Properties of kernels and eigenvalues for three point boundary value problems (Q934450)

The author studies the nonlocal boundary value problem (BVP) \[ \begin{gathered} u''(t)+g(t)f(t,u(t))=0,\;t \in (0,1),\\ u'(0)=0,\;\alpha u(\eta)=u(1), \;0<\alpha, \eta<1.\\ \end{gathered} \] This BVP has been studied before by several authors and a standard approach is to re-write the problem into a Hammerstein integral equation of the type \[ u(t)=\int^1_0 k(t,s)g(s)f(s,u(s))ds, \] where \(k(t,s)\) is the Green's function associated to this BVP. The author investigates the properties of \(k(t,s)\) and, in particular, seeks upper and lower bounds for it. The author also provides estimates for the principal characteristic value \(\mu_1\) of the compact linear integral operator \[ Lu(t):=\int^1_0 k(t,s)g(s)u(s)ds. \] This allows the author to utilize previous results of \textit{J. R. L. Webb} and \textit{K. Q. Lan} [Topol. Methods Nonlinear Anal. 27, No.~1, 91--115 (2006; Zbl 1146.34020)], in order to obtain the existence of positive solutions for the BVP.