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Carbapenems are antimicrobial agents commonly used to treat extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. Although cefmetazole (CMZ) is considered effective for ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) bacteremia, previous studies showed its limitations, including the influence of the initial antimicrobial agent. Here, we examined the effects of different approaches to antimicrobial therapy with CMZ and meropenem (MEPM) on the time to defervescence in ESBL-EC bacteremia. Notably, the influence of previous antimicrobial agents was excluded. Inpatients with ESBL-EC detected in blood cultures between April 2018 and March 2023 were included and assigned to CMZ (n = 14), MEPM (n = 8), de-escalation to CMZ (dCMZ; n = 9), or escalation to MEPM (eMEPM; n = 11) groups. The median time to defervescence was 3.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 days in the CMZ, MEPM, dCMZ, and eMEPM groups, respectively, with no significant differences. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed a significant difference in the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.378 (0.145–0.984) for the time to defervescence with CMZ versus MEPM (p = 0.046). The extent of a delayed time to defervescence is greater with early CMZ administration than with MEPM administration in patients with non-severe ESBL-EC bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightning strokes to transmission lines have been estimated using the electro-geometric model proposed by Armstrong and Whitehead. The observed results of the lightning to large-scale transmission lines are reported here to validate the calculated results, in which ultra high voltage (UHV) designed transmission lines and 500 kV transmission lines were selected as the subjects of the observation. Lightning observations were carried out for direct strokes to phase conductor caused by shielding failures, as well as strokes to ground wires that have rarely been previously reported. The observed results showed that total number of direct lightning strokes to phase conductor were nearly identical to the calculated results based on the conventional method, while observed strokes to upper phase were larger and strokes to lower phase were smaller than those derived from calculations. It was also revealed that lightning strokes to ground wires of UHV designed transmission lines and 500 kV transmission lines were 5.1 times and 2.7 times larger, respectively, than calculated results based on the conventional method. Index Terms--Lightning observation, lightning shielding, direct lightning, UHV designed transmission lines, A-W model, lightning stroke to ground wire.

The features of lightning shielding of transmission lines have been calculated using the electrogeometric model (EGM) proposed by Armstrong and Whitehead. Discrepancies, however, have been found in the case of ultra-high voltage (UHV)-designed transmission lines. UHV-designed transmission lines often pass through high-altitude mountain areas, where foggy or rainy conditions are common when there is lightning. While the electrogeometric model determines the striking distance based on the lightning stroke current, environmental conditions, and how they might affect lightning discharge paths, they are not considered. It is possible, therefore, that foggy conditions may cause differences in the performance of transmission-line lightning shielding. This study used scale models of transmission lines for discharge tests with a 1-m air gap and analyzed differences in discharge paths and locations in dry and foggy conditions. The results showed that the polarity of the discharge had a significant influence, but differences in dry and foggy tests were negligible. Index Terms--Discharge characteristics, foggy conditions, lightning shielding, ultra-high voltage (UHV)-designed transmission lines.

The electric geometry model suggested by Armstrong and Whitehead was used to calculate the performance of lightning-shielded transmission lines. However, since the ultra high voltage (UHV) designed transmission lines were brought into 500 kV operation, it has become evident that their actual performance is different from the calculated predictions in terms of their actual faults, lightning observation results, etc. It is thought that the UHV designed transmission lines are subjected to foggy or rainy conditions when lightning strikes, because they often pass through mountainous areas at higher altitudes. However, according to the electric geometry model, the striking distance is determined by the lightning-stroke current value only, and the model does not consider the environment of discharge path for the relevant lightning strokes. These considerations suggest that foggy conditions may affect transmission line lightning shielding performance. In this study, discharge tests were conducted using a scaled-down transmission line with a 5 m air gap. The discharge point to the simulated conductor was analyzed in both dry and foggy conditions. Tests were also conducted with a dc bias applied to the simulated power lines, to take the operating voltage of the lines into consideration. These experiments have shown that the effect of fog on the discharge ratio to the conductors is negligible. Index Terms--Lightning, shielding, discharge characteristics, fog, long air gap, switching impulse.

The electrogeometric model has been used to calculate the transmission line lightning shielding characteristics. However, actual UHV design transmission line accidents and the lightning observation results indicate that there are differences between what actually happens and theoretical results. In this paper, long-gap discharge tests were conducted to better understand lightning shielding characteristics, mainly of UHV design transmission lines. As far as the test method is concerned, the arrangements of transmission line conductors were reduced, and simulated as ground electrodes, and a switching impulse voltage was applied to rod electrodes. As a result, discharges occurred most frequently to the conductors with the smallest gaps with the rod electrodes. On the other hand, it was seen that the electric field strength of the transmission lines and their position with respect to ground might have some influence. These results might also be valuable for long air gap dielectrics. Index Terms--Long air gap, discharge characteristics, switching impulse, lightning shielding, EGM.

The electrogeometric model (EGM) proposed by Armstrong and Whitehead has been used to calculate the lightning shielding features of transmission lines. While the striking distance equation in the EGM uses the 50% flashover voltage characteristics of negative switching impulses for rod-rod gaps, those characteristics for long air gaps have not been sufficiently examined. The present study has therefore focused on clarifying the 50% flashover characteristics of negative switching impulses for long air gaps. Consequently, saturating characteristics have been obtained for rod-plane gaps compared with almost linear characteristics for rod-rod and rod-conductor gaps. Furthermore, new knowledge was obtained indicating that, for air gaps of around 4 to 5 m, the 50% flashover voltage may possibly be lower for rod-plane gaps than for rodrod and rod-conductor gaps. Index Terms--Switching impulse, negative polarity, flashover characteristics, long air gap.