\(P\)-paracompact and \(P\)-metrizable spaces (Q2352125)

In what follows, \(X\) and \(P\) always denote, respectively, a Tychonoff topological space and a \textit{directed set} -- i.e., a partially ordered set such that any finite subset has an upper bound. \(P\) is said to have \textit{calibre \((\omega_1, \omega)\)} if each uncountable subset contains an infinite subset with an upper bound. A family \(\mathcal C\) of subsets of \(X\) is said to be \textit{\((\omega_1, \omega)\)-locally finite} if every uncountable subfamily of \(\mathcal C\) contains an infinite subfamily which is locally finite. \(X\) is said to be \textit{\((\omega_1, \omega)\)-paracompact} if every open cover has a \((\omega_1, \omega)\)-locally finite open refinement. The \textit{diagonal of \(X\)} is the subset of \(X^2\) given by \(\Delta = \{\langle x,x\rangle: x \in X\}\). Given \(P\) and \(X\), a family \(\mathcal C\) of subsets of \(X\) is said to be \textit{\(P\)-locally finite} if \(\mathcal C = \bigcup \{\mathcal C_p: p \in P\}\) where \((i)\) if \(p \leqslant p'\) then \(\mathcal C_p \subseteq \mathcal C_{p'}\); and \((ii)\) each \(\mathcal C_p\) is locally finite. \(X\) is said to be \textit{\(P\)-paracompact} if every open cover of \(X\) has a \(P\)-locally finite open refinement; and \(X\) is \textit{\(P\)-metrizable} if it has a \((P \times \mathbb{N})\)-locally finite base. In the paper under review, the authors investigate \(P\)-paracompact and \(P\)-metrizable spaces, with emphasis on the case where \(P\) is a \(\mathcal{K}(M)\), the set of all compact subsets of a separable metrizable space \(M\) (ordered by set-theoretical inclusion). Typical results of the paper are as the following: {\parindent=8mm \begin{itemize}\item[(i)] If \(X\) is a pseudocompact space such that \(X^2 \setminus \Delta\) is \(P\)-paracompact for some \(P\) with calibre \((\omega_1, \omega)\), then \(X\) is metrizable. \item[(ii)] If \(P\) is not calibre \((\omega_1, \omega)\) then there is a compact non-metrizable space \(X\) such that \(X^2 \setminus \Delta\) is \(P\)-paracompact. \item[(iii)] A space is \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-metrizable for some separable metrizable \(M\) if, and only if, it has a weakly \(\sigma\)-locally finite base. \item[(iv)] A first countable space is paracompact if, and only if, it is \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-paracompact, normal and countably paracompact. \item[(v)] \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-paracompact normal spaces are metrizable; first countable, c.c.c. \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-paracompact spaces are Lindelöf; and \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-metrizable c.c.c. spaces are metrizable. \end{itemize}} The paper finishes with some questions, e.g.: Is there a c.c.c. \(\mathcal{K}(M)\)-paracompact space which is not Lindelöf?