On the Uniqueness ofL 2-solutions in half-space of certain differential equations

Square integrable solutions to the equation{– ²/y² + P(D_x)+b(y)–}u(x, y) = f(x, y) are considered in the half-spacey>0, x ⁿ , whereP(D _x) is a constant coefficient operator. Under suitable conditions on lim_y0u(x, y), b(y), f(x, y) and , it is shown that suppu = suppf. This generalizes a result due to Walter Littman.Research partially supported by USNSF Grant 79-02538-A02.     

Electric field-controlled water permeation coupled to ion transport through a nanopore

We report molecular dynamics simulations of a generic hydrophobic nanopore connecting two reservoirs which are initially at different Na(+) concentrations, as in a biological cell. The nanopore is impermeable to water under equilibrium conditions, but the strong electric field caused by the ionic concentration gradient drives water molecules in. The density and structure of water in the pore are highly field dependent. In a typical simulation run, we observe a succession of cation passages through the pore, characterized by approximately bulk mobility. These ion passages reduce the electric field, until the pore empties of water and closes to further ion transport, thus providing a possible mechanism for biological ion channel gating.     

Rearrangement of epoxynitriles: a convenient homologation of acyclic and cyclic ketones to carboxylic acids

A convenient two-step homologation of both aliphatic and aromatic ketones to the corresponding carboxylic acid has been developed. First ketones were converted to epoxynitriles with the Darzens reaction. Second, a Lewis acid mediated rearrangement of these epoxynitriles with lithium bromide was achieved to give homologated secondary alkanoic acids (as well as aryl-alkanoic) in good yields. The mechanism and the scope of the rearrangement reaction were investigated. This strategy constitutes a two-step homologation of ketones to secondary carboxylic acids.