Abstract: Dinucleoside phosphorodithioate phosphoramidite precursors useful in the synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphorodithioate which can be used as antisense inhibitors of translation.

Abstract: A technique for encoding and decoding an image includes the following steps: subsampling the image to obtain a number of subsampled frames of spatially offset image-representative signals; transforming each of the subsampled frames to obtain a corresponding number of frames of transform coefficient-representative signals; forming vector-representative signals from corresponding coefficient-representative signals of the respective frames of coefficient-representative signals; performing a thresholding operation on the vector-representative signals to obtain thresholded vector-representative signals; vector quantizing the thresholded vector-representative signals to obtain encoded signals; storing the encoded signals; and decoding the encoded signals to obtain a recovered version of the image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a group of linear and cyclic peptides having the structures: ##STR1## These peptides, when systemically administered to animals will bring about a sexual response and are thus useful for the diagnosis and treatment of psychogenic sexual dysfunction in the male.

Abstract: A seal for use in a gap between two non-contacting solid members, comprises a pool of fluid, the pool being anchored in a first of the members and contacting the second of the members, the pool being detachable from the second member in response to a pressure differential within the gap, and a bearing in a gap between two solid members used in a micromechanical pump, comprising a disk member suspended between the non-contacting solid members, and a pool of a first liquid between a first of the solid members and a first surface of the disk member, a second fluid in contact with a second surface of the disk member, the second fluid being dielectric, and an electrical potential applied across the disk member and the second fluid, the disk member being moveable in response to the electrical potential.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring a structure for the formation of cracks and for providing protection of the structure from the environment, including the following steps: applying to the structure a first coating comprising microcapsules of a first color, applying over the first coating, a second coating having a second color, and identifying cracked portions which form in the structure by observing changes in the color of the second coating resulting from eruption of microcapsules in the first coating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for depositing a substance on a substrate, including the following steps: providing the substrate in a deposition chamber, providing in the chamber a vapor of the substance, providing a buffer gas in the chamber, and directing a light beam at the substrate to control deposition of the substance by causing light induced drift.

Abstract: A technique for encoding and decoding an image includes the following steps: subsampling the image to obtain a number of subsampled frames of spatially offset image-representative signals; transforming each of the subsampled frames to obtain a corresponding number of frames of transform coefficient-representative signals; forming vector-representative signals from corresponding coefficient-representative signals of the respective frames of coefficient-representative signals; performing a thresholding operation on the vector-representative signals to obtain thresholded vector-representative signals; vector quantizing the thresholded vector-representative signals to obtain encoded signals; storing the encoded signals; and decoding the encoded signals to obtain a recovered version of the image.