Abstract: A client generates a request in accordance with an operation initiated by a user, and transmits the request to a server for a local apparatus or to another apparatus. The server interprets the received request, adds a job to a database, and generates and transmits operation screen information to the client. Then, a daemon monitors the database, and detects and performs an executable job. Furthermore, when the local apparatus is designated to display a job list, to select a job therefrom and to print it, the local apparatus processes the job. When another apparatus is designated to process a job, the job is transmitted to that apparatus. When the transmission source of the received job matches a transmission source that has been registered, the execution process is inhibited. The time for executing a selected job is designated and, so that the selected job will be executed at that time, is stored with the job.

Abstract: A printer that is instructed to perform a printing job analyzes the job and determines a process to be executed, and identifies the performances of the printer and other printers and their states. Based on the results of the analysis and on the states of the printers, the printer decides whether it should not perform a process or whether the process should be performed by another printer. It also decides whether a process is unnecessary or is not permitted for a user, and halts the performance of such a process. When it determines that a process should be performed by another printer, it transfers the job to that printer.

Abstract: A DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein improved in thermostability as the result of replacement of at least one base of a DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein derived from a microorganism with another base and the resultant replacement of at least one of the corresponding amino acids, and its production process; a vector containing the DNA fragment; a transformant obtained by transformation with the vector; as well as a decarbamylase improved in thermostability and its production process. Also disclosed is a process for producing a D-.alpha.-amino acid, which comprises converting an N-carbamoyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid into the corresponding D-.alpha.-amino acid in an aqueous medium by the action of a decarbamylase having a thermostable temperature of 65.degree. C. or higher; and collecting the D-.alpha.-amino acid produced.

Abstract: A process for the efficient production of a D-amino acid from the corresponding DL-5-substituted hydantoin by one-step reaction which comprises using a composite immobilized enzyme at a pH about neutrality, said composite immobilized enzyme being obtained by immobilizing a hydantoinase having its optimal pH within an alkaline range and a D-N-carbamyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase having its optimal pH about neutrality in a coexisting state on an immobilizing support, simultaneously, is disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a D-.alpha.-amino acid, in which an N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents phenyl, hydroxy-substituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or thienyl, is converted by a microbial enzyme in an aqueous medium to a D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R is the same as defined above, decarbamylase produced by a microorganism of the genus Comamonas, Blastobacter, Alcaligenes, Sporosarcina, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium or Arthrobacter is used as the enzyme converting the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid to the D-.alpha.-amino acid.The conversion of the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids to the D-.alpha.-amino acids is carried out in a neutral to alkaline pH range.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a D-.alpha.-amino acid, in which an N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents phenyl, hydroxy-substituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or thienyl, is converted by a microbial enzyme in an aqueous medium to a D-.alpha.-amino acid corresponding to the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R is the same as defined above, decarbamylase produced by a microorganism of the genus Comamonas, Blastobacter, Alcaligenes, Sporosarcina, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium or Arthrobacter is used as the enzyme converting the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid to the D-.alpha.-amino acid.The conversion of the N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids to the D-.alpha.-amino acids is carried out in a neutral to alkaline pH range.

Abstract: Decarbamylases are provided capable of producing D-.alpha.-amino acids by hydrolysis of N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids. A source of the decarbamylases is recombinant microorganisms produced by gene manipulation methods. Decarbamylases having improved thermostability can be obtained in which amino acids at a thermostability-related site of a natural decarbamylase have been replaced with other amino acids by mutating a DNA fragment encoding the natural decarbamylase. Recombinant DNA is obtained from a vector DNA and a DNA fragment encoding a natural decarbamylase where the nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid at a thermostability-related site is replaced with a nucleic acid sequence encoding another amino acid. The recombinant DNA is used to produce transformants that produce thermostable decarbamylases.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide an efficient and economical method for producing an 3-amino-2-hydroxy-1-propanol derivative and an oxazolidinone derivative derived therefrom, both of which are of use as intermediates for the production of drugs including HIV protease inhibitors.The invention relates to a method for producing an 3-amino-2-hydroxy-1-propanol derivative of general formula (2) ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent hydrogen or an amino-protecting group, provided, however, that both R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are not concurrently hydrogen) and an oxazolidinone derivative derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gene which is related to a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase which is an enzyme capable of converting D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids into D-.alpha.-amino acids; a recombinant plasmid in which a DNA fragment containing the gene is incorporated into a vector; a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Serratia, Corynebacterium, or Brevibacterium, which is transformed by incorporating the recombinant plasmid thereinto; a process for the production of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolases, comprising the steps of cultivating the transformed microorganism and collecting the desired product therefrom; a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase obtained by the method; and a process for the production of D-.alpha.-amino acids with the aid of an action of the enzyme.The D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase can be fixed on a support for immobilization and used as an immobilized enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gene which is related to a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase which is an enzyme capable of converting D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids into D-.alpha.-amino acids; a recombinant plasmid in which a DNA fragment containing the gene is incorporated into a vector; a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Serratia, Corynebacterium, or Brevibacterium, which is transformed by incorporating the recombinant plasmid thereinto; a process for the production of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolases, comprising the steps of cultivating the transformed microorganism and collecting the desired product therefrom; a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase obtained by the method; and a process for the production of D-.alpha.-amino acids with the aid of an action of the enzyme.The D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase can be fixed on a support for immobilization and used as an immobilized enzyme.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (II): ##STR1## which comprises subjecting 5,6-dihydro-4-oxo-(S)-6-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (I): ##STR2## to the action of a microorganism to reduce the thienothiopyran derivative having the formula (I), and collecting 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno-[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide having the formula (II) from the reaction mixture, wherein said microorganism belongs to the genus selected from the group consisting of Ambrosiozyma, Arthroascus, Ashbya, Candida, Cryptococcus, Hansenula, Kluyveromyces, Lipomyces, Lodderomyces, Metschnikowia, Pachysolen, Pichia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Saccharomycopsis, Schwanniomyces, Sporidiobolus, Spolobolomyces, Stephanoascus, Trigonopsis, Trichosporon and Wingea, according to which, a simple and effective. process for preparing 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-(S)-6-methyl-thieno-[2,3-b]thiopyran-7,7-dioxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a trans-.beta.-aroylacrylic ester which comprises reacting an aryl methyl ketone and an alkyl acetal of alkyl glyoxylate in the presence of an acid catalyst with heating.This process is excellent in operability, safety and ecomony and therefore is industrially advantageous process.

Abstract: A process for producing N.sup.2 -(1-(S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysil-L-proline of formula (VIII); ##STR1## N.sup.2 -(1-substituted-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysil-L-proline derivative of formula (VII); ##STR2## and N.sup.2 -(1-carbonyl-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysil-L-proline derivative of formula (XXVI); ##STR3## is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel 2,4-dihydroxyadipic acid derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group or a silyl group, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom or a protective group of a hydroxy group or together form a ring, which is useful as a common intermediate in the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Abstract: A malonic monoester is prepared in a good yield by a single step reaction by reacting malonic acid with an alcohol in the presence of a base and an activator of malonic acid selected from the group consisting of an acyl halide or halocarbonate and an acid anhydride or dicarbonate.

Abstract: 3-Pyrrolidinol or its salt is economically produced by cyclizing an aminobutanol derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or its salt.

Abstract: An N.sup.2 -(1-substituted-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysine derivative is disclosed and is represented by formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an acyl type or urethane type protective group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aralkyl group. X represents a cyano (CN) group or an aminocarbonyl (CONH.sub.2) group; and the mark * represents the (S) position to the asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 5-arylhydantoin having the formula (II): ##STR1## which comprises: reacting methyl 2-hydroxy-2-methoxyacetate, urea and an aryl compound having the formula (I): ##STR2## in the presence of an acid. According to the process, the 5-arylhydantoin which is a very effective intermediate for preparing D-arylglycines can be easily prepared from inexpensive raw materials in a high purity.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-hydroxyhydantoin which comprises oxidizing 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolin-2-one having formula (I): ##STR1## with hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous medium in the presence of a metal ion. According to the process, 5-hydroxyhydantoin is readily prepared from inexpensive starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for preparation of S-3,4-dihydroxy butyronitrile expressed by the structural formula (II) ##STR1## characterized by causing R-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol expressed by the structural formula (I) ##STR2## to react with a cyanating agent. According to this invention, optically active 3,4-dihydroxy butyronitrile and 3,4-dihydroxy butyric acid derivatives may be manufactured economically and efficiently.