\documentclass[reqno]{amsart}
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\AtBeginDocument{{\noindent\small
\emph{Electronic Journal of Differential Equations},
Vol. 2013 (2013), No. 178, pp. 1--20.\newline
ISSN: 1072-6691. URL: http://ejde.math.txstate.edu or http://ejde.math.unt.edu
\newline ftp ejde.math.txstate.edu}
\thanks{\copyright 2013 Texas State University - San Marcos.}
\vspace{9mm}}

\begin{document}
\title[\hfilneg EJDE-2013/178\hfil Existence and blow-up of solutions]
{Existence and blow-up of solutions for a semilinear filtration problem}

\author[Evangelos A. Latos, Dimitrios E. Tzanetis\hfil EJDE-2013/178\hfilneg]
{Evangelos A. Latos, Dimitrios E. Tzanetis}  % in alphabetical order

\address{Evangelos A. Latos \newline
Institute for Mathematics and Scientific Computing, University of Graz,
A-8010 Graz, Heinrichstrasse, 36, Austria}
\email{evangelos.latos@uni-graz.at}

\address{Dimitrios E. Tzanetis \newline
Department of Mathematics,
School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus,
157 80 Athens, Greece}
\email{dtzan@math.ntua.gr}

\thanks{Submitted July 14, 2013. Published August 4, 2013.}
\subjclass[2000]{35K55, 35B44, 35B51, 76S05}
\keywords{Blow-up; filtration problem; existence; upper and lower solutions}

\begin{abstract}
 We first examine the  existence and uniqueness of local solutions
 to the semilinear filtration equation $u_t=\Delta K(u)+\lambda f(u)$,
 for $\lambda>0$, with initial data $u_0\geq0$ and  appropriate boundary
 conditions.  Our main result is the proof of  blow-up of  solutions
 for some $\lambda$.
 Moreover, we discuss the existence of solutions for the corresponding
 steady-state problem.  It is found that there exists a critical value
 $\lambda^*$  such that for $\lambda>\lambda^*$  the problem has no
 stationary solution of any kind,  while for $\lambda\leq\lambda^*$
 there exist classical stationary solutions.
 Finally, our main result is that the solution for $\lambda>\lambda^*$,
 blows-up in finite time  independently of  $u_0\geq0$.  The functions
 $f,K$ are  positive, increasing and convex  and $K'/f$ is integrable
 at infinity.
\end{abstract}

\maketitle
\numberwithin{equation}{section}
\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[section]
\newtheorem{lemma}[theorem]{Lemma}
\newtheorem{proposition}[theorem]{Proposition}
\newtheorem{corollary}[theorem]{Corollary}
\newtheorem{example}[theorem]{Example}
\allowdisplaybreaks


\section{Introduction}

Our purpose in this work is to examine the existence and  uniqueness 
for $\lambda>0$ and prove the blow-up  of local solutions for
$\lambda>\lambda^*$, for some $\lambda^*$, of the following initial
boundary value problem: 
\begin{equation} \label{filtr} %\label{eq122}
\left.\begin{gathered}
 u_t=\Delta K(u)+\lambda f(u),\quad x\in \Omega, \quad t>0,\\
 \mathcal{B}(K(u))\equiv\frac{\partial K(u)}{\partial n}+\beta(x)K(u)=0,\quad x\in
\partial\Omega,\; t>0,\\
 u(x,0)=u_0(x)\geq 0,\quad x\in \Omega,
\end{gathered}\right\}
\end{equation}
where $u=u(x,t)$,  $n$ is the outward pointing  normal vector field on
$\partial\Omega$  and $\Omega$ is a bounded domain of $\mathbb{R}^N$,
$N\geq 1$, with sufficiently smooth boundary
$\partial\Omega$ and  having the interior sphere property, \cite{lsv}.
We impose non-negative initial data in
order to get non-negative  solutions of \eqref{filtr}. Moreover,
taking  $f(u)>0$ for $u\geq 0$  ($f(0)>0$, the  forced case),
we avoid degenerating solutions, hence we get classical solutions.
To get classical  solutions it is enough  to have $u_0\in L^{\infty}(\Omega)$;
for more results and methods concerning semilinear
heat and  porous medium problems, see
\cite{pqps,va}. We introduce homogeneous boundary conditions:
$\mathcal{B}(\cdot)=0$. This type of boundary condition is a consequence
of Fourier's law for diffusion  and conservation of mass, or heat
conduction and conservation of energy. The usual type of boundary
condition: $\mathcal{B}(u)=\partial u/\partial
n+\beta(x) u=0$, seems to have no physical
significance. Instead, one can consider boundary conditions of the
form $\partial K(u)/\partial n+\beta(x)u=0$, which physically means zero
flux on the boundary. Here $\beta,\ 0\leq\beta=\beta(x)\leq \infty$, is
$C^{1+\alpha}(\partial\Omega)$, $\alpha>0$, whenever it is bounded
($\beta\equiv0,\, \beta\equiv\infty,\ 0<\beta<\infty$ means
Neumann, Dirichlet and Robin boundary condition respectively).
The function  $K=K(s)\in C^3([0,\infty))$ satisfies,
\begin{equation}\label{314}
\text{$K(s)>0$ for $s>0$ and $K(0)=0$, $K'(s)$, $K''(s)>0$, for $s \geq 0$,}
\end{equation}
 (see also \cite[Ch.  VI]{lsv},\;\cite{suz}).
Moreover, functions  $f,K$  are assumed to satisfy,
\begin{gather}
 \label{fun13333}
f(s)>0,\quad f'(s)>0,\quad f''(s)>0, \quad \text{for }s\geq 0,\\
 \label{fun2444}
(a)\quad \int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{K'(s)}{f(s)}ds<\infty, \quad\text{which implies}
\quad (b) \quad
\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{ds}{f(s)}<\infty\,.
\end{gather}
Concerning \eqref{fun2444}(a), see also below, Subsection 4.1,
this is a necessary condition for
blow-up of solutions for the equation $z_t=\Delta z+g(z)$ where $z=K(v)$, with
$g(z)=f(v)$. This is easily verified for the problem
$K'(v)v_t=\Delta K(v)+f(v)$, with $v$ independent of $x$.
In this case, the $v$ problem reduces to
$v_t=f(v)/K'(v)$, $v=v(t)$, $t>0$, $v(0)=v_0\geq0$ and \eqref{fun2444}(a)
 implies blow-up of $v=K^{-1}(z)$ and also of $z$.

Problem  \eqref{filtr} is a local semilinear filtration problem.
If $K(u)=u^q,\ q>1$, then  problem \eqref{filtr} is  the so-called 
semilinear porous medium problem.

Now, due to $\lambda>0$ and because of the form of  functions
$f$ and $K$, as we shall see in Section 3, there exists a critical value of
$\lambda$ , say  $\lambda^*$, such that for each
$\lambda\in(0,\lambda^*)$ the corresponding steady-state problem of
\eqref{filtr}, 
\begin{equation} \label{ssfiltr} 
\Delta K(w)+\lambda f(w)=0,\quad x\in\Omega,\quad
\mathcal{B}(K(w))=0,\quad x\in \partial\Omega,
\end{equation}
 has at least one (classical) solution $w=w(x)=w(x;\lambda)\in C^2(\Omega)\cap
C(\overline{\Omega})$, ($\Delta K(w)=K''(w)|\nabla
w|^2+K'(w)\Delta w$).

The response (bifurcation) diagram of \eqref{ssfiltr} can  be obtained
by performing the ``pressure transformation",
\begin{equation}\label{pretra}
z=K(w)\quad \text{with } g(z)=f(w);
\end{equation}
thus we derive the following problem,
\begin{equation}\label{ssheat}
\Delta z+\lambda g(z)=0,\quad x\in\Omega,\quad
 \mathcal{B}(z)=\frac{\partial z}{\partial n}+\beta(x) z=0,\quad x\in
\partial\Omega,
\end{equation}
where $g(\sigma)=f(K^{-1}(\sigma))=(f\circ K^{-1})(\sigma)=f(s)$
with $\sigma=K(s)\geq0$.

From  \eqref{ssheat}, on using  the pressure transformation \eqref{pretra}, 
we can extract many qualitative properties of problem
 \eqref{ssfiltr}. Also, several results and methods  for the semilinear 
filtration problem for bounded or unbounded domains  can be applied,
 see \cite{f, g3,g, sus}. Here, we have to mention that this transformation  
constrains the function  $f$. This is  due to the convexity and the growth 
requirement on $g(z)$  since $f(w)=f(K^{-1}(z))=g(z)$.    
We need, in some cases, for $g(z)$ to be increasing and
convex, thus a new condition emerges for $f$. Actually if
$g(z), g'(z), g''(z)$ are positive then $f(w), f'(w), K'(w)$ and
$(f''(w)K'(w)-f'(w)K''(w))$ are positive while the integrability at
infinity implies $\int_0^\infty K'(w)dw/f(w)=\int_{K(0)}^\infty
dz/g(z)<\infty$.
To avoid such limitations, wherever possible, one can study directly 
problem  \eqref{ssfiltr}, and substituting these
constraints by other  conditions on $f$ and $K$, see Section 3. 
Thus,  without the use of the  pressure transformation \eqref{pretra}, 
we  deduce  properties for problem \eqref{ssfiltr} from the well known 
problem \eqref{ssheat}.

For problem \eqref{ssheat}, we know  from \cite{am1,kw,kc,sa1}, that
if $g,g'>0$ with $g$ superlinear, then there exists a critical value
$\lambda^*<\infty$ of the parameter $\lambda$ such that if 
$\lambda>\lambda^*$
problem \eqref{ssheat} does not have any kind of solutions while
for $0<\lambda \leq\lambda^*$ it has solutions (unique or multiple
solutions), see the $\|z\|$-diagrams
($\|\cdot\|=\sup_\Omega|(\cdot)|$) in Section 3.  
 At the critical value of the parameter $\lambda=\lambda^*$, 
in the ``closed spectrum'' case $(0,\lambda^*]$, there exists at least  
one solution $z^*$ while in the ``open spectrum" case $(0,\lambda^*)$, 
there is no classical solution and there exists only a weak solution,
($\|z(\cdot;\lambda)\|\to\infty$, $z(x;\lambda)\to z^*(x)-$ as
$\lambda\to\lambda^*-$ with
$z^*(x)=\lambda^*\int_{\Omega}G(x,y)g(z(y))dy$ where $G$ is the
 Green's function for $-\Delta$ with appropriate boundary conditions, 
see \cite{lt}).

The response $\|w\|$-diagram near  $\lambda^*$ is equivalent to the  
$\|z\|$-diagram. This is because
$z=K(w)$, $(w=K^{-1}(z))$ and $K$ satisfies \eqref{314}. 
In what follows, the steady-state problem \eqref{ssfiltr} will be studied
extensively.

The main purpose, in this work, is to prove that for
$\lambda>\lambda^*$ the solution to problem \eqref{filtr} becomes
infinite in finite time (blows up) for any
$u_0(x)\geq 0$.  Here, we work on the case that $\lambda^*$ 
lies in the spectrum  of the stationary problem, similar to the semilinear
heat equation, as in \cite{l}, also called spectral method; alternatively 
to \cite{l}, one may   use concavity arguments, as in  \cite{bel}, or 
 energy methods as in \cite{bcmr}. In addition,  it can also be 
proved that blow-up of solutions  occur  for sufficiently large initial 
data and for $\lambda\in(0,\lambda^*)$,  \cite{l} and \cite[p. 183]{ls}.


Finally, this work is organized as  follows. 
In Section 2 we briefly discuss  the local
existence and  uniqueness of the time-dependent problem. In Section 3, we
examine the steady-state problem, which is the key to our analysis 
and introduce the corresponding linearized problem
(an auxiliary problem that helps us to prove our result). In
Section 4, we prove blow-up for large $\lambda$ by using
Kaplan's method; moreover the main result is the blow-up of solutions for
$\lambda>\lambda^*$ and for any $u_0\geq0$. We end  with the Discussion 
in Section 5.

\section{Existence, uniqueness of the time-dependent problem}


In this section we study the existence and uniqueness of
solutions of problem \eqref{filtr} (time-dependent) using (direct) 
comparison  methods.

We give the proof in detail, since, as far as we are aware, it does not 
appear in the literature. For problem \eqref{filtr}  the maximum principle holds.
 Therefore, in order to prove existence and uniqueness we can use comparison 
techniques (see \cite{be,vldt,sa1}).
Actually, we introduce a system of two iteration schemes which satisfy 
the problem and on using a proper system of solutions, we get two monotone 
sequences of solutions. Then, we introduce a weak form of the problem and 
use the monotone convergence theorem as well as some regularity arguments, we
derive that the limits $\underline{u},\overline{u}$
($\underline{u}\leq\overline{u}$), of the two mentioned sequences,
 are classical solutions to the
problem. Finally, on using Lipschitz continuity and  the
maximum principle, we prove that $\underline{u}\geq\overline{u}$.
This shows that the system coincides with problem \eqref{filtr}
and gives  local existence and uniqueness.

We begin by proving the existence, therefore we define upper and lower 
solutions to problem \eqref{filtr}.
Let $z$, $v$ be such that $z=z(x,t)$, 
$v=v(x,t) \in C^{2+\alpha,1+\alpha/2}$ 
$(\Omega_T;\mathbb{R}) \cap C^{\alpha,0}(\overline{\Omega}_T;\mathbb{R})$,
 $0<\alpha<1$, $\Omega_T=\Omega \times (0,T)$. Then $z,v$ are called
lower, upper solutions respectively to problem \eqref{filtr}, if they
satisfy, 
\begin{equation} \label{compari}
\left.\begin{gathered}
 S(z)\leq S(u)=0\leq S(v), \quad x \in \Omega, \; 0<t<T ,\\
\mathcal{B}(K(z))\leq \mathcal{B}(K(u))=0\leq \mathcal{B}(K(v)), \quad
x \in \partial \Omega, \; 0<t<T, \\
0\leq z(x,0)=z_0(x)\leq u_0(x)\leq v(x,0)=v_0(x), \quad
x \in \Omega ,
\end{gathered}\right\}
\end{equation}
where $S(z)\equiv z_t -\Delta K(z)-\lambda f(z)$. If all the above
inequalities are strict, then  $z,v$ are called  strict lower, upper
solutions  respectively to \eqref{filtr}.

Moreover, we can prove that if the inequalities of problem 
\eqref{compari} are strict, then $z<v$, see \cite{be, pqps}. 
Therefore, we have the following lemma.

\begin{lemma}\label{lemma pan katbb}
Let $z,v$ be a lower, upper solutions to problem \eqref{filtr}, 
then $z\leq u\leq v$, where $u$ is a solution to \eqref{filtr}.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
We shall give the proof in two steps:

\textbf{First step:} Let $z,v$ be  strict lower, upper solutions to
\eqref{filtr}. We shall prove that $z<u<v$. We give firstly the proof for
$u,v$. For this case, problem \eqref{compari} holds, by
substituting $(<)$ at the places for $(\leq)$. We define
$d(x,t)=v(x,t)-u(x,t)$, (see also \cite[p. 88]{be}, or 
\cite[p. 511, Prop. 52.7]{pqps}). We assume that the conclusion ($d=v-u>0$) 
is false; then, there exists a first time
$\overline{t}>0$ such that $d(\overline{x},\overline{t})=0$ 
for some
$\overline{x}\in\overline\Omega$. Assuming now that 
$\overline{x}\in\partial\Omega$ then $ \mathcal{B}(K(v))= \mathcal{B}(K(u))=0$  
at $\overline{x}$,
(we have used Hopf's boundary lemma and that $\Omega$ has the interior 
sphere property), which contradicts the fact that $ \mathcal{B}(K(v))>0$. 
Therefore, we are free to assume that $x\in \Omega$.
We also have that $d(x,t)>0$ for
$(x,t)\in\overline{\Omega}\times(0,\overline{t})$ and
$d_t(\overline{x},\overline{t})\leq0$.  Moreover,
$d(\overline{x},\overline{t})$ attains its minimum at
$x=\overline{x}$, so $\nabla d(\overline{x},\overline{t})=\nabla
v(\overline{x},\overline{t})-\nabla
u(\overline{x},\overline{t})=0$ and $\Delta
d(\overline{x},\overline{t})\geq0$. Thus at
$(\overline{x},\overline{t})$, 
$u(\overline{x},\overline{t})=v(\overline{x},\overline{t})$ and
\begin{align*}
0  &\geq  d_{t}(\overline{x},\overline{t})= v_t(\overline{x},\overline{t})-
u_t(\overline{x},\overline{t})\\
&> \Delta K(v(\overline{x},\overline{t}))-\Delta K(u(\overline{x},\overline{t}))+
\lambda [f(v(\overline{x},\overline{t}))-f(u(\overline{x},\overline{t}))]  =
 K'(v)\Delta v \\
&\quad+ K''(v)|\nabla v|^2-K'(u)\Delta u-K''(u)|\nabla u|^2
+\lambda [f(v(\overline{x},\overline{t}))-f(u(\overline{x},\overline{t}))] \\
&=  K'(u)\Delta d(\overline{x},\overline{t})+K''(v)(|\nabla v|^2-|\nabla u|^2)
 +\lambda [f(v(\overline{x},\overline{t})) -f(u(\overline{x},\overline{t}))] \\
&\geq \lambda[f(v(\overline{x},\overline{t})) -f(u(\overline{x},\overline{t}))]=0.
\end{align*}

The term with the Laplacian is non-negative, the term with $|\nabla (\cdot)|^2$ 
is equal to zero and the difference of the nonlinear terms equals zero.
Thus, $0\geq d_{t}(\overline{x},\overline{t})>0$, which is a
contradiction, therefore $v>u$. Similarly, we can prove that  $u>z$.

\textbf{Second step:} Let now $z,v$ be a lower, upper
solution to \eqref{filtr} respectively, we prove that $z\leq u\leq v$.
Due to its regularity,  $f$  is also Lipschitz continuous, in fact what
we need is $f$  to be one-sided  Lipschitz  continuous in $[z,v]$, that is
$f(a+b)-f(b)\leq La$, where $L$ is a positive constant and $0<a<R$
for some $R$. We set 
$v^{\varepsilon}=v+\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}>v$ for some $\varepsilon,\sigma>0$
 (similarly for $z^{\varepsilon}$),
actually we use  $0<\varepsilon\ll1$, 
$\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}<\varepsilon e^{\sigma T}=R$, 
for some $\sigma$ and $L$  constants, then (see also \cite{be}):
\begin{align*}
S(v^{\varepsilon})
&= v^{\varepsilon}_t -\Delta K(v^{\varepsilon})-
\lambda f(v^{\varepsilon})  =v_t+\varepsilon \sigma e^{\sigma
t}- K''(v^\varepsilon)|\nabla v|^2- K'(v^\varepsilon)\Delta v
\\
&\quad -\lambda f(v^{\varepsilon})
\geq v_t -\Delta K(v) -\lambda f(v) +\varepsilon \sigma e^{\sigma t}-\lambda L\varepsilon
e^{\sigma t}
\\
&\quad + (K''(v)-K''({v}^{\varepsilon}))
|\nabla(v)|^2+(K'(v)-K'({v}^{\varepsilon}))\Delta v
= S(v)\\
&\quad +\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}[\sigma-\lambda L -
K'''(v)|\nabla v|^2-K''(v)
\Delta v]+O(\varepsilon^2)>S(v)\geq S(u).
\end{align*}
The last inequality holds since we can take $\sigma$ large enough, 
so that the quantity inside the brackets to become non-negative,
 while $R$ and $L$ are constants;  the function $v$ is bounded in
$C^{2,1}(\overline{\Omega}_T)$. Then, from the first step $v> u$ and
$v^{\varepsilon}> u$ for $\varepsilon\ll1$. Now
$v^{\varepsilon}=v+\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}>u$ for every $0<\varepsilon\ll1$
and on taking $\varepsilon\to0$ we get $v\geq u$.

Similar inequality can be proved for the other pair $z,u$. 
This completes the proof.
\end{proof}

Next we show that such  $z,v$ exist.

\begin{example}\label{lemma oi prwtes uparxounbb}\rm
 Such $z,v$ exist; $z=Z=0$ is a lower solution while as an
upper solution we choose  $v(x)=\widehat w(x)=w(x;\widehat{\lambda})$  
a steady state (at least for some $\lambda<\lambda^*$), with 
$\widehat{\lambda}=\lambda+\varepsilon<\lambda^*, \varepsilon>0$. 
For $\lambda\geq\lambda^*$ (and also for any $\lambda>0$), as an upper
solution we get $u=V(t)$ satisfying $T-\lambda t=\int^\infty_{V(t)}ds/f(s)$, 
for some $T$ such that 
$T=\int^\infty_{V(0)}ds/f(s)<\int^\infty_{u_0}ds/f(s)<\infty$.
\end{example}

Now we define  $z,v$ to be lower, upper solutions and an iteration scheme,
 which starts from  $\underline{u}_0(x,t)=Z=0$, $\overline{u}_0(x,t)=V(t)$, 
of the form:
\begin{gather}\label{katbb}
\underline{I}\,_{n}\equiv I(\underline{u}_n)
:= \underline{u}_{nt} - \Delta(K(\underline{u}_n))- \lambda
f(\underline{u}_{n-1}) =0,\quad x \in \Omega, \;  t>0, \\ 
\label{panbb}
\overline{I}_n\equiv I(\overline{u}_n ):=\overline{u}_{nt} -
\Delta(K(\overline{u}_n))- \lambda
f(\overline{u}_{n-1}) =0, \quad  x \in \Omega, \; t>0,\\
\label{sun.k.p.bb}
\mathcal{B} (K(\underline{u}_n)) =
\mathcal{B}(K(\overline{u}_n)) = 0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega,\; t>0\\
\label{arx.k.p.bb}
\underline{u}_{n}(x,0)=\overline{u}_{n}(x,0)=u_0(x),\quad x\in\Omega,
\end{gather}
 for $n=1,2,\dots$.

Next we prove that if we have such an iteration scheme, we can construct 
two monotone sequences which will converge to the solution of \eqref{filtr}.

\begin{proposition}\label{prop kataskeuh pan katbb}
 Let $z,v$ be  lower, upper  solutions respectively of
\eqref{filtr} and $\underline{u}_n, \overline{u}_n$ satisfy \eqref{katbb},
\eqref{sun.k.p.bb}, \eqref{arx.k.p.bb}   and \eqref{panbb}, \eqref{sun.k.p.bb}, 
\eqref{arx.k.p.bb}
respectively, for $n=1,2,\dots$ with $\underline{u}_0=z=Z$ and
$\overline{u}_0=v=V$. Then
$$
\underline{u}_0<\underline{u}_1<\dots<\underline{u}_{n-1}<\underline{u}_n
<\dots<\overline{u}_{n}<\overline{u}_{n-1}<\dots<\overline{u}_{1}
<\overline{u}_{0}.
$$
\end{proposition}

\begin{proof}
We prove this by using induction. First we show that
$\underline{u}_{n-1}<\underline{u}_{n}$ and
$\overline{u}_{n}<\overline{u}_{n-1}$. Thus we have,
$$
\underline{I}_1=\underline{I}(\underline{u}_1)=\underline{u}_{1t}
-\Delta K(\underline{u}_1)- \lambda
f(\underline{u}_0) =0\geq\underline{u}_{0t}-\Delta K(\underline{u}_0)-  \lambda
f(\underline{u}_0), 
$$ 
and on using the maximum principle or Lemma \ref{lemma pan katbb}, 
for the filtration operator
$T(u)=u_t-\Delta K(u)$,  we get
$\underline{u}_1\geq\underline{u}_0$. Similarly,
$\overline{u}_1\leq\overline{u}_0$. For the $nth$-step we have:
\begin{align*}
\underline{I}_n 
&=\underline{u}_{nt} -\Delta K(\underline{u}_n)- \lambda
f(\underline{u}_{n-1}) =0\\
&= \underline{u}_{(n-1)t} -\Delta K(\underline{u}_{n-1})- \lambda
f(\underline{u}_{n-2}) .
\end{align*}
The above relation gives:
$$
[\underline{u}_{nt} -\Delta
K(\underline{u}_n)]-[\underline{u}_{(n-1)t} -\Delta
K(\underline{u}_{n-1})]= \lambda f(\underline{u}_{n-1}) - \lambda
f(\underline{u}_{n-2}) \geq0,
$$
 since 
$\underline{u}_{n-1} \geq\underline{u}_{n-2}$ and
$\overline{u}_{n-1}\leq\overline{u}_{n-2}$. Again from maximum
principle or Lemma \ref{lemma pan katbb}, we get
$\underline{u}_n>\underline{u}_{n-1}$ and
$\overline{u}_n<\overline{u}_{n-1}$, $n=1,2,\dots$.

Now we prove $\underline{u}_n<\overline{u}_n$, again by induction:
\begin{align*}
\underline{I}_n
&=\underline{u}_{nt} -\Delta
K(\underline{u}_n)- \lambda f(\underline{u}_{n-1}) =0,\\
\overline{I}_n
&= \overline{u}_{nt} -\Delta K(\overline{u}_n)- \lambda
f(\overline{u}_{n-1})=0, 
\end{align*} 
thus, 
$$
[\underline{u}_{nt} -\Delta K(\underline{u}_n)]-[\overline{u}_{nt} -\Delta
K(\overline{u}_n)]= \lambda f(\underline{u}_{n-1}) - \lambda
f(\overline{u}_{n-1}) \leq0,
$$ 
since
$\underline{u}_{n-1}\leq\overline{u}_{n-1}$, which holds for
$n=1,2,\dots$ (for $n=1$ see Lemma \ref{lemma pan katbb}). This
completes the proof.
\end{proof}

\begin{corollary}\label{corbb}
For the iteration schemes of  problems
\eqref{katbb}-\eqref{arx.k.p.bb} we have:
$\underline{u}_{n}\nearrow\underline{u}$, 
$\overline{u}_n\searrow\overline{u}$ pointwise as
$n\to\infty$ and hence $\underline{u}\leq\overline{u}$.
\end{corollary}

\begin{proof}
This is a consequence of the monotonicity of Proposition
 \ref{prop kataskeuh pan katbb}
and that the pair $(Z,V)$ is bounded.
\end{proof}

Next we prove that these solutions are indeed classical:

\begin{proposition}\label{prop as8enhs-kklassikibb}
Functions $\underline{u},\overline{u}$ are classical solutions to
the problem
\begin{equation} \label{pan,kat-solbb}
\left.\begin{gathered}
S(\underline{u})=S(\overline{u})=0,\quad x\in\Omega,\; t>0,\\
%\label{pan,kat-sol1bb}
\mathcal{B}(K(\underline{u}))=\mathcal{B}(K(\overline{u}))=0,\quad
x\in\partial\Omega,\; t>0,\\
%\label{pan,kat-sol2bb}
\underline{u}_0(x,0)=\overline{u}_0(x,0)=u_0(x),\quad
x\in\Omega,
\end{gathered}\right\}
\end{equation}
with $\underline{u},\overline{u}\in C^{2,1}(\Omega_T)$.
\end{proposition}

\begin{proof}
We shall write down \eqref{katbb}, \eqref{sun.k.p.bb}, \eqref{arx.k.p.bb} 
and \eqref{panbb}, \eqref{sun.k.p.bb}, \eqref{arx.k.p.bb} in a weak form 
(very weak solutions), see also \cite{lsv, va}.
More precisely:
\begin{equation}\label{vwfbb}
\begin{aligned}
&N(z(x,t))\\
 &\equiv\int_{\Omega}[z(y,s)\eta(y,s)]_0^{t}dy
 -\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}z(y,s)\eta_t(y,s)\,dy\,ds
 -\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}K(z)\Delta\eta\ dy\,ds\\
&=\lambda\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}f(z)\eta\
\,dy\,ds,
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
 where $K(z)\in \dot{V}_2(\Omega_T)\equiv L^{\infty}((0,T);L^2(\Omega_T))\cap
L^2((0,T);L^2_{loc}(\Omega))$  and  $z,\,f(z)\in
L^2(\Omega_T)$.
 The test function $ \eta\in W_c^{2,1}(\Omega_T)$,
($\eta$ can also be taken to belong to $C^{\infty}_c(\Omega_T)$,
 with compact support),
$\eta=\eta(x,t)\geq0$ with $\Delta\eta<0$,
(\cite [p.\,419]{lsv}, \cite{ls}).

The weak version of problem \eqref{katbb}, \eqref{sun.k.p.bb}, 
\eqref{arx.k.p.bb} can be written as
$$
N(\underline{u}_n)=\lambda\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}f(\underline{u}_{n-1})
\eta\,dy\,ds.
$$
Now, passing to the limit as $n\to\infty$, using the monotonicity of
$\underline{u}_{n},\overline{u}_{n}$, the monotone convergence theorem (due to
the boundedness of $z,v$, we may also use Lebesgue's dominated convergence
theorem) and the fact that $\tau<T$, with $T$ as in Example 
\ref{lemma oi prwtes uparxounbb} (we only need that $\overline{u}_n$ 
is uniformly bounded) we get
$$
N(\underline{u})=\lambda\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}f(\underline{u})\,\eta\,dy\,ds,
\quad\text{and similarly,}\quad
N(\overline{u})=\lambda\int_0^{t}\int_{\Omega}f(\overline{u})\,\eta\,dy\,ds.
$$
Equivalently, in the distributional sense,  we have: 
\begin{equation}\label{integral form of solution}
S(\overline{u})=S(\underline{u})=0,\quad
\text{in } \mathcal{D}' (\Omega_T).
\end{equation}

\textbf{Regularity:} 
In fact, the solutions found above are
classical. By using standard regularity theory, (see
\cite[p.\;419]{lsv}), we see that any bounded (very) weak solution
belongs to $C^{\alpha,\alpha/2}(\Omega_T)$ for some
$0<\alpha\leq1$ (Sobolev Embedding Lemma). By bounded (very) weak
solutions $\underline{u},\overline{u}$, we mean  functions which
satisfy \eqref{integral form of solution} and
$\|\underline{u}\|_{\infty},\;\|\overline{u}\|_{\infty}<\infty$ in $\Omega_T$. 
Now, by bootstrapping arguments and Schauder type estimates, we get that
$\underline{u},\overline{u}\in C^{2+\alpha,1+\alpha/2}(\Omega_T)$.
Finally,  $\underline{u},\overline{u}\in C^{2,1}(\Omega_T)$. 
This completes the proof.
\end{proof}

 Up to this point, we have proved that $\underline{u}\leq\overline{u}$, 
next we show that $\underline{u}=\overline{u}$.

\begin{lemma}\label{lembb}
Let $f$ be one-sided Lipschitz continuous:
$f(a+b)-f(b)\leq La$ where $L$ positive constant, $0<a<R$ for some
$R$ and $\underline{u},\,\overline{u}\in C^{2,1}(\Omega_T)$. 
Then $\underline{u}\geq\overline{u}$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Let $\underline{u}^{\varepsilon}=\underline{u}+\varepsilon e^{\sigma
t}>\underline{u}$  for some $\varepsilon>0$ (similarly for
$\overline{u}^{\varepsilon}$), moreover $0<\varepsilon\ll1$,
$\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}<\varepsilon e^{\sigma T}=R$ and $L$ constants, 
then as in Lemma \ref{lemma pan katbb}, we obtain
\begin{align*}
S(\underline{u}^{\varepsilon})
&= \underline{u}^{\varepsilon}_t -\Delta K(\underline{u}^{\varepsilon})-
\lambda f(\underline{u}^{\varepsilon}) \\
&\geq S(\underline{u})+\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}[\sigma-\lambda L -
K'''(\underline{u})|\nabla\underline{u}|^2-
K''(\underline{u})
\Delta\underline{u}]+O(\varepsilon^2)\\
&> S(\underline{u})= S(\overline{u}).
\end{align*} 
The last inequality holds since  $\sigma$ is taken to be large enough, 
$\underline{u}$ is bounded in  $C^{2,1}(\overline{\Omega}_T)$, 
$\underline{u}\leq\overline{u}$ and $\underline{u}^{\varepsilon}\leq\overline{u}$ 
for $\varepsilon\ll1$. On using now Lemma  \ref{lemma pan katbb}, we get
$\underline{u}^{\varepsilon}=\underline{u}+\varepsilon e^{\sigma t}>\overline{u}$ 
for any $0<\varepsilon\ll1$ and on taking
$\varepsilon\to0$ we derive now that  $\underline{u}\geq\overline{u}$.
\end{proof}

Finally, we have the next theorem which gives  a result concerning 
the local existence and uniqueness.

\begin{theorem} \label{thm7}
Problem \eqref{filtr} has a unique classical solution $u$ with
$C^{2,1}(\Omega_T)$ for some $T>0$.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
This proof is a consequence of the previous Lemmas and Propositions. 
For uniqueness see  Corollary \ref{corbb} and Lemma \ref{lembb}.
\end{proof}


Ending this section, we  mention a couple of other works, 
such as \cite{ls,Pao2} that are related to the local existence and 
uniqueness of solutions of type \eqref{filtr}.
More precisely, the first work,  Levine and Sacks \cite{ls},
proves that the solution to \eqref{filtr} is actually global in time 
under some extra assumption on  $f$.
The second work, Pao \cite{Pao2}, concerns the porous medium problem.  
In this  work, the maximum principle is used and  a proper iteration 
scheme of a pair of solutions is constructed, giving local existence 
and uniqueness.


\section{The steady-state and the linearized problem}

\subsection{The steady-state problem}

We recall \eqref{ssfiltr} that the corresponding steady-state
 problem of \eqref{filtr} is
\begin{equation}\label{ss}
\Delta(K(w(x)))+\lambda f(w(x)) = 0, \quad x \in \Omega,\quad
\mathcal{B}(K(w(x)))=0, \quad x \in \partial \Omega,
\end{equation}
(problem \eqref{ssfiltr} and \eqref{ss} are exactly the same).
We say that $w =w(x)> 0$ is a classical solution of \eqref{ss},
if $z=z(x)=K(w(x))$ is a classical solution ($z \in
C^2(\Omega) \cap C^1 (\bar{\Omega})$) of
\begin{equation}\label{ss2}
\Delta z+\lambda g(z) = 0, \quad x \in \Omega,
\quad
\mathcal{B}(z)=0, \quad x \in \partial \Omega,
\end{equation}
where $g(z)=f(K^{-1}(z))=f(w),\;\;z=K(w)$,
(again problem \eqref{ssheat} and \eqref{ss2} are exactly the same).
Condition \eqref{314} and  especially the monotonicity property of $K$
suggest that both the above steady-state problems are
equivalent with respect to the existence and to the multiplicity of
solutions (at least close to the supremum of $\lambda$,
say  $\lambda^*$, where
for  $\lambda< \lambda^*$, problem $\eqref{ss}$ has a classical solution,
see Figure \ref{fig1}(b)). The equivalence of both problems means that problem \eqref{ss}
has a classical solution if and only if problem \eqref{ss2} has a classical
solution.

 On using the pressure transformation \eqref{pretra}, $z=K(w)$ or $\sigma=K(s)$, 
we can get many qualitative results,
 but it constrains the function $f$ through the  conditions on $g(\sigma)$;
 that is, $g(\sigma)=f(s)=f(K^{-1}(\sigma))$ is a convex function with respect 
to $\sigma$; more precisely it is an increasing and convex function. 
This implies that the following conditions  on $f$ and $K$ should hold:
\begin{equation} \label{syn0} %\label{syn}
g''(\sigma)=\frac{f''(s)K'(s)-f'(s)K''(s)}{(K'(s))^3}
=\frac{1}{K'(s)}\Big(\frac{f'(s)}{K'(s)}\Big)'>0,\quad s\in\mathbb{R}.
\end{equation}
 More completely, the functions $g,f$ and $K$ satisfy
\begin{equation}\label{syn1}
g(\sigma)=f(s)>0,\quad g'(\sigma)=\frac{f'(s)}{K'(s)}>0,\quad
g''(\sigma)>0,\quad \sigma>0.
\end{equation}
For problem \eqref{ss2}, we know that  if
$g,g',g''>0$, ($g$ convex)  and \eqref{fun2444} holds,
 then there exists a critical value $\lambda^*<\infty$  such that
if $\lambda>\lambda^*$ problem \eqref{ss2} does not have  a solution
(of any kind)  while for $0<\lambda<\lambda^*$ has at least one,
($\|z\|$-diagrams, Figures \ref{fig1} (a) and (b))  see
\cite{am1,kw, kc,sa1}.
Also a similar diagram holds for $\|w\|=\|K^{-1}(z)\|$.
Note especially in Figure \ref{fig1}(b) for  $\lambda$ in the interval
 $(\lambda^*-\epsilon,\;\lambda^*)$, for some $0<\epsilon\ll 1$,
there exist (at least) two classical solutions. Actually,  we are
interested in the solutions near $\lambda^*<\infty$ and that
$(\lambda^*,\|w^*\|)$  is a bending point of the response diagram of the
steady-state problem.

 \begin{figure}[hbt]
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.46\textwidth]{fig1a} \quad
\includegraphics[width=0.46\textwidth]{fig1b}\\
(a) Open spectrum \hfil (b) Closed spectrum
\end{center}
\caption{}
\label{fig1}
\end{figure}

Therefore, we also suppose that for any
 $\lambda\in (\lambda^*-\epsilon,\lambda^*)$, $\epsilon>0$,
there exists a constant $C=C(\epsilon)$ such that the following estimate holds:
\begin{equation}\label{boun}
\|w(x;\lambda\|\leq C\quad\text{or equivalently} \quad
\|z(x;\lambda)\|=\|K(w(x;\lambda)\leq\|\leq K(C).
\end{equation}
We note that in the closed spectrum case, at the critical value
$\lambda=\lambda^*$ there exists a unique classical
solution $z^*=K(w^*)$,  while in the open spectrum
case a classical solution does not exist  but there exists only a weak
singular one (see \cite{lt,vldt}).

Now, if we want to relax $f$ and $K$ from condition \eqref{syn0}), 
we suppose either $N=1$ or $N \geq 2$ and replace \eqref{syn0} 
by  the following condition,
see  \cite{am1},
 \begin{equation}\label{syn2}
\liminf_{\sigma\to\infty}\frac{g(\sigma)}{\sigma}>c>0,\quad
g(\sigma)\leq a+b\,{\sigma}^\nu.
\end{equation}
 Relation \eqref{syn2}  for the functions $g(\sigma)=f(s)$ and
$\sigma=K(s)$ gives
\begin{equation} \label{syn3}
g(\sigma)=f(s)\leq a+b\,{K^\nu(s)},\quad
\sigma=K(s),\quad \sigma>0,\;s\in\mathbb{R},
\end{equation}
where $\nu<N/(N-1-\delta)$ and $\delta=0$  for the Dirichlet problem,
while  $\delta=1$ for the Neumann and Robin problems, \cite[p. 688]{am1}.

\subsection*{Remarks} 
(a) The significance of \eqref{syn2} is that it controls the growth of 
$g$ and ensures the existence of the closed spectrum $(0,\lambda^*]$ 
and that the solution $w^*(x;\lambda^*)$ to \eqref{ss} is classical.

 (b) Condition \eqref{syn2} or \eqref{syn3} does not contradict  
the conditions of superlinearity;  i.e.,
 \begin{equation}\label{syn4}
 \liminf_{\sigma\to\infty}\frac{g(\sigma)}{\sigma}
=\liminf_{s\to\infty}\frac{f(s)}{K(s)}>c>0,\quad \text{or}\quad
 \liminf_{s\to\infty}\frac{f(s)}{s\,K'(s)}>c>0,
 \end{equation}
for some $c>0$, which is a consequence of the condition
(integrability at $\infty$):
\begin{equation}\label{27re}
\int_{A=K^{-1}(a)}^\infty\frac{ds}{f(s)}
<\int_a^\infty\frac{d\sigma}{g(\sigma)}
=\int_{A=K^{-1}(a)}^\infty\frac{dK(s)}{f(s)}=
\int_A^\infty\frac{K'(s)}{f(s)}ds<\infty,
\end{equation}
for some $a$ or $A\geq 0$.
Let us now assume that \eqref{syn3} holds, taking into account the positivity,
monotonicity of $g(\sigma)$, $f(s)$ and $K(s)$, then on using similar methods
as in  \cite{kc}, and  a proper  successive approximation scheme of the form,
$K(w_n(x))=\int_\Omega G(x,y)f(w_{n-1}(y))dy$, (where $G>0$ is the Green's
function for $-\Delta$
with appropriate boundary conditions and Dini's theorem) we can get the
following existence result for $w(x)$:
\begin{equation}\label{ineq}
 K(w(x))=\lambda\int_\Omega G(x,y)f(w(y))dy.
\end{equation}
Equation \eqref{ineq} is equivalent, provided that \eqref{boun} holds,
to the existence of the classical steady-state solution of problem \eqref{ss}.
The existence of a bounded $\lambda$; i.e., $\lambda<\infty$ is given by \cite{kw},
which is a consequence of superlinearity condition $\eqref{syn4}$ that is
obtained by \eqref{27re}.
On taking condition \eqref{syn2} or \eqref{syn3},  we get the closed
spectrum diagram for problem \eqref{ss}  as in Figure \ref{fig1}(b), by
replacing $\|z\|$ with $\|w\|$.

In what follows we consider the closed spectrum case, see 
Figure \ref{fig1}(b); that is, there exists a unique classical solution
 $z^*=K(w^*)$ or equivalently $w^*=K^{-1}(z^*)$, at
$\lambda=\lambda^*$, for both problems $\eqref{ss}$ and $\eqref{ss2}$, 
and at least one solution (actually two solutions) at each 
$\lambda\in(\lambda^*-\epsilon,\;\lambda^*)$, $0<\epsilon\ll 1$.
In other words the response diagram (bifurcation) is bending 
at $\lambda^*$ and ($\lambda^*,\|w^*\|$) is the turning point of the 
response diagram, see Figure \ref{fig1}(b).

\subsection{Linearized problem}

Now we introduce the corresponding linearized problem of 
\eqref{ss} (or of \eqref{ssfiltr})  setting (stability by using perturbations):
\begin{gather*}
u(x,t)=w(x)+u_1(x,t)\varepsilon+u_2(x,t)\varepsilon^2+\dots,\quad \text{or}\\
u(x,t)=w(x)+\phi(x)e^{\mu t}\varepsilon+\dots,\quad\text{for }
0<\varepsilon\ll 1.
\end{gather*}
Next we substitute in  equation \eqref{filtr}:
 \begin{align*}
&\varepsilon\phi e^{\mu t}\mu +\dots\\
&=\Delta K(u)+\lambda f(u)=\Delta[K(u)-K(w)]+\Delta K(w)+
\lambda f(u)\\
&=\Delta[K'(w)\phi e^{\mu t}\varepsilon+\frac{K''(w)}{2}
 (u_1\varepsilon+\dots)^2+\dots]+\lambda(f(u)-f(w))
\\
&=\Delta[K'(w)\phi e^{\mu t}\varepsilon+\frac{K''(w)}{2}
 (u_1\varepsilon+\dots)^2+\dots]+\lambda f'(w)\varepsilon
\phi e^{\mu t}+\dots \\
&=\varepsilon e^{\mu t}\Delta(K'(w)\phi) 
+\lambda f'(w)\varepsilon \phi e^{\mu t}+O(\varepsilon^2),
\quad x\in\Omega,\quad t>0,
\end{align*}
\begin{gather*}
\mathcal{B}(K(u))=\mathcal{B}(K(w))+e^{\mu t}\mathcal{B}(K'(w)\phi)
\varepsilon+O(\varepsilon^2)=0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega,\quad t>0,\\
u_0=u_0(x)=w(x)+\phi(x)\varepsilon+O(\varepsilon^2),\;\;x\in\Omega.
\end{gather*}
The above procedure is an asymptotic expansion provided that
 $u_i(x,t)$, $i=1,2,\dots$ are uniformly bounded and of order one  
$(O(1))$, thus on taking terms of the same order
with respect to $\varepsilon$, we obtain \eqref{ss} and the  
problem
\begin{gather*}
\varepsilon:\quad\phi e^{\mu t}\mu=[\Delta K'(w)\phi]e^{\mu t}
+\lambda f'(w)\phi e^{\mu t},\quad x\in\Omega,\\
\varepsilon:\quad\mathcal{B}(K'(w)\phi)=0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega.
\end{gather*}
Thus  we get  the linearized problem of \eqref{ss} 
(or of \eqref{ssfiltr}):
\begin{equation}\label{linear}
\Delta [K'(w)\phi]+\lambda f'(w)\phi= \mu\phi,\quad x\in\Omega,
\quad\mathcal{B}(K'(w)\phi)=0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega.
\end{equation}
The above problem has a solution for each  $\lambda\in(0,\lambda^*]$.
This follows  from a suitable  iteration scheme of the integral
representations, \cite{kc}:
 \[
 K'(w_n(x))\phi_n(x)=\int_\Omega(\lambda f'(w_{n-1}(y))
-\mu)\phi_{n-1}(y)G(x,y)dy,
\]
 provided that $f'(0)>\mu/\lambda$.  Actually, $w_n\to w>0$
(due to problem \eqref{ssfiltr}),\ $\phi_n\to\phi>0$ in $\Omega$, uniformly
 as $n\to\infty$  and $G>0$ is the Green's function with appropriate boundary
conditions, ($\mathcal{B}(G)=0$).\\ Another way of getting  such
 results is  by using variational methods, \cite{cr,kc}, or functional
analysis techniques \cite{am1}; one can get directly that,
if $\lambda<\lambda^*$ then $\phi>0$. \\ Also, it can be obtained
that the response diagram for problem $\eqref{linear}$ is as it appears
in Figure \ref{fig2}; as a result  the sign and zeros of $\mu$ become known.
 Alternatively, to get  the sign and  zeros of $\mu$; i.e., Figure \ref{fig2},
we can also  use  the corresponding linearized problem of \eqref{ss2}; that is:
\begin{equation}\label{widhat}
 \Delta \widehat{\phi}+ \lambda g'(z)\widehat{\phi}
=\widehat{\mu}\widehat{\phi},\quad x\in\Omega,
 \quad
\mathcal B(\widehat{\phi})=0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega.
 \end{equation}
Thus, it is known that if $\lambda<\lambda^*$ then $\widehat{\phi}>0$,
 \cite{am1,cr,kc}.
Moreover,  the response diagram for problem $\eqref{widhat}$
is as it appears in Figure \ref{fig2} (by replacing $w$ with $z$ and
$\mu$ with $\widehat{\mu}$;
the principal eigenpair $(\widehat{\mu},\widehat{\phi})$ has $\widehat{\phi}>0$
 and the sign of $\widehat{\mu}$ is as in Figure \ref{fig2}).
On replacing  $z=K(w)$ and $g(z)=f(w)$,  then problem \eqref{ss2}
becomes problem $\eqref{ss}$.
Now, on multiplying problem \eqref{widhat} by $K'(w)\phi>0$, problem
\eqref{linear} by $\widehat{\phi}>0$, subtracting these two problems
and using  Green's  identity we obtain
\begin{equation}\label{sinmu}
\mu=\widehat{\mu}\frac{\int_\Omega\phi\,\widehat{\phi}\,K'(w)\,dx}
{\int_\Omega\phi \,\widehat{\phi}\,dx}.
\end{equation}
Hence, the sign and zeros of $\mu$ coincide with those  of $\widehat{\mu}$,
which implies the validity of Figure \ref{fig2}.

   In what follows we consider the closed spectrum case, 
see Figure \ref{fig1}(b), thus we have the following theorem.

\begin{theorem} \label{thm8}
 Let $f,K$ satisfy \eqref{314}-\eqref{fun2444}, and either (i) $N=1$, 
or (ii) $N\geq 2$ but now   either  \eqref{syn0} and \eqref{boun}   
or \eqref{syn3} hold, then problem \eqref{ss}, has  at least one unique 
classical solution $w^*$   at
$\lambda=\lambda^*$ and  at least two solutions at each 
$\lambda\in(\lambda^*-\epsilon,\;\lambda^*)$, $0<\epsilon\ll 1$.
In other words, the response diagram (bifurcation) has  at least one 
turning (bending)  point at  ($\lambda^*,\|w^*\|$), see 
Figure \ref{fig1}(b). Moreover, for every $\lambda\in (0,\lambda^*)$, 
the minimal positive solution $\underline w$ is asymptotically stable  
and the first eigenvalue $\mu(\lambda)$ of \eqref{linear} is negative, while
the next bigger  classical solution $ w$ is unstable and the first 
eigenvalue $\mu(\lambda)$ of \eqref{linear} is positive. The branch 
($\lambda,\|w\|)$ near ($\lambda^*,\|w^*\|)$  forms a continuously differentiable 
curve and the first eigenvalue of \eqref{linear} at $\lambda=\lambda^*$ is 
$\mu^*=\mu(\lambda^*)=0$.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
The proof is  described briefly below; we use the pressure transformation, 
the results of problem \eqref{ss2} and the papers \cite{am1,cr, kw, kc}.
Precisely, we can get the  response diagram of Figure \ref{fig2}, 
in which we also note, on using  arrows,  the stability of steady-state 
solutions.

\begin{figure}[hbt]
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.7\textwidth, clip=true]{fig2} % lin
\end{center}
\caption{Response diagram.  Linearized stability.}
\label{fig2}
\end{figure}

Actually, at the lower branch we have  $\mu<0$ (the minimal solution
$\underline{w}$ is stable, linearized stability) at the upper
branch $\mu>0$  (the maximal solution $\overline{w}$ is unstable).
 From the continuity of the spectrum \cite{cr}, for $\lambda>0$ 
or at least in a left region of $\lambda^*$, we
get that  $\mu^*=0$ at $\lambda=\lambda^*$, therefore we have 
the linearized problem:
\begin{equation} \label{lin1t}
\left.\begin{gathered}
\Delta (K'(w^*)\phi^*)+\lambda^* f'(w^*)\phi^*=0,\quad
w^*=w^*(x),\quad \phi^*=\phi^*(x),\quad x\in\Omega, \\
%\label{lin2}
\mathcal{B}(K'(w^*)\phi^*)=0,\quad\ x\in\partial\Omega.
\end{gathered}\right\}
\end{equation}
Now, we consider the  response diagram at the interval
$(\lambda^*-\epsilon,\lambda^*)$ with $0<\epsilon\ll1$. 
This diagram is continuous and concerns
classical solutions (this has been proven for problem 
$\Delta z+\lambda g(z)=0$, $\mathcal{B}(z)=0$, with  
$g(z)=f(K^{-1}(z))=f(w)>0$,
$g'(z)>0$, $g''(z)>0$, see \cite{cr}). We have to note that the response
 diagrams $(\lambda,\|z\|)$ and $(\lambda,\|w\|)$
are similar around the bending point $(\lambda^*,\|w^*\|)$ due to 
the monotonicity of $K(z)$.

The stability-instability can be obtained by using upper and lower
solutions  (Sattinger's type arguments \cite{sa1} and successive
approximations). More precisely these results can be obtained as follows.
 On choosing appropriate initial data
$\widehat{u}_0$ and on using comparison methods, we prove that the lower
branch ($\lambda,\|\underline w\|$) is asymptotically stable while the 
upper branch ($\lambda,\|w\|$) is
unstable, Figure \ref{fig2}. Moreover for the linearized problem 
\eqref{linear} we get  that
due to the continuity and the monotonicity on each branch of the 
response diagram we derive:
$0>\mu(\lambda)\nearrow\mu^*-$, when $\lambda\to\lambda^*-$ 
at the lower branch while $0<\mu(\lambda)\searrow\mu^*+,\ \lambda\to\lambda^*-$ 
at the upper branch, therefore $\mu^*=0$.

The proof of the stability is obtained  by taking appropriate initial data
$\widehat{u}_0(x)=w(x)+\varepsilon\phi(x)$, 
$w(x),\phi(x)>0$, $0<|\varepsilon|\ll1$. Particularly,
\begin{gather*}
\begin{aligned}
&\Delta (K(\widehat{u}_0))+\lambda f(\widehat{u}_0)\\
&=\Delta[K(w+\varepsilon\phi)-K(w)]
 +\Delta (K(w))+\lambda f(w)
 +\lambda f'(w)\phi\,\varepsilon
 +\frac{\lambda}{2} f''(\xi)\phi^2\varepsilon^2\\
&=[\Delta (K'(w)\phi)+\lambda f'(w)\phi]\varepsilon+\frac{\varepsilon^2}{2}
 \Delta(K''(\xi) \phi^2)+ \frac{\lambda}{2}f''(\xi)\phi^2\varepsilon^2\\
&=\mu\phi\,\varepsilon+O(\varepsilon^2)\equiv R,
\end{aligned}\\
\operatorname{sgn}(R)=\operatorname{sgn}(\mu\phi \varepsilon)
=\operatorname{sgn}(\mu \varepsilon).
\end{gather*}
 From the previous relation we obtain
$(+)$, that is the $\operatorname{sgn}(R)$ or $\mu\,\varepsilon>0$;
 therefore, $\widehat{u}_0$ is a lower solution to \eqref{ss}; $(-)$; that is,
the $\operatorname{sgn}(R)$ or $\mu\varepsilon<0$,
therefore $\widehat{u}_0$ is an upper solution to \eqref{ss}.


More precisely, on the upper branch at  $w$, (the largest $w$), 
 we get $\widehat{u}_0=w+\varepsilon\phi$, $\mu>0$, $\varepsilon>0$ and 
$\widehat{u}_0$ is a lower solution of the
steady-state problem; therefore, $u_t(x,t;\widehat{u}_0)=\widehat{u}_t>0$.
Finally, for $0<\lambda\leq\lambda^*$, $\widehat{u}=u(x,t;\widehat{u}_0)$ 
is increasing with respect to  $t$ and
unbounded, otherwise, by standard arguments, $u\to \widehat {w}->w$, 
which is in contradiction  to $w$ being the  largest solution, (see also below). 
Thus, $\|u\|\to\infty$, $t\to T-\leq\infty$ and $w$ is  unstable
from above. Similarly $\mu>0$, $\varepsilon<0$  and again on the
upper branch at $w$, then $\widehat{u}_0$ is an upper solution; therefore,
 $\widehat{u}$ is decreasing with respect to $t$, hence $w$ is unstable from below.
Indeed, for every $\varepsilon>0$, there exists 
$\delta= \delta(\varepsilon):\|u_0-w\|<\delta$ with
$\|u(x,t;u_0)-w(x)\|>\varepsilon$ (we interpolate properly $\widehat{u}_0$: 
$u_0>\widehat{u}_0>w$,  above  $w$;
$u_0<\widehat{u}_0<w$,  below  $w$).

Similarly, we work on the lower branch at $w$; say $\underline{w}$,  
the minimal solution to \eqref{ssfiltr}, $\mu<0$, $\varepsilon<0$, so
$\widehat{u}=u(x,t;\widehat{u}_0)$ is increasing with respect to
time $t$ and $\underline{w}$ is stable from below. At
$\underline{w}$, for $\mu<0$, $\varepsilon>0$, so
$\widehat{u}= u(x,t;\widehat{u}_0)$ is decreasing with respect to
time $t$ and $\underline{w}$ is stable from above.

Thus, $\underline{w}$ is asymptotically stable for any 
$\lambda\in(\lambda^*-\epsilon,\lambda^*)$, as well as for any 
$\lambda\in(0,\lambda^*)$. Finally, we get
 that for every $\varepsilon>0$, there exists 
$\delta=\delta(\varepsilon):\|u_0-\underline{w}\|<\delta$ with
 $\|u(x,t;u_0)-\underline{w}(x)\|<\varepsilon$
 and $u(x,t;u_0)\to\underline{w}$ pointwise as $t\to\infty$; therefore,
$\underline w$ is asymptotically stable (we choose appropriate $\widehat{u}_0$; 
that  is below   $\underline{w}$,
  $\underline{w}>u_0>\widehat{u}_0$,   or  above  
$\underline{w}$, $\underline{w}<u_0<\widehat{u}_0$, and take
  equicontinuous sequences with   respect to $t$). 
\end{proof}

For an alternative way  of getting similar results, the sign of $\mu$, 
see also  \cite{cr,kc}.


\section{Blow-up}

In this section we give some blow-up results. We recall that 
\eqref{314}-\eqref{fun2444} hold and that $K(0)=0$, $K'(0),K''(0)>0$. 
Firstly we show the unboundness of $u$; on taking $u_0$ to be a lower 
solution to \eqref{ss}; i.e., $u_0=0$, then $u$ is unbounded and 
$\|u(\cdot,t;u_0)\|\to\infty$ as $t\to T-\leq \infty$ for any 
$\lambda>\lambda^*$. This is due to the fact that if $u$ was uniformly 
bounded for $t>0$  it would converge to $w$ i.e. $u(x,t_n)\to w(x)$ as 
$t_n\to\infty$. Then, by standard parabolic type arguments ($\omega$-limit set,
 etc.), \cite{nst}, see also \cite{Pao2}, $w$ will be a stationary 
solution which is a contradiction for $\lambda>\lambda^*$.  
The same argument holds,  for $0<\lambda\leq\lambda^*$ with 
$u_0=w(x)+\varepsilon\phi(x),\;\; \phi(x)>0, \;\;0<\varepsilon\ll1$ where 
$w$ is the largest stationary solution to \eqref{ss},  $u$ is unbounded.

\subsection{Blow-up on using Kaplan's method for 
$\boldsymbol{\lambda\gg 1}$; $\mathbf{K,f}$ satisfy
 \eqref{con1}}

 Another necessary condition for blow-up of  solutions of   \eqref{filtr}  
is \eqref{fun2444}(b) and can be taken from the spatial version of the
  problem;  i.e., $u(x,t)=v(t)$. Now we consider that $u(x,t)$ 
is uniform with respect to $x$, so $u(x,t)=v(t)$ and take the spatial 
derivatives zero. Thus we  get the  ordinary differential equation
$$
\frac{dv}{dt}=\lambda f(v),\quad t>0,\quad v(0)=\sup_\Omega u_0(x),
$$
then, due to \eqref{fun2444}(b), 
$\lambda t<\int_{v(0)}^{v(t)}ds/f(s)\leq\int^{\infty}_{v(0)}ds/f(s)<\infty$.
On the other hand, a sufficient blow-up condition of problem \eqref{filtr} 
can be  obtained by using Kaplan's method.
We set the function $\varphi=\varphi(x)$ to satisfy:
\begin{equation} \label{Kaap}
\Delta\varphi=-\nu_1\varphi,\quad x\in\Omega,\quad
 \mathcal{B}(\varphi)=0,\quad x\in\partial\Omega,
\end{equation}
with $\int_{\Omega}\varphi dx=1$  and $(\nu_1,\,\varphi)$
 the first eigenpair of \eqref{Kaap}, with $\nu_1,\varphi(x)>0$.

At this point  we can see the necessity of  an extra comparison condition 
between $K(u)$ and  $f(u)$, therefore we additionally assume:
\begin{equation}\label{con1}
\int_{\Omega}[K(u(x,t))-f(u(x,t))]\varphi(x) dx\leq 0, \quad t>0,
\end{equation}
where $u$ is the solution to \eqref{filtr} and $\varphi$ satisfies \eqref{Kaap}.

The difference with the next subsection is that here  we have blow-up  
for $\lambda$ large enough, namely for  $\lambda>\nu_1\geq\lambda^*$, 
(for $\nu_1\geq\lambda^*$, see \cite{cr,kc},) and that \eqref{con1} is satisfied.

 Now we introduce the functional $A(t)=\int_{\Omega}u(x,t)\varphi(x) dx$,  
 multiply equation \eqref{filtr} with a smooth
function  $\varphi$ on $\Omega$,  integrate over $\Omega$ and obtain
\begin{equation}\label{Kap}
\begin{aligned}
A'(t)&=\int_{\Omega}u_t(x,t)\varphi(x) dx
= \frac{d}{dt}\int_{\Omega}u(x,t)\varphi(x) dx\\
&=\int_{\Omega}\varphi\Delta K(u)dx+\lambda\int_{\Omega}\varphi f(u)dx.
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
Applying  Green's  identity on \eqref{Kap} and using the auxiliary problem
\eqref{Kaap} we obtain
 \begin{equation}\label{Kap1}
A'(t)=-\nu_1\int_{\Omega}\varphi K(u)dx+\lambda\int_{\Omega}\varphi f(u)dx.
\end{equation}
Then \eqref{con1} and  \eqref{Kap1} give
$$
A'(t)\geq|\Omega|(\lambda-\nu_1)\oint_{\Omega}f(u)\varphi dx,\quad
\text{where } \oint_{\Omega}=(1/|\Omega|)\int_\Omega.
$$
On using now Jensen's inequality, for $\lambda>\nu_1$, we derive:
$$
A'(t)\geq(\lambda-\nu_1)f(A).
$$
The above relation implies  blow-up of $A$ and hence of $u$
($A(t)\leq C\|u(\cdot,t\|$) for $\lambda>\nu_1$ due to
\eqref{fun2444}. Moreover, $\nu_1\geq\lambda^*$, see \cite{cr,kc};
 an alternative way to prove the latter is   the use of \eqref{con1}
 by substituting $u$ for $w$. This is a consequence of  the positivity and
the monotonicity of $K$ and $f$; indeed, taking $\widehat{u}_0=0$, then
$\widehat{u}_0$ is a lower solution to \eqref{ss} and
 $\widehat{u}_t=u_t(x,t;\widehat{u}_0)>0$. If now $0\leq\widehat{u}_0<u_0<w$,
 then $\widehat{u}<u<w$ and taking the limit as $t\to\infty$, we get that
$u(x,t)\to w(x;\lambda)-$, $\lambda\leq\lambda^*$, and
\begin{equation} \label{con11}
\int_{\Omega}[K(w(x))-f(w(x))]\varphi(x) dx\leq0,\quad \varphi>0.
\end{equation}
Then, if we  multiply \eqref{ss} by $\varphi$,  integrate,  and use
\eqref{con11}, for  $\lambda$  in the spectrum of \eqref{ss}, we obtain
$$
0=-\nu_1\int_\Omega K(w)\varphi dx+\lambda\int_\Omega f(w)\varphi
\geq(\lambda-\nu_1)\int_\Omega f(w)\varphi dx,
$$
which implies $\nu_1\geq\lambda$ and then $\nu_1\geq\lambda^*$;
for an alternative proof without the requirement
\eqref{con11} see \cite{cr,kc}.

\subsection{Blow-up for $\boldsymbol{\lambda>\lambda^*}$  and any non-negative initial data }

In this paragraph, we prove our main result, which is the blow-up of  
solutions of \eqref{filtr} when $\lambda>\lambda^*$ and for any $u_0\geq0$.  
We mainly follow  the method  that was first applied by   Lacey in \cite{l}, 
also called  the spectral method. Thus we have the following theorem.

\begin{theorem} \label{thm9}
Let $f,K$ satisfy \eqref{314}-\eqref{fun2444} and either \eqref{syn0} 
or \eqref{syn3}, then the  solution to \eqref{filtr} blows up in finite 
time $t^*<\infty$ for any $\lambda>\lambda^*$ and any non-negative initial data.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
 We consider problem \eqref{lin1t}; i.e.,
the linearized problem of \eqref{ss}, for
$\lambda=\lambda^*$, with  first eigenpair 
$(\mu^*, \phi^*)=(0, \phi^*)$, $\phi^*>0$ in $\Omega$, see Theorem \ref{thm8}:
\begin{equation}\label{ssss}
\Delta (K'(w^*)\phi^*)+\lambda^* f'(w^*)\phi^*=0,\quad x\in\Omega,\quad
\mathcal{B}( K'(w^*)\phi^*)=0,\quad  x\in \partial\Omega.
\end{equation}
We multiply problem \eqref{filtr} by $K'(w^*)\phi^*$, and
integrate over $\Omega$,
\begin{align*}
\int_\Omega u_t K'(w^*)\phi^* dx
&=\int_\Omega K'(w^*)\phi^*(\Delta K(u)) dx
 +\lambda\int_\Omega K'(w^*)f(u)\phi^* dx\\
&=\int_\Omega K'(w^*)\phi^*[\Delta (K(u)-K(w^*)) \\
&\quad +\Delta K(w^*)]dx+\lambda\int_\Omega K'(w^*)f(u)\phi^* dx;
\end{align*}
then we use the Green's identity and from \eqref{ssss}, we derive
\begin{align*}
\int_\Omega u_t K'(w^*)\phi^* dx
&=-\lambda^*\int_\Omega \phi^*\,f'(w^*)[ K(u)-K(w^*] dx
 +\lambda\int_\Omega K'(w^*)f(u)\phi^* dx\\
&\quad -\lambda^*\int_\Omega K'(w^*)f(w^*)\phi^*dx.
\end{align*}
We add and subtract  $\lambda^*\int_\Omega f(u)
K'(w^*)\phi^* dx$ and define
$\alpha(t)=\int_\Omega K'(w^*)\phi^*udx$, thus  we obtain
\begin{align*}
\alpha'(t)
&=\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* u_tdx\\
&=(\lambda-\lambda^*)\int_{\Omega}K'(w^*)\phi^* f(u)dx
-\lambda^*\int_\Omega \phi^*\,f'(w^*)[ K(u)-K(w^*] dx\\
&\quad +\lambda^*\int_{\Omega} \phi^*K'(w^*)[f(u)-f(w^*)] dx\\
&\geq (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+\lambda^*\int_{\Omega} [K'(w^*)
(f(u)-f(w^*))-f'(w^*)(K(u)-K(w^*))]\phi^* dx,
\end{align*}
where $I_B=\inf_{t}\int_\Omega K'(w^*)\phi^*f(u)dx
=\int_\Omega K'(w^*)\phi^*\inf_tf(u)dx>0$.

We set now $u=u(x,t)=w^*+v=w^*(x)+v(x,t)$, and use for simplicity, 
in some parts of calculations $s$ as a general variable, instead of $v$; i.e.,
 $u=w^*+s$. Next we shall construct a function $h(s)$ such that
$h(0)=0,\;h(s)>0$ for $s\in\mathbb{R^*}$, $h$ convex and 
$h(s)=\Lambda[f(s)-f(0)-sf'(0)]\leq \inf_{x\in\Omega}[f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)-sf'(w^*)]$ 
for $s\geq u_B-M$, where
$u_B=\inf_{\Omega}u_0(x)\geq 0$, $\max_{x\in\Omega} w^*(x)=M<\infty$, 
$0<\Lambda\leq1/2$ and $\int_b^\infty ds/h(s)<\infty$ for every $b\geq0$, 
see \cite[p. 1355]{l}.
Therefore,
\begin{align*}
F&=F(s;w^*)\equiv [f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)]K'(w^*)-[K(w^*+s)-K(w^*)]f'(w^*)\\
&=\begin{cases}
F_1(s;w^*), &\text{for $0\leq w^*+s\leq w^*$ or $s\leq0$,}\\
F_2(s;w^*), &\text{for $w^*+s>w^*$ or $s>0$,}
\end{cases}
\end{align*}
with $s$ a general variable and 
$0\leq m=\min_{x\in\Omega} w^*(x)\leq w^*(x)\leq
\max_{x\in\Omega} w^*(x)=M<\infty$.

\subsection*{Interval I:} 
For $s\leq 0$, so that  $u_B-M\leq s\leq0$, that is
$w^*+s\leq w^*$, and extending the domain of $f$ and $K$ to be defined 
also for negative values, we obtain
\begin{equation}\label{xrhsim}
\begin{aligned}
F&=F_1(s;w^*)=[f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)]K'(w^*)-[K(w^*+s)-K(w^*)]f'(w^*)\\
&=F_1(0;w^*)+F_1'(0;w^*)s +F_1''(\eta;w^*)s^2/2=F_1''(\eta;w^*)s^2/2 \\
&=[f''(w^*+\eta)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta)f'(w^*)]s^2/2,
\quad\text{for }s<\eta<0.
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
 In the previous expression,  $F_1$ has been  expanded with respect to $s$
 as a Taylor series   about $0$,
$F_1'(0;w^*)=[\frac{d}{ds}F_1(s;w^*)]_{s=0}$, etc. and
$F_1(0;w^*)=F'_1(0;w^*)=0$.
 From relation \eqref{syn0}, $\theta=w^*+\eta\leq w^*$ with $u_B-M\leq\eta\leq 0$,
 thus we have
\begin{equation}\label{neasxe}
\frac{f''(\theta)}{K''(\theta)}>\frac{f'(\theta)}{K'(\theta)}\quad\text{and}\quad
\frac{f''(w^*)}{K''(w^*)}>\frac{f'(w^*)}{K'(w^*)}
 >\frac{f'(\theta)}{K'(\theta)},\quad \theta\in\mathbb{R}.
\end{equation}
If now $\frac{f''(\theta)}{K''(\theta)}=\frac{f''(w^*+\eta)}{K''(w^*+\eta)}
\leq\frac{f'(w^*)}{K'(w^*)}$, for any $\eta\leq 0$,
then on taking $\eta\to 0-$ we obtain
$\frac{f''(w^*)}{K''(w^*)}\leq\frac{f'(w^*)}{K'(w^*)}$, contradicting
\eqref{neasxe}; therefore
\begin{equation} \label{xrhs}
\frac{f''(\theta)}{K''(\theta)}=\frac{f''(w^*+\eta)}{K''(w^*+\eta)}
>\frac{f'(w^*)}{K'(w^*)},\quad s\leq\eta\leq0.
\end{equation}
Hence, relations \eqref{xrhsim} and \eqref{xrhs} (replacing $w^*$ with
$l_0$ and $\eta$ with $\eta_0$) imply  that
\begin{align*}
F&=F_1(s;w^*)\geq\inf_\eta[f''(w^*+\eta)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&\geq\min_{x\in\overline{\Omega}}[f''(w^*+\eta_0)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*
 +\eta_0)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&=[f''(l_0+\eta_0)K'(l_0)-K''(l_0+\eta_0)f'(l_0)]s^2/2=\Lambda_1s^2,
\end{align*}
where $l_0={w^*(x_0)}$,  for some $x_0\in\overline{\Omega}$ and some
$\eta_0\in [s,\,0]$;  moreover $\Lambda_1>0$ due to \eqref{neasxe}.

So there is a $\Lambda_2>0$ small enough such that
\begin{equation}\label{0}
F=F_1(s;w^*)\geq \Lambda_1 s^2\geq
\Lambda_2[f(s)-f(0)-sf'(0)],\;\; u_B-M<s\leq 0.
\end{equation}

\textbf{Interval II:} For $s>0$, but now  $s<S$,  for some $S$ 
(see below \eqref{equ}), and $w^*<w^*+s$,  we have
\begin{align*}
F&=F_2(s;w^*)=[f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)]K'(w^*)-[K(w^*+s)-K(w^*)]f'(w^*)\\
&=F_2(0;w^*)+F_2'(0;w^*)s +F_2''(\eta;w^*)s^2/2=F_2''(\eta;w^*)s^2/2 \\
&=[f''(w^*+\eta)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta)f'(w^*)]s^2/2, \quad
\text{for } 0<\eta<s\leq S,
\end{align*}
Relation \eqref{syn0} now gives:
\begin{equation}\label{neasxe1}
\frac{f''(\theta)}{K''(\theta)}>\frac{f'(\theta)}{K'(\theta)}
>\frac{f'(w^*)}{K'(w^*)},\quad
\theta=w^*+\eta>0,\quad\text{with } 0\leq\eta\leq S.
\end{equation}
Hence, from \eqref{neasxe1}, we have
\begin{align*}
 F_2(s;w^*)
& =[f''(w^*+\eta)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&\geq \inf_\eta [f''(w^*+\eta)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&=[f''(w^*+\eta_1)K'(w^*)-K''(w^*+\eta_1)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&\geq \min_{x\in\overline{\Omega}}[f''(w^*+\eta_1)K'(w^*)
 -K''(w^*+\eta_1)f'(w^*)]s^2/2\\
&=[f''(l_1+\eta_1)K'(l_1)-K''(l_1+\eta_1)f'(l_1)]s^2/2\\
&=\Lambda_3 s^2>0,\quad  l_1=w^*(x_1),\; x_1\in\overline{\Omega},
\end{align*}
for some $x_1$; moreover $\Lambda_3>0$ due to \eqref{neasxe1}.
So there is a $\Lambda_4>0$  small enough such that
\begin{equation}\label{1}
F=F_2(s;w^*)\geq \Lambda_3 s^2\geq
\Lambda_4[f(s)-f(0)-sf'(0)],\quad 0<s<S.
\end{equation}


\textbf{Interval III:} For $s>0$, actually for $s>S$ for some $S>0$ and
$w^*<w^*+s$ we get  that
\begin{equation}\label{2}
\begin{aligned}
F(s;w^*)&=F_2(s;w^*)=A(s;w^*)-B(s;w^*)\\
&=[f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)]K'(w^*)-[K(w^*+s)-K(w^*)]f'(w^*)\\
&\geq K'(w^*)[f(w^*+s)-f(w^*)-\Lambda_5sK'(w^*+s)]
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
where  $\Lambda_5=f'(M)/K'(m),\;$ ($K'(m)>0,\;m\geq 0$).
From the growth condition  \eqref{fun2444}(a), we have
\begin{equation}\label{equ}
\frac{f(s)}{K'(s)}>c_1s+c_2,\quad s>S=S(c_1,c_2);
\end{equation}
for any $c_1,c_2>0$, there exists  $S=S(c_1,c_2)\geq0$ which is the
largest root of the equation $f(s)/K'(s)=c_1s+c_2$.
Relation  \eqref{equ} implies
\begin{equation}\label{344}
\frac{f(w^*+s)}{K'(w^*+s)}>c_1(w^*+s)+c_2\quad \text{for }s>S,
\end{equation}
 where $w^*+s\geq s> S $.
From relation \eqref{344} we get that
\begin{equation}\label{4}
\begin{aligned}
f(w^*+s)&>c_1(w^*+s)K'(w^*+s)+c_2K'(w^*+s)\\
&\geq c_1sK'(w^*+s)+c_2K'(m)\\
&=2[\Lambda_5s K'(w^*+s)+f(M)],
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
on taking $c_1=2\Lambda_5=2f'(M)/K'(m)$ and $c_2=2f(M)/K'(m)$.
From \eqref{2}, \eqref{4} we derive:
\begin{equation} \label{5}
\begin{aligned}
F_2(s;w^*)&\geq K'(w^*)[f(w^*+s)-f(M)-\Lambda_5sK'(w^*+s)] \\
&\geq K'(w^*)[f(w^*+s)-\frac{1}{2}f(w^*+s)]\\
&\geq K'(w^*)\frac{1}{2}f(w^*+s) \\
&\geq K'(w^*)\frac{1}{2}f(s)
 \geq K'(m)\frac{1}{2}f(s)\\
&>\Lambda_6[f(s)-f(0)-sf'(0)]>0,
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
where $0<\Lambda_6<K'(m)/2$.


\subsection*{Remarks}
(a) We remind  the reader that parameter $\lambda^*$ is fixed and
 $w^*=w^*(x)=w^*(x;\lambda^*)\in C^2(\Omega)\cap C^1(\overline\Omega)$ 
is a fixed unique solution to \eqref{ss} at $\lambda=\lambda^*$. 
This implies that $\inf_x w^*(x)=m\geq 0$, (depending on the boundary conditions) 
and $\sup_x w^*(x)=M.$ Therefore $m$ and $M$ are fixed and 
$\Lambda_5=\Lambda_5(m,M)$.

(b) Before going further, it is worth  noting  that from interval III, 
we shall get the blow-up of solutions, while from
intervals I, II together with III we shall get an upper bound for 
the blow-up time $t^*$. More precisely, intervals I, II  are used 
for finding a better estimate of the upper bound of $t^*$; while
 in these intervals $u$ is uniformly bounded with respect to $x$,
 with $t<T$ for some $T>0$, i.e. $u=u(x,t)<M+S$. It is remarkable 
that condition \eqref{syn0} is used only on the intervals I, II  
and contributes to better estimation of the upper bound of blow-up time.

Next, on using  \eqref{0}, \eqref{1} and \eqref{5}  we take $h=h(s)$ such that
\begin{equation} \label{8}
h(s)=\Lambda[f(s)-f(0)-sf'(0)]>0,
\end{equation}
where $\Lambda=\min\{\Lambda_2,\Lambda_4,\Lambda_6\}$ depending upon
$K'$; moreover $h$ satisfies
\begin{equation} \label{conh}
h(s)>0, \quad s\in\mathbb{R^*}, \quad h'(s)>0, \quad
h(0)=h'(0)=0,\quad h''(s)>0,\quad s\in\mathbb{R},
\end{equation}
and its minimum is $(0,\,h(0))=(0,0)$.

Thus,  for   $v=u-w^*$, 
$A(t)=\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* vdx
=\alpha(t)-\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* w^*dx$, with
 $a(t)=\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* udx$, normalizing 
$\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* dx=1$,  using \eqref{conh} and Jensen's 
inequality, then for  $\lambda>\lambda^*$, we have
\begin{align}
&\alpha'(t) \nonumber  \\
&=A'(t)=\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* v_tdx \nonumber \\
& \geq (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+\lambda^*\int_{\Omega}
 \{ K'(w^*)[(f(u)-f(w^*)]-f'(w^*)[K(u)-K(w^*))]\phi^* \}dx \nonumber \\
&\geq (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+\lambda^*\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)
 \Lambda[f(v)-f(0)-vf'(0)]\phi^* dx  \nonumber \\
&\geq (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B +\lambda^*\int_{\Omega} 
  K'(w^*)h(v)\phi^* dx \nonumber \\
&\geq \lambda^*\int_{\Omega}  K'(w^*)h(v)\phi^* dx 
\geq \lambda^*h(A). \label{conhb}
\end{align}
Thus,  $A'(t)\geq \lambda^*h(A)$, which implies, due to \eqref{fun2444}
and \eqref{conh}, blow-up of $A(t)$ and since $A(t)\leq\|v(\cdot,t)\|$,
 blow-up of $v$ at $t_v^*$ and hence of $u$ at $t^*<\infty$ where
$t^*\leq t^*_v$, since $u=w^*+v>v$  in $\Omega$ and $w^*$ is bounded.
This completes the proof of the theorem.
\end{proof}

\subsection*{Upper bound for the blow-up time:}
 Now following \cite{l},  we give an upper bound for the blow-up time:
Again from \eqref{syn0} and \eqref{conhb}, we obtain
\begin{equation}\label{conf}
\begin{aligned}
A'(t)&=\int_{\Omega} K'(w^*)\phi^* v_tdx \\
&\geq  (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B +\lambda^*\int_{\Omega}  K'(w^*)h(v)\phi^* dx \\
&\geq (\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+ \lambda^*h(A).
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
If
\[
A_0=\int_{\Omega}  K'(w^*)v_0\phi^* dx=\int_{\Omega}
 K'(w^*)(u_0-w^*)\phi^* dx
\]
 and $A_1<\min\{0,A_0\}$, we choose $A_2$
such that $0\leq A_2\leq-A_1$. Then, from \eqref{conf} and  noting that
$H(s)\equiv[(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+\lambda^*h(s)]^{-1}<(\lambda^*h(s))^{-1}$,
$h$ is defined by \eqref{8}, we obtain
\begin{align*}
0&<t=\int_{A_1}^{A(t)}H(s)ds<t^*_v
 =\int_{A_1}^{\infty}H(s)ds\\
&<\int_{A_1}^{-A_2}H(s)ds+\int_{-A_2}^{A_2}H(s)ds
 +\int_{A_2}^\infty H(s)ds\\
&\leq \frac{1}{\lambda^*}\int_{A_1}^{-A_2}\frac{ds}{h(s)}
 +\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}[(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+C_1s^2]^{-1}ds
 +\frac{1}{\lambda^*} \int_{A_2}^\infty\frac{ds}{h(s)}\\
&\leq C_2 +\pi\,[(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_BC_1]^{-1/2}\equiv T_B,
\end{align*}
where $C_1=\frac{1}{2}\lambda^*\inf_{|s|<A_2} {h''(s)}>0$ and
\[
C_2=\frac{1}{\lambda^*}[\int_{A_1}^{-A_2}(h(s))^{-1}ds
+\int_{A_2}^\infty (h(s))^{-1}ds].
\]
 For the integral in the middle,  we use \eqref{conh}, the fact that the
 maximum of $H(s)$  is taken at $s=0$ and that
$\int_{|s|>A_2}H(s)ds\ll\int_{|s|<A_2}H(s)ds$, as well as
 $\int_{-A_2}^{A_2}H(s)ds\lesssim\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}H(s)ds$.
 Moreover,
\begin{align*}
\int_{-A_2}^{A_2}[(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+C_1s^2]^{-1}ds
&\lesssim \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}[(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_B+C_1s^2]^{-1}ds\\
&=\pi [(\lambda-\lambda^*)I_BC_1]^{-1/2},
\end{align*}
for $0<(\lambda-\lambda^*)\ll 1$.
Finally, the solution $u$ blows up in finite time $t^*\leq t^*_v\leq T_B$,
where  $T_B$ is an upper bound of $t^*$.


\section*{Discussion}

In this work, our essential outcome is the proof of the blow-up of solutions 
under  some particular conditions. Beforehand, we discuss the local existence 
and uniqueness of solutions of \eqref{filtr}  using comparison  methods. We
examine the stationary solutions of \eqref{ss}, following mainly \cite{am1,kc} 
and  choose the case of a response (bifurcation) diagram with at least one 
turning point. For a turning point $(\lambda^*,\|w^*\|)$ 
(limit of minimal solution $w(x;\lambda)$),  we consider that the critical 
value $\lambda^*$  lies  in the spectrum of \eqref{ss} and that  a solution 
$w^*$  exists; actually the existence of a bounded $w^*$ is the key of this work. 
If $\lambda^*$ does not  lie   in the spectrum, i.e. there is no classical 
bounded solution $w^*$, then the proof of blow-up of $u$, in general, is an 
open question, see also \cite{l}.
Due to the fact that $f(0)>0$, and $f(s),f'(s),f''(s)>0$, $s\in\mathbb{R}$, 
the $u$-solutions are classical and do not degenerate. Our main result is 
that for $K(s)>0$, $s>0$, $K'(s),K''(s)>0$, $s\geq 0$, $K(0)=0$,
and for any non-negative initial data, the $u$-solutions blow up in finite 
time for any $\lambda>\lambda^*$. For the proof of this result, we use spectral 
properties of the stationary problem and of  corresponding linearized problem. 
Following  similar ideas as in \cite{l} (spectral method), for the semilinear 
heat equation, we construct a proper function and through this function we 
prove blow-up for a functional, from which we obtain the blow-up of $u$. 
The requirement that $\lambda^*$  lies  in the spectrum 
(this has  the form $(0,\lambda^*]$) of \eqref{filtr} may not be necessary, 
\cite{be,bel}; for the semilinear heat problem, this requirement has been 
replaced by   a  concavity assumption, see \cite{bel}. Moreover, we also give
 an upper bound estimate for the blow-up time.

Some other blow-up results, especially when $K(0)=K'(0)=K''(0)=0$, or  
for the degenerate problems, as well as blow-up with respect to the initial data, 
will be presented in a forthcoming work.

\subsection*{Acknowledgements}
 This work was partially funded by PEVE (basic
research program) 2010, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). 
The first author was also partially  supported by NAWI Graz.

Lastly, we would like to express our thanks to the anonymous referees for their
 helpful suggestions and corrections.


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