Relations for Nielsen polylogarithms (Q2339501)

The multiple polylogarithms are defined by \[ \text{Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(x)= \sum_{n_1>\cdots> n_k} {x^{n_1}\over n^{a_1}_1\cdots n^{a_k}_k}. \] The sum \(w= a_1+\cdots+ a_n\) is called the weight of the function. The authors consider also two associated multiple special functions: the multiple Claussen functions \[ \text{Cl}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(\tau)= \begin{cases} \text{Re\,Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(e^{i\tau})\quad &\text{if } w\text{ is odd}\\ \text{Im\,Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(e^{i\tau})\quad &\text{if }w\text{ is even}\end{cases} \] and the multiple Glaisher functions \[ \text{Gl}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(\tau)= \begin{cases} \text{Re\,Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(e^{i\tau})\quad &\text{if }w\text{ is even}\\ \text{Im\,Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(e^{i\tau})\quad & \text{if }w\text{ is odd}.\end{cases} \] Also, the multiple zeta function is defined by \(\zeta(a_1,\dots,a_k)= \text{Li}_{a_1,\dots,a_k}(1)\). A connection to generalized log sine integrals is discussed. The authors have developed a technique by which certain multiple functions of the above types can be expressed through combinations of multiple functions of lower weight. The paper presents a number of such reduction theorems together with a computer program implementing reductions. Several interesting explicit evaluations are given, too. The paper can be viewed as a continuation of the results in a previous publication by the same authors [``Special values of generalized log-sine integrals'', ISSAC 2011. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Symbolic and Algebraic Computation, New York: ACM Press, 43--50 (2011), \url{arXiv:1103.4298}]. See also [J. Aust. Math. Soc. 92, No. 1, 15--36 (2012; Zbl 1277.33019)].