Nonlinear Analysis and Applications is dedicated to Professor V. Lakshmikantham on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The volumes consist of 45 research papers from distinguished experts from a variety of research areas. Topics include monotonicity and compact methods, blow up and global existence for hyperbolic problems, dynamic systems on time scales, maximum monotone mappings, fixed point theory, quasivalued elliptic problems including mixed BVP's, impulsive and evolution inclusions, iterative processes, Morse theory, hemivariational inequalities, Navier-Stokes equations, multivalued BVP's, various aspects of control theory, integral operators, semigroup theories, modelling of real world phenomena, higher order parabolic equations, invariant measures, superlinear problems and operator equations.

Given a function x(t) E c{n) [a, bj, points a = al < a2 < ...< ar = b and subsets aj of {0,1,"',n -1} with L:j=lcard(aj) = n, the classical interpolation problem is to find a polynomial P - (t) of degree at most (n - 1) n l such that P~~l(aj) = x{i)(aj) for i E aj, j = 1,2," r. In the first four chapters of this monograph we shall consider respectively the cases: the Lidstone interpolation (a = 0, b = 1, n = 2m, r = 2, al = a2 = {a, 2", 2m - 2}), the Hermite interpolation (aj = {a, 1,' ", kj - I}), the Abel - Gontscharoff interpolation (r = n, ai ~ ai+l, aj = {j - I}), and the several particular cases of the Birkhoff interpolation. For each of these problems we shall offer: (1) explicit representations of the interpolating polynomial; (2) explicit representations of the associated error function e(t) = x(t) - Pn-l(t); and (3) explicit optimal/sharp constants Cn,k so that the inequalities k I e{k)(t) I < C k(b -at- max I x{n)(t) I, 0 n - 1 n -, a$t$b - are satisfied. In addition, for the Hermite interpolation we shall provide explicit opti- mal/sharp constants C(n,p, v) so that the inequality II e(t) lip:::; C(n,p, v) II x{n)(t) 1111, p, v ~ 1 holds.

Infinite interval problems abound in nature and yet until now there has been no book dealing with such problems. The main reason for this seems to be that until the 1970's for the infinite interval problem all the theoretical results available required rather technical hypotheses and were applicable only to narrowly defined classes of problems. Thus scientists mainly offer~d and used special devices to construct the numerical solution assuming tacitly the existence of a solution. In recent years a mixture of classical analysis and modern fixed point theory has been employed to study the existence of solutions to infinite interval problems. This has resulted in widely applicable results. This monograph is a cumulation mainly of the authors' research over a period of more than ten years and offers easily verifiable existence criteria for differential, difference and integral equations over the infinite interval. An important feature of this monograph is that we illustrate almost all the results with examples. The plan of this monograph is as follows. In Chapter 1 we present the existence theory for second order boundary value problems on infinite intervals. We begin with several examples which model real world phenom ena. A brief history of the infinite interval problem is also included. We then present general existence results for several different types of boundary value problems. Here we note that for the infinite interval problem only two major approaches are available in the literature.

In this monograph, the authors present a compact, thorough, systematic, and self-contained oscillation theory for linear, half-linear, superlinear, and sublinear second-order ordinary differential equations. An important feature of this monograph is the illustration of several results with examples of current interest. This book will stimulate further research into oscillation theory.

This book is written at a graduate level, and is intended for university libraries, graduate students, and researchers working in the field of ordinary differential equations.

. The theory of difference equations, the methods used in their solutions and their wide applications have advanced beyond their adolescent stage to occupy a central position in Applicable Analysis. In fact, in the last five years, the proliferation of the subject is witnessed by hundreds of research articles and several monographs, two International Conferences and numerous Special Sessions, and a new Journal as well as several special issues of existing journals, all devoted to the theme of Difference Equations. Now even those experts who believe in the universality of differential equations are discovering the sometimes striking divergence between the continuous and the discrete. There is no doubt that the theory of difference equations will continue to play an important role in mathematics as a whole. In 1992, the first author published a monograph on the subject entitled Difference Equations and Inequalities. This book was an in-depth survey of the field up to the year of publication. Since then, the subject has grown to such an extent that it is now quite impossible for a similar survey, even to cover just the results obtained in the last four years, to be written. In the present monograph, we have collected some of the results which we have obtained in the last few years, as well as some yet unpublished ones.

In 1960 the Polish mathematician Zdzidlaw Opial (1930--1974) published an inequality involving integrals of a function and its derivative. This volume offers a systematic and up-to-date account of developments in Opial-type inequalities. The book presents a complete survey of results in the field, starting with Opial's landmark paper, traversing through its generalizations, extensions and discretizations. Some of the important applications of these inequalities in the theory of differential and difference equations, such as uniqueness of solutions of boundary value problems, and upper bounds of solutions are also presented. This book is suitable for graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis and applications.

The last fifty years have witnessed several monographs and hundreds of research articles on the theory, constructive methods and wide spectrum of applications of boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations. In this vast field of research, the conjugate (Hermite) and the right focal point (Abei) types of problems have received the maximum attention. This is largely due to the fact that these types of problems are basic, in the sense that the methods employed in their study are easily extendable to other types of prob lems. Moreover, the conjugate and the right focal point types of boundary value problems occur frequently in real world problems. In the monograph Boundary Value Problems for Higher Order Differential Equations published in 1986, we addressed the theory of conjugate boundary value problems. At that time the results on right focal point problems were scarce; however, in the last ten years extensive research has been done. In Chapter 1 of the mono graph we offer up-to-date information of this newly developed theory of right focal point boundary value problems. Until twenty years ago Difference Equations were considered as the dis cretizations of the differential equations. Further, it was tacitly taken for granted that the theories of difference and differential equations are parallel. However, striking diversities and wide applications reported in the last two decades have made difference equations one of the major areas of research."

This monograph is devoted to a rapidly developing area of research of the qualitative theory of difference and functional differential equations. In fact, in the last 25 years Oscillation Theory of difference and functional differential equations has attracted many researchers. This has resulted in hundreds of research papers in every major mathematical journal, and several books. In the first chapter of this monograph, we address oscillation of solutions to difference equations of various types. Here we also offer several new fundamental concepts such as oscillation around a point, oscillation around a sequence, regular oscillation, periodic oscillation, point-wise oscillation of several orthogonal polynomials, global oscillation of sequences of real valued functions, oscillation in ordered sets, ( , R, )-oscillate, oscillation in linear spaces, oscillation in Archimedean spaces, and oscillation across a family. These concepts are explained through examples and supported by interesting results. In the second chapter we present recent results pertaining to the oscil lation of n-th order functional differential equations with deviating argu ments, and functional differential equations of neutral type. We mainly deal with integral criteria for oscillation. While several results of this chapter were originally formulated for more complicated and/or more general differ ential equations, we discuss here a simplified version to elucidate the main ideas of the oscillation theory of functional differential equations. Further, from a large number of theorems presented in this chapter we have selected the proofs of only those results which we thought would best illustrate the various strategies and ideas involved."

In analysing nonlinear phenomena many mathematical models give rise to problems for which only nonnegative solutions make sense. In the last few years this discipline has grown dramatically. This state-of-the-art volume offers the authors' recent work, reflecting some of the major advances in the field as well as the diversity of the subject. Audience: This volume will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis and its applications, whose work involves ordinary differential equations, finite differences and integral equations.

In the last century many problems which arose in the science, engineer ing and technology literature involved nonlinear complex phenomena. In many situations these natural phenomena give rise to (i). ordinary differ ential equations which are singular in the independent and/or dependent variables together with initial and boundary conditions, and (ii). Volterra and Fredholm type integral equations. As one might expect general exis tence results were difficult to establish for the problems which arose. Indeed until the early 1990's only very special examples were examined and these examples were usually tackled using some special device, which was usually only applicable to the particular problem under investigation. However in the 1990's new results in inequality and fixed point theory were used to present a very general existence theory for singular problems. This mono graph presents an up to date account of the literature on singular problems. One of our aims also is to present recent theory on singular differential and integral equations to a new and wider audience. The book presents a compact, thorough, and self-contained account for singular problems. An important feature of this book is that we illustrate how easily the theory can be applied to discuss many real world examples of current interest. In Chapter 1 we study differential equations which are singular in the independent variable. We begin with some standard notation in Section 1. 2 and introduce LP-Caratheodory functions. Some fixed point theorems, the Arzela- Ascoli theorem and Banach's theorem are also stated here."

In the last century many problems which arose in the science, engineer ing and technology literature involved nonlinear complex phenomena. In many situations these natural phenomena give rise to (i). ordinary differ ential equations which are singular in the independent and/or dependent variables together with initial and boundary conditions, and (ii). Volterra and Fredholm type integral equations. As one might expect general exis tence results were difficult to establish for the problems which arose. Indeed until the early 1990's only very special examples were examined and these examples were usually tackled using some special device, which was usually only applicable to the particular problem under investigation. However in the 1990's new results in inequality and fixed point theory were used to present a very general existence theory for singular problems. This mono graph presents an up to date account of the literature on singular problems. One of our aims also is to present recent theory on singular differential and integral equations to a new and wider audience. The book presents a compact, thorough, and self-contained account for singular problems. An important feature of this book is that we illustrate how easily the theory can be applied to discuss many real world examples of current interest. In Chapter 1 we study differential equations which are singular in the independent variable. We begin with some standard notation in Section 1. 2 and introduce LP-Caratheodory functions. Some fixed point theorems, the Arzela- Ascoli theorem and Banach's theorem are also stated here."

In this monograph, the authors present a compact, thorough, systematic, and self-contained oscillation theory for linear, half-linear, superlinear, and sublinear second-order ordinary differential equations. An important feature of this monograph is the illustration of several results with examples of current interest. This book will stimulate further research into oscillation theory.

This book is written at a graduate level, and is intended for university libraries, graduate students, and researchers working in the field of ordinary differential equations.

Infinite interval problems abound in nature and yet until now there has been no book dealing with such problems. The main reason for this seems to be that until the 1970's for the infinite interval problem all the theoretical results available required rather technical hypotheses and were applicable only to narrowly defined classes of problems. Thus scientists mainly offer d and used special devices to construct the numerical solution assuming tacitly the existence of a solution. In recent years a mixture of classical analysis and modern fixed point theory has been employed to study the existence of solutions to infinite interval problems. This has resulted in widely applicable results. This monograph is a cumulation mainly of the authors' research over a period of more than ten years and offers easily verifiable existence criteria for differential, difference and integral equations over the infinite interval. An important feature of this monograph is that we illustrate almost all the results with examples. The plan of this monograph is as follows. In Chapter 1 we present the existence theory for second order boundary value problems on infinite intervals. We begin with several examples which model real world phenom ena. A brief history of the infinite interval problem is also included. We then present general existence results for several different types of boundary value problems. Here we note that for the infinite interval problem only two major approaches are available in the literature."

This monograph is devoted to a rapidly developing area of research of the qualitative theory of difference and functional differential equations. In fact, in the last 25 years Oscillation Theory of difference and functional differential equations has attracted many researchers. This has resulted in hundreds of research papers in every major mathematical journal, and several books. In the first chapter of this monograph, we address oscillation of solutions to difference equations of various types. Here we also offer several new fundamental concepts such as oscillation around a point, oscillation around a sequence, regular oscillation, periodic oscillation, point-wise oscillation of several orthogonal polynomials, global oscillation of sequences of real valued functions, oscillation in ordered sets, ( , R, )-oscillate, oscillation in linear spaces, oscillation in Archimedean spaces, and oscillation across a family. These concepts are explained through examples and supported by interesting results. In the second chapter we present recent results pertaining to the oscil lation of n-th order functional differential equations with deviating argu ments, and functional differential equations of neutral type. We mainly deal with integral criteria for oscillation. While several results of this chapter were originally formulated for more complicated and/or more general differ ential equations, we discuss here a simplified version to elucidate the main ideas of the oscillation theory of functional differential equations. Further, from a large number of theorems presented in this chapter we have selected the proofs of only those results which we thought would best illustrate the various strategies and ideas involved."

In analysing nonlinear phenomena many mathematical models give rise to problems for which only nonnegative solutions make sense. In the last few years this discipline has grown dramatically. This state-of-the-art volume offers the authors' recent work, reflecting some of the major advances in the field as well as the diversity of the subject. Audience: This volume will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis and its applications, whose work involves ordinary differential equations, finite differences and integral equations.

The last fifty years have witnessed several monographs and hundreds of research articles on the theory, constructive methods and wide spectrum of applications of boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations. In this vast field of research, the conjugate (Hermite) and the right focal point (Abei) types of problems have received the maximum attention. This is largely due to the fact that these types of problems are basic, in the sense that the methods employed in their study are easily extendable to other types of prob lems. Moreover, the conjugate and the right focal point types of boundary value problems occur frequently in real world problems. In the monograph Boundary Value Problems for Higher Order Differential Equations published in 1986, we addressed the theory of conjugate boundary value problems. At that time the results on right focal point problems were scarce; however, in the last ten years extensive research has been done. In Chapter 1 of the mono graph we offer up-to-date information of this newly developed theory of right focal point boundary value problems. Until twenty years ago Difference Equations were considered as the dis cretizations of the differential equations. Further, it was tacitly taken for granted that the theories of difference and differential equations are parallel. However, striking diversities and wide applications reported in the last two decades have made difference equations one of the major areas of research."

. The theory of difference equations, the methods used in their solutions and their wide applications have advanced beyond their adolescent stage to occupy a central position in Applicable Analysis. In fact, in the last five years, the proliferation of the subject is witnessed by hundreds of research articles and several monographs, two International Conferences and numerous Special Sessions, and a new Journal as well as several special issues of existing journals, all devoted to the theme of Difference Equations. Now even those experts who believe in the universality of differential equations are discovering the sometimes striking divergence between the continuous and the discrete. There is no doubt that the theory of difference equations will continue to play an important role in mathematics as a whole. In 1992, the first author published a monograph on the subject entitled Difference Equations and Inequalities. This book was an in-depth survey of the field up to the year of publication. Since then, the subject has grown to such an extent that it is now quite impossible for a similar survey, even to cover just the results obtained in the last four years, to be written. In the present monograph, we have collected some of the results which we have obtained in the last few years, as well as some yet unpublished ones.

In 1960 the Polish mathematician Zdzidlaw Opial (1930--1974) published an inequality involving integrals of a function and its derivative. This volume offers a systematic and up-to-date account of developments in Opial-type inequalities. The book presents a complete survey of results in the field, starting with Opial's landmark paper, traversing through its generalizations, extensions and discretizations. Some of the important applications of these inequalities in the theory of differential and difference equations, such as uniqueness of solutions of boundary value problems, and upper bounds of solutions are also presented. This book is suitable for graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis and applications.