Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering a log allow a optimum yield axis and a maximum radius of rotation of the log to be calculated more accurately than conventionally possible. The angle of rotation of a log M is detected by a rotation angle detector 6 that is engaged with a preliminary axis c about which the log M is rotated. A contour of the log for calculating the optimum yield axis of the log and a contour for calculating the maximum radius of rotation of the log are measured separately. The contour for calculating the optimum yield axis is measured in a fixed-point manner by measuring the log at a plurality of certain measurement points with beam reflection scanners 8 disposed at appropriate intervals along the axis of the log M.

Abstract: After the lactone portion of trans-whiskey lactone is hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide, this portion is reacted with isopropyl bromide and mixed with an alkyl group, thereby obtaining isopropyl (3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyloctanoate. Then, the isopropyl (3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyloctanoate is reacted with diethyl azodicarboxylate in the presence of triphenylphosphine and azodicarboxylate, thereby obtaining isopropyl (3S,4S)-4-(3',5'-dinitrobenzoyloxy)-3-methyloctanoate. The isopropyl (3S,4S)-4-(3',5'-dinitrobenzoyloxy)-3-methyloctanoate is hydrolyzed in 2% potassium hydroxide, and as a result, cis-whiskey lactone (A) represented by the following general formula is obtained. According to this method, cis-whiskey lactone, one of the perfume components of whiskey and wine, can be produced selectively and easily.

Abstract: The carbonyl group at the 2-position of levoglucosenone is reduced to obtain a hydroxyl group having a .beta.-configuration. The hydroxyl group having a .beta.-configuration is reversed to an .alpha.-configuration, and hydroxyl groups are added at the 3- and 4-positions in a cis-.alpha. form. Finally, the protective group of the hydroxyl group at the 2-position is eliminated. The reduction of the carbonyl group at the 2-position can be performed such that the levoglucosenone is reacted with aluminum lithium hydride or sodium boron hydride in an appropriate solvent. Reversion of the hydroxyl group having a .beta.-configuration can be performed by the Mitsunobu method or a method having a mesylation step and a step using cesium acetate. The addition of the hydroxyl groups to the 3-and 4-positions in the cis form can be performed by oxidizing the double bond across the 3- and 4-positions with an appropriate oxidizing agent.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing an epoxide (1a) or (1b) shown below: ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkyloxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, allalkyl group, a silyl group, and a silyloxy group; the groups may be bonded with each other to form rings in the case where these groups can be bivalent; these groups may be the same or different, may have substituting groups, or may be branched; and each form (isomer) has a structure in which one side of the plane constituted by double bonds, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, is more seterically hindered in comparison with the other side;characterized in that:an olefin represented by the formula (2) below, is reacted with iodine in the presence of compound generating acyloxy ion, ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: 2,3-Dideoxy-2,2-di(organothio)-B-D-pentofuranosyl-pyrimidines are disclosed as intermediates in the synthesis of 2', 3'-dideoxynucleosides and have the structure shown below. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.4 is a hydroxyl protecting group;X is oxygen or nitrogen, said nitrogen being bonded to a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or acyl group;Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkenyl; andR.sup.5 is alkyl, aralkyl, or aryl wherein aralkkyl or aryl is substituted with hydrogen, halogen, nitro or alkoxy.2', 3'-Dideoxynucleosides, products of the above intermediates, are useful as antiviral agents.

Abstract: Providing a method of preparing (3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-4-butanolide conveniently and selectively from a widely available raw material in a high yield. A carbonyl group of the 2-position of levoglucosenone is reduced to obtain a hydroxyl group of a .beta.-configuration. Then, an iodo-group of an .alpha.-configuration and an acyloxy ion of a .beta.-configuration are introduced regioselectively and stereoselectively to the double bond at the 4-position and the 3-position of the above-mentioned levoglucosenone, respectively, keeping a trans stereochemical relationship. An alkoxide is then formed, by hydrolysis and an oxirane ring of a .beta.-configuration is formed by removing an iodo-group by intramolecular nucleophilic displacement reaction of the alkoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing D-altrose (4) from the starting material levo-glucosenon (1) in accordance with reactions denoted by reaction formulas (I), (II) and (III) given below: ##STR1##

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of preparing 3-DPA-lactone, which is difficult to obtain in a large amount from nature. According to the method of the present invention, the target compound can be synthesized at a high yield in fewer steps and more easily than by the conventional synthesizing technique, and selectively from a widely available material. In the method of the present invention, the hydroxyl groups at the 2- and 5 -positions of .gamma.-ribonolactone are protected, and then the hydroxyl group at the 3-position is eliminated so as to form a double bond between the 2- and 3-positions. After that, the protecting groups for the hydroxyl groups are eliminated.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention for manufacturing 3-DPA-lactone, a protective group is introduced in the first step into the hydroxyl group at 4-position of .gamma.-ribonolactone by an ordinary method. Then, an acid anhydride or an acid chloride is added in the presence of a tertiary amine compound so as to conduct a .beta.-elimination of the hydroxyl group at the 3-position. As a result, a double bond is formed between the 2- and 3-positions and, at the same time, the hydroxyl group at the 2-position is acylated. The double bond between the 2- and 3-positions is reduced in the next step by means of a catalytic hydrogenation. Finally, the protective group of the hydroxyl group is eliminated by an ordinary method. The particular method permits using readily available raw materials, decreasing the number of manufacturing steps, and easily and selectively synthesizing the desired 3-DPA-lactone, which is hardly obtained from nature in a large amount, in high yield, compared with the conventional method.

Abstract: An acid addition salt of .delta.-aminolevulinic acid is prepared in such a way that tetrahydrofurfurylamine (VI) is reacted with phthalic anhydride under an anhydrous condition to introduce a phthal group which protects amino group of tetrahydrofurfurylamine to give N-tetrahydrofurfuryl phthalimide (III), carbon atoms of the first- and fourth-positions of thus obtained N-tetrahydrofurfurylphthalimide (III) are oxidized at 80.degree. C. using sodium periodate as a oxidizing agent and ruthenium chloride hydrate as a catalyst to yield 5-phthalimidolevulinic acid (II), then the protecting group of 5-phthalimidolevulinic acid (II) is deprotected using an acid to prepare an acid additional salt of .delta.-aminolevulinic acid. The acid additional salt of .delta.-aminolevulinic acid is readily converted by neutralization by an alkali to .delta.-aminolevulinic acid, which is very useful as a precursor of Vitamin B.sub.12, heme and chlorophyll.

Abstract: An open-cell foam of a cross-linked polyolefin possessing uniform physical properties, a high degree of expansion, and a high open-cell ratio can be produced with high operational efficiency and high material utilization by a method which includes thermally shaping under pressure a foamable and cross-linkable polyolefin composition capable of being heated with a microwave, then heating the composition by irradiation with a microwave thereby inducing partial decomposition of a cross-linking agent and a foaming agent contained in the composition, subsequently externally heating under normal pressure the resultant intermediate partially foamed product thereby effecting decomposition of the remainders of the cross-linking agent and foaming agent, and thereafter subjecting the resultant foam to mechanical deformation thereby establishing intercommunication among the cells.

Abstract: A process for measuring the amount of stable-type glycated hemoglobin in a sample using high performance liquid chromatography, comprising heating a sample diluted with a hemolysis agent containing a reagent for the removal of unstable-type glycated hemoglobin to achieve the removal of the unstable-type glycated hemoglobin, and analyzing the sample by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A process for measuring the amount of stable-type glycated hemoglobin in a sample using high performance liquid chromatography, comprising heating a sample diluted with a hemolysis agent containing a reagent for the removal of unstable-type glycated hemoglobin to achieve the removal of the unstable-type glycated hemoglobin, and analyzing the sample by high performance liquid chromatography.