We study a capacity theory based on a definition of Hajłasz-Besov functions. We prove several properties of this capacity in the general setting of a metric space equipped with a doubling measure. The main results of the paper are lower bound and upper bound estimates for the capacity in terms of a modified Netrusov-Hausdorff content. Important tools are γ-medians, for which we also prove a new version of a Poincaré type inequality.

For each β > 1 we construct a family Fβ of metric measure spaces which is closed under the operation of taking weak-tangents (i.e. blow-ups), and such that each element of Fβ admits a (1, P)-Poincaré inequality if and only if P > β.

Let p be a real number greater than one and let X be a locally compact, noncompact metric measure space that satisfies certain conditions. The p-Royden and p-harmonic boundaries of X are constructed by using the p-Royden algebra of functions on X and a Dirichlet type problem is solved for the p-Royden boundary. We also characterize the metric measure spaces whose p-harmonic boundary is empty.

rning the boundedness for fractional maximal and potential operators defined on quasi-metric measure spaces from $L^{p),\theta }(X,\mu )$ to $L^{q),q\theta /p}(X,\nu )$ (trace inequality), where 1 < p < q < ∞, θ > 0 and μ satisfies the doubling condition in X. The results are new even for Euclidean spaces. For example, from our general results D. Adams-type necessary and sufficient conditions guaranteeing the trace inequality for fractional maximal functions and potentials defined on so-called s-sets in ℝⁿ follow. Trace inequalities...