Abstract: A computer of a settlement device acquires commodity data related to commodities registered by a registration device. The computer receives a selection of a first commodity from among the commodities. In response to receiving the selection of the first commodity, the computer changes a tax amount of a tax imposed on the first commodity from a first tax amount calculated at a first tax rate before the change to a second tax amount calculated at a second tax rate after the change. The computer settles a transaction based on the total cost of the first commodity, the total cost of the first commodity including the second tax amount.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a self-service point of sale device is provided in a store. An input device receives, from a user, input of merchandise information corresponding to merchandise to be purchased in a current transaction. A memory stores an error count in connection with the current transaction. A processor performs a registration and accounting processing for the current transaction based on the received input of merchandise information and received payment information. The processor determines when the user performs an operation error in connection with the registration and accounting processing, and increments the error count when the user is determined to perform the operation error. The processor determines whether the error count exceeds a predetermined amount, and when the error count exceeds the predetermined amount, controls an output device to output an alert recommending that the user use a manned cash register in the store for a future transaction.

Abstract: To provide a method for improving optical purity of an optically active 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, which is useful as a raw material in the manufacture of medicines, agrochemicais, and industrial products. The method of the invention for improving purity of a hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) or a derivative thereof includes the steps of reacting the hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) with at least one optically inactive base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkoxide and a secondary amine in the presence of a solvent and, subsequently, performing recrystallization, to thereby form a hydroxycarboxylic acid salt of the following formula (IIIa) or (IIIb): wherein R1 represents a C1-8 alkyl group, and R2 represents an alkali metal or a secondary amine.

Abstract: To provide a method for improving optical purity of an optically active 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, which is useful as a raw material in the manufacture of medicines, agrochemicais, and industrial products. The method of the invention for improving purity of a hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) or a derivative thereof includes the steps of reacting the hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) with at least one optically inactive base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkoxide and a secondary amine in the presence of a solvent and, subsequently, performing recrystallization, to thereby form a hydroxycarboxylic acid salt of the following formula (IIIa) or (IIIb): wherein R1 represents a C1-8 alkyl group, and R2 represents an alkali metal or a secondary amine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound represented by a general formula (1) as shown below, which has a glucokinase-activating action in the liver and pancreatic ?-cells and which is useful as an agent for preventing and/or treating diseases caused by hyperglycemia, such as diabetes. A spiroindoline compound represented by the general formula (1), or a salt thereof, or a solvate of the compound or the salt: [wherein ring A represents a nitrogen-containing 5-10 membered heteroaryl group; R1 and R2, which are the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a halo C1-6 alkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a cyano group, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, a C2-6 alkenyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound represented by a general formula (1) as shown below, which has a glucokinase-activating action in the liver and pancreatic ?-cells and which is useful as an agent for preventing and/or treating diseases caused by hyperglycemia, such as diabetes. A spiroindoline compound represented by the general formula (1), or a salt thereof, or a solvate of the compound or the salt: [wherein ring A represents a nitrogen-containing 5-10 membered heteroaryl group; R1 and R2, which are the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a halo C1-6 alkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a cyano group, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, a C2-6 alkenyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, etc.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a compound (1) and an intermediate thereof in high yield and high optical yield is provided. A process for producing a compound (4), the process including reacting a compound (2) with a compound (3) in the presence of a base; and a process for producing a compound (1), the process including reacting a compound (2) with a compound (3) in the presence of a base to yield a compound (4) and then deesterifying the compound (4). wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group having 7 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester represented by formula (1): by reacting an optically active 2,3-epoxypropionic ester represented by formula (2): with a methyl Grignard reagent CH3MgX in the presence of a copper catalyst in an amount of 0.05 to 0.5 mol with respect to 1 mol of the 2,3-epoxypropionic ester.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an optically active butyric acid compound and a production intermediate therefore at high yield and high purity. The present invention provides a process for producing Compound (6), including reacting Compound (1) with optically active 2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxybutyrolactone (2a) in the presence of a base or reacting optically active 2-hydroxybutyrolactone (2b) under Mitsunobu reaction conditions, to thereby form Compound (3); reacting Compound (3) with an alcohol and a halogenating agent, to thereby form Compound (4); dehalogenating Compound (4), to thereby form Compound (5); and de-esterifying Compound (5).

Abstract: This invention relates to pyridazine derivatives represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a (substituted) aryl group, R2 represents a phenyl group substituted at 4-position by a lower alkoxyl, group or a lower alkylthio group, R3 represents a lower alkoxyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group, a lower cycloalkyl group, a (substituted) aryl group, a (substituted) aryloxy group, a (substituted) nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring residue, a (substituted) aminocarbonyl group or a lower alkylcarbonyl group, A represents a single bond, a lower alkylene group or a lower alkenylene group, X represents O or S, and the dashed line indicates that the carbon-carbon bond between the 4-position and the 5-position is a single bond or a double bond, or salts thereof; and also to medicines containing them as effective ingredients.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester (1), characterized by including reacting an optically active 2,3-epoxybutyric ester (2) with a thiol in the presence of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate or ytterbium trifluoromethanesulfonate, to thereby produce Compound (3), and subjecting Compound (3) to desulfurization reaction: (wherein R represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C7 or C8 aralkyl group; R1 represents a C1 to C12 alkyl group or a phenyl group; and * represents S- or R-absolute configuration). The present invention provides a process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester at high yield and high optical purity.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester at high yield and high optical purity. The process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester (1), characterized in that the process includes reacting an optically active 2,3-epoxypropionic ester (2) with a methyl Grignard reagent CH3MgX (wherein X represents a halogen atom) in the presence of a copper catalyst in an amount of 0.05 to 0.5 mol with respect to 1 mol of (2) through the following scheme: (wherein R represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C7 or C8 aralkyl group; X represents a halogen atom; and * represents S- or R-absolute configuration).

Abstract: The present invention provides a production intermediate for compound (A-1) and a method for producing the intermediate at high yield and high optical yield.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester (1), characterized by including reacting an optically active 2,3-epoxybutyric ester (2) with a thiol in the presence of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate or ytterbium trifluoromethanesulfonate, to thereby produce Compound (3), and subjecting Compound (3) to desulfurization reaction: (wherein R represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C7 or C8 aralkyl group; R1 represents a C1 to C12 alkyl group or a phenyl group; and * represents S- or R-absolute configuration). The present invention provides a process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester at high yield and high optical purity.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an optically active butyric acid compound and a production intermediate therefor at high yield and high purity. The present invention provides a process for producing Compound (6), including reacting Compound (1) with optically active 2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxybutyrolactone (2a) in the presence of a base or reacting optically active 2-hydroxybutyrolactone (2b) under Mitsunobu reaction conditions, to thereby form Compound (3); reacting Compound (3) with an alcohol and a halogenating agent, to thereby form Compound (4); dehalogenating Compound (4), to thereby form Compound (5); and de-esterifying Compound (5).

Abstract: This invention relates to pyridazine derivatives represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a (substituted) aryl group, R2 represents a phenyl group substituted at 4-position by a lower alkoxyl, group or a lower alkylthio group, R3 represents a lower alkoxyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group, a lower cycloalkyl group, a (substituted) aryl group, a (substituted) aryloxy group, a (substituted) nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring residue, a (substituted) aminocarbonyl group or a lower alkylcarbonyl group, A represents a single bond, a lower alkylene group or a lower alkenylene group, X represents O or S, and the dashed line indicates that the carbon-carbon bond between the 4-position and the 5-position is a single bond or a double bond, or salts thereof; and also to medicines containing them as effective ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production intermediate for compound (A-1) and a method for producing the intermediate at high yield and high optical yield. The present invention provides a method for producing compound (3) characterized in that compound (1) is reacted with compound (2) in the presence of a base. (wherein R represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C7 to C8 aralkyl group).

Abstract: A process for obtaining a compound (1) and an intermediate thereof in high yield and high optical yield is provided. A process for producing a compound (4), the process including reacting a compound (2) with a compound (3) in the presence of a base; and a process for producing a compound (1), the process including reacting a compound (2) with a compound (3) in the presence of a base to yield a compound (4) and then deesterifying the compound (4). wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group having 7 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to pyridazine derivatives represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a (substituted) aryl group, R2 represents a phenyl group substituted at 4-position by a lower alkoxyl group or a lower alkylthio group, R3 represents a lower alkoxyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group, a lower cycloalkyl group, a (substituted) aryl group, a (substituted) aryloxy group, a (substituted) nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring residue, a (substituted) aminocarbonyl group or a lower alkylcarbonyl group, A represents a single bond, a lower alkylene group or a lower alkenylene group, X represents O or S, and the dashed line indicates that the carbon-carbon bond between the 4-position and the 5-position is a single bond or a double bond, or salts thereof; and also to medicines containing them as effective ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound selectively activating PPAR?, which is useful as a medicament. The present invention is specifically directed to a benzoic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein A represents an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkyl-alkyl group, an aryl group, an aryl-alkyl group an aryl-oxy-alkyl group, a pyridyl-alkyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl-alkyl group, or a carboxy-alkyl group; X represents an oxygen atom, an NH group, or an S(O)n group (wherein n represents an integer of 0, 1, or 2); and m represents an integer from 2 to 8; or a salt thereof. The present invention also provides a medicament comprising the benzoic acid derivative or the salt thereof as an active ingredient.