Abstract: A process for preparing optically active (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol, which comprises subjecting (R,S)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol to the reaction of a microorganism belonging to genus Serratia in a reaction mixture, and then collecting the residual (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol. According to the process of the present invention, (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol can be efficiently prepared starting from low cost (R,S)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol.

Abstract: A stairway lift is provided on the treads of a stairway along a sidewall. A guide of the lift is provided on the treads along the sidewall so that a space is formed between the sidewall and the guide. The guide has a first side that faces the sidewall, a first rail provided on the first side, a chain rack on the first side that extends along the sidewall and a second side that faces away from the sidewall. A mobile body is supported by the first rail in the space formed between the sidewall and the guide. The mobile body has a drive sprocket engageable with the chain rack and an electric motor coupled with the drive sprocket for rotatively driving the drive sprocket. A carrier is provided for carrying a person or object to be moved along the stairway. A coupling arrangement couples the mobile body and the carrier so that the carrier is removably supported by the mobile body on the second side of the guide and guided for travel by the guide.

Abstract: A hydroxystyrene derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O- (R.sup.5 : H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group or benzyl group) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group or PhSCH.sub.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CONH--CS--S--, ##STR2## (X.sup.1 : H, a halogen, methyl group, ethyl group, R.sup.7 O-- (R.sup.7 : methyl or ethyl group), nitro group, aminosulfonyl group or amino group, m.sup.1 : 1 or 2), pyridyl group, furyl group or thienyl group, n.sup.1 : an integer of 0 to 3); when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O-- (R.sup.5 : as defined above) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group, R.sup.3 : cyano group and R.sup.4 : a carbamoyl group, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CO--Y--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- (Y: O or --NH--) or ##STR3## and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A hydroxystyrene derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O-- (R.sup.5 : H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group or benzyl group) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group or PhSCH.sub.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CONH--CS--S--, ##STR2## (X.sup.1 : H, a halogen, methyl group, ethyl group, R.sup.7 O-- (R.sup.7 : methyl or ethyl group), nitro group, aminosulfonyl group or amino group, m.sup.1 : 1 or 2), pyridyl group, furyl group or thienyl group, n.sup.1 : an integer of 0 to 3); when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O-- (R.sup.5 : as defined above) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group, R.sup.3 : cyano group and R.sup.4 : a carbamoyl group, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CO--Y--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- (Y: O or --NH--) or ##STR3## and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A hydroxystyrene derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## Wherein when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O--(R.sup.5 : H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group or benzyl group) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group or PhSCH.sub.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CONH--CS--S--, ##STR2## (X.sub.1 : H, a halogen, methyl group, ethyl group, R.sup.7 O--(R.sup.7 : methyl or ethyl group), nitro group, aminosulfonyl group or amino group, m.sup.1 : 1 or 2), pyridyl group, furyl group or thienyl group, n.sup.1 : an integer of 0 to 3); when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O--(R.sup.5 : as defined above) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group, R.sup.3 : cyano group and R.sup.4 : a carbamoyl group, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CO--Y--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --(Y: O or --NH--) or ##STR3## and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active 3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol by employing microorganism which can selectively metabolize (R)- or (S)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol. The decomposition rate of the substrate can be accelerated and the substrate concentration can be increased by adding a compound having SH group to the reaction solution.According to the process of the present invention, the optically active 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol can be easily prepared starting from low-cost (R,S)-3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol.

Abstract: A hydroxystyrene derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O-- (R.sup.5 : H, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group or benzyl group) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group or PhSCH.sub.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CONH--CS--S--, ##STR2## (X.sup.1 : H, a halogen, methyl group, ethyl group, R.sup.7 O-- (R.sup.7 : methyl or ethyl group), nitro group, aminosulfonyl group or amino group, m.sup.1 : 1 or 2), pyridyl group, furyl group or thienyl group, n.sup.1 : an integer of 0 to 3); when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : phenyl group, benzyl group or phenethyl group, or R.sup.1 : R.sup.5 O-- (R.sup.5 : as defined above) and R.sup.2 : benzyl group, R.sup.3 : cyano group and R.sup.4 : a carbamoyl group, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are taken together to represent --CO--Y--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- (Y: O or --NH--) or ##STR3## and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 : a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: Ethyl-.beta.-benzoyacrylate is reacted with an alkali metal salt of (S)-alanine or an alkali metal salt of N.sup.6 -trifluoroacetyl-L-lysine to form the corresponding Michael addition product, and not less than an equivalent amount of acid is added after completion of the Michael addition to prevent conversion of the (S,S) form of the product to the (R,S) form.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid by an optical resolution, which comprises subjecting a racemic ester of (R,S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the general formula [(R,S)-I] to the action of an enzyme or a microorganism having a stereo-selective esterase activity, which is capable of asymmetrically hydrolyzing the racemic ester [(R,S)-I] to give optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the formula [II*] so as to produce the hydrolysis product, i.e. optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid [II*] and an unreacted optically active ester of indoline-2-carboxylic acid having the general formula [I*], isolating each optically active form, and further, if necessary, hydrolyzing the obtained optically active ester [I*] to give an optical antipode of the acid [II*].According to the process of the present invention, optically active indoline-2-carboxylic acid with a high optical purity can be prepared in a simple process with a good yield.

Abstract: A color hard copy apparatus converts an analog video signal of a still picture frame displayed on a color graphic display into binary video data to obtain a multicolor gradation picture. A single analog-to-digital converter samples the analog video signal a plurality of times at respectively different threshold levels, each threshold level being maintained constant during the sampling of the entire picture frame, to convert the analog video signal into corresponding binary video data. The binary video data are written in a picture memory at predetermined write-in addresses according to a predetermined multicolor gradation picture program, such as an organized dither program or a density pattern, and the binary video data are read out of the picture memory according to the predetermined multicolor gradation picture program to obtain binary picture data signals for use in printing a high-quality multicolor gradation picture corresponding to the desired picture frame displayed on the color graphic display.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active hydantoins having the general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which are different from each other, are independently alkyl group, aralkyl group, aryl group, substituted alkyl group, substituted aralkyl group, or substituted aryl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form an asymmetric cyclic compound, characterized in that one configuration of racemic N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid having the general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as above, is enzymatically converted into the corresponding hydantoins.The present invention provides a process for an optical resolution with a high efficiency which can be used for the synthesis of (S)-6-fluoro-spiro-[chroman-4,4'-imidazolidine]-2',5'-dione (USAN; Sorbinil), which is an optically active hydrantoins attracting public attention as a preventive or a remedy for the particular chronic symptoms of diabetes such as cataract and neuropathy, and (S)-.alpha.

Abstract: A recording apparatus receives a video signal containing a horizontal sync signal and a data signal comprised of a given number of image bit data arranged within each horizontal scanning period, and stores the number of image bit data in synchronization with the horizontal sync signal. A voltage-controlled oscillator produces in synchronization with the horizontal sync signal a frequency signal having a frequency higher than that of the sync signal. A divider frequency-divides the frequency signal by a given factor to produce a number of sampling pulses corresponding to the given number of image bit data. A data sampling circuit receives the data signal for sampling therefrom the number of image bit data in response to the corresponding sampling pulses to thereby write the image bit data into memory. Another divider frequency-divides the frequency signal by the product of the given factor and the given number to produce a feedback signal.

Abstract: A hard copy system regulatively processes a video signal with a settable regulatory parameter to produce regulated picture information which is reproducible as a hard copy. A multiplexer receives a plurality of video signals having different signal forms to selectively apply one of the video signals to the hard copy system. A memory stores a plurality of different regulatory parameters assigned to the respective video signals and determined according to the different signal forms thereof so as to optimize the regulative processing thereof. A controller operates when a selected video signal is processed for retrieving from the memory a regulatory parameter assigned to the selected video signal to set the retrieved regulatory parameter to thereby enable the hard copy system to produce optimally regulated picture information.

Abstract: An interface circuit of video signal hard copy apparatus for optimizing a phase of a sampling clock to an image signal. A delayed signal of a video sync signal is employed for a reference input signal of a sampling clock generation circuit. The delay quantity of the video sync signal is arbitrarily set by a control circuit. The delay quantity corresponding to the point of change of sampled data is detected by a CPU circuit according to the sequential comparison with some of the sampled data of an image signal in the plural delay quantities. A stable sampling can be attained even for a high frequency video signal exceeding 100 MHz by setting the optimum delay quantity according to the detected delay quantity.

Abstract: A sampling clock phase correction circuit of video signal to keep stably a phase of a sampling clock to an image signal. A delayed signal of a video sync signal is employed for a reference signal of a sampling clock generation circuit. The delay quantity of the video sync signal is controlled to sample stably the video image signal according to the comparison and discrimination of a phase relation between a sampling clock signal and a video sync signal by a phase detection circuit and a CPU circuit. A precise phase correction where a characteristic change of circuit elements by a temperature drift or the like is compensated can be attained even for a high frequency video signal exceeding 100 MHz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propionitrile having the formula (I): ##STR1## a process for preparing 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propionitrile having the formula (I) which comprises reacting 4-fluorophenol and acrylonitrile in the presence of a tertiary amine, a process for preparing 6-fluoro-4-chromanone having the formula (II): ##STR2## which comprises reacting 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propionitrile having the formula (I) with an acid, and a process for preparing 6-fluoro-4-chromanone having the formula (II) which comprises reacting 4-fluorophenol with acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalyst to give 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propionitrile having the formula (I), which is then reacted with an acid. 6-Fluoro-4-chromanone is an important intermediate for the synthesis of (S)-2,3-dihydro-6-fluoro-spiro[4H-1-benzopyran-4,4'-imidazolidine]-2',5'di one (USAN: sorbinil).

Abstract: A multicolored thermal transfer copying system needs an ink film having more than three colors successively. The accurate copying is performed by driving the plural platens via one metal roller, when plural thermal heads are used for transferring each color from the ink film.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein yeast cells containing coenzyme Q in large quantities are efficiently produced by aerobically cultivating a yeast, in which maximum specific growth rate is not less than 0.15 hr.sup.-1 under optimum cultural conditions, in a nutrient medium in which said yeast can grow, while maintaining the dissolved oxygen concentration in the culture broth at not less than 2 ppm and controlling the average specific growth rate through the whole period of cultivation at not more than 0.1 hr.sup.-1, and coenzyme Q is recovered from the resulting yeast cells.