Even-order linear dynamic equations with mixed derivatives (Q2458719)

The authors show that an even order dynamic equation of the form \[ \sum_{\nu = 0}^n (-1)^\nu \widetilde D^\nabla_\nu (r_\nu(t)D^\Delta_\nu y) = 0 \] and related similar ones can be transformed into symplectic dynamic systems. The crucial point is that the operators \(\widetilde D^\nabla\) and \(D^\Delta\) contain mixed derivatives, delta and nabla derivatives in alternating order, thus assuring adjointness properties also for the case of time scales that do not carry group structures. In a final section, the authors develop some perspectives of research in the context of oscillation theory based on the results of this actual paper.