Connected generalised inverse limits over Hausdorff continua (Q1939211)

A function \(f:X\to 2^Y\) (\(X\), \(Y\) spaces, \(2^Y\) the collection of nonempty closed subsets of \(Y\)) is called upper semicontinuous if for each \(x\in X\) and open neighborhood \(V\) of \(f(x)\) in \(Y\), there is an open neighborhood \(U\) of \(x\) in \(X\) such that \(f(y) \subset V\) for all \(y\in U\). A generalized inverse sequence consists of a sequence \((X_i,f_i)\) where for \(i=0, 1,\dots\), \(f_{i+1}:X_{i+1}\to X_i\) is an upper semicontinuous function. The functions \(f_i\) are called bonding maps. The limit of such a sequence \((X_i,f_i)\) consists of the points \(x\in\prod\{X_i\,|\,i=0,1,\dots\}\) with \(x_i\in f_{i+1}(x_{i+1})\) whenever \(i\geq0\). Assume that all the spaces \(X_i\) are compact, Hausdorff, and nonempty. In this setting, it is known that the limit of \((X_i,f_i)\) is compact, Hausdorff, and nonempty, but that even if each \(X_i\) is connected, the limit need not be connected. In [Topol. Proc. 36, 353--373 (2010; Zbl 1196.54056)], \textit{W. T. Ingram} introduced the problem of finding necessary and sufficient conditions that the limit be connected. Theorems 1.2--1.4 involving the authors Ingram, Mahavier, and Nall contain some results of this type. In the current paper, the authors provide some additional steps in this direction. { Corollary 1.7.} Suppose that for all \(i\in\mathbb N\), \(X_i\) is a Hausdorff continuum, \(f_{i+1}:X_{i+1}\to 2^{X_i}\) is a surjective upper semicontinuous function, and the graph \(G_i\) of \(f_i\) is connected. If \(\{f_i:i>0\}\) admits an \(\mathrm{HC}\)-sequence, then the limit of \((X_i,f_i)\) is disconnected. Although we do not give a definition of an \(\mathrm{HC}\)-sequence, it turns out that the authors' Theorem 1.6 characterizes when such a generalized inverse sequence admits an \(\mathrm{HC}\)-sequence.