doi:10.1155/2010/235296
Research Article
Existence of Positive Solutions for Semipositone Higher-Order BVPS on Time Scales
Yuguo Lin and Minghe Pei
Department of Mathematics, Beihua University, JiLin City 132013, China
Correspondence should be addressed to Minghe Pei,[email protected] Received 4 December 2009; Revised 16 March 2010; Accepted 29 March 2010 Academic Editor: Alberto Cabada
Copyrightq2010 Y. Lin and M. Pei. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
We offer conditions on semipositone functionft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2such that the boundary value problem,uΔnt ft, uσn−1t, uΔσn−2t, . . . , uΔn−2σt 0,t∈0,1∩T,n≥2,uΔi0 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3,αuΔn−20−βuΔn−10 0,γuΔn−2σ1 δuΔn−1σ1 0, has at least one positive solution, whereTis a time scale andft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 ∈ C0,1 ×R0,∞n−1,R−∞,∞is continuous withft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2≥ −Mfor some positive constantM.
1. Introduction
Throughout this paper, letTbe a time scale, for anya, b∈R −∞,∞b > a, the interval a, b defined asa, b {t ∈ T | a ≤ t ≤ b}. Analogous notations for open and half-open intervals will also be used in the paper. We also use the notationRc, d to denote the real interval{t∈R |c≤ t≤ d}. To understand further knowledge about dynamic equations on time scales, the reader may refer to1–3 for an introduction to the subject.
In this paper, we present results governing the existence of positive solutions to the differential equation on time scales of the form
uΔnt f t, u
σn−1t , uΔ
σn−2t
, . . . , uΔn−2σt
0, t∈0,1, n≥2 1.1
subject to the two-point boundary conditions
uΔi0 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3, αuΔn−20−βuΔn−10 0, γuΔn−2σ1 δuΔn−1σ1 0,
1.2
whereα, γ, β, δ≥0, d:αδγβαγσ1>0 and δγ
σ1−σ21
≥0. 1.3
Throughout, we assume that ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 ∈ C0,1 × R0,∞n−1,R−∞,∞ is continuous withft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2≥ −Mfor some positive constantM.
LetCrdn0,1 denote the space of functions Cnrd0,1
u:u∈C0, σn1 , . . . , uΔn−1∈C0, σ1 , uΔn ∈Crd0,1
. 1.4
We say thatutis a positive solution of BVP1.1and1.2, ifut∈Cnrd0,1 is a solution of BVP1.1and1.2anduΔit>0, t∈0, σn−i1, i0,1, . . . , n−2.
Various cases of BVP1.1and1.2have attracted a lot of attention in the literature.
When n 2, BVP 1.1 and 1.2 has been studied by many specialists. For example, Agarwal et al. 4 have established the existence of positive solutions for continuous case of the semipositone Sturm-Liouville BVPs. Erbe and Peterson 5 andHao et al. 6 dealt with Sturm-Liouville BVPs on time scale of positone nonlinear term. In addition, Agarwal and O’Regan7 obtained positive solution of second-order right focal BVPs on time scale by using nonlinear alternative of Leray-Schauder type. In 2005, Chyan and Wong 8 obtained triple solutions of the same BVPs with7 . Recently,Sun and Li9,10 investigated semipositone Dirichlet BVPs on time scale. For higher-order BVPs, continuous case of BVP 1.1and1.2have been investigated by Agarwal and Wong11 , Wong and Agarwal12 and Wong13 . The discrete positone case of BVP1.1and1.2has been tackled by using a fixed point theorem for mappings that are decreasing with respect to a cone in14 . Especially, time-scale case of 1.1 with four-point boundary condition has been studied by Liu and Sang15 . Besides, BVP1.1and1.2of nonlinear positone termft, ut, ut, . . . , un−1t which satisfied Nagumo-type conditions have been dealt with in 16 . Motivated by the works mentioned above, the purpose of this paper is to tackle semipositone BVP1.1and 1.2. In fact, BVPs appeared in7–14 can be looked at as special case of BVP1.1and1.2 in this paper. For other related works, we also refer to17–19 .
The paper is outlined as follows. In Section2, we will present some notations and lemmas which will be used later. In Section3, by using Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem in a cone, we offer criteria for the existence of positive solution of BVP1.1and1.2.
2. Preliminary
In this section, we offer some notations and lemmas, which will be used in main results.
Throughout this paper, we always use the following notations:
C1Kt, s is the Green’s function of the differential equation −uΔnt 0, t ∈ 0,1 subject to the boundary conditions1.2;
C2kt, s is the Green’s function of the differential equation−uΔΔt 0, t ∈ 0,1 subject to the boundary conditions
αu0−βuΔ0 0, γuσ1 δuΔσ1 0; 2.1
C3DefineTi:0,1 → R,i0,1, . . . , n−2 as
T0t≡qt, Tit t
0
Ti−1τΔτ, i1,2, . . . , n−2, 2.2
where
qt: min
t∈0,σ21
αtβ
ασ21 β,γσ1−t δ
γσ1 δ
. 2.3
Lemma 2.1. For the Green’s functionkt, sthe following hold:
0≤qtkσs, s≤kt, s≤kσs, s, t, s∈ 0, σ21
×0,1 . 2.4
Proof. It is clear that
kt, s KΔn−2t t, s
⎧⎪
⎪⎨
⎪⎪
⎩ 1 d
αtβ
γσ1−σs δ
, t≤s, 1
d
ασs β
γσ1−t δ
, σs≤t.
2.5
From the expression ofkt, s, we can easily obtain
0≤qtkσs, s≤kt, s≤kσs, s, t, s∈ 0, σ21
×0,1 . 2.6
Lemma 2.2. Letwtbe the solution of BVP
−uΔnt M, t∈0,1 , uΔi0 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3,
αuΔn−20−βuΔn−10 0, γuΔn−2σ1 δuΔn−1σ1 0.
2.7
Then
0≤wΔit≤cMTn−2−it, t∈ 0, σn−i1
, i0,1, . . . , n−2, 2.8
where
c:=
γσ1 δ
ασ21 β
d σ1, 2.9
andM∈R0,∞is a positive constant.
Proof. Fort≤s,
kt, s 1 d
αtβ
γσ1−σs δ
≤ 1 d
αtβ
γσ1−t δ
αtβ
ασ21 β·γσ1−t δ
γσ1 δ ·
γσ1 δ
α2σ1 β d
≤ cqt σ1.
2.10
Forσs≤t,
kt, s 1 d
ασs β
γσ1−t δ
≤ 1 d
αtβ
γσ1−t δ
γσ1−t δ
γσ1 δ · αtβ
ασ21 β·
γσ1 δ
ασ21 β d
≤ cqt σ1.
2.11
So
0≤kt, s≤ cqt
σ1, t, s∈ 0, σ21
×0,1 . 2.12
By definingwtaswt σ1
0 Kt, sM ds, t∈0, σn1 , it is clear that
wΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sM ds, t∈ 0, σ21
. 2.13
Then
0≤wΔn−2t≤ cqt σ1
σ1
0
MΔscMqt, t∈ 0, σ21
. 2.14
Further, sincewΔit 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3, we get
0≤wΔit≤cMTn−2−it, t∈ 0, σn−i1
, i0,1, . . . , n−2. 2.15
Lemma 2.3see20 . LetEbe a Banach space, and letC⊂Ebe a cone inE. Assume thatΩ1,Ω2
are open subsets ofEwith 0 ∈ Ω1 ⊂ Ω1 ⊂ Ω2, and letT : C∩Ω2\Ω1 → Cbe a completely continuous operator such that either
iTu ≤ u, u∈C∩∂Ω1;Tu ≥ u, u∈C∩∂Ω2or iiTu ≥ u, u∈C∩∂Ω1;Tu ≤ u, u∈C∩∂Ω2. Then,T has a fixed point inC∩Ω2\Ω1.
3. Main Results
In this section, by using Lemma2.3, we offer criteria for the existence of positive solution of BVP1.1and1.2.
LetEdenote the space of functions
E
u:u∈C0, σn1 , . . . , uΔn−3 ∈C 0, σ31
, uΔn−2∈C 0, σ21
. 3.1
Let B {u ∈ E : uΔi0 0, i 0,1, . . . , n−3} be a Banach space with the norm u supt∈0,σ21 |uΔn−2t|, and let
C
u∈ B:uΔn−2t≥qtu, t∈ 0, σ21
. 3.2
It is obvious thatCis a cone inB. FromuΔi0 0, i 0,1, . . . , n−3, it follows that for all u∈C,
Tn−2−itu ≤uΔit≤σ0u, t∈ 0, σn−i1
, i0,1, . . . , n−2, 3.3
where
σ0: σn1 n−2. 3.4
Throughout the rest of the section, we assume that the set0, σ1 is such that
ξmin
τ ∈T:τ≥ σ1 4
, ζmin
τ∈T:τ ≤ 3σ1 4
3.5
exist and satisfy
σ1
4 ≤ξ < ζ≤ 3σ1
4 . 3.6
In addition, we denote that
ηi min
t∈ξ, σn−i−1ζ Tn−2−it, i0,1, . . . , n−2. 3.7
In order to obtain positive solutions of BVP1.1and1.2, we need to consider the following boundary value problem:
uΔnt f∗ t, v
σn−1t , vΔ
σn−2t
, . . . , vΔn−2σt
0, t∈0,1, uΔi0 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3,
αuΔn−20−βuΔn−10 0, γuΔn−2σ1 δuΔn−1σ1 0,
3.8
where
vt ut−wt, wtis as in Lemma 2.2, f∗t, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 f
t, ρ0, ρ1, . . . , ρn−2
M 3.9
and for alli0,1, . . . , n−2,
ρi
⎧⎨
⎩
ui, ui≥0,
0, ui<0. 3.10
Let the operatorS:C → Bbe defined by
Sut σ1
0
Kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs
Δs, t∈0, σn1 ,
SuΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs
Δs, t∈ 0, σ21 . 3.11
Lemma 3.1. The operatorSmapsCintoC.
Proof. From Lemma2.1, we know that fort∈0, σ21 ,
SuΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≤ σ1
0
kσs, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs.
3.12
So fort∈0, σ21 ,
Su ≤ σ1
0
kσs, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs
Δs. 3.13
From Lemma2.1again, it follows that fort∈0, σ21 ,
SuΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≥ σ1
0
qtkσs, sf∗
s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≥qtSu.
3.14
Hence,SmapsCintoC.
Lemma 3.2. The operatorS:C → Cis completely continuous.
Proof. First we shall prove that the operator S is continuous. Let um,u ∈ C be such that limm→ ∞um−u0. FromuΔi0 0, i0,1, . . . , n−3, we have
sup
t∈0,σn−i1
uΔmit−uΔit−→0, i0,1, . . . , n−2. 3.15
Then, it is easy to see that asm → ∞
ρm: sup
s∈0,1
f∗ s, um
σn−1s
−w
σn−1s
, . . . , uΔmn−2σs−wΔn−2σs
−f∗ s, u
σn−1s
−w
σn−1s
, . . . , uΔn−2σs−wΔn−2σs−→0.
3.16
Hence, we get from Lemma2.1that fort∈0, σ21 , SumΔn−2t−SuΔn−2t
σ1
0
kt, s f∗ s, um
σn−1s
−w
σn−1s
, . . . , uΔmn−2σs−wΔn−2σs
−f∗ s, u
σn−1s
−w
σn−1s
, . . . , uΔn−2σs−wΔn−2σs Δs
≤ρm
σ1
0
kt, sΔs≤ρm
σ1
0
kσs, sΔs−→0, as m−→ ∞.
3.17
This shows thatS:C → Cis continuous.
Next, to show complete continuity, we will apply Arzela-Ascoli theorem. LetΩbe a bounded subset ofC. Then there existsL >0 such that for allu∈Ω,
supuΔn−2≤L, supuΔi≤σ0L, i0,1, . . . , n−3, 3.18
whereσ0is given in3.4. Let
M sup
s,ρ0,ρ1,...,ρn−2∈0,1 ×R0,σ0L n−2×R0,L
f
s, ρ0, ρ1, . . . , ρn−2
M. 3.19
Clearly, we have fort∈0, σ21 , SuΔn−2t≤M
σ1
0
kt, sΔs≤M σ1
0
kσs, sΔs 3.20
and fort, t∈0, σ21 ,
SuΔn−2t−SuΔn−2
t ≤M σ1
0
kt, s−k
t, sΔs. 3.21
The Arzela-Ascoli theorem guarantees that SΩ is relatively compact, so S : C → C is completely continuous.
Theorem 3.3. Assume that the following conditions hold:
ithere exist r ∈ RcM,∞ such that for any u0, u1, . . . , un−2 ∈ Γr :R0, σ0r n−2 × R0, r ,
Au0, u1, . . . , un−2: σ1
0
kσs, s
fs, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M
Δs≤r, 3.22
iithere existR ∈ RcM,∞ with R /r such that for any u0, u1, . . . , un−2 ∈ ΓR : Rη0R, σ0R ×Rη1R, σ0R × · · · ×Rηn−2R, R ,
Bu0, u1, . . . , un−2:ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, s
fs, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M
Δs≥R, 3.23
whereσ0is given in3.4,ξ, ζare given in3.5,ηi, i0,1, . . . , n−2 are given in3.7, and
1−cM
R . 3.24
Then BVP1.1and1.2has a positive solution.
Proof. Without loss of generality, we assume thatr < R. Now we seek positive solutions of BVP3.8. Let
Ω1{u∈B:u ≤r}. 3.25
Foru∈∂Ω1∩C, it follows from3.3that
0≤uΔit≤σ0r, t∈ 0, σn−i1
, i0,1, . . . , n−3. 3.26
Fromi, we obtain that foru∈∂Ω1∩C,
SuΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≤ σ1
0
kσs, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≤r.
3.27
So
Su ≤ u, u∈∂Ω1∩C. 3.28
Let
Ω2{u∈B:u ≤R}. 3.29
Foru∈∂Ω2∩C, it follows from Lemma2.2and3.3that fors∈0, σ1 ,
vΔi
σn−i−1s uΔi
σn−i−1s
−wΔi
σn−i−1s
≥uΔi
σn−i−1s
−cMTn−2−i
σn−i−1s uΔi
σn−i−1s
−cMTn−2−i
σn−i−1s u R
≥uΔi
σn−i−1s
−cMuΔi
σn−i−1s R
uΔi
σn−i−1s
≥RTn−2−i
σn−i−1s
, i0,1, . . . , n−2.
3.30
So
vΔi
σn−i−1s
≥ηiR, s∈ξ, ζ , i0,1, . . . , n−2, 3.31
whereηiis given in3.7andis given in3.24.
Combining Lemma2.1,3.3, andiiwith3.31, we obtain that foru∈∂Ω2∩C,
SuΔn−2t σ1
0
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≥ ζ
ξ
kt, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≥ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, sf∗ s, v
σn−1s , vΔ
σn−2s
, . . . , vΔn−2σs Δs
≥R.
3.32
So
Su ≥ u, u∈∂Ω2∩C. 3.33
Therefore, it follows from Lemma2.3that BVP3.8has a solutionu1∈Csuch thatr≤ u1 ≤ R.
Finally, we will prove thatu1t−wtis a positive solution of BVP1.1and1.2. Let ut u1t−wt, then we have from Lemma2.2and3.3that fori0,1, . . . , n−2,
uΔit uΔ1it−wΔit≥uΔ1it−cMTn−2−it
≥uΔ1it−cMTn−2−itu1 r
≥uΔ1it−cMuΔ1it r
1−cM
r
uΔ1it≥r−cMTn−2−it>0, t∈
0, σn−i1 .
3.34
In addition,
uΔnt uΔ1nt M −f∗
t, u1
σn−1t
−w
σn−1t
, . . . , uΔ1n−2σt−wΔn−2σt M −f
t, u1
σn−1t
−w
σn−1t
, . . . , uΔ1n−2σt−wΔn−2σt −f
t, u
σn−1t
, . . . , uΔn−2σt .
3.35
So,ut u1t−wtis a positive solution of BVP1.1and1.2. This completes the proof.
Corollary 3.4. Assume that
afor anyt, u0, u1, . . . , un−2∈0,1 ×R0,∞n−1,
ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M≤μtgu0, u1, . . . , un−2, 3.36
whereg : R0,∞n−1 → R0,∞is a continuous function which is nondecreasing inuj
for each fixedu0, . . . , uj−1, uj1, . . . , un−2andμtis a continuous nonnegative function on0,1 ,
bfor anyt, u0, u1, . . . , un−2∈ξ, ζ ×R0,∞n−1,
ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M≥νthu0, u1, . . . , un−2, 3.37
whereh:R0,∞n−1 → R0,∞is a continuous function which is nondecreasing inuj for each fixedu0, . . . , uj−1, uj1, . . . , un−2andνtis a continuous nonnegative function on0,1 ,
cthere existsr ∈RcM,∞such that
gσ0r, . . . , σ0r, r σ1
0
kσs, sμsΔs≤r, 3.38
dthere existsR∈RcM,∞withR /rsuch that
h
η0R, η1R, . . . , ηn−2R ηn−2
ζ
ξ
kσs, sνsΔs≥R. 3.39
Then BVP1.1and1.2has a positive solution.
Proof. Fromaandc, we obtain that foru0, u1, . . . , un−2∈Γr,
Au0, u1, . . . , un−2
σ1
0
kσs, s
fs, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M Δs
≤ σ1
0
kσs, sμsgu0, u1, . . . , un−2Δs
≤gσ0r, . . . , σ0r, r σ1
0
kσs, sμsΔs≤r.
3.40
So, conditioniof Theorem3.3is satisfied. Frombandd, we obtain that foru0, u1, . . . , un−2∈ΓR,
Bu0, u1, . . . , un−2 ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, s
fs, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M Δs
≥ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, sνshu0, u1, . . . , un−2Δs
≥h
η0R, η1R, . . . , ηn−2R ηn−2
ζ
ξ
kσs, sνsΔs≥R.
3.41
So, conditioniiof Theorem3.3is satisfied.
Therefore, from Theorem3.3, BVP1.1and1.2has a positive solution.
Corollary 3.5. Assume that conditionsaandcof Corollary3.4and the following condition hold:
u0u1...ulimn−2→ ∞min
t∈ξ,ζ
ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M u0u1· · ·un−2 ∈R
D1 n−2
i0 ηi,∞
, 3.42
whereD1 ηn−2ζ
ξkσs, sΔs −1. Then BVP1.1and1.2has one positive solution.
Proof. We only need to prove that3.42implies conditioniiof Theorem3.3. From3.42, we know that there existsRRmay be chosen arbitrary largesuch that foru0, u1, . . . , un−2∈ Rη0R,∞× · · · ×Rηn−2R,∞,
t∈ξ,ζ min
ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M
u0u1· · ·un−2 ≥ D1
n−2
i0 ηi. 3.43
Hence, fort, u0, u1, . . . , un−2∈ξ, ζ ×ΓR,
ft, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M≥ D1 n−2
i0 ηi n−2
i0
ui≥ D1 n−2
i0 ηi ·
n−2
i0
ηiRD1R. 3.44
Thus, it follows that
Bu0, u1, . . . , un−2 ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, s
fs, u0, u1, . . . , un−2 M Δs
≥ηn−2 ζ
ξ
kσs, sD1RΔsR.
3.45
So, conditioniiof Theorem3.3is satisfied.
Finally we present an example to illustrate our result.
Example 3.6. Consider the following boundary value problem:
uΔ3t sin
uΔσt
exp u
σ2t
uΔσt /5
55uσ2t 0, t∈0,1∩T, u0 0, uΔ0−uΔ20 0, uΔ2σ1 0,
3.46
where T 0 ∪ {t/8 : t ∈ N}, ft, u0, u1 sinu1 expu0 u1/5/55 u0,M 1, αβδ1,and γ0. Obviously,
dαδγβαγσ1 1, δγ
σ1−σ21
1≥0, ξ 3
8, ζ 6
8. 3.47
Let μt νt 1, gu0, u1 2 expu0 u1/5/55 u0, and hu0, u1
expu0 u1/5/55 u0. So conditions a and b in Corollary 3.4 are satisfied. By direct calculation, we obtain that c 81/32, σ0 11/8, T0t qt 4/9t1, t ∈ 0,10/8 ,and T1t t
0qτΔτ
τ∈0,tστ−τ qτ. SinceTit, i0,1 are nondecreasing, η0 mint∈3/8,1 T1t T13/8 3/16,η1 mint∈3/8,7/8 qt q3/8 11/18. In addition, σ1
0 kσs, sΔs117/64, ζ
ξ kσs, sΔs39/64. Taker5, R63. So
gσ0r, r σ1
0
kσs, sμsΔs
2expσ01 r/5 55σ0r
σ1 0
kσs, sΔs≈3.99<5r,
h
η0R, η1R η1
ζ
ξ
kσs, sνsΔs
exp
R−cM
η0η1 /5 5
5 R−cMη0
η1
ζ
ξ
kσs, sΔs≈71.25>60R.
3.48
Hence, conditions c and d in Corollary 3.4are satisfied. Therefore from Corollary 3.4, 3.46has at least one positive solution.
Remark 3.7. In Example3.6, because nonlinear termfmay attain negative value, the result in 15 is not applicable.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the referee for valuable suggestions which led to improvement of the original manuscript.
References
1 R. P. Agarwal and M. Bohner, “Basic calculus on time scales and some of its applications,” Results in Mathematics. Resultate der Mathematik, vol. 35, no. 1-2, pp. 3–22, 1999.
2 M. Bohner and A. Peterson, Dynamic Equations on Time Scales: An Introduction with Application, Birkh¨auser, Boston, Mass, USA, 2001.
3 M. Bohner and A. Peterson, Advances in Dynamic Equations on Time Scales, Birkh¨auser, Boston, Mass, USA, 2003.
4 R. P. Agarwal, H.-L. Hong, and C.-C. Yeh, “The existence of positive solutions for the Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems,” Computers & Mathematics with Applications, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 89–96, 1998.
5 L. Erbe and A. Peterson, “Positive solutions for a nonlinear differential equation on a measure chain,”
Mathematical and Computer Modelling, vol. 32, no. 5-6, pp. 571–585, 2000.
6 Z.-C. Hao, T.-J. Xiao, and J. Liang, “Existence of positive solutions for singular boundary value problem on time scales,” Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, vol. 325, no. 1, pp. 517–528, 2007.
7 R. P. Agarwal and D. O’Regan, “Nonlinear boundary value problems on time scales,” Nonlinear Analysis: Theory, Methods & Applications, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 527–535, 2001.
8 C. J. Chyan and P. J. Y. Wong, “Triple solutions of focal boundary value problems on time scale,”
Computers & Mathematics with Applications, vol. 49, no. 7-8, pp. 963–979, 2005.
9 J.-P. Sun and W.-T. Li, “Existence of positive solutions to semipositone Dirichlet BVPs on time scales,”
Dynamic Systems and Applications, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 571–578, 2007.
10 J.-P. Sun and W.-T. Li, “Solutions and positive solutions to semipositone Dirichlet BVPs on time scales,” Dynamic Systems and Applications, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 303–311, 2008.
11 R. P. Agarwal and F.-H. Wong, “Existence of positive solutions for non-positive higher-order BVPs,”
Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 3–14, 1998.
12 P. J. Y. Wong and R. P. Agarwal, “On eigenvalue intervals and twin eigenfunctions of higher-order boundary value problems,” Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 15–43, 1998.
13 F.-H. Wong, “An application of Schauder’s fixed point theorem with respect to higher order BVPs,”
Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, vol. 126, no. 8, pp. 2389–2397, 1998.
14 P. J. Y. Wong and R. P. Agarwal, “On the existence of solutions of singular boundary value problems for higher order difference equations,” Nonlinear Analysis: Theory, Methods &Applications, vol. 28, no.
2, pp. 277–287, 1997.
15 J. Liu and Y. Sang, “Existence results for higher-order boundary value problems on time scales,”
Advances in Difference Equations, vol. 2009, Article ID 209707, 18 pages, 2009.
16 M. R. Grossinho and F. M. Minh ´os, “Upper and lower solutions for higher order boundary value problems,” Nonlinear Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 165–176, 2005.
17 R. P. Agarwal, Boundary Value Problems for Higher Order Differential Equations, World Scientific, Singapore, 1986.
18 Y. Lin and M. Pei, “Positive solutions for two-point semipositone right focal eigenvalue problem,”
Boundary Value Problems, vol. 2007, Article ID 23108, 12 pages, 2007.
19 Y. Lin and M. Pei, “Positive solutions of two-point right focal eigenvalue problems on time scales,”
Advances in Difference Equations, vol. 2007, Article ID 87818, 15 pages, 2007.
20 D. Guo and V. Lakshmikantham, Nonlinear Problems in Abstract Cones, vol. 5 of Notes and Reports in Mathematics in Science and Engineering, Academic Press, Boston, Mass, USA, 1988.