Abstract: Methods for the preparation of (2S,3S)-1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives of the formula (II) and isomers thereof, and for the preparation of (2R,3R)-1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives of the formula (III) and isomers thereof, wherein ring A and ring B are independently a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring, and R2 is a 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl group or a group of the formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active trans-3-substituted glycidic acid ester compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein ring A is a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring, and R.sup.1 is an ester residue, which comprises:preparing a solution of one optical isomer (A) and the other optical isomer (B) of the ester compound (I), both of which are the optical isomers due to the asymmetric carbons at 2- and 3-positions, and an ester compound (B') which is different from the isomer (B) only in the ester residue R.sup.

Abstract: This flaw-treatment apparatus is able to prevent an increase in the number of flaw cuts by detecting false flaw-detection, and prevent the occurrence of die marks. For attaining these effects, this apparatus is comprised of: detection of the surface flaws of the wire-shaped metal by applying a flaw-detecting device, cutting and removal of the detected flaws by applying a flaw-cutting device, drawing of the flaw-free wire-shaped metal by applying a drawing device, spraying of lubricant on the wire-shaped metal, and removal of excess lubricant together with dust, and further grinding of the flaw-cut portion of the wire-shaped metal for obtaining adequate surface roughness before grinding.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing optically active 3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound, which comprises permitting a culture broth, cells or treated cells of a microorganism having an ability of stereoselectively hydrolyzing a (2R, 3S)-3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound to act on a racemic 3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound which may also have a substituent on the phenyl group, thereby hydrolyzing the (2R, 3S) optically active isomer and separating and collecting the (2S, 3R) antipode from the reaction mixture.