\(P\)-spaces and intermediate rings of continuous functions (Q1697465)

Let \(X\) be a completely regular Hausdorff space, \(C(X)\) be the ring of all continuous real-valued functions on \(X\), and \(C^*(X)\) be the subring of \(C(X)\) consisting of bounded functions. A subring \(A(X)\) of \(C(X)\) is called an intermediate ring in case \(C^*(X)\subseteq A(X)\). The space \(X\) is called a \(P\)-space if every zero-set of \(X\) is open. Algebraically, this is equivalent to saying the ring \(C(X)\) is von Neumann regular. There are numerous topological and algebraic characterizations of \(P\)-spaces (see, for instance, the classical text [\textit{L. Gillman} and \textit{M. Jerison}, Rings of continuous functions. The University Series in Higher Mathematics. Princeton-Toronto-London-New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc. (1960; Zbl 0093.30001)]). In the first part of this well-written and interesting paper, the authors present new characterizations of \(P\)-spaces in terms of correspondences between \(z\)-filters on the space \(X\) and certain types of ideals of intermediate rings of \(C(X)\). In the last part they characterize, for a given \(P\)-space \(X\), the ring \(C(X)\) among its intermediate rings. Several illustrative examples are given to show that one needs to tread with caution when characterizing \(C(X)\) among its intermediate rings. \newline Reviewer's comment: The authors' Lemma 3.1, Proposition 3.2, and Theorem 3.3 are actually true for any von Neumann regular \(f\)-ring with identity and bounded inversion. The latter means that any element above the identity is invertible. This is exactly what the authors' proof for the \(C(X)\) case shows.