Symmetrization techniques on unbounded domains: Application to a chemotaxis system on \(\mathbb{R}^N\) (Q1265092)

The initial value problem to a parabolic-elliptic system on \({\mathbb R}^{N}\), \(N\geq 2\), is studied, which is a simplified version of the mathematical model of chemotaxis (aggregation of organisms sensitive to the gradient of a chemical substance). \(L^{p}\)-boundedness and the global existence of weak solutions on \({\mathbb R}^{2}\), and blow-up of radially symmetric solutions on \({\mathbb R}^{N}\) are shown. For these results on bounded domains see \textit{J. I. Diaz} and \textit{T. Nagai} [Adv. Math. Sci. Appl. 5, 659-680 (1995; Zbl 0859.35004)], and \textit{T. Nagai} [Adv. Math. Sci. Appl. 5, 581-601 (1995; Zbl 0843.92007)]. In the proofs the basic tools are: i) the regularity of \(\partial_t u_*\) for \(u\in W^{1,q}(0,T;W^{1,p}(\Omega))\), where \(1\leq q\leq \infty \), \(1\leq p<\infty \), and \(u_{\ast }(t,s)\) is the decreasing rearrangement of \(u(t,x)\) with respect to \(x\); ii) a partial differential inequality on \(\int_{0}^{s}u_* (t,\sigma)d\sigma \) for solutions and a suitable pointwise comparison principle, which is derived similarly as in the articles by Diaz and Nagai, mentioned above. For the regularity of \(\partial_t u_*\) on bounded domains see \textit{J. Mossino} and \textit{J.-M. Rakotoson} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa 13, 51-73 (1986; Zbl 0652.35053)].