Quasi-differential expressions with matrix-valued coefficients, which generalize those of Shin and Zettl, are considered with regard to equivalence, adjoints and symmetry. The characterization results imply that in the scalar case the class of quasi-differential expressions considered here coincides with that of Shin and is equivalent to that of Zettl. Furthermore polynomials in quasi-differential expressions are defined as expressions of the same kind and shown to coincide with the usual ones. Finally it is indicated that the known general results for the deficiency indices carry over to quasi-differential expressions.

Following an earlier paper by Akinrelere (1981), we consider a laminar boundary layer at low speeds in which density is sensibly constant and frictional heating is neglected. Also following the approach of Goldstein (1948) and Stewartson (1958), a singularity is established at separation for the thermal fields. The heat transfer is determined as a function of ξ = xs – x¼/l where xs is the separation point and l in a characteristic length.

The results are for arbitrary Prandtl number σ. The results of Curle (1979) that the heat transfer near separation varies as σ¼ (at least for the first four terms) are confirmed.

One possible generalisation of homological algebra to non-abelian structures is suggested.

Let Mm (r, f) denote the mean-value of a real-valued integrable function f over a geodesic sphere with centre m and radius r in an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold M. We obtain an expansion of Mm (r, f) in powers of r, thereby generalizing Pizzetti's formula valid in euclidean space. From this expansion we prove that the property

for every harmonic function near m, characterizes Einstein spaces. We define super-Einstein spaces and prove that they are characterized by the property

In the paper the existence is proved of a solution of a non-linear Goursat problem for a 4th order partial differential equation with the boundary conditions given on four curves emanating from a common point. The problem is reduced to a system of integro-functional equations and then Schauder's fixed point theorem is applied.

The classically well-known relation between the number of linearly independent solutions of the electro- and magnetostatic boundary value problems (harmonic Dirichlet and Neumann vector fields) and topological characteristics (genus and number of boundaries) of the underlying domain in 3-dimensional euclidean space is investigated in the framework of Hilbert space theory. It can be shown that this connection is still valid for a large class of domains with not necessarily smooth boundaries (segment property). As an application the inhomogeneous boundary value problems of electro- and magnetostatics are discussed.