arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Richard J. Smith.
We show that the class of complete separable metric spaces whose Lipschitz-free space is isomorphic to Pełczyński's universal basis space $\mathbf{P}$ is $\mathbfΣ^1_1$-complete.
We prove that every element of a Lipschitz-free space admits an expression as a convex series of elements with compact support. As a consequence, we conclude that all extreme points of the unit ball of Lipschitz-free spaces are elementary molecules, solving a long-standing problem. We also deduce that all elements of a Lipschitz-free space with the Radon-Nikodým property can be expressed as convex integrals of molecules. Our results are based on a recent theory of integral representation for functionals on Lipschitz spaces which draws on classical Choquet theory, due to the third named author.
We set up a descriptive set-theoretic framework to study Lipschitz-free spaces and use the reduction argument of Bossard to prove several results. We prove two universality results: if a separable Banach space is isomorphically universal for the class of Lipschitz-free spaces over the countable complete discrete metric spaces then it is isomorphically universal for the class of separable Banach spaces, and if a complete separable metric space is Lipschitz universal for the same class of metric spaces then it is Lipschitz universal for all separable metric spaces. We also show that there exist countable complete discrete metric spaces whose Lipschitz-free spaces fail the bounded approximation property and are thus not isomorphic to any dual Banach space. Finally, we calculate the descriptive complexity of the classes of separable Banach spaces and separable Lipschitz-free spaces having the approximation property.
Let $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)$ be the space of Lipschitz functions on a complete metric space $(M,d)$ that vanish at a point $0\in M$. We investigate its dual $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)^*$ using the de Leeuw transform, which allows representing each functional on $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)$ as a (non-unique) measure on $β\widetilde{M}$, where $\widetilde{M}$ is the space of pairs $(x,y)\in M\times M$, $x\neq y$. We distinguish a set of points of $β\widetilde{M}$ that are "away from infinity", which can be assigned coordinates belonging to the Lipschitz realcompactification $M^{\mathcal{R}}$ of $M$. We define a natural metric $\bar{d}$ on $M^{\mathcal{R}}$ extending $d$ and we show that optimal (i.e. positive and norm-minimal) de Leeuw representations of well-behaved functionals are characterised by $\bar{d}$-cyclical monotonicity of their support, extending known results for functionals in $\mathcal{F}(M)$, the predual of $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)$. We also extend the Kantorovich-Rubinstein theorem to normal Hausdorff spaces, in particular to $M^{\mathcal{R}}$, and use this to characterise measure-induced and majorisable functionals in $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)^*$ as those admitting optimal representations with additional finiteness properties. Finally, we use de Leeuw representations to define a natural L-projection of $\mathrm{Lip}_0(M)^*$ onto $\mathcal{F}(M)$ under some conditions on $M$.
Let $(M,d)$ be a complete metric space and let $\mathcal{F}(M)$ denote the Lipschitz-free space over $M$. We develop a ``Choquet theory of Lipschitz-free spaces'' that draws from the classical Choquet theory and the De Leeuw representation of elements of $\mathcal{F}(M)$ (and its bidual) by positive Radon measures on $β\widetilde{M}$, where $\widetilde{M}$ is the space of pairs $(x,y) \in M \times M$, $x \neq y$. We define a quasi-order $\preccurlyeq$ on the positive Radon measures on $β\widetilde{M}$ that is analogous to the classical Choquet order. Rather than in the classical case where the focus lies on maximal measures, we study the $\preccurlyeq$-minimal measures and show that they have a host of desirable properties. Among the applications of this theory is a solution (given elsewhere) to the extreme point problem for Lipschitz-free spaces.
In a paper from 1987, Gruenhage defined a class of topological spaces that now bear his name, and used it to solve a problem of Talagrand on the existence of dense $G_δ$ metrizable subsets of Gul'ko compact spaces. Gruenhage's paper became highly influential among researchers in renorming theory, a branch of Banach space theory. In this paper we survey Gruenhage and related spaces, and their interactions with renorming theory.
This paper critically evaluates the HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) Data Report for the Employer Justified Retirement Age (EJRA) Review Group at the University of Cambridge (\cite{CambridgeHESA2024}), identifying significant methodological flaws and misinterpretations. Our analysis reveals issues such as unclear application of data filters, inconsistent variable treatment, and erroneous statistical conclusions. The Report suggests that the EJRA increased job creation rates at Cambridge, but we show Cambridge consistently had lower job creation rates for Established Academic Careers compared to other Russell Group universities, both before and after EJRA implementation in 2011, with no evidence for a significant change in this deficit post implementation. This suggests that EJRA is not a significant factor driving job creation rates. Since other universities without an EJRA exhibit higher job creation rates, this suggests job creation can be sustained without such a policy. We conclude that the EJRA did not achieve its intended goal of increasing opportunities for young academics and may have exacerbated existing disparities compared to other leading universities. We recommend EJRA be abolished at Cambridge since it does not meet its aims and could be viewed as unlawful age discrimination.\newline \it{This version is a revision reflecting some of the comments made by members of the university EJRA review group in public discussion, see \cite{Holmes24}.}
We introduce convex integrals of molecules in Lipschitz-free spaces $\mathcal{F}(M)$ as a continuous counterpart of convex series considered elsewhere, based on the de Leeuw representation. Using optimal transport theory, we show that these elements are determined by cyclical monotonicity of their supports, and that under certain finiteness conditions they agree with elements of $\mathcal{F}(M)$ that are induced by Radon measures on $M$, or that can be decomposed into positive and negative parts. We also show that convex integrals differ in general from convex series of molecules. Finally, we present some standalone results regarding extensions of Lipschitz functions which, combined with the above, yield applications to the extremal structure of $\mathcal{F}(M)$. In particular, we show that all elements of $\mathcal{F}(M)$ are convex series of molecules when $M$ is uniformly discrete and identify all extreme points of the unit ball of $\mathcal{F}(M)$ in that case.
Let $T$ be a topological space admitting a compatible proper metric, that is, a locally compact, separable and metrisable space. Let $\mathcal{M}^T$ be the non-empty set of all proper metrics $d$ on $T$ compatible with its topology, and equip $\mathcal{M}^T$ with the topology of uniform convergence, where the metrics are regarded as functions on $T^2$. We prove that the set $\mathcal{A}^{T,1}$ of metrics $d\in\mathcal{M}^T$ for which the Lipschitz-free space $\mathcal{F}(T,d)$ has the metric approximation property is a dense set in $\mathcal{M}^T$, and is furthermore residual in $\mathcal{M}^T$ when $T$ is zero-dimensional. We also prove that if $T$ is uncountable then the set $\mathcal{A}^T_f$ of metrics $d\in\mathcal{M}^T$ for which $\mathcal{F}(T,d)$ fails the approximation property is dense in $\mathcal{M}^T$. Combining the last statement with a result of Dalet, we conclude that for any `properly metrisable' space $T$, $\mathcal{A}^T_f$ is either empty or dense in $\mathcal{M}^T$.
We present a new self-contained convergence analysis of the particle method that can be applied to a range of PDEs, including the Camassa-Holm equation. It is a development of the analysis of Chertock, Liu and Pendleton, which used compactness properties of spaces of functions having bounded variation. In our analysis we establish solutions by applying a metric Arzelà-Ascoli compactness result to a space of measure-valued functions equipped with the bounded Lipschitz metric. All the convergence and regularity results of the previous analysis follow as a consequence and are computationally easier to establish.
The Geometric Thin-Film equation is a mathematical model of droplet spreading in the long-wave limit, which includes a regularization of the contact-line singularity. We show that the weak formulation of the problem, given initial Radon data, admits solutions that are globally defined for all time and are expressible as push-forwards of Borel measurable functions whose behaviour is governed by a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The existence is first demonstrated in the special case of a finite weighted sum of delta functions whose centres evolve over time -- these are known as `particle solutions'. In the general case, we construct a convergent sequence of particle solutions whose limit yields a solution of the above form. Moreover, we demonstrate that all weak solutions constructed in this way are $1/2$-Hölder continuous in time and are uniquely determined by the initial conditions.
Let $\|\cdot\|$ be a norm on $\mathbb{R}^N$ and let $M$ be a closed $C^1$-submanifold of $\mathbb{R}^N$. Consider the pointed metric space $(M,d)$, where $d$ is the metric given by $d(x,y)=\|x-y\|$, $x,y\in M$. Then the Lipschitz-free space $\mathcal{F}(M)$ has the Metric Approximation Property.
Elastic waves guided along surfaces dominate applications in geophysics, ultrasonic inspection, mechanical vibration, and surface acoustic wave devices; precise manipulation of surface Rayleigh waves and their coupling with polarized body waves presents a challenge that offers to unlock the flexibility in wave transport required for efficient energy harvesting and vibration mitigation devices. We design elastic metasurfaces, consisting of a graded array of rod resonators attached to an elastic substrate that, together with critical insight from Umklapp scattering in phonon-electron systems, allow us to leverage the transfer of crystal momentum; we mode-convert Rayleigh surface waves into bulk waves that form tunable beams. Experiments, theory and simulation verify that these tailored Umklapp mechanisms play a key role in coupling surface Rayleigh waves to reversed bulk shear and compressional waves independently, thereby creating passive self-phased arrays allowing for tunable redirection and wave focusing within the bulk medium.
Let $X$ be an Asplund space. We show that the existence of an equivalent norm on $X$ having a strictly convex dual norm is equivalent to the dual unit sphere $S_{X^*}$ (equivalently $X^*$) possessing a non-linear topological property called ($*$), which was introduced by J. Orihuela, S. Troyanski and the author.
Given additional distributional information in the form of moment restrictions, kernel density and distribution function estimators with implied generalised empirical likelihood probabilities as weights achieve a reduction in variance due to the systematic use of this extra information. The particular interest here is the estimation of densities or distributions of (generalised) residuals in semi-parametric models defined by a finite number of moment restrictions. Such estimates are of great practical interest, being potentially of use for diagnostic purposes, including tests of parametric assumptions on an error distribution, goodness-of-fit tests or tests of overidentifying moment restrictions. The paper gives conditions for the consistency and describes the asymptotic mean squared error properties of the kernel density and distribution estimators proposed in the paper. A simulation study evaluates the small sample performance of these estimators. Supplements provide analytic examples to illustrate situations where kernel weighting provides a reduction in variance together with proofs of the results in the paper.
Relatively recently it was proved that if $Γ$ is an arbitrary set, then any equivalent norm on $c_0(Γ)$ can be approximated uniformly on bounded sets by polyhedral norms and $C^\infty$ smooth norms, with arbitrary precision. We extend this result to more classes of spaces having uncountable symmetric bases, such as preduals of the `discrete' Lorentz spaces $d(w,1,Γ)$, and certain symmetric Nakano spaces and Orlicz spaces. We also show that, given an arbitrary ordinal number $α$, there exists a scattered compact space $K$ having Cantor-Bendixson height at least $α$, such that every equivalent norm on $C(K)$ can be approximated as above.
The aim of this note is to present two results that make the task of finding equivalent polyhedral norms on certain Banach spaces, having either a Schauder basis or an uncountable unconditional basis, easier and more transparent. The hypotheses of both results are based on decomposing the unit sphere of a Banach space into countably many pieces, such that each one satisfies certain properties. Some examples of spaces having equivalent polyhedral norms are given.
In recent decades, topology has come to play an increasing role in some geometric aspects of Banach space theory. The class of so-called $w^*$-locally relatively compact sets was introduced recently by Fonf, Pallares, Troyanski and the author, and were found to be a useful topological tool in the theory of isomorphic smoothness and polyhedrality in Banach spaces. We develop the topological theory of these sets and present some Banach space applications.