On nonlinear oscillations for a second order delay equation (Q2531119)

The author considers the second order differential delay equation \[ y''(t) + q(t)y(t - \tau(t))^\gamma =0 \tag{\(*\)}\] on a half line \([a, \infty)\). The function \(q\) is non-negative, continuous and \(\gamma\) is the quotient of odd integers, \(0<\gamma <1\) or \(1<\gamma\). The delay \(\tau(t)\) is non-negative, continuous and bounded for \(t\ge a\), and only extendable solutions of \((*)\) are considered. The author proves, using monotonicity arguments, two oscillation theorems for \((*)\) which reduce to known cases if \(\tau\equiv 0\) (see \textit{F. V. Atkinson} [Pac. J. Math. 5, 643--647 (1955; Zbl 0065.32001)] and \textit{I. Ličko} and \textit{M. Švec} [Czech. Math. J. 13(88), 481--491 (1963; Zbl 0123.28202)]). Theorem 1: Let \(1<\gamma\). Equation \((*)\) is oscillatory if and only if \(\int^\infty sq = \infty\). Theorem 2: Let \(0<\gamma <1\). Equation \((*)\) is oscillatory if and only if \(\int^\infty s^\gamma q = \infty\). Using these theorems, the author shows that \[ y''(t) + q_1(t)y(t - \tau_1(t))^\gamma + q_2(t)y(t - \tau_2 (t))^\alpha = 0 \tag{\(**\)}\] is oscillatory if and only if \(\int^\infty (sq_1 + s^\alpha q_2) = \infty\), where \(q_1,q_2,\tau_1, \tau_2\) are as in equation \((*)\), \(1<\gamma\), \(0<\alpha<1\).