How many miles to \(\beta X\)? -- \(\sigma\) miles, or just one foot (Q2433692)

The compactifications of a completely regular Hausdorff space \(X\) are ordered by \(\alpha X \leq \gamma X\) if there is a continuous surjection \(f: \gamma X \to \alpha X\) such that \(f \upharpoonright X\) is the identity map. If we identify two compactifactions for which such \(f\) can be chosen as a homeomorphism, the class of all compactifications \({\mathcal K}(X)\) of \(X\) becomes a complete upper semilattice with the Stone-Čech compactification \(\beta X\) as largest element. If \(X\) is a noncompact metrizable space, it is known that \(\beta X\) is the supremum (in the lattice \(({\mathcal K} (X), \leq)\)) of all Smirnov compactifications \(u_d X\) where \(d\) is a metric compatible with the topology on \(X\), cf. \textit{R. G. Woods} [Fundam. Math. 147, No.1, 39-59 (1995; Zbl 0837.54015)]. Similarly, if \(X\) is a noncompact locally compact separable metrizable space, \(\beta X\) is the supremum of all Higson compactifications \(\overline X^d\) where \(d\) is a proper metric compatible with \(X\), cf. \textit{K. Kawamura} and \textit{K. Tomoyasu} [Colloq. Math. 88, No. 1, 75--92 (2001; Zbl 1006.54035)]. For a noncompact metrizable space \(X\), define \({\mathfrak{sa}} (X)\) to be the least size of a family \(D\) of compatible metrics on \(X\) such that \(\beta X\) is \(\sup \{ u_d X : d \in D \}\). Similarly, for a noncompact locally compact separable metrizable space \(X\), define \({\mathfrak{ha}} (X)\) as the smallest cardinality of a family \(D\) of compatible proper metrics on \(X\) such that \(\beta X\) is \(\sup \{\overline X^d : d \in D \}\). The authors prove that for a locally compact separable metrizable space \(X\), if the Cantor-Bendixson derivative \(X'\) is not compact, then \({\mathfrak{sa}} (X) = {\mathfrak{ha}} (X) = {\mathfrak{d}}\), the dominating number. (It is known that if \(X'\) is compact, then \({\mathfrak{sa}} (X) = {\mathfrak{ha}} (X) = 1\).) They also provide an example for a metrizable space \(X\) with \({\mathfrak{sa}} (X) > {\mathfrak{d}}\).