A general theory of minimal increments for Hirsch-type indices and applications to the mathematical characterization of Kosmulski-indices

Abstract

For a general function f (n) (n = 1,2,...), defining general Hirsch-type indices, we can characterize the first increment I-1 (n) = (n + 1) f (n + 1) - nf(n) as well as the second increment I-2 (n) = I-1 (n + 1) - I-1 (n + 1). An application is given by presenting mathematical characterizations of Kosmulski-indices.