Adjoint differential equations and oscillation (Q1910037)

The paper deals with oscillatory and asymptotic properties of the linear differential equation \[ {1\over {p_n (t)}} \left( {1\over {p_{n-1} (t)}} \cdots \Biggl( {1\over {p_1 (t)}} \biggl( {y\over {p_0 (t0}} \biggr)' \Biggr)' \cdots \right)'+ q(t) y=0, \tag{1} \] where \(p_i\) and \(q\) are positive continuous functions. The concept of `adjoint equations' is introduced and their properties are investigated. Using this technique and results of the paper [\textit{T. Kusano} and \textit{M. Naito}, Pac. J. Math. 92, 345-355 (1981; Zbl 0475.34019)], integral oscillation criteria for (1) are derived in the case when \(n\geq 4\) is even and exactly one of the integrals \(\int^\infty p_i\), \(i=1, \dots, n\), is convergent. Note that the idea of adjoint equations was also used (but established independently) in the paper [\textit{M. Cecchi}, \textit{M. Marini} and \textit{G. Villari}, Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. 170, 297-309 (1996)].