A class of positive linear operators and applications to nonlinear boundary value problems (Q353461)

The author is concerned with the notion of a \(u_0\)-positive linear operator on a partially ordered cone of a Banach space, a concept introduced by Krasnosel'skii around 1964. This concept is of particular interest in dealing with boundary value problems for which the Green function satisfies a strong positivity condition, as it is the case for some Sturm-Liouville problems. In this paper, the definition of a \(u_0\)-positive linear operator is extended and adapted to the case of two cones. Then, the author proves a corresponding Krasnosel'skii-type fixed point theorem, as well as a comparison result and the existence of positive eigenvalues. A fixed point index result is proved for condensing operators relative to some measure of noncompactness. Then, the authors considers some examples of \(u_0\)-positive linear operators and their application to nonlinear boundary value problems associated with ordinary differential equations. Multiplicity of solutions are proved, and an application to a class singular boundary value problems ends this well-written paper.