In this paper, we consider the equation

where A is a linear operator, N = ψ′ with ψ ∈ C1(E, R), and E is an Hilbert space. We suppose that N has a derivative at infinity N′(∞) and that 0 belongs to the spectrum of A–N′(∞). We prove an abstract theorem for multiplicity of solutions for the above equation. We then apply this theorem to the study of periodic solutions of Hamiltonian systems and of semilinear wave equations when the period is prescribed.

It is shown that if A is an algebra over a field, then the regularity of the semigroup algebra A[G] implies that the semigroup G is periodic. This enables us to characterize regular semigroup algebras of semigroups with d.c.c. on principal ideals. Also, regular self-injective semigroup algebras are described.

In this paper, a theory of fractional calculus is developed for certain spaces D′p,μ of generalised functions. The theory is based on the construction of fractionalpowers of certain simple differential and integral operators. With the parameter μ suitably restricted, these fractional powers are shown to coincide with the Riemann-Liouville and Weyl operators of fractional integration and differentiation. Standard properties associated with fractional integrals and derivatives follow immediately from results obtained previously by the author on fractional powers of operators; see [6], [7]. Some spectral properties are also obtained.

Let X be a set with infinite cardinality m and let B be the Baer-Levi semigroup, consisting of all one-one mappings a:X→X for which ∣X/Xα∣ = m. Let Km=<B 1B>, the inverse subsemigroup of the symmetric inverse semigroup ℐ(X) generated by all products β−γ, with β,γ∈B. Then Km = <N2>, where N2 is the subset of ℐ(X) consisting of all nilpotent elements of index 2. Moreover, Km has 2-nilpotent-depth 3, in the sense that

Let Pm be the ideal {α∈Km: ∣dom α∣<m} in Km and let Lm be the Rees quotient Km/Pm. Then Lm is a 0-bisimple, 2-nilpotent-generated inverse semigroup with 2-nilpotent-depth 3. The minimum non-trivial homomorphic image of Lm also has these properties and is congruence-free.

We study the sign of solutions to a class of semilinear Dirichlet problems when the nonlinearity is, for instance, a concave-convex function which interacts with the spectrum of the linear part. We are able to prove, in some cases, exact multiplicity results for positive and negative solutions. For the proofs we employ a device which splits the given problem into two others satisfying a suitable version of the Ambrosetti–Prodi result.

This article deals with the uniform spaces (X, μ) such that μ is a K-analytic subset of 2X×X. G. Godefroy considered this situation for X countable, in his study of certain compact sets of measurable functions, and some of his results are extended here. We prove that the uniformity of an Eberlein compact is K-analytic, and give some applications.

Let A and B be commutative Noetherian local rings such that B contains A and B is flat and integral over A. It is shown that if M is a balanced big Cohen-Macaulay A-module (that is, every system of parameters for A is an M-sequence), then M⊗AB is a balanced big Cohen-Macaulay B-module. An example of a ring A is given such that, if B is the completion of A, then the analogous result is false in this case. This answers a question posed by Riley in the negative.

Results are obtained on the existence, multiplicity, blow-up and asymptotic behaviour of the solutions to the integro-differential equation

which arises in the linearised, quasi-static theory of buckling for a viscoelastic rod.

Let Sturm–Liouville problems

with continuous coefficients and appropriate boundary conditions, be coupled by the eigenvalue λ = (λ1, … λk). When k = 1, there are various oscillation, perturbation and comparison theorems concerning existence and continuous or monotonic dependence of eigenvalues, eigenfunctions and their zeros (i.e. focal points).

We attempt a unified theory for such results, valid for general fc, under conditions known as "left" and “right” definiteness. A representative result may be stated loosely as follows: if LD holds then (elementwise) monotonic dependence of p, q and the matrix [ars] forces monotonic dependence of λ. LD is a generalisation of the “polar” case for k = 1, and was originally conceived for a quite different purpose, viz. completeness of eigenfunctions via elliptic partial differential equation theory.

A new description is provided for the nil radical of the algebra RS of a commutative semigroup S over a commutative ring R with a 1. It is shown that the Jacobson radical of RS is nil if the Jacobson radical of R is nil and that the converse holds in the case where S is periodic.

We describe the structure of regular semigroups in which each element is dominated, in the Nambooripad order, by a unique maximal element that is ℋ-equivalent to a mididentity. These are precisely direct products of a rectangular band and a uniquely unit regular semigroup.

Page 277, line 14: Read “measure” instead of “distribution”.

Page 287, line 1: Read “(Ω)” instead of “′(Ω)”,

line 13: Read “explanation” instead of “generalization”,

line 23: Read “In fact, Corollary 1” instead of “In fact, Corollary 2”.

We thank Professor L. Véron for directing our attention to these mistakes.

It is proved that a bounded operator on Hilbert space is the sum of two quasi-nilpotent operators if and only if it is not a non-zero scalar plus a compact operator. Necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for an operator to be the product of two quasi-nilpotent operators are given.