On series of translates of positive functions. III (Q722375)

Let \(\Lambda\) be an unbounded, infinite discrete set of nonnegative numbers. For a given function \(f:\mathbb{R}\to [0,\infty)\) consider the sets \(C(f,\Lambda)=\{ x\in\mathbb{R}: \sum_{\lambda\in\Lambda}f(x+\lambda)<\infty\}\) and \(D(f,\Lambda)=\mathbb{R}\setminus C(f,\Lambda)\). The set \(\Lambda\) is of type 1 if, for every measurable function \(f:\mathbb{R}\to [0,\infty)\), either \(C(f,\Lambda)=\mathbb{R}\) a.e., or \(D(f,\Lambda)=\mathbb{R}\) a.e. Otherwise, \(\Lambda\) has type 2. The unbounded, infinite discrete set \(\Lambda=\{\lambda_1<\lambda_2<\ldots\}\) is called asymptotically dense if \(d_n = \lambda_n-\lambda_{n-1}\to 0\). If moreover, \(d_n\searrow 0\), then we say that \(\Lambda\) is with gaps monotone decreasingly converging to zero. In the paper under review, the authors work with the general problem: ``Given open sets \(G_1\) and \(G_2\), when is it possible to find \(\Lambda\) and \(f\) such that \(C(f, \Lambda)\) contains \(G_1\) and \(D(f,\Lambda)\) contains \(G_2\)?'' They prove the following results. \begin{itemize} \item[(1)] There is a universal decreasing gap asymptotically dense \(\Lambda\) such that, for any open subset \(G\subset\mathbb{R}\), one can find a characteristic function \(f_G\) such that \(G\subset D(f_G,\Lambda)\) and \(C(f_G,\Lambda)=\mathbb{R}\setminus G\) modulo sets of measure zero. Moreover, one can also select a \(g_G\in C^+_0(\mathbb{R})\) with similar properties. (\(C^+_0(\mathbb{R})\) denotes the family of all continuous non-negative functions \(f:\mathbb{R}\to [0,\infty)\) with \(\lim_{x\to\infty}f(x)=0\).) \item[(2)] There exists a universal asymptotically dense infinite discrete set \(\Lambda\) such that, for any open set \(G\subset\mathbb{R}\), one can select an \(f_G\in C^+_0(\mathbb{R})\) such that \(D(f_G,\Lambda)=G\). However, it is impossible to find such a universal \(\Lambda\) with decreasing gaps. \item[(3)] If \(\Lambda\) is a decreasing gap asymptotically dense set, \(f:\mathbb{R}\to [0,\infty)\) is a continuous function, and \(x\) is an interior point of \(C(f,\Lambda)\), then \([x,\infty) \cap D(f,\Lambda)\) is of zero Lebesgue measure. \item[(4)] There is a decreasing gap asymptotically dense \(\Lambda\) and an \(f\in C^+_0(\mathbb{R})\) such that \(C(f,\Lambda)\) and \(D(f,\Lambda)\) both contain interior points. \end{itemize} The above results answer some questions raised in a paper of \textit{Z. Buczolich} et al. [Acta Math. Hung. 93, No. 3, 171--188 (2001; Zbl 1006.28005)]. For Part II see [\textit{Z. Buczolich} and \textit{R. D. Mauldin}, Indag. Math., New Ser. 12, No. 3, 317--327 (2001; Zbl 1025.28001)].