A note on D-spaces and infinite unions (Q2371773)

The notion of D-space considered in this article is due to \textit{Eric van Douwen} [Pac. J. Math 81, 2, 371--377 (1979; Zbl 0409.54011)]. Let \((X,\mathcal T)\) be a topological space. A function \(\varphi:X\rightarrow \mathcal T\), with the property that for all \(x\in X\), \(x\in \varphi(x)\), is called a neighborhood assignment of the space \(X\). A space \(X\) is called a D-space provided for every neighborhood assignment \(\varphi\) of \(X\) there is a closed discrete \(D\subset X\) such that \(X=\cup\{\varphi(x):x\in D\}\). There are many open, simply stated problems about D-spaces (e.g., see the article by \textit{Todd Eisworth} [in \textit{E. Pearl}: Open Problems in Topology II. (Amsterdam): Elsevier. Chapter 13. (2007; Zbl 1158.54300]). One such is the question: If a space \(X\) is a union of two D-spaces, is \(X\) a D-space? The main result in the author's paper concerns unions. He proves that if \(X\) is countably compact and is the union of a countable family of D-spaces, then \(X\) is compact (hence a D-space). This answers a question of \textit{A. V. Arhangel'skii} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc 132, No.7, 2163-2170 (2004; Zbl 1045.54009)]. The author also proves that if \(X\) is a regular, sequential space and has a point-countable \(k\)-network then \(X\) is a D-space.