Curve-rational functions (Q681618)

This is a very rich paper written by three well known scholars, whose domains of interest intersected giving unexpected new results. Two new concepts are introduced: continuous rational functions and arc-rational functions. Their definitions are given, along with many examples, in the very well organized Introduction. Several theorems about these functions are proved, it is not possible to enumerate them here, just an example of such a theorem: ``An arc-rational function defined on an open set is arc-analytic''. I choose this example because the well known are-analytic functions were introduced by K. Kurdyka quite a time ago and have never ceased interesting mathematicians. Besides that, they are related to an older result, also belonging to the Krakow group of mathematicians: separately analytic real functions (Bochnak, Siciak). We witness here a continuous influence of Krakow research work through many generations (Bochnak, Siciak, Kurdyka and Kucharz were all Polish mathematicians from Krakow at least till their Ph.D's). As the reviewer also has Krakow roots, it is nice to see such an unfolding of ideas and their international outreach. The bibliography of the paper is exemplary, very complete and each of the 31 positions is worth studying. Nothing is superfluous. The paper is almost self-contained, if a definition isn't quoted, it can be found easily in the textbooks or surveys present in the bibliography. The redaction of the paper also is exemplary and many helpful examples that we find in the text are an added value. Although the setting is real, the paper closes on some complex results obtained as natural consequences of the real ones.