Signed generalized Stirling polynomials, nested sums, and hyperbolic secant integral identities

Abstract

We study signed generalized Stirling polynomials $P_k(m,x)$ arising in closed forms for Malmsten-type hyperbolic secant integrals. Their product structure is used to prove recurrences, gamma--polygamma formulas for $P_{m-s}(m,x)$, a central vanishing identity, a finite approximation to $\cosh πx$, and a limit formula for $π$. We identify these polynomials as signed residues of the equal-period Barnes multiple zeta function, derive their reflection formula, and obtain finite parity-cancellation and Stirling cycle-number identities. We also compare the centered polynomials with a classical Meixner--Pollaczek orthogonal family. We evaluate finite nested sums built from the sequence $χ_n$. Fixing the lower bounds turns these sums into coefficient-counting problems: common lower bounds give binomial coefficients and staircase bounds give Catalan numbers. Combining these counts with known formulas for $χ_j$ yields explicit hyperbolic-secant integral evaluations involving Catalan's constant, zeta values, and polygamma values. A Wolfram Language package accompanies the formulas.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Integral Transforms and Special Functions, 2026 · DOI ↗