Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer has a driving section area which is provided with input electrodes at the central portion of a long-plate-shaped piezoelectric element and which is polarized in the direction of the thickness thereof; and power generating section areas which are provided with output electrodes on the ends surfaces in the direction of the length thereof, which are polarized in the opposite directions from each other with the driving section area between them, and which are disposed on both ends of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric transformer is excited in the half wavelength mode to obtain an output between the output electrodes and the input electrodes. A ratio L2/L1 of the length L2 of the driving section to the overall length L1 in the direction of the length of the piezoelectric transformer ranges from 0.3 to 0.6.

Abstract: A driving device for driving a discharge tube, wherein a pair of electrodes is formed on a piezoelectric transformer, and a voltage, which is periodically inverted, is applied to the electrodes. This design makes it possible to take out high voltage from the piezoelectric transformer due to the piezoelectric effect, ignite a discharge tube, and keep the discharge tube ON. Thus, a smaller and thinner driving device for a discharge tube can be achieved.

Abstract: An active filter circuit including a smoothing filter including a choke coil comprising a magnetic core composed of a nanocrystalline alloy and having a magnetic gap in at least one portion thereof and at least one conductive wire wound around the magnetic core, the nanocrystalline alloy having a composition of 0.1-3 atomic % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu and Au, 1-7 atomic % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo and W, 10-17 atomic % of Si, and 4-10 atomic % of B, the balance being substantially Fe and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A piperazine derivative represented by the following formula: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound according to the present invention has strong anti-histaminic and anti-allergic affects and a high degree of safety, and is useful as an anti-histaminic agent, an anti-allergic agent and/or an anti-asthmatic drug. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of formula 1 and a method for the treatment of allergic diseases comprising administering the claimed compound.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas detection element includes a solid electrolyte of a sodium ion conductor made of a ceramic/glass composite material.

Abstract: A moisture sensitive device includes a polymer capacitive moisture sensitive element and a heater. The polymer capacitive moisture sensitive element is formed by sequentially stacking a lower electrode, a moisture sensitive film made of an organic polymer resin material, and an upper electrode on an insulating substrate. The heater serves to heat the moisture sensitive film to restore the original characteristics thereof.

Abstract: A moisture sensitive element includes a moisture sensitive film consisting of a polymer obtained by polymerizing and crosslinking a fluorine-containing polyimide oligomer or a polyisoimide oligomer having acetylene as a terminal group and its isomer. The moisture sensitive element also includes electrodes formed on upper and lower surfaces of the moisture sensitive film.

Abstract: A moisture-sensitive element includes a moisture-sensitive film consisting of a polymer prepared by polymerizing a methacrylate monomer not having a hydroxyl group. A humidity detector using the moisture-sensitive element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new compound, 3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)oxanilic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are herein disclosed, which can be prepared by reacting 3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)aniline with a compound represented by the general formula: A--CO--CO--B (wherein A and B may be identical with or different from one another and represent hydroxyl group, a halogen atom or a lower alkoxy group) and then optionally hydrolyzing the resultant product. The compound presents an excellent histamine and SRS-A release inhibitory effect and is hydrophilic or soluble in water. Therefore, the compound is very suitable to form, in particular, an aqueous pharmaceuticals for treatment or prevention of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Abstract: 5-(3-n-Butyloxalylaminophenyl) tetrazole having an excellent SRS-A release-inhibiting effect is used as an effective component for an anti-asthmatic agent, and a pharmaceutical preparation obtained by mixing the tetrazole with a specific dispersant such as polysorbate-80 in coexistence with a non-aqueous solvent shows high dissolubility and bioavailability.