Functions transferring metrics to metrics (Q1943356)

The authors consider the set \(\mathcal{F}\) of functions on the set \(\mathbb{R}^+\) of nonnegative real numbers defined by the following condition. A function \(f: \mathbb{R}^+ \to \mathbb{R}^+\) belongs to \(\mathcal{F}\) iff for arbitrary metric spaces \((X,d)\) the function \(f(d)\) is a metric on \(X\). In terms of [\textit{M. M. Deza} and \textit{E. Deza}, Encyclopedia of Distances, 2nd ed. Berlin: Springer (2009; Zbl 1259.51001)] each such function defines a metric transform of every metric space. It is shown that all metric transforms defined by a function \(f \in \mathcal{F}\) are discrete iff \(f\) is discontinuous at zero. The exact value of the constant in Harnack's inequality for functions from \(\mathcal{F}\) is calculated. The set \(\mathcal{F}\) is a semigroup with respect to superposition. Its left and right zeros, unit elements and the subgroup of units are described. The elements of the subsemigroup of increasing functions and of the subsemigroup of scales (see definition in [loc. cit.] p. 79) are described in terms of the modulus of continuity. Inverse subsemigroups of the semigroup of scales are characterized.