Abstract: A specimen preprocessing system includes a determination section for determining with respect to a height of a specimen container; a specimen container lifting mechanism for lifting an opening portion of the specimen container held in a specimen rack to a same predetermined level based on determination information data of the determination section; and a plug opening mechanism for opening a plug of the specimen container lifted to the same predetermined level by the specimen container lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A specimen preprocessing system including a specimen rack which supports a specimen container with its opening sealed with a plug for storing the specimen, a carrier line for carrying the specimen rack, a preprocessing unit to which the specimen rack is carried by the carrier line, and a control unit for controlling the carrier line and the preprocessing unit is provided with a plug opening unit which is capable of opening plugs of the specimen containers each having a different height (different plug configuration or diameter) mounted in the same specimen rack.

Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Abstract: A sample handling system comprising: a transportation line including a combination of plural partitive line units; and a plurality of handling units, wherein each of the plural partitive line units and each of the plurality of handling units form a pair, and each handling unit is installed removably from its corresponding partitive line unit. Each handling unit transmits inoperative information to the transportation line when it becomes inoperative. The transportation line transmits this inoperative information to the central controller. The central controller monitors handling units at which the sample rack can stop over. The sample rack avoids stopover at the inoperative handling unit, but is allowed to advance to the subsequent handling unit passing through the partitive line unit which makes a pair with the inoperative handling unit.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a selectively engageable four wheel drive system. The system has dedicated rear wheel drive and selectively engageable front wheel drive. The front wheel drive is engaged within the differential housing. A differential input shaft extends into the differential housing. A stub shaft is journaled for rotation within the housing. A sleeve slides relative to the two shafts and couples the two through a coupling configuration. The coupling configuration results from the externally splined ends of the two shafts and the internally splined surface of the sleeve. The positioning of the sleeve is controlled by a shift fork. The shift fork is moved by an actuator in response to a signal produced by a control unit. A switch allows an operator to instruct the control unit when to engage and disengage the front wheel drive system.

Abstract: Naphthalene derivatives represented by formula ?I!: ##STR1## (wherein A is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.7 -C.sub.11 aralkyloxy group, or an alkoxy group composed of an oxy group and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 aliphatic or alicyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group where the allyl may be substituted with a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 allyloxy group; Q represents O, S, CH.sub.2, O--CH.sub.2, S--CH.sub.2, CO, or CHOR.sup.1 ; L represents CO, CR.sup.2 R.sup.3 CO, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CO, or CH.dbd.CHCO; D represents a hydrogen atom, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, CO.sub.2 R.sup.4, or a group having the following formula ?II!: ##STR2## (wherein G represents. a hydrogen atom, OH, SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, CO.sub.2 R.sup.6, CN, or a tetrazol-5-yl group); E represents a hydrogen atom, OH, SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, CN, or a tetrazol-5-yl group; M represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 lower alkyl group, a nitro group, or a halogen atom; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.

Abstract: Novel benzene derivatives of the formula (I) shown below, pharmacological salts thereof, pharmacological solvates of the above-mentioned benzene derivatives and salts, pharmaceutical compositions including, as active ingredients, the above-mentioned compounds, and especially, prophylactic or therapeutic medicines for allergic diseases. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 cyclic or straight or branched chain alkyl group (which may be substituted by one or more C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy groups), C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 aralkyl group (of which the aryl group may be substituted one or more of halogen, methyl and methoxy, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl which may be substituted by one or more phenyl groups; A=O, S or CH.sub.2 group, B=CO or CZ.sub.2 CO group (Z=H or F), R.sup.2 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, X=halogen or methyl group, and Y=H, NO.sub.2 or CN group.

Abstract: An improvement on a slicer of the type, for slicing foodstuff into slices of uniform size by causing one group of knife blades supported side by side on respective blade holders to be reciprocated within grooves defined between blade holders having the other group of knife blades supported side by side thereon, wherein all hook members are vertically mounted on the respective blade holders so as to be in the extension of each knife blade.