A decomposition theorem for functions with values in a topological group (Q762633)

Let \({\mathfrak R}\) be a ring of sets, let G be an Abelian Hausdorff topological group and let \(\mu: {\mathfrak R}\to G\) be additive and locally s-bounded. Modifying an idea of \textit{C. Constantinescu} [Comment. Math. Helv. 51, 191-205 (1976; Zbl 0327.28003)], the authors call a subfamily of \({\mathfrak R}^ a \mu\)-atom provided it is a maximal element of the class of all \({\mathfrak A}\subset {\mathfrak R}\) with the following two properties: (a) \({\mathfrak A}\) is closed under finite intersection; (b) For every decreasing sequence \((A_ n)_{n\in N}\) of \({\mathfrak A}\)-sets there exists \(Y\in {\mathfrak R}\) such that \(\lim_{n}\mu (Y\cap A_ n)\neq 0\). The main result of the paper under review is the following version of the Hammer-Sobczyk decomposition theorem: (4.7) Let G be metrizable and let \(\overline{\mu ({\mathfrak R})}\) be complete. Then there exist unique additive locally s-bounded functions \(\mu\) ',\(\mu\) '': \({\mathfrak R}\to G\) such that \(\mu\) ' is a sum of two- valued additive functions on \({\mathfrak R}\) (corresponding to the \(\mu\)- atoms), \(\mu\) '' has no atoms, and \(\mu =\mu '+\mu ''.\) \{Reviewer's remarks: (1) The ''if'' part of (1.4) is false. (Fortunately, it is nowhere used in the sequel.) Counterexamples can be easily constructed provided G has elements of order two. (2) Here is an alternative proof of (1.6). In view of the local s- boundedness of \(\mu\), for every neighbourhood V of O in G there exists \(A\in A\) such that \(\mu(Y\cap (A-A'))\in V\) whenever \(Y\in {\mathfrak R}\) and \(A'\in {\mathfrak A}\). Hence it is enough to fix a base \((V_ n)_{n\in N}\) of neighbourhoods of O in G and choose the corresponding \(A_ n's\) so that \(A_ 1\supset A_ 2\supset....\) (3) It seems that, similarly to the positive case [\textit{M. Bhaskara Rao} and \textit{K. P. S. Bhaskara Rao}, Mathematika, London 20, 214-223 (1973; Zbl 0297.28016)], Theorem (4.7) can be reduced to its \(\sigma\)-additive version. (4) for related results see \textit{H. Weber}, Stud. Math. 74, 57-81 (1982; Zbl 0488.28009) and \textit{K. P. S. Bhaskara Rao} and \textit{P. de Lucia}, Rend. Circ. Mat. Palermo, II. Ser. 32, 188-198 (1983).\}