Abstract: The present invention provides an image compression device for performing an image compression process for each one of a plurality of blocks into which an original image picture is divided, the device including image correction section for generating a corrected image picture for reducing a block distortion occurring at a block boundary in a restored image picture generated by decompressing a compressed image picture.

Abstract: In a DCT (discrete cosine transformation)/inverse DCT arithmetic unit, data of an inputted image are inputted to a first one-dimensional N-th order DCT/inverse DCT arithmetic device using a first algorithm B. The first one-dimensional N-th order DCT/inverse DCT arithmetic device calculates a one-dimensional N-th order inverse DCT. Calculated results of the first one-dimensional N-th order DCT/inverse DCT arithmetic device are stored to a memory for intermediate results as intermediate results of the N-th order inverse DCT in M-dimensions. Similarly, a second one-dimensional N-th order DCT/inverse DCT arithmetic device calculates a one-dimensional N-th order inverse DCT using a second algorithm A, with stored data of the memory for intermediate results as an input. Calculated results of the second one-dimensional N-th order DCT/inverse DCT arithmetic device are outputted to the memory for intermediate results.

Abstract: An image compressing apparatus has a predictive coding unit, an orthogonal transform unit, a quantization unit, a variable length coding unit, a coding control unit and a start decision unit. The start decision unit receives predictive errors from the predictive coding unit and a quantization parameter from the coding control unit to produce a start control signal. The start control signal is set to a logic value 1 if the orthogonal transform unit, the quantization unit and the variable length coding unit are to be activated, and to a logic value 0 if they are not to be activated. The orthogonal transform unit, the quantization unit and the variable length coding unit are activated with the logic value 1 to perform respective processes, and are kept unactivated with the logic value 0. The image compressing apparatus is low in power dissipation and short in processing time.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing an inverse discrete cosine transform, which reduces the number of operation times of the inverse discrete cosine transform including a row and column priority determining unit 10 for determining a priority direction of an operation at a time when a two-dimensional inverse discrete cosine transform is replaced with at least one one-dimensional inverse discrete cosine transform, one-dimensional inverse DCT operating units 11, 13 connected to the row and column priority determining unit 10 for detecting zero elements and for performing a multiply-addition according to a result of the detection, and a random access memory 12, connected to the one-dimensional inverse DCT operating units 11, 13 for storing a result of the multiply-addition performed by the one-dimensional inverse DCT operating unit 11.

Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or a mutein of FGF is stabilized by bringing FGF or a mutein of FGF into contact with a glucan sulfate in an aqueous medium. Thus obtained composition comprising (a) FGF or a mutein of FGF and (b) a glucan sulfate is stabilized, so that it can be advantageously administered to warm-blooded animals.

Abstract: A protein of interest or a Met-protein, e.g. the N-Met analog of the protein of the interest can be efficiently separated from a mixture thereof by subjecting the mixture to a separation procedure utilizing the difference in the isoelectric points between the protein and the Met-protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) protein with use of a crosslinked polysaccharide sulfate. The FGF protein is preferable a mutein, in which at least one human basic FGF-constituent amino acid is substituted by at least one different amino acid. The crosslinked polysaccharide sulfate is preferably a crosslinked cellulose sulfate, a crosslinked agarose sulfate or a crosslinked dextran sulfate. According to the present invention, FGF can be highly purified on a commercial scale, and therefore preparations containing the FGF protein can be advantageously formulated.

Abstract: A protein and a derivative thereof having a methionine residue added at the amino terminus are mutually separated with the utilization of the difference in affinity for hydroxyapatite between them, such as by means of liquid chromatography using a hydroxyapatite column.

Abstract: A new method for production of a cephalosporin ester (I) which comprises reacting a derivative of an organic acid (II) with a 7-aminocephem compound (III) in the presence of an enzyme of a microorganism of one of the genera Escherichia, Bacillus, Proteus and Pseudomonas: ##SPC1## ##EQU1## ##SPC2## wherein R is an unsaturated six-membered carbocyclic ring or five-membered heterocyclic ring residue which may optionally have uncharged substituent groups; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an uncharged substituent group such as hydroxyl or halogen; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or an organic group which is bound through an oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom; COOR.sup.3 is a group which may easily be converted to COOH.