Abstract: The present invention provides with a process of preparing an optically active succinimide derivative, which is a key intermediate for production of ranirestat. A compound (3) is easily prepared by treating the derivative of succinic acid diester of the formula (2): wherein R1 is an amino group protected with a group removed by hydrogenolysis or a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group and R2 is an ethyl group optionally substituted with one or two methyl group(s) at ?-position, provided that R2 is not a tert-butyl group when R1 is a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group; with alkali metal alkoxide and the compound (3) can be an important intermediate for production of ranirestat.

Abstract: The present invention provides with a process of preparing an optically active succinimide derivative, which is a key intermediate for production of ranirestat. A compound (3) is easily prepared by treating the derivative of succinic acid diester of the formula (2): wherein R1 is an amino group protected with a group removed by hydrogenolysis or a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group and R2 is an ethyl group optionally substituted with one or two methyl group(s) at ?-position, provided that R2 is not a tert-butyl group when R1 is a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group; with alkali metal alkoxide and the compound (3) can be an important intermediate for production of ranirestat.

Abstract: A method of generating an antibody comprising the steps of: immunizing a tissue containing cells for immunization in vitro in a culture liquid containing an antigen and a stimulating substance, selecting the immunized cells, and obtaining antibodies from the above selected immunized cells. According to this method of generating an antibody, antibodies can be prepared in a short period of time in large quantities, thereby contributing to the increased use of immunological testing.

Abstract: The present invention provides with a process of preparing an optically active succinimide derivative, which is a key intermediate for production of ranirestat. A compound (3) is easily prepared by treating the derivative of succinic acid diester of the formula (2): wherein R1 is an amino group protected with a group removed by hydrogenolysis or a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group and R2 is an ethyl group optionally substituted with one or two methyl group(s) at ?-position, provided that R2 is not a tert-butyl group when R1 is a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group; with alkali metal alkoxide and the compound (3) can be an important intermediate for production of ranirestat.

Abstract: A method for performing data backups is disclosed. An initial backup operation is performed on all datasets within a recording medium. A subsequent backup operation is performed on any of the datasets in a day at which the dataset has been rewritten or in a day at which a predetermined period for the dataset expires, whichever day comes first. The subsequent backup operation is performed on any of the datasets until another initial backup operation needs to be performed on all of the datasets again.

Abstract: A pressing cuff presses a pressure sensor above an artery. The level of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor is changed while the pulse wave is measured based on information about the pressure from the pressure sensor. In order to adjust the level of the applied pressure using the pressure of gas in the pressing cuff, a three-port valve and a two-port valve are controlled so that the connection is changed to establish a state of holding the amount of the gas in the pressing cuff. Then, the state is changed to a state of isolating and discharging gas in which a part of the held gas is isolated from the remaining amount of the gas to be discharged. Then, the state is changed to the state of holding the remaining amount of gas in the pressing cuff.

Abstract: A portable terminal (e.g., portable telephone) is constituted using a geomagnetic sensor for detecting an azimuth, and a GPS receiver for detecting a present position thereof. A direction of a prescribed place (e.g., Mecca) is calculated based on the azimuth information and position information, so that the calculated direction is indicated by an arrow displayed on the screen of a display. In addition, a prescribed message is displayed on the screen of the display, or it is produced as preset vocalized sounds by a speaker. The azimuth information and position information are automatically produced at each religious service time, at which a user, especially a muslim who pray, holds a religious service in the direction of Mecca. In addition, the portable terminal can detect a direction match between the direction designated by the prescribed portion (e.g., antenna) of the portable terminal body and the direction of Mecca.

Abstract: A method for performing data backups is disclosed. An initial backup operation is performed on all datasets within a recording medium. A subsequent backup operation is performed on any of the datasets in a day at which the dataset has been rewritten or in a day at which a predetermined period for the dataset expires, whichever day comes first. The subsequent backup operation is performed on any of the datasets until another initial backup operation needs to be performed on all of the datasets again.

Abstract: A sensor array having a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a measurement surface, a pressurization portion for pressing the sensor array laid across an artery of a living body, a sensor signal selection portion for selecting a pressure signal among pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors, a filter portion having a cutoff frequency variable corresponding to an instruction, and a filter control portion for providing an instruction to vary a value of the cutoff frequency are included. The filter control portion switches the cutoff frequency in a situation wherein a plurality of pressure signals respectively obtained from the plurality of pressure sensors are successively switched and output by the sensor signal selection portion to specify the pressure sensor for pulse wave detection, and in a situation wherein the pulse wave is detected from the specified pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for detecting a pulse wave, a digital conversion unit for converting a pressure signal from the pressure sensor into a digital signal, and a fourth derivative filter having an adjustable frequency characteristic for obtaining a fourth derivative wave of an original waveform based on the digital signal generated by the conversion by the digital conversion unit are provided. Local extrema of the fourth derivative wave in a section of the pulse wave corresponding to one beat are calculated. Based on the calculated local extrema, an early systolic component and a late systolic component are calculated.

Abstract: A pulse wave information display apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage portion for storing pulse wave data and a display portion. The pulse wave information display apparatus specifies a first characteristic point corresponding to a global maximum of an early systolic component in a waveform of one beat which has been extracted from the pulse wave data, and normalizes the waveform of one beat based on an amplitude value at the specified first characteristic point. Accordingly, a normalized waveform of one beat is displayed on the display portion.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus including a semiconductor substrate having a pressure-sensing device on a main surface and a protection member with an accommodation space therein for accommodating the semiconductor substrate detects a pulse wave of an artery located in a living body by pressing the semiconductor substrate against the body. A wall surface of the protection member that forms the accommodation space is arranged such that an air chamber is interposed between the wall surface and an end surface of the semiconductor substrate that is exposed to air. A pulse wave measuring apparatus of this structure allows accurate and stable measurement of the pulse wave.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of cuff design for blood pressure monitor, which assures an easy and firm fitting to an arm of a patient. Specifically, the curled elastic member of the cuff is overlapped at both end portions for easy fitting. The rigidity and thickness of the curled elastic member are designed to follow the shape of the upper arm of the patient, which significantly varies in size depending on the location of the arm.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for detecting a pulse wave, a digital conversion unit for converting a pressure signal from the pressure sensor into a digital signal, and a fourth derivative filter having an adjustable frequency characteristic for obtaining a fourth derivative wave of an original waveform based on the digital signal generated by the conversion by the digital conversion unit are provided. Local extrema of the fourth derivative wave in a section of the pulse wave corresponding to one beat are calculated. Based on the calculated local extrema, an early systolic component and a late systolic component are calculated.

Abstract: A sensor array having a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a measurement surface, a pressurization portion for pressing the sensor array laid across an artery of a living body, a sensor signal selection portion for selecting a pressure signal among pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors, a filter portion having a cutoff frequency variable corresponding to an instruction, and a filter control portion for providing an instruction to vary a value of the cutoff frequency are included. The filter control portion switches the cutoff frequency in a situation wherein a plurality of pressure signals respectively obtained from the plurality of pressure sensors are successively switched and output by the sensor signal selection portion to specify the pressure sensor for pulse wave detection, and in a situation wherein the pulse wave is detected from the specified pressure sensor.

Abstract: A portable terminal (e.g., portable telephone) is constituted using a geomagnetic sensor for detecting an azimuth, and a GPS receiver for detecting a present position thereof. A direction of a prescribed place (e.g., Mecca) is calculated based on the azimuth information and position information, so that the calculated direction is indicated by an arrow displayed on the screen of a display. In addition, a prescribed message is displayed on the screen of the display, or it is produced as preset vocalized sounds by a speaker. The azimuth information and position information are automatically produced at each religious service time, at which a user, especially a muslim who pray, holds a religious service in the direction of Mecca. In addition, the portable terminal can detect a direction match between the direction designated by the prescribed portion (e.g., antenna) of the portable terminal body and the direction of Mecca.