We give a ‘picture’ proof to a theorem of M. Freedman (2) which shows the failure of the 4-dimensional homology surgery theory and the homology splitting theorem. Our proof employs the language of the framed links (3) and it involves calculating Casson-Gordon invariant of a certain algebraically slice knot. We use framed links to represent 1-connected 4-manifolds with boundary by attaching 2-handles along them onto B4 via the framings. We adapt the notation ≈ for diffeomorphisms, and for diffeomorphisms between the boundaries of manifolds. Here manifolds refer to smooth manifolds.

The concept of strong almost convergence was introduced in (2), where the matrices summing every strongly almost convergent sequence, leaving the limit invariant, were characterized.

Although integrable Hamiltonian systems are non-generic (Robinson (13)) they have some importance in classical mechanics, e.g. the two-body problem, a free rigid body not subject to a gravitational field, the Toda lattice (Moser(12)). Arnol'd (cf. (2) and (1), appendix 26) proved that under quite general conditions action-angle coordinates can be introduced. Accordingly we consider a fixed system with n degrees of freedom in the standard form

where H0 is a smooth function of the action variables Li only and I ∈ I and I is an open set of n-tuples of positive reals. now subjected to a periodic impressed force, the resulting system, , being determined by a small, periodic perturbation of the energy function

where e is a small positive real and K(c, I; α0, α1, …, an) is a smooth function of parameters c ranging over a smooth r-manifold E, I ∈ I, and K has period 2π in each of the angles αi, i.e. (α0, …, αn) ∈ Tn (n-torus). The purpose of this paper is to define the forms of bifurcation of oscillations of the perturbed system (K):

The BBM or Regularized Long Wave Equation is shown to possess only three non-trivial independent conservation laws. In order to prove this result, a new theory of Euler-type operators in the formal calculus of variations will be developed in detail.

Let H(t, θ) be the hyperplane in Rn (n ≥ 2) which is perpendicular to the unit vector θ and perpendicular distance t from the origin, that is H(t, θ) = {x ε Rn: x.θ = t} (Note that H(t, θ) and H(−t, −θ) are the same hyperplane.) If f(x)ε L1(Rn) we will denote by F(t, θ) the projection of f perpendicular to θ, that is the integral of f(x) over H(t, θ) with respect to (n − 1)-dimensional Lebesgue measure. By Fubini's Theorem, if f(x) ε L1 (Rn), F(t, θ) exists for almost all t for every θ.

A space–time (M, g) is singular if it is inextendible and contains an inex-tendible nonspacelike geodesic which is incomplete. In this paper nonspacelike incompleteness is studied using the Lorentzian distance d(p, q). A compact subset Kof M causally disconnects two divergent sequences {pn} and {qn} if 0 < d(pn,qn) < ∞ for all n and all nonspacelike curves from pn to qn meet K. It is shown that no space–time (M, g) can satisfy all of the following three conditions: (1) (M, g) is chronological, (2) each inextendible nonspacelike geodesic contains a pair of conjugate points and (3) there exist two divergent sequences {pn} and {qn} which are causally disconnected by a compact set K. This particular result extends a theorem of Hawking and Penrose. It also implies that if (M, g) satisfies conditions (1) and (3), then there is a Co-neigh-bourhood of g in the space of metrics conformal to g such that any metric in this neighbourhood which satisfies the generic condition and the strong energy condition is nonspacelike incomplete.

The main result of the present paper is the construction of a very oscillatory inner function F in the unit disc. The existence of such an F leads to a certain extension of Fatou's classical theorem concerning the boundary behaviour of H∞-functions.

The plasticity of metal polycrystals with preferred orientations is considered from a phenomenological standpoint. Some new general theorems are proved, in particular the existence of a work-equivalent function of the tensor strain-rate over any yield surface. The status of the classical theory of plastic anisotropy is re-appraised in the light of recent experiments, which are themselves critically reviewed. A new type of yield function is proposed to account for the so-called anomalous behaviour of some materials.

The potential barrier governed by a second-order ordinary differential equation has been studied for decades, both exactly and approximately. These concepts are generalized so as to be applicable to differential equations of arbitrary even order. The barrier is defined, and the approximate solutions both inside and outside are derived. Transmission through this barrier is investigated by deriving connexion formulae through the two transition points of arbitrary odd order. The transmitted solution is linked through the barrier to the incident and reflected solutions in a unique manner, enabling an approximate transmission coefficient to be calculated and its structure to be ascertained. Every concept in the investigation is a suitable generalization of the elementary case, the generalization possible being a product of the approximate processes adopted and how they limit the nature of the generalization. An inspection of the elementary case and its transmission coefficient gives no hint as to the nature of the generalization, the limitations necessarily imposed, and the structure of the final transmission coefficient, since the elementary case has special features not present in the generalization.

Theoretical and numerical calculations of the mechanical properties of single crystals usually presuppose pairwise interactions between the atoms of the lattice. It follows from this assumption that the Cauchy relations hold in respect of the Green measure of strain. Here we account for many-body interactions between the atoms of the lattice. The main result is that a continuum model of n-body interactions must possess completely symmetric (n − 1)th order Green strain moduli. Existing strain energy functions, used to model crystal elasticity, are thereby given some physical significance.