The distribution of stress in the neighbourhood of an infinite row of collinear cracks in an elastic body is calculated for general distributions of internal pressure. The case in which each of the cracks is opened out by the same constant pressure is considered in detail; the variation with the ratio of the width of the crack to the distance between two cracks of quantities of physical interest is shown in a series of diagrams.

Let and Hn(x) be the nth Laguerre and Hermite polynomials, respectively. Two well-known bilinear generating formulas are the Hardy-Hille formula [1, p. 101]

and the mehler formula [1, p. 377]

This suggests the following problem. Consider the equation

where fa(x) is a polynomial in x of degree n with highest coefficient equal to 1,

A0 = B0 = 1. We shall also assume that ak = 1 and y0y1y2 … yk–1 ≠ 0. We seek all sets of polynomials {fn(x)} which satisfy (1.3), (1.4) and (1.5).

Let G be a graph with p points and q lines, and genus γ. The thicknesst(G) has been introduced as the minimum number of planar subgraphs whose union is G. This topological invariant of a graph has been studied by Battle, Harary and Kodama [1], Tutte [7], Beineke, Harary and Moon [3], and Beineke and Harary [2].

It is natural to generalise this concept of the thickness of a graph to the union of graphs with a specified genus. We say that the n-thickness of G is the minimum number of subgraphs of genus at most n whose union is G. Denoting the n-thickness of G by tn, we write in particular t0 the 0-thickness, i.e., the thickness.

In this note, we first establish an integral transform pair where the kernel of each integral involves the Gaussian hypergeometric function. Special cases of Theorem 1 have been studied by several authors [1, 2, 5, 6]. In Theorem 2 a similar integral transform pair involving a confluent hypergeometric function is given.

The Lucas numbers υn and the Fibonacci numbers υn are defined by υ1 = 1, υ2= 3, υn+2 = υn+1 + υn and u1 = u2 = 1, un+2 = un+1 + un for all integers n. The elementary properties of these numbers are easily established; see for example [2].However, despite the ease with which many such properties are proved, there are a number of more difficult questions connected with these numbers, of which some are as yet unanswered. Among these there is the well-known conjecture that un is a perfect square only if n = 0, ± 1, 2 or 12. This conjecture was proved correct in [1]. The object of this paper is to prove similar results for υn, ½un and ½υn, and incidentally to simplify considerably the proof for un. Secondly, we shall use these results to solve certain Diophantine equations.

The ellipsoidal wave equation is the name given to the ordinary differential equation which arises when the wave equation (Helmholtz equation) is separated in ellipsoidal co-ordinates. In this paper, solutions of the equation are expressed as Neumann series (series of Bessel functions of increasing order).

A matrix analysis is derived, using the concept of finite elements, for beam-columns of continuously varying cross-section and “small” initial curvature subject to tangential and normal forces acting at discrete points along the centroidal axis.

The relationships between loads applied to the ends of the member and their corresponding deformations are established in the form of stiffness matrices, which are the basis of the Equilibrium Method of Analysis of linear or non-linear elastic plane frames composed of such membeis. In addition, the end loads induced by the tangential and normal forces for various types of boundary conditions are obtained.

Finally, it is shown that the buckling load may be calculated by the determination of the lowest eigenvalue of a certain matrix, provided there is no lateial translation of the ends of the member.

In the case of Boolean matrices a given eigenvector may have a variety of eigenvalues. These eigenvalues form a sublattice of the basic Boolean algebra and the structure of this sublattice is investigated. Likewise a given eigenvalue has a variety of eigenvectors which form a module of the Boolean vector space. The structure of this module is examined. It is also shown that if a vector has a unique eigenvalue λ, then λ satisfies the characteristic equation of the matrix.

In [2] a condition, originally due to Olagunju, was given for the spectra of certain compact operators to be on the real axis of the complex plane. Here, by using conformal mappings, this result is extended to more general curves. The problem divides naturally into two cases depending on whether or not the curve under consideration passes through the origin. Discussion is confined to the prototype curves C0 and C1. The case of C0, the unit circle of centre the origin, is considered in § 3; this problem is a simple one as the spectrum is a finite set. In § 4 results are given for C1 the unit circle of centre the point 1, and some results on ideals of compact operators, given in § 2, are needed. No attempt has been made to state results in complete generality (see [2]); this paper is kept within the framework of Hilbert space, and particularly simple conditions may be given if the operators are normal.

In recent years interest in the mixed boundary value problems of mathematical physics has increased appreciably because of various applications. The mixed boundary value problems for simply-connected regions have been investigated widely and it can reasonably be hoped that within a short time the theory will reach a satisfactory stage. It appears, however, that very few problems for multiply-connected domains have been solved. Recently Srivastav [2] has considered the problem of rinding an axisymmetric potential function for a half space with a cylindrical cavity subject to mixed type boundary conditions. In a subsequent paper [1], Srivastav extends the analysis to the asymmetric problem and formulates the problem in terms of dual integral equations involving Bessel functions of the first and second kinds whose solution leads to the solution of the potential problem. The latter paper, however, involves heavy manipulations and complicated contour integrals.

The traditional method of solution to problems in linear viscoelasticity theory involves the direct application of the Laplace transform to the relevant field equations and boundary conditions. If the shape of the body under consideration or the type of boundary condition specified at a point or both vary with time then this method no longer works. In this paper we investigate the applicability of stress function solutions to this situation. It is shown that for time-dependent ablating regions a generalization of the Papkovich Neuber stress function solution of elasticity holds. As an example the stress and displacement fields are calculated for the problem of an infinite viscoelastic body with a spherical ablating stress free cavity and prescribed time-dependent stresses at infinity.

A graph Gn consists of n distinct vertices x1x2, …, xn some pairs of which are joined by an edge. We stipulate that at most one edge joins any two vertices and that no edge joins a vertex to itself. If xi, and xj are joined by an edge, we denote this by writing xi ∘ xj.

Consider a second graph HN, where n ≦ N. Following Rado [1], we say that a one-to-one mapping/of the vertices of Gn into the vertices of HN defines an embedding if xi ∘ xj implies f(xi) ∘ f(xj), and conversely, for all i, j = 1, 2,…, n. If there exists an embedding of Gn into HN, we denote this by writing Gn <HN. The particular graph HN is said to be n-universal if Gn < HN for every graph Gn with n vertices.

Let A and C be m × m matrices and let B and D be n × n matrices, all with elements in a field F. Let AT denote the transpose of A. A well-known theorem states that, if every m × m matrix X for which AX = XA also satisfies CX = XC, then C = φ(A) for some polynomial φ(λ). In this note we establish the following simple generalizations.

Theorem 1. Let A and B have the same minimal polynomial m(λ). If each m × n matrix X over F for which AX = XB also satisfies CX = XD, then C = φ(A) and D = φ(B) for a polynomial φ(λ) over F.

Von Neumann's definition of the continuous sum of Hilbert spaces led Segal [3] to define the continuous sum of measures on a measurable space. In this note we employ Segal's definition to investigate the measure structures associated with a self-adjoint transformation of pure point spectrum and a self-adjoint transformation of pure continuous spectrum. While these transformations, as operators on separable Hilbert spaces, are the antithesis of each other we show that in their measure structure one is a particular case of the other.

An investigation has been made of the condensation nuclei created by an electric field in a N2 – H2O mixture. These nuclei are distinguished by the fact that they induce condensation in a vapour which is only 4 per cent supersaturated.

An explanation of these phenomena is found in the presence of nitrogen dioxide vapour, one of the products of reactions induced by the field, exerting a small pressure PNO2<1O−6 mm. Hg.

The observations are consistent with the assumption that the nuclei are created in the reaction, 2NO2 + H2O ⇌ HNO2 + HNO3. It is believed that the reason for the requirement of a more than critically supersaturated vapour is that this must be the condition for the nuclei forming reaction to proceed.

Once the nuclei have been created, any additional quantity of NO2 collected from the vapour forms acid molecules which promote condensation from a vapour which is not necessarily supersaturated.

Drops formed by these nuclei contain a significant quantity of HNO2 + HNO3, so that, unlike drops of pure water, they are stable against reevaporation in a vapour, the relative humidity of which is <100 percent.