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$\newcommand{\bR}{\mathbb{R}}\newcommand{\diff}{\mathop{}\!\mathrm{d}}$ We define a continuous function $\varphi : \bR_+ \to \bR$ by $$ \varphi (s) := \begin{cases} 0 &\text{if} \quad s =0 , \\ s \ln s &\text{if} \quad s > 0. \end{cases} $$

Let $D$ be the set of probability density functions on $\bR^d$, i.e., $f \in D$ if and only if $f : \bR^d \to \bR_+$ is measurable with $\int f (x) \diff x =1$. Let $D_2$ be the subset of $D$ that contains those $f$ such that $\int |x|^2 f (x) \diff x$ is finite. For $s \in \bR$, we define $s^+ := \max \{s, 0 \}$ and $s^- := \max \{-s, 0 \}$.

By Proposition 15.6 in the book Lectures on Optimal Transport by Ambrosio/Brué/Semola, $(\varphi \circ f)^-$ is integrable (w.r.t. Lebesgue measure) for every $f \in D_2$. As such, Boltzmann entropy is well-defined (in extended real number line) for every $f \in D_2$.

I would like to ask if any of the below statements is true:

  1. $(\varphi \circ f)^+$ is integrable for every $f \in D$.
  2. $(\varphi \circ f)^-$ is integrable for every $f \in D$.

Thank you for your elaboration.

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1 Answer 1

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Counterexamples, with $d=1$:

$$f(x)=\frac{\ln2}{x\ln^2 x}\,1(0<x<1/2)$$ for all real $x$ -- for your statement 1;

$$f(x)=\frac{\ln2}{x\ln^2 x}\,1(x>2)$$ for all real $x$ -- for your statement 2.

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  • $\begingroup$ Let $f(x)=\frac{\ln2}{x\ln^2 x}\,1(0<x<1/2)$. Could you explain how $\int_0^\varepsilon \varphi \circ f = \infty$ for sufficiently small $\varepsilon >0$? $\endgroup$
    – Akira
    Commented Sep 18 at 17:15
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    $\begingroup$ @Akira : For this $f$ and $x\downarrow0$, we have $\varphi(f(x))=f(x)\ln f(x)\sim f(x)\ln\frac1x\sim\frac{\ln2}{x\ln(1/x)}>0$, so that $\int_0^h(\varphi\circ f)^+=\infty$ for all small enough $h>0$. $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 18 at 18:35
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you very much for your enlightening explanation. $\endgroup$
    – Akira
    Commented Sep 19 at 8:12

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