AIMS Mathematics, 6(11): 11796–11814.

DOI:10.3934/math.2021685
Received: 23 May 2021
Accepted: 28 July 2021
http://www.aimspress.com/journal/Math Published: 13 August 2021

Research article
Solutions for systems of complex Fermat type partial differential-difference
equations with two complex variables

Hong Li1,2 , Keyu Zhang3,∗ and Hongyan Xu1,4,∗

1
Office of Academic Research, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
2
School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
3
School of Mathematics, Qilu Normal university, Jinan, Shandong 250200, China
4
School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao, Jiangxi
334001, China

* Correspondence: Email: [email protected], [email protected];

Tel: +13979893383, +13793178006; Fax: +13979893383, +13793178006.

Abstract: By making use of the Nevanlinna theory and difference Nevanlinna theory of several
complex variables, we investigate some properties of the transcendental entire solutions for several
systems of partial differential difference equations of Fermat type, and obtain some results about the
existence and the forms of transcendental entire solutions of the above systems, which improve and
generalize the previous results given by Cao, Gao, Liu [5, 24, 39]. Some examples are given show that
there exist some significant differences in the forms of transcendental entire solutions with finite order
of the systems of equations with between several complex variables and a single complex variable.

Keywords: entire solution; Nevanlinna theory; system of partial differential-difference equations;

existence
Mathematics Subject Classification: 39A45, 35M10, 39A14, 30D35

1. Introduction

As is known to all, Nevanlinna theory is an important tool in studying the value distribution of
meromorphic solutions on complex differential equations [18]. In recent, with the development of
difference analogues of Nevanlinna theory in C, many scholars paid consideration attention to
considering the properties on complex difference equations, by using the difference analogue of the
logarithmic derivative lemma given by Chiang and Feng [3], Halburd and Korhonen [8], respectively.
In particular, Liu et al. [22–24] investigated the existence of entire solutions with finite order of the
 11797

Fermat type differential-difference equations

f 0 (z)2 + f (z + c)2 = 1, (1.1)

f (z) + [ f (z + c) − f (z)] = 1.
0 2 2
(1.2)

They proved that the transcendental entire solutions with finite order of Eq (1.1) must satisfy f (z) =
sin(z ± Bi), where B is a constant and c = 2kπ or c = (2k + 1)π, k is an integer, and the transcendental
entire solutions with finite order of Eq (1.2) must satisfy f (z) = 12 sin(2z + Bi), where c = (2k + 1)π, k
is an integer, and B is a constant.
The study of complex differential-difference equations in C can be traced back to Naftalevich’s
research [28, 29]. He used operator theory and iteration method to consider the meromorphic solutions
on complex differential-difference equations. But recently, by using Nevanlinna theory, a number of
results on complex differential-difference equations in C are rapidly obtained until now, readers can
refer to [25, 31, 32].
Corresponding to Eq (1.1), Gao [5] in 2016 discussed the form of solutions for a class of system of
differential-difference equation
 0 2
 [ f1 (z)] + f2 (z + c) = 1,
 2

(1.3)
 [ f20 (z)]2 + f1 (z + c)2 = 1,



and obtained
Theorem A (see [5, Theorem 1.1]). Suppose that ( f1 , f2 ) is a pair of finite order transcendental entire
solutions for the system of differential-difference Eq (1.3). Then ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies

( f1 , f2 ) = (sin(z − bi), sin(z − b1 i)) or ( f1 (z), f2 (z)) = (sin(z + bi), sin(z + b1 i)),

where b, b1 are constants, and c = kπ, k is a integer.

Here these conclusions are stated in several complex variables as follows. In many previous articles
[13,16,19,25,26,35] about Fermat-type partial differential equations with several complex variables, G.
 ∂ f 2  ∂ f 2
Khavinson [16] pointed out that any entire solutions of the partial differential equations ∂z 1
+ ∂z2 =
2
1 in C are necessarily linear. This partial differential equations in real variable case occur in the study
of characteristic surfaces and wave propagation theory, and it is the two dimensional eiconal equation,
one of the main equations of geometric optics (see [4,6]). Later, Li [20,21] further discussed a series of
 ∂ f 2  ∂ f 2  ∂ f 2  ∂ f 2
partial differential equations with more general forms including ∂z 1
+ ∂z2
= eg
, ∂z1
+ ∂z2 = p,
2
etc., where g, p are polynomials in C , and gave a number of important and interesting results about
the existence and the forms of solutions for these partial differential equations.
In 2012, Korhonen [17, Theorem 3.1] gave a logarithmic difference lemma for meromorphic
functions in several variables of hyper order strictly less that 2/3. In 2016, Cao and Korhonen [2]
improved it to the case for meromorphic functions with hyper order < 1 in several variables. In 2018,
Xu and Cao [39] investigated the existence of the entire and meromorphic solutions for some
Fermat-type partial differential-difference equations by utilizing the Nevanlinna theory and difference
Nevanlinna theory of several complex variables [2, 17], and obtained:

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Theorem B (see [39, Theorem 1.1]). Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 . Then the Fermat-type partial differential-
difference equation !n
∂ f (z1 , z2 )
+ f (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )m = 1
∂z1
doesn’t have any transcendental entire solution with finite order, where m and n are two distinct positive
integers.
Theorem C (see [39, Theorem 1.2]). Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 . Then any transcendental entire solutions
with finite order of the partial differential-difference equation
!2
∂ f (z1 , z2 )
+ f (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )2 = 1
∂z1

has the form of f (z1 , z2 ) = sin(Az1 + B), where A is a constant on C satisfying AeiAc1 = 1, and B is a
constant on C; in the special case whenever c1 = 0, we have f (z1 , z2 ) = sin(z1 + B).
Inspired by the above theorems, the authors [37] in 2020 extended the results of Theorems A, B
from the complex Fermat types partial differential difference equations to the Fermat types system of
partial differential-difference equations and obtained:
Theorem D (see [37, Theorem 1.1]). Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 , and m j , n j ( j = 1, 2) be positive integers. If
the following system of Fermat-type partial differential-difference equations
!n
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) 1

+ f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )m1 = 1,



∂z1




(1.4)

!n
∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) 2


+ f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) 2 = 1,


 m
∂z1




satisfies one of the conditions

(i) m1 m2 > n1 n2 ;
nj
(ii) m j > n j −1 for n j ≥ 2, j = 1, 2.
Then system (1.4) does not have any pair of transcendental entire solution with finite order.
Theorem E (see [37, Theorem 1.3]). Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 . Then any pair of transcendental entire
solutions with finite order for the system of Fermat-type partial differential-difference equations
!2
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 )

+ f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )2 = 1,



∂z1





!2
∂ f2 (z1 , z2 )



+ f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )2 = 1



∂z1



have the following forms

eL(z)+B1 + e−(L(z)+B1 ) A21 eL(z)+B1 + A22 e−(L(z)+B1 )

!
( f1 (z), f2 (z)) = , ,
2 2
where L(z) = a1 z1 + a2 z2 , B1 is a constant in C, and a1 , c, A21 , A22 satisfy one of the following cases

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(i) A21 = −i, A22 = i, and a1 = i, L(c) = (2k + 21 )πi, or a1 = −i, L(c) = (2k − 12 )πi;
(ii) A21 = i, A22 = −i, and a1 = i, L(c) = (2k − 21 )πi, or a1 = −i, L(c) = (2k + 12 )πi;
(iii) A21 = 1, A22 = 1, and a1 = i, L(c) = 2kπi, or a1 = −i, L(c) = (2k + 1)πi;
(iv) A21 = −1, A22 = −1, and a1 = i, L(c) = (2k + 1)πi, or a1 = −i, L(c) = 2kπi.
From Theorems D and E, we can see that there only contains the partial differentiation of the first
variable z1 of the unknown functions f1 , f2 in those systems of partial differential difference equations.
Naturally, a question arises: What will happen when the system of the partial differential-difference
∂ f (z ,z ) ∂ f (z ,z )
equations include both the difference f j (z+c) and j∂z11 2 , j∂z12 2 , ( j = 1, 2)? In the past two decades, in
spite of a number of important and meaningful results about the complex difference equation of single
variable and the complex Fermat difference equation were obtained (can be found in [9–11,24,31,33]),
but as far as we know, there are few results concerning the complex differential and complex difference
equation in several complex variables. Further more, it appears that the study of systems of this Fermat
type equations in several complex variables has been less addressed in the literature before.
The main purpose of this paper is concerned with the description of the transcendental entire
solutions for some Fermat-type equations systems which include both difference operator and two
kinds of partial differentials by utilizing the Nevanlinna theory and difference Nevanlinna theory of
several complex variables [2, 17]. We obtained some results about the existence and the forms of the
transcendental entire solutions of some Fermat type systems of partial differential difference equations
in C2 , which improve the previous results given by Xu and Cao, Xu, Liu and Li, Gao [5, 37–40].

2. Results and examples

Here and below, let z + w = (z1 + w1 , z2 + w2 ) for any z = (z1 , z2 ) and w = (w1 , w2 ). Now, our main
results of this paper are stated below.
Theorem 2.1. Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 , and m j , n j ( j = 1, 2) be positive integers. If the following system
of Fermat-type partial differential-difference equations
!m
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) 1

+ + f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )n1 = 1,



∂z1 ∂z2




(2.1)

!m
∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) 2


+ + f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) = 1,


 n2
∂z1 ∂z2




satisfies one of the conditions

(i) n1 n2 > m1 m2 ;
nj
(ii) m j > n j −1 for n j ≥ 2, j = 1, 2.
Then system (2.1) does not admit any pair of transcendental entire solution with finite order.
Remark 2.1. Here, ( f, g) is called as a pair of finite order transcendental entire solutions for system
 m
 f 1 + g 1 = 1,
 n

 f m2 + gn2 = 1,



if f, g are transcendental entire functions and ρ( f, g) = max{ρ( f ), ρ(g)} < ∞.

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The following examples show system (2.1) admits a transcendental entire solution of finite order
when m1 = m2 = 2 and n1 = n2 = 1.
Example 2.1. Let
5 − z21 1

1
, = + (z2 − z1 )(z1 − 1) − [(z2 − z1 ) − 1]2




 f (z
1 1 2 z )


 4 2 4
πi(z2 −z1 )

+e 2πi(z2 −z1 )
,




 (2z1 − z2 ) − e
2
5 − z1 1


 1
, = + (z2 − z1 )(z1 − 1) − [(z2 − z1 ) − 1]2



 f 2 (z 1 z 2 )


 4 2 4
− eπi(z2 −z1 ) (2z1 − z2 ) − e2πi(z2 −z1 ) .





Then ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 1 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.1) with (c1 , c2 ) = (1, 2), m1 = m2 = 2 and n1 = n2 = 1.
Theorem 2.2. Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 . If ( f1 , f2 ) is a pair of transcendental entire solutions with finite
order for the system of Fermat-type difference equations
!2
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 )

+ + f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )2 = 1,



∂z1 ∂z2




(2.2)

!2
∂ , ∂ ,

f (z z ) f (z z )

 2 1 2 2 1 2
+ + f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 )2 = 1.



∂z1 ∂z2



Then ( f1 , f2 ) is of the following forms

eφ(z)+B0 − e−φ(z)−B0 A21 eφ(z)+B0 + A22 e−φ(z)−B0
!
( f1 , f2 ) = , ,
2(a1 + a2 ) 2
where φ(z) = L(z) + H(c2 z1 − c1 z2 ), L(z) = a1 z1 + a2 z2 , a1 , a2 , B0 is a constant in C, H is a polynomial
in C, and
(c1 − c2 )H 0 ≡ 0, (a1 + a2 )2 = −1, e2L(c) = ±1,
and c, A21 , A22 satisfy one of the following cases
(i) L(c) = 2kπi, here and below, k ∈ Z, A21 = −i and A22 = i;
(ii) L(c) = (2k + 1)πi, A21 = i and A22 = −i;
(iii) L(c) = (2k + 12 )πi, A21 = −1 and A22 = −1;
(iv) L(c) = (2k − 12 )πi, A21 = 1 and A22 = 1.
Here, we only list the following examples to explain the existence of transcendental entire solutions
with finite order for system (2.2).
Example 2.2. Let a = (a1 , a2 ) = (2i, −i), H = 4π2 (z1 − z2 )2 , A21 = −i, A22 = i and B0 = 0. That is
( f1 , f2 ) = ( f (z1 , z2 ), f (z1 , z2 )) ,
where 2 2 2 2
ei(2z1 −z2 )+4π (z1 −z2 ) − e−i(2z1 −z2 )−4π (z1 −z2 )
f (z1 , z2 ) = .
2i
Thus, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 2 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.2) with (c1 , c2 ) = (2π, 2π).

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Example 2.3. Let a = (a1 , a2 ) = (2i, −i), H = πn (z1 − z2 )n , n ∈ Z+ , A21 = i, A22 = −i and B0 = 0. That
is
( f1 , f2 ) = ( f (z1 , z2 ), − f (z1 , z2 )) ,
where n n n n
ei(2z1 −z2 )+π (z1 −z2 ) − e−i(2z1 −z2 )−π (z1 −z2 )
f (z1 , z2 ) = .
2i
Thus, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = n and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.2) with (c1 , c2 ) = (π, π).
Remark 2.2. From the conclusions of Theorems C and E, there only exists finite order transcendental
entire solutions with growth order ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 1(ρ( f ) = 1). However, in view of Theorem 2.2, we can
see that there exists transcendental entire solution of system (2.2) with growth order ρ( f1 , f2 ) > 1, for
example, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 2 in Example 2.2 and ρ( f1 , f2 ) = n, n ∈ Z+ in Example 2.3, these properties are
quite different from the previous results. Hence, our results are some improvements of the previous
theorems given by Xu, Liu and Li [37], Xu and Cao [39], Liu Cao and Cao [23].
To state our last result, throughout this paper, let s1 = z2 − z1 , G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) be the finite order entire
period functions in s1 with period 2s0 = 2(c2 − c1 ), where c1 , c2 , G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) can not be the same
at every time occurrence.
Theorem 2.3. Let c = (c1 , c2 ) ∈ C2 and c1 , c2 . Then any pair of transcendental entire solutions with
finite order for the system of Fermat-type partial differential-difference equations
!2
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 )

+ + [ f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 )]2 = 1,



∂z ∂z



 1 2
(2.3)

!2
∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f2 (z1 , z2 )



+ + [ f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 )]2 = 1,



∂z1 ∂z2



are one of the following forms

(i)
( f1 , f2 ) = (G1 (s1 ) + A0 s1 , G2 (s1 ) + A0 s1 ) ,
ξ2 +ξ1 ξ2 −ξ1
where A0 = 2(c2 −c1 )
, G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 ) + 2
, and ξ12 = ξ22 = 1;
(ii)
( f1 , f2 ) = (ξ3 z1 + A0 s1 + G1 (s1 ), ξ3 z1 + A0 s1 + G2 (s1 )) ,
ξ1 +ξ2 −2c1 ξ3 ξ1 −ξ2
where A0 = 2(c2 −c1 )
, G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 ) + 2
, ξ12 + ξ32 = 1, and ξ1 = ±ξ2 ;
(iii)
eL(z)+B1 − e−(L(z)+B1 ) eL(z)+B2 − e−(L(z)+B2 )
!
( f1 , f2 ) = + G1 (s1 ), + G2 (s1 )
−4i −4i
where
a1 + a2 = −2i, e2L(c) = 1, eB1 −B2 = −eL(c) , G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 );
(iv)
eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1 eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1
!
( f1 , f2 ) = z1 + G3 (s1 ), D0 z1 + G4 (s1 ) ,
2 2

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where
a1 + a2 = 0, e2L(c) = 1,
and G3 (s1 ), G4 (s1 ), D0 satisfying one of the following cases:
(iv1 ) L(c) = 2kπi, D0 = 1,
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
and
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G4 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ;
2s0 2s0
(iv2 ) L(c) = (2k + 1)πi, D0 = −1,
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
and
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G4 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) + s1 e + s1 e ;
2s0 2s0
where G2 (s + s0 ) = G1 (s).
Some examples are listed to exhibit the existence of solutions for system (2.3).
Example 2.4. Let G1 (s1 ) = −G2 (s1 ) = e−πis1 , and ξ1 = −1, ξ2 = 1. Then it follows that A0 = 0 and
 
( f1 (z1 , z2 ), f2 (z1 , z2 )) = e−πi(z2 −z1 ) , −e−πi(z2 −z1 ) − 1 .

Thus, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 1 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies the system (2.3) with (c1 , c2 ) = (1, 2).
Example 2.5. Let ξ1 = 0, ξ2 = 0, ξ3 = 1 and G1 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) = e2πis1 . Then it follows that A0 = −1
and  
( f1 , f2 ) = 2z1 − z2 + e2πi(z2 −z1 ) , 2z1 − z2 + e2πi(z2 −z1 ) .
Thus, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 1 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.3) with (c1 , c2 ) = (1, 2).
i
Example 2.6. Let L(z) = −i(z1 + z2 ) and G1 (s1 ) = −G2 (s1 ) = e 4 s1 . That is
e−L(z) − eL(z) e−L(z) − eL(z)
!
i i
( f1 , f2 ) = +e 4 (z2 −z1 )
,− −e 4 (z2 −z1 )
.
4i 4i
Thus, ρ( f ) = 1 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.3) with (c1 , c2 ) = (−π, 3π).
i
Example 2.7. Let a1 = i, a2 = −i, L(z) = i(z1 − z2 ), G1 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) = e 4 s1 and B1 = 0. Then, it follows
that
z1 L(z) −2π + i −2π − i i
f1 (z1 , z2 ) = (e + e−L(z) ) − (z2 − z1 )eL(z) − (z2 − z1 )e−L(z) + e 4 (z2 −z1 ) ,
2 8π 8π
z1 L(z) −2π + i −2π − i i
f2 (z1 , z2 ) =(e + e−L(z) ) − (z2 − z1 )eL(z) − (z2 − z1 )e−L(z) − e 4 (z2 −z1 ) ,
2 8π 8π
Thus, ρ( f1 , f2 ) = 1 and ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.3) with (c1 , c2 ) = (−2π, 2π).

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Example 2.8. Let a1 = 1, a2 = −1, L(z) = z1 − z2 , G1 (s1 ) = −G2 (s1 ) = e s1 and B1 = 0. Then, it follows
that
z1 π−2 π+2
f1 (z1 , z2 ) = (eL(z) + e−L(z) ) + (z2 − z1 )eL(z) + (z2 − z1 )e−L(z) + ez2 −z1 ,
2 4π 4π
z1 L(z) π − 2 π +2
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = − (e + e−L(z) ) − (z2 − z1 )eL(z) − (z2 − z1 )e−L(z) − ez2 −z1 .
2 4π 4π
Thus, ( f1 , f2 ) satisfies system (2.3) with (c1 , c2 ) = (− 21 πi, 12 πi).

3. Conclusions and discussion

From Theorems 2.1–2.3, we can see that our results are some extension of the previous results given
by Xu and Cao [39] from the equations to the systems, and some supplements of the results given by
Xu, Liu and Li [37]. More importantly, Examples 2.2 and 2.3 show that system (2.2) can admit the
transcendental entire solutions of any positive integer order. However, the conclusions of Theorem C
and Theorem E showed that the order of the transcendental entire solutions of the equations must be
equal to 1. In fact, this is a very significant difference. Finally, one can find that we only focus on
the finite-order transcendental entire solutions of systems (1.4)–(2.2) in this article; thus, the following
question can be raised naturally:
Question 3.1. How should the meromorphic solutions of systems (2.2) and (2.3) be characterized?

4. Proofs of Theorems 2.1–2.3

Similar to the argument as in the proof of Theorems 1.1 and 1.3 in Ref. [37], one can obtain the
conclusions of Theorems 2.1 and 2.2 easily. Thus, we only give the proof of Theorem 2.3 as follow.
However, the following lemmas play the key roles in proving Theorem 2.3.
Lemma 4.1. ( [34, 36]) For an entire function F on Cn , F(0) , 0 and put ρ(nF ) = ρ < ∞. Then there
exist a canonical function fF and a function gF ∈ Cn such that F(z) = fF (z)egF (z) . For the special case
n = 1, fF is the canonical product of Weierstrass.
Remark 4.1. Here, denote ρ(nF ) to be the order of the counting function of zeros of F.
Lemma 4.2. ( [30]) If g and h are entire functions on the complex plane C and g(h) is an entire function
of finite order, then there are only two possible cases: either
(a) the internal function h is a polynomial and the external function g is of finite order; or else
(b) the internal function h is not a polynomial but a function of finite order, and the external function
g is of zero order.
Lemma 4.3. ( [15] or [14, Lemma 3.1]) Let f j (. 0), j = 1, 2, 3, be meromorphic functions on Cm such
that f1 is not constant. If f1 + f2 + f3 = 1, and if
3 ( )
X 1
N2 (r, ) + 2N(r, f j ) < λT (r, f1 ) + O(log+ T (r, f1 )),
j=1
fj

for all r outside possibly a set with finite logarithmic measure, where λ < 1 is a positive number, then
either f2 = 1 or f3 = 1.

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Remark 4.2. Here, N2 (r, 1f ) is the counting function of the zeros of f in |z| ≤ r, where the simple zero
is counted once, and the multiple zero is counted twice.
Lemma 4.4. Let c = (c1 , c2 ) be a constant in C2 , c1 , 0, c2 , 0 and c2 , c1 . Let p(z), q(z) be two
polynomial solutions of the equation
∂h ∂h
+ = γ0 , (4.1)
∂z1 ∂z2
and q(z + c) − p(z) = ζ1 , p(z + c) − q(z) = ζ2 , where ζ1 , ζ2 , γ0 ∈ C, then p(z) = L(z) + B1 , q(z) = L(z) + B2 ,
where L(z) = a1 z2 + a2 z2 , a1 , a2 , B1 , B2 ∈ C.
Proof. The characteristic equations of the Eq (4.1) are
dz1 dz2 dh
= 1, = 1, = γ0 ,
dt dt dt
Using the initial conditions:
Rt z1 = 0, z2 = s1 , and h = h(0, s1 ) := h0 (s1 ) with a parameter. Then z1 = t,
z2 = t + s1 , and h = 0 γ0 dt + h0 (s1 ) = γ0 t + h0 (s), where s1 = z2 − z1 , h0 (s1 ) is a function in s1 . Since
p(z), q(z) are the solutions of (4.1), then it yields that

p(z1 , z2 ) = p(t, s1 ) = γ0 t + h1 (s1 ), q(z1 , z2 ) = p(t, s1 ) = γ0 t + h2 (s1 ), (4.2)

where h1 (s1 ), h2 (s1 ) are two polynomials in s1 . Substituting (4.2) into q(z+c)− p(z) = ζ1 , q(z)− p(z+c) =
ζ2 , it leads to
h2 (s1 + s0 ) − h1 (s1 ) = ζ1 − γ0 c1 , h1 (s1 + s0 ) − h2 (s1 ) = ζ2 − γ0 c1 . (4.3)
Hence, we have
h1 (s1 + 2s0 ) = h1 (s1 ) + ε0 , h2 (s1 + 2s0 ) = h2 (s1 ) + ε0 , (4.4)
where ε0 = ζ1 + ζ2 − 2γ0 c1 . The fact that h1 (s1 ), h2 (s1 ) are polynomials leads to

h1 (s1 ) = γ1 s1 + B1 , h2 (s1 ) = γ1 s1 + B2 , (4.5)

ε0
where γ1 = 2s0
, B1 , B2 ∈ C. By combining with (4.2) and (4.5), it follows that

p(z1 , z2 ) = γ0 t + γ1 s1 + B1 = γ0 z1 + γ1 (z1 − z2 ) + B1 = a1 z1 + a2 z2 + B1 ,
q(z1 , z2 ) = γ0 t + γ1 s1 + B2 = γ0 z1 + γ1 (z1 − z2 ) + B2 = a1 z1 + a2 z2 + B2 ,

where a1 = γ0 + γ1 , a2 = −γ1 .
Therefore, Lemma 4.4 is proved. 

The Proof of Theorem 2.3: Let ( f1 , f2 ) be a pair of transcendental entire functions with finite order
satisfying system (2.3). In view of [7, 27], we know that the entire solutions of the Fermat type
functional equation f 2 + g2 = 1 are f = cos a(z), g = sin a(z), where a(z) is an entire function. Hence,
we only consider the following cases.
∂ f1 (z1 ,z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 ,z2 )
(i) Suppose that ∂z1
+ ∂z2
= 0. Then it follows from (2.3) that

f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 ) ≡ ξ1 , ξ12 = 1, (4.6)

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and
∂ f2 (z + c) ∂ f2 (z + c) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 )
+ = + = 0. (4.7)
∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2
In view of (4.6), (4.7) and (2.3), it yields that
∂ f2 ∂ f2
+ = 0, f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) ≡ ξ2 , ξ22 = 1. (4.8)
∂z1 ∂z2
∂ fj ∂ fj
By solving the equations ∂z1
+ ∂z2
= 0 ( j = 1, 2), we have

f1 (z1 , z2 ) = g1 (s1 ) := g1 (z2 − z1 ), f2 (z1 , z2 ) = g2 (s1 ) := g2 (z2 − z1 ), (4.9)

where g1 , g2 are transcendental entire functions of finite order. Substituting (4.9) into (4.6), (4.8), it
yields that

f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 ) =g2 (s1 + s0 ) − g1 (s1 ) = ξ1 ,

f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) =g1 (s1 + s0 ) − g2 (s1 ) = ξ2 .

which implies

g1 (s1 + 2s0 ) = g1 (s1 ) + ξ1 + ξ2 , g2 (s1 + 2s0 ) = g2 (s1 ) + ξ1 + ξ2 , (4.10)

g2 (s1 + s0 ) = g1 (s1 ) + ξ1 , g1 (s1 + s0 ) = g2 (s1 ) + ξ2 . (4.11)

Thus, in view of (4.10) and (4.11), we conclude that

g1 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) + A0 s1 , g2 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) + B0 s1 ,

ξ1 +ξ2
where A0 = B0 = 2(c2 −c1 )
, G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) are the finite order entire period functions with period 2s0 , and

ξ1 − ξ2 ξ2 − ξ1
G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 ) + , G1 (s1 + s0 ) = G2 (s1 ) + .
2 2
Thus, this proves the conclusions of Theorem 2.3 (i).
(ii) Suppose that
∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 )
+ = ξ3 , ξ3 , 0. (4.12)
∂z1 ∂z2
In view of (2.3), we conclude that
∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f2 (z1 , z2 )
+ = ξ3 , (4.13)
∂z1 ∂z2
f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 ) ≡ ξ1 , ξ12 + ξ32 = 1, (4.14)
f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) ≡ ξ2 , ξ22 + ξ32 = 1. (4.15)

The characteristic equations of Eq (4.12) are

dz1 dz2 d f1
= 1, = 1, = ξ3 ,
dt dt dt

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Using the initial conditions: z1 = 0, z2 =R t s1 , and f1 = f1 (0, s1 ) := g1 (s1 ) with a parameter. Thus, we
have z1 = t, z2 = t + s1 and f1 (t, s1 ) = 0 ξ3 dt + g1 (s1 ) = ξ3 t + g1 (s1 ), where s1 = z2 − z1 , g1 (s1 ) is a
transcendental entire function of finite order. Hence, it yields that
f1 (z1 , z2 ) = ξ3 z1 + g1 (z2 − z1 ). (4.16)
Similar to the same argument for Eq (4.13), we have
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = ξ3 z1 + g2 (z2 − z1 ), (4.17)
where g2 (s1 ) is a transcendental entire function of finite order.
Substituting (4.16), (4.17) into (4.14), (4.15), we conclude that
g2 (s1 + s0 ) − g1 (s1 ) = −c1 ξ3 + ξ1 , (4.18)
g1 (s1 + s0 ) − g2 (s) = −c1 ξ3 + ξ2 . (4.19)
which lead to
g2 (s1 + s0 ) = g1 (s1 ) + ξ1 − c1 ξ3 ,
g1 (s1 + s0 ) = g2 (s1 ) + ξ2 − c1 ξ3 ,
g1 (s1 + 2s0 ) = g1 (s1 ) + ξ1 + ξ2 − 2c1 ξ3 ,
g2 (s1 + 2s0 ) = g2 (s1 ) + ξ1 + ξ2 − 2c1 ξ3 .
Since g1 (s1 ), g2 (s1 ) are the transcendental entire functions of finite order. then we have
g1 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) + A0 s1 , g2 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) + B0 s1 ,
ξ1 +ξ2 −2c1 ξ3
where A0 = B0 = 2(c2 −c1 )
, G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) are the finite order entire period functions with period 2s0 ,
and
ξ1 − ξ2
G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 ) + .
2
Thus, this proves the conclusions of Theorem 2.3 (ii).
(iii) If ∂∂zf11 + ∂∂zf21 is transcendental, then f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 ) is transcendental. Here, we can
deduce that f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) and ∂∂zf12 + ∂∂zf22 are transcendental.
Suppose that f1 (z1 +c1 , z2 +c2 )− f2 (z1 , z2 ) is not transcendental. Since ∂∂zf11 + ∂∂zf21 is transcendental, then
∂ f2
∂z1
+ ∂∂zf22 is transcendental. In view of (2.3), it yields that f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) is transcendental,
a contradiction.
Suppose that ∂∂zf12 + ∂∂zf22 is not transcendental. In view of (2.3), it follows that f1 (z1 +c1 , z2 +c2 )− f2 (z1 , z2 )
is not transcendental. Thus, it yields that ∂ f1∂z(z+c)1
+ ∂ f1∂z(z+c)
2
is not transcendental. This is a contradiction
∂ f1 ∂ f1
with ∂z1 + ∂z2 is transcendental.
Hence, if ∂∂zf11 + ∂∂zf21 is transcendental, then f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 ), f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 )
and ∂∂zf12 + ∂∂zf22 are transcendental. Thus, system (2.3) can be rewritten as
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
 ! !
f1 f1 f1 f1
+ + i[ f2 (z + c) − f1 (z1 , z2 )] + − i[ f2 (z + c) − f1 (z1 , z2 )] = 1,



 ∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2




(4.20)
∂ f2 ∂ f2 ∂ f2 ∂ f2

 ! !
 ∂z + ∂z + i[ f1 (z + c) − f2 (z1 , z2 )] ∂z + ∂z − i[ f1 (z + c) − f2 (z1 , z2 )] = 1.





1 2 1 2

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Since f1 , f2 are transcendental entire functions with finite order, then by Lemmas 4.1 and 4.2, there
exist two nonconstant polynomials p(z), q(z) such that
∂ f1 ∂ f1

+ + i[ f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 )] = e p ,



∂z ∂z


1 2



∂ f1 ∂ f1



+ − i[ f2 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f1 (z1 , z2 )] = e−p ,



 ∂z1 ∂z2



(4.21)

 ∂ f2 ∂ f2
+ + i[ f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 )] = e ,
q



∂z1 ∂z2





∂ f2 ∂ f2



+ − i[ f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 )] = e−q .



∂z1 ∂z2



Thus, it follows from (4.21) that

∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f1 (z1 , z2 ) e p(z1 ,z2 ) + e−p(z1 ,z2 )

+ = ,



∂z1 ∂z2




 2
e p(z1 ,z2 ) − e−p(z1 ,z2 )



+ , + , = ,

(z ) − (z )


 f 2 1 c1 z 2 c2 f 1 1 z 2
2i


(4.22)

∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) ∂ f2 (z1 , z2 ) eq(z1 ,z2 ) + e−q(z1 ,z2 )


+ = ,



∂z1 ∂z2

2





eq(z1 ,z2 ) − e−q(z1 ,z2 )



 f1 (z1 + c1 , z2 + c2 ) − f2 (z1 , z2 ) = ,



2i
which implies
∂p ∂p ∂p ∂p
! !
−i + + i e p(z)+q(z+c) − i + + i eq(z+c)−p(z) − e2q(z+c) ≡ 1, (4.23)
∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2
∂q ∂q ∂q ∂q
! !
−i + + i eq(z)+p(z+c) − i + + i e p(z+c)−q(z) − e2p(z+c) ≡ 1. (4.24)
∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2
∂p ∂p
Obviously, ∂z1
+ ∂z 2
, −i. Otherwise, it follows that −e2q(z+c) ≡ 1, this is impossible because q(z)
is a nonconstant polynomial. Similarly, ∂z∂q1 + ∂z∂q2 , −i. Thus, by Lemma 4.3, and in view of (4.23),
(4.24), we conclude that
∂p ∂p ∂p ∂p
! !
−i + +i eq(z+c)−p(z)
≡ 1, or − i + + i e p(z)+q(z+c) ≡ 1,
∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2
and
∂q ∂q ∂q ∂q
! !
−i + +i e p(z+c)−q(z)
≡ 1, or − i + + i eq(z)+p(z+c) ≡ 1.
∂z1 ∂z2 ∂z1 ∂z2
Next, we consider the following four cases.
Case 1.
∂p ∂p
 !
+ + i eq(z+c)−p(z) ≡ 1,

−i


∂z1 ∂z2




(4.25)

∂q ∂q

 !
 − i ∂z + ∂z + i e
 p(z+c)−q(z)
≡ 1.




1 2

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Since p(z), q(z) are polynomials, then from (4.25), we know that ∂z ∂p
1
∂p
+ ∂z2
and ∂z∂q1 + ∂z∂q2 are constants
in C. Otherwise, we obtain a contradiction from the fact that the right of the above equations is
not transcendental, but the left is transcendental. In addition, we get that q(z + c) − p(z) ≡ C1 and
p(z + c) − q(z) ≡ C2 , that is, p(z + 2c) − p(z) ≡ C1 +C2 and q(z + 2c) − q(z) ≡ C1 +C2 . In view of c1 , c2 ,
then by Lemma 4.4, it means that p(z) = L(z) + B1 , q(z) = L(z) + B2 , where L is a linear function as the
form L(z) = a1 z1 + a2 z2 , a1 , a2 , B1 , B2 are constants.
By combining with (4.23)–(4.25), we have

− i (a1 + a2 + i) eL(c)+B2 −B1 ≡ 1,






 − i (a1 + a2 + i) e
 L(c)+B1 −B2
≡ 1,



(4.26)
− i (a1 + a2 + i) e −L(c)+B −B





1 2
≡ 1,
 − i (a1 + a2 + i) e−L(c)−B1 +B2 ≡ 1.




This means
(a1 + a2 + i)2 = −1, e2L(c) = 1, eB1 −B2 = −i (a1 + a2 + i) eL(c) . (4.27)
Thus, it follows that a1 + a2 = −2i or a1 + a2 = 0.
If a1 + a2 = −2i. Thus, e2L(c) = 1, eB1 −B2 = −eL(c) . The characteristic equations of the first equation
in (4.22) are
dz1 dz2 d f1 eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1
= 1, = 1, = ,
dt dt dt 2
Using the initial conditions: z1 = 0, z2 = s1 , and f1 = f1 (0, s1 ) := g0 (s1 ) with a parameter. Thus, it
follows that z1 = t, z2 = t + s1 and
Z t (a1 +a2 )t+a2 s1 +B1
e + e−[(a1 +a2 )t+a2 s1 +B1 ]
f1 (t, s1 ) = dt + g0 (s1 )
0 2
ea2 s1 +B1 t (a1 +a2 )t e−(a2 s1 +B1 ) t −(a1 +a2 )t
Z Z
= e dt + e dt + g0 (s1 )
2 0 2 0
ea2 s1 +B1 (a1 +a2 )t e−(a2 s1 +B1 ) −(a1 +a2 )t
= e − e + g1 (s1 ),
2(a1 + a2 ) 2(a1 + a2 )
where g1 (s1 ) is a finite order entire function, and

ea2 s1 +B1 e−(a2 s1 +B1 )

g1 (s1 ) = g0 (s1 ) + − .
2(a1 + a2 ) 2(a1 + a2 )
In view of z1 = t, z2 = t + s1 , we have

eL(z)+B1 − e−L(z)−B1
f1 (z1 , z2 ) = + g1 (s1 ). (4.28)
−4i
Similar to the same argument for the third equation in (4.22), we have

eL(z)+B2 − e−L(z)−B2
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = + g2 (s1 ), (4.29)
−4i
where g2 (s1 ) is a finite order entire function.

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Substituting (4.28), (4.29) into (4.22), and applying (4.27), it yields that

g2 (s1 + s0 ) − g1 (s1 ) = 0, g1 (s1 + s0 ) − g2 (s1 ) = 0. (4.30)

Thus, from (4.30), we can deduce that

g1 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ), g2 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ),

where G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) are the finite order entire period functions with period 2s0 , and

G2 (s1 + s0 ) = G1 (s1 ).

If a1 + a2 = 0, then it follows that e2L(c) = 1, eB1 −B2 = eL(c) . In view of z1 = t, z2 = t + s1 , it leads to

L(z) = a1 z1 + a2 z2 = a2 s1 . The characteristic equations of the first equation in (4.22) are

dz1 dz2 d f1 eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1

= 1, = 1, = ,
dt dt dt 2
Using the initial conditions: z1 = 0, z2 = s1 , and f1 = f1 (0, s) := G3 (s) with a parameter. This leads to
Z t a2 s1 +B1
e + e−(a2 s1 +B1 )
f1 (t, s1 ) = dt + G3 (s1 )
0 2
ea2 s1 +B1 e−(a2 s1 +B1 )
!
=t + + G3 (s1 )
2 2
ea2 s1 +B1 + e−(a2 s1 +B1 )
=t + G3 (s1 ),
2
that is
eL(z)+B1 + e−(L(z)+B1 )
f1 (z1 , z2 ) = z1 + G3 (s1 ), (4.31)
2
where G3 (s1 ) is an entire function of finite order. Similarly, we have

eL(z)+B2 + e−L(z)−B2
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = z1 + G4 (s1 ),
2
where G4 (s1 ) is an entire function of finite order.
If eL(c) = 1, that is, L(c) = 2kπi, which leads to eB1 −B2 = 1. Thus, it follows that

eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = z1 + G4 (s1 ). (4.32)
2
Substituting (4.31), (4.32) into the second and fourth equations in (4.22), we have

ea2 s1 +B1 − e−a2 s1 −B1 ea2 s1 +B1 + e−a2 s1 −B1

G4 (s1 + s0 ) − G3 (s1 ) = − c1 ,
2i 2
ea2 s1 +B1 − e−a2 s1 −B1 ea2 s1 +B1 + e−a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 + s0 ) − G4 (s1 ) = − c1 .
2i 2

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that is,

G4 (s1 + 2s0 ) − G4 (s1 ) = −(c1 + i)ea2 s1 +B1 − (c1 − i)e−a2 s1 −B1 ,

G3 (s1 + 2s0 ) − G3 (s1 ) = −(c1 + i)ea2 s1 +B1 − (c1 − i)e−a2 s1 −B1 .

Thus, we can deduce that

c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G4 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
where G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) are the finite order entire period functions with period 2s0 , and G2 (s1 + s0 ) =
G1 (s1 ).
If eL(c) = −1, that is L(c) = (2k + 1)πi, then it follows that eB1 −B2 = −1, which means

eL(z)+B1 + e−L(z)−B1
f2 (z1 , z2 ) = −z1 + G4 (s1 ). (4.33)
2
Substituting (4.31), (4.33) into the second and fourth equations in (4.22), we have

ea2 s1 +B1 − e−a2 s1 −B1 ea2 s1 +B1 + e−a2 s1 −B1

G4 (s1 + s0 ) − G3 (s1 ) = − c1 ,
2i 2
ea2 s1 +B1 − e−a2 s1 −B1 ea2 s1 +B1 + e−a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 + s0 ) − G4 (s1 ) = − + c1 .
2i 2
Thus, it yields

G4 (s1 + 2s0 ) − G4 (s1 ) = (c1 + i)ea2 s1 +B1 + (c1 − i)e−a2 s1 −B1 ,

G3 (s1 + 2s0 ) − G3 (s1 ) = −(c1 + i)ea2 s1 +B1 − (c1 − i)e−a2 s1 −B1 .

This leads to
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G3 (s1 ) = G1 (s1 ) − s1 e − s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
c1 + i a2 s1 +B1 c1 − i −a2 s1 −B1
G4 (s1 ) = G2 (s1 ) + s1 e + s1 e ,
2s0 2s0
where G1 (s1 ), G2 (s1 ) are the finite order entire period functions with period 2s0 , and G2 (s+ s0 ) = G1 (s).
Case 2.
∂p ∂p
 !
+ + i eq(z+c)−p(z) ≡ 1,

−i


∂z1 ∂z2




(4.34)

∂q ∂q

 !
 − i ∂z + ∂z + i e
 q(z)+p(z+c)
≡ 1.




1 2

In view of (4.34), the fact that p(z), q(z) are polynomials leads to q(z + c) − p(z) ≡ C1 and q(z) +
p(z + c) ≡ C2 . This means q(z + 2c) + q(z) ≡ C1 + C2 , this is a contradiction with the assumption of
q(z) being a nonconstant polynomial.

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Case 3.
∂p ∂p

+ + i)e p(z)+q(z+c) ≡ 1,


 − i(
∂z1 ∂z2



(4.35)


 ∂q ∂q
 − i( ∂z + ∂z + i)e
 p(z+c)−q(z)


 ≡ 1.
1 2

In view of (4.35), the fact that p(z), q(z) are polynomials leads to p(z) + q(z + c) ≡ C1 and p(z + c) −
q(z) ≡ C2 . This means p(z + 2c) + p(z) ≡ C1 + C2 , this is a contradiction with the assumption of p2 (z)
being a nonconstant polynomial.
Case 4.
∂p ∂p
 !
+ + i e p(z)+q(z+c) ≡ 1,

−i


∂z1 ∂z2




(4.36)

∂q ∂q

 !
 − i ∂z + ∂z + i e
 q(z)+p(z+c)
≡ 1.




1 2

In view of (4.36), the fact that p1 (z), p2 (z) are polynomials leads to p(z) + q(z + c) ≡ C1 and
q(z) + p(z + c) ≡ C2 , that is, p(z + 2c) − p(z) ≡ C1 + C2 and q(z + 2c) − q(z) ≡ C2 + C1 . Similar to the
same argument in Case 1 of Theorem 2.3, we obtain that p(z) = L(z) + B1 , q(z) = −L(z) + B2 , where L
is a linear function as the form L(z) = a1 z1 + a2 z2 , a1 , a2 , B1 , B2 are constants. In view of (4.23), (4.24)
and (4.36), we have
− i(a1 + a2 + i)e−L(c)+B1 +B2 ≡ 1,





 − i(a1 + a2 + i)e
 L(c)−B1 −B2
≡ 1,



(4.37)
i(a1 + a2 − i)eL(c)+B1 +B2 ≡ 1,






 i(a1 + a2 − i)e−L(c)−B1 −B2 ≡ 1,



which implies (a1 + a2 + i)2 = (a1 + a2 − i)2 , that is, a1 + a2 = 0. Thus, we conclude from (4.37) that

a1 + a2 = 0, e2L(c) = 1, eB1 +B2 = eL(c) . (4.38)

Similar to the argument as in Case 1 of Theorem 2.3, we get the conclusions of Theorem 2.3 (iv).
Therefore, from Cases 1–4, we complete the proof of Theorem 2.3.

Acknowledgments

The first author is supported by the Key Project of Jiangxi Province Education Science Planning
Project in China (20ZD062), the Key Project of Jiangxi Province Culture Planning Project in China
(YG2018149I), the Science and Technology Research Project of Jiangxi Provincial Department of
Education (GJJ181548, GJJ180767), the 2020 Annual Ganzhou Science and Technology Planning
Project in China. The third author was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
(11561033), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province in China (20181BAB201001) and the
Foundation of Education Department of Jiangxi (GJJ190876, GJJ202303, GJJ201813, GJJ191042) of
China.

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 11812

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that none of the authors have any competing interests in the manuscript.

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