar to that at the lower part. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 130(2): 59–67, 2000 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the only pure EPA-containing lipid available in bulk for oral administration. However, there is doubt as to whether EPA ethyl ester can efficiently increase the plasma levels of EPA in comparison with the ability of other kinds of EPA-containing lipids to do so. Therefore, two other kinds of EPA-containing lipids were prepared to study the efficiency of oral administration of those lipids for increasing the EPA content in plasma phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. EPA-containing lipids which were investigated were [A], 1,2,3-trieicosapentaenoyl-glycerol, [B] 2-eicosapentaenoyl-phosphatidylcholine and [C] ethyl ester of EPA. An adjusted amount of lipids [A], [B] and [C] was administered to rats through a gastric tube for 4 days (the first experiment) or for 10 days (the second experiment), and the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and cholesteryl esters was determined. In the first experiment, there were no significant differences in the efficiency for increasing EPA levels in either phospholipids or cholesteryl esters among the lipids. In the second experiment, the EPA levels of both plasma phospholipids and cholesteryl esters of rats administered ethyl ester of EPA were significantly higher than those of rats administered 2-eicosapentaenoyl-phosphatidylcholine. The EPA levels of the rats administered 1,2,3-trieicosapentaenoylglycerol were between the levels of the two groups mentioned above, but the differences in the EPA levels were not significant. Although an ethyl ester-type molecule is not a naturally occurring lipid, ethyl ester of EPA is equal to 1,2,3-trieicosapentaenoyl-glycerol and appears to be superior to 2-eicosapentaenoyl-phosphatidylcholine as to the efficiency for increasing EPA levels in total plasma phospholipids and plasma cholesteryl esters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT Changes in several components and properties were examined to find appropriate indicators of freshness of common squid during storage at 0°C, 5°C and 10°C. Total viable counts of bacteria, pH and volatile basic nitrogen did not change significantly during 2 wk storage at 0°C. Unlike usual fish meat, K value in squid muscle changed very quickly, but Hx/AMP ratio was a better indicator. Agmatine increased before initial decomposition started but was not suitable as an early freshness indicator. Free basic amino acids, arginine and ornithine also changed rapidly. Basic amino acids such as arginine and ornithine appeared to be appropriate indicators of freshness of common squid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]