Abstract: Provided is a novel low-molecular-weight compound that suppresses production of induction type MMPs, particularly MMP-9, rather than production of hemostatic type MMP-2. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION. The compound has a selective MMP-9 production suppressive action, and is useful as a drug for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the like, inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) or osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Provided is a novel low-molecular-weight compound that suppresses production of induction type MMPs, particularly MMP-9, rather than production of hemostatic type MMP-2. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION. The compound has a selective MMP-9 production suppressive action, and is useful as a drug for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the like, inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) or osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The discovery of distinct modes of asymmetric catalysis has the potential to rapidly advance chemists' ability to build enantioenriched molecules. As an example, the use of chiral cation salts as phase-transfer catalysts for anionic reagents has enabled a vast set of enantioselective transformations. A largely overlooked analogous mechanism wherein a chiral anionic catalyst brings a cationic species into solution is itself a powerful method. The concept is broadly applicable to a number of different reaction pathways, including to the enantioselective fluorocyclization of olefins, and dearomatization of aromatic systems with a cationic electrophile-transferring (e.g., fluorinating) agent and a chiral phosphate catalyst. The reactions proceed in high yield and stereoselectivity. The compounds and methods of the invention are of particular value, especially considering the scarcity of alternative approaches.

Abstract: The discovery of distinct modes of asymmetric catalysis has the potential to rapidly advance chemists' ability to build enantioenriched molecules. As an example, the use of chiral cation salts as phase-transfer catalysts for anionic reagents has enabled a vast set of enantioselective transformations. A largely overlooked analogous mechanism wherein a chiral anionic catalyst brings a cationic species into solution is itself a powerful method. The concept is broadly applicable to a number of different reaction pathways, including to the enantioselective fluorocyclization of olefins, and dearomatization of aromatic systems with a cationic electrophile-transferring (e.g., fluorinating) agent and a chiral phosphate catalyst. The reactions proceed in high yield and stereoselectivity. The compounds and methods of the invention are of particular value, especially considering the scarcity of alternative approaches.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a correcting mechanism for correcting an output signal from a reading unit in accordance with a reference level. The correcting mechanism includes a reference element for setting the reference level and a drive mechanism for rocking the reference element between a first position in which the reference element is advanced to a reading position and a second position in which the reference element is retreated from the reading position. The drive mechanism includes a rotating member that is continuously rotated in one direction. As the rotating member rotates, the reference element rocks between the first and second positions, thereby executing correction of the output signal before image information recorded on a recording medium is read.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a correcting mechanism for correcting an output signal from a reading unit in accordance with a reference level. The correcting mechanism includes a reference element for setting the reference level and a drive mechanism for rocking the reference element between a first position in which the reference element is advanced to a reading position and a second position in which the reference element is retreated from the reading position. The drive mechanism includes a rotating member that is continuously rotated in one direction. As the rotating member rotates, the reference element rocks between the first and second positions, thereby executing correction of the output signal before image information recorded on a recording medium is read.

Abstract: A fluid compressor comprising a helical blade type compression mechanism that includes a cylinder, a roller arranged inside the cylinder and a helical blade interposed between the roller and the cylinder. The blade, the roller and the cylinder are formed of materials whose coefficients of thermal expansion satisfy relationships: Blade>Roller>Cylinder. According to this invention, pressure release can be easily performed in the case where the liquid flows back or under a low-temperature condition as at the time of actuation. In addition, the compression performance can be improved under a high-temperature condition during operation.

Abstract: A fluid compressor has a sealed case, an electric motor section, and a compression section. Both sections are provided in the sealed case, with their axes extending substantially horizontally. The sealed case is filled with lubricant. At the start of the compressor, the rotational speed N of the electric motor section is gradually increased, but maintained at least once at a prescribed value for a predetermined period. At the stop of the compressor, the rotational speed N is gradually decreased, but maintained at least once at a prescribed value for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A fluid compressor includes a piston which has a vertical longitudinal axis. A plurality of working chambers are provided between a cylinder and the piston, and are constituted by upper working chambers and lower working chambers which separated from each other by a center portion of the piston. Fluid is sucked in the lowermost one of the upper working chambers and the uppermost one of the lower working chambers, respectively, and is compressed while being conveyed. The diameter .phi. D3 of a lower shaft portion of the piston and the diameter .phi. D4 of an upper shaft portion of the piston have a relationship .phi. D3 <.phi. D4 in order to apply an upward thrust force to the piston.

Abstract: A fluid compressor having a rotational force transmitting mechanism. The mechanism comprises an Oldam portion, an Oldam ring and a second cylinder gearing. The Oldam portion is integral with a piston. The Oldam ring has a first pair of key grooves and a second pair of key grooves. The key grooves of the first pair extend at right angles to those of the second pair. The second cylinder bearing is fitted in the cylinder and has two projections fitted in the key grooves of the second pair. The Oldam ring is made of silicon nitride ceramic.

Abstract: A fluid compressor has a piston, the axis of which is vertical. The dimensions of the parts of the compressor are determined such that an upward thrust force acting on the piston is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the total weight of rotational parts including the piston and a cylinder. Specifically, a groove formed in the piston has a pitch decreasing gradually from a lower part to an upper part of the piston, and a diameter (.PHI.D1) of a lower shaft portion of the piston, a diameter (.PHI.D2) of a upper shaft portion of the piston, and an inside diameter (.PHI.Dc) of the cylinder have a relationship, (D1.sup.2 +D2.sup.2)>Dc.sup.2.

Abstract: A fluid compressor having a cylinder, columnar rotating body, first and second spiral grooves, first and second recessed grooves, first and second spiral blades slidable in a radial direction of the columnar rotating body and fitted in the first and second spiral grooves. A drive means is provided for causing a rotational movement of the cylinder and the columnar rotating body synchronously with each other. Stoppers extend from the cylinder into first and second recessed grooves whose wall portions are located adjacent to a respective first turn of the second and first spiral grooves and advanced by 180.degree. from a respective second and first spiral grooves. The first and second stoppers engage respective end portions of the spiral blades during the rotational movements of the cylinder and the columnar rotating body.

Abstract: A fluid compressor comprises a cylinder and a columnar rotating body synchronously rotated by a drive means, The rotational movement of the cylinder and the columnar rotating body is supported by a pair of roller bearing assemblies. A clearance is provided between the roller bearing assemblies and bearing members to allow fluid from the compression chambers to pass into an interior of the casing of the compressor. With the arrangement of roller bearing assemblies at the ends of cylinder and columnar rotational body combinations, a large diameter of the cylinder is possible and thus high compression efficiency of the fluid compressor is achieved.

Abstract: A fluid compressor including a sealed case having an oil bank in which oil is held, a cylinder arranged in the sealed case, a rotation body eccentrically arranged in the cylinder, a main shaft and a sub-shaft formed at each of axial end portions of the rotation body, a spiral groove formed on a periphery thereof such that a pitch of the spiral groove gradually decreases from the sub-shaft side to the main shaft side, a spiral blade engaged with the groove such as to be able to project therefrom or retreat therein, a main bearing and a sub-bearing for eccentrically supporting the cylinder and the rotation body, and a suction hole provided in the rotation body for allowing an operation fluid having a low pressure before compression to flow from the main shaft side to the sub-shaft side so as to introduce the fluid into an inner space of the cylinder, the cylinder and the rotation body rotated relatively with each other so as to transport the operation fluid from the sub-shaft side to the main shaft side for com