Existence of positive solutions of nonlinear second-order periodic boundary value problems (Q623671)

This paper presents some results concerning the existence of positive periodic solutions of the scalar second order differential equation \[ x''+a(t)x=f(t,x), \] where the left-hand side satisfies a maximum or antimaximum principle. Such results improve partially the results obtained earlier by the reviewer [J. Differ. Equations 190, No.~2, 643--662 (2003; Zbl 1032.34040)] and are sharp in some sense. The proof uses Dancer's global bifurcation theorem. Besides, the authors point out and correct a mistake on the explicit formula of Green's function presented in the cited reference. Although this remark is of theoretical interest, the validity of the results remains unchanged since the proofs rely just on the sign of Green's function and not on its explicit formulation.