Abstract: Amides of L-aspartyl-D-amino acid dipeptides of the formula ##STR1## and physiologically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof wherein R.sup.a is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3 ; R is a branched member selected from the group consisting of fenchyl, diisopropylcarbinyl, d-methyl-t-butylcarbinyl, d-ethyl-t-butylcarbinyl, di-t-butylcarbinyl, 2-methylthio-2,4-dimethylpentan-3-yl, ##STR2## where at least one of R.sup.3, F.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 is alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms and the remainder are hydrogen or alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms, X is O, S, SO, SO.sub.2, C.dbd.O or CHOH; m is zero or 1-4, n and p are each zero, 1, 2 or 3 where the sum of n+p is not greater than 3 and the sum of the carbon atoms in R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is not greater than six, and when both of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are alkyl they are methyl or ethyl, ##STR3## where one of R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: A night vision goggle system comprising a housing, an optical system accommodated therein and including a pair of eyepiece assemblies, with each assembly slidably mounted for interpupillary adjustment. The assemblies are respectively focusable. The optical system further includes an objective lens assembly, an image intensifier tube provided with concave-faced fiber optics, and a collimator lens assembly, all in axial alignment, and a splitter member. The objective, collimator and eyepiece assemblies feature prescription optics.The goggle system preferably is head mounted via a quick-release connection to a face mask provided with an adjustable strap assembly.

Abstract: Amides of L-aspartyl-D-amino acid dipeptides of the formula ##STR1## and physiologically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof wherein R.sup.a is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3 ; R is a branched member selected from the group consisting of fenchyl, diisopropylcarbinyl, d-methyl-t-butylcarbinyl, d-ethyl-t-butylcarbinyl, di-t-butylcarbinyl, 2-methylthio-2,4-dimethylpentan-3-yl, ##STR2## where at least one of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 is alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms and the remainder are hydrogen or alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms, X is O, S, SO, SO.sub.2, C.dbd.O or CHOH; m is zero or 1-4, n and p are each zero, 1, 2 or 3 where the sum of n+p is not greater than 3 and the sum of the carbon atoms in R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is not greater than six, and when both of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are alkyl they are methyl or ethyl, ##STR3## where one of R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gamma-pyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: Amides of L-aspartyl-D-amino acid dipeptides of the formula ##STR1## and physiologically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof wherein R.sup.a is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl; R is a branched member selected from the group consisting of fenchyl, diisopropylcarbinyl, d-methyl-t-butylcarbinyl, d-ethyl-t-butylcarbinyl, di-t-butylcarbinyl, 2-methylthio-2,4-dimethylpentan-3-yl, ##STR2## said amides are potent sweeteners having advantages over the prior art, edible compositions containing them, methods for their use in edible compositions and novel amine and amide intermediates useful in their production.

Abstract: Amides of L-aspartyl-D-amino acid dipeptides of the formula ##STR1## and physiologically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof wherein R.sup.a is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3 ; R is a branched member selected from the group consisting of fenchyl, diisopropylcarbinyl, d-methyl-t-butylcarbinyl, d-ethyl-t-butylcarbinyl, di-t-butyl-carbinyl, 2-methylthio-2,4-dimethylpentan-3-yl, ##STR2## said amides are potent sweeteners having advantages over the prior art, edible compositions containing them, methods for their use in edible compositions and novel amide intermediates useful in their production.

Abstract: 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gammapyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: (2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4h-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydro-pyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gamma-pyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gammapyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: A wide field of view goggle system with a pair of viewing channels that are mounted on a platform and are constrained for relative lateral and angular movement. Control mechanisms are provided for adjustment of the interpupillary distance between the channels and the angular position of the channels relative to one another. An instantaneous wide field of view is provided by relative angular orientation of the viewing channels in a common, overlapping field of view.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gamma-pyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: Gamma-pyrones are prepared by contacting a 3-halo-furfuryl alcohol or a 3-alkoxy-furfuryl alcohol with one equivalent of a halogen, peracid or peroxide oxidant and then heating until hydrolysis of the formed 4-substituted-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Maltol (2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one) is prepared by this process from 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-alkoxy furans or 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-halo-furans. Gamma-pyrones are also prepared by contacting the corresponding 3-substituted-2,5-dialkoxy-furfuryl alcohols with acid until conversion to the gamma-pyrones is substantially complete.

Abstract: Gamma-pyrones are prepared by contacting a 3-halo-furfuryl alcohol or a 3-alkoxy-furfuryl alcohol with one equivalent of a halogen, peracid or peroxide oxidant and then heating until hydrolysis of the formed 4-substituted-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Maltol (2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one) is prepared by this process from 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-alkoxy furans or 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-halo-furans. Gamma-pyrones are also prepared by contacting the corresponding 3-substituted-2,5-dialkoxy-furfuryl alcohols with acid until conversion to the gamma-pyrones is substantially complete.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gamma-pyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: Gamma-pyrones are prepared by contacting a 3-halo-furfuryl alcohol or a 3-alkoxy-furfuryl alcohol with one equivalent of a halogen, peracid or peroxide oxidant and then heating until hydrolysis of the formed 4-substituted-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Maltol (2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one) is prepared by this process from 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-alkoxy furans or 2(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-halo-furans. Gamma-pyrones are also prepared by contacting the corresponding 3-substituted-2,5-dialkoxy-furfuryl alcohols with acid until conversion to the gamma-pyrones is substantially complete.

Abstract: 2-METHYL-3-HYDROXY-4H-pyran-4-one is prepared by contacting 1(2-furyl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the formed 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate is substantially complete. Other valuable related gamma-pyrones are prepared in analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.

Abstract: A tapered or twisted fiber optic bundle having a unidirectional diffuser at an output face thereof defines a fiber optic bundle beam expander. In a viewing system, such a beam expander is provided at the output of an image intensifier tube for unidirectionally spreading rays of an amplified image in a horizontal direction for biocular viewing.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of 6- D-2-phenyl-2-(4-pyridylformimidoylaminoacetamido)acetamido!penicillanic acid via acylation of 6-aminopenicillanic acid and derivatives thereof.