ABSTRACT We study coagulation-fragmentation equations inspired by a simple model proposed in fisheries science to explain data for the size distribution of schools of pelagic fish. Although the equations lack detailed balance and admit no $H$-theorem, we are able to develop a rather complete description of equilibrium profiles and large-time behavior, based on recent developments in complex function theory for Bernstein and Pick functions. In the large-population continuum limit, a scaling-invariant regime is reached in which all equilibria are determined by a single scaling profile. This universal profile exhibits power-law behavior crossing over from exponent $-\frac23$ for small size to $-\frac32$ for large size, with an exponential cut-off.

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In this paper, we study the nonlinear stability of travelling wave solutions with shock profile for a relaxation model with a nonconvex flux, which is proposed by Jin and Xin [<i>Comm. Pure Appl. Math.</i>, 48 (1995), pp. 555--563] to approximate an original hyperbolic system numerically under the subcharacteristic condition introduced by T. P. Liu [<i>Comm. Math. Phys.</i>, 108 (1987), pp. 153--175]. The travelling wave solutions with strong shock profile are shown to be asymptotically stable under small disturbances with integral zero using an elementary but technical energy method. Proofs involve detailed study of the error equation for disturbances using the same weight function introduced in [<i>Comm. Math. Phys.</i>, 165 (1994), pp. 83--96].

The propagation and interaction in more than one space dimension of localized pulse solutions (so-called light bullets) to the sine-Gordon [SG] equation is studied both asymptotically and numerically. Similar solutions and their resemblance to solitons in integrable systems were observed numerically before in vector Maxwell systems. The simplicity of SG allows us to perform an asymptotic analysis of counterpropagating pulses, as well as a fully resolved computation over rectangular domains. Numerical experiments are carried out on single pulse propagation and on two pulse collision under different orientations. The particle nature, as known for solitons, persists in these two space dimensional solutions as long as the amplitudes of initial data range in a finite interval, similar to the conditions on the vector Maxwell systems.

We establish several gradient estimates for second-order divergence type parabolic and elliptic systems. The coefficients and data are assumed to be Hlder or Dini continuous in the time variable and all but one spatial variable. This type of system arises from the problems of linearly elastic laminates and composite materials. For the proof, we use Campanatos approach in a novel way. Non-divergence type equations under similar conditions are also discussed.