Symmetric bilinear forms and vertices in characteristic 2

Let $G$ be a finite group and let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $2$ and let $M$ be an indecomposable $kG$-module which affords a non-degenerate $G$-invariant symmetric bilinear form. We introduce the symmetric vertices of $M$. Each of these is a $2$-subgroup of $G$ which contains a Green vertex of $M$ with index at most $2$. If $M$ is irreducible then its symmetric vertices are determined up to $G$-conjugacy. If $B$ is the real $2$-block of $G$ containing $M$, we show that each symmetric vertex of $M$ is contained in an extended defect group of $B$. Moreover, we characterise the extended defect groups in terms of symmetric vertices. In order to prove these results, we develop the theory of involutary $G$-algebras. This allows us to translate questions about symmetric $kG$-modules into questions about projective modules of quadratic type.Comment: Changes from v2: erroneous Lemma 2.3 (on lifting idempotents) corrected. Consequent minor changes made to the rest of the paper. Table of contents remove

Fundamental Rights in the European Community Legal Order

The role of the courts in the protection of human rights in any legal system is a constitutionally sensitive one. The observance and protection of such rights articulate with many aspects of the exercise of governmental and legislative power. The value nature of human rights accentuates these sensibilities. Some have viewed sovereign law as an essential ingredient in the make-up of national identity, a perception which tends to confirm a presumption that legal systems, while responsive to new pressures, are nonetheless holistic, coherent, and state-bound. National law is a rampart against outside corruption of the national ethos. Inevitably all of this poses particular challenges for a supranational court with jurisdiction to pass judgment on human rights compliance, directly or indirectly, by states that are justly proud of their own legal democratic traditions. The exercise by the European Court of Justice (“Court of Justice” or “Court”) of jurisdiction to protect the individual from breaches of their fundamental rights is a constitutional role which trammels not only the exercise of political power by the institutions of the European Community (the “Community”) but indirectly (and often directly) the use of governmental and legislative power at a national level. This constitutional role, exercised in the context of the doctrines of primacy and direct effect, challenges the ideology of a state\u27s legal autonomy and the associated sense of self-determination. Not surprisingly, the Court of Justice at the early stages showed a marked reluctance to be drawn into this area

The Uncertain Legacy of Gilmer: Mandatory Arbitration of Federal Employment Discrimination Claims

The United States Supreme Court in Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co. held that an employee could not be forced to arbitrate his discrimination claim against an employer pursuant to his union\u27s collective bargaining agreement. Subsequent cases viewed Gardner-Denver as prohibiting mandatory arbitration in employment discrimination claims, until the Supreme Court upheld an agreement to submit all statutory discrimination claims to arbitration in Gilmer v. Interstate/Johnson Lane Corp. Gilmer seems to have limited the prohibition of mandatory arbitration in Gardner-Denver to collective bargaining agreements. Subsequently, many lower courts interpret Gilmer as an approval of arbitration clauses in employment agreements, and as such, employers have increasingly included these compulsory arbitration clauses in employment contracts and applications. However, there is still varied treatment of mandatory arbitration clauses by courts. The note explores court decisions which treated subsequent congressional legislation as barring such agreements, additional safeguards imposed by some circuit courts regarding mandatory arbitration agreements, the principal arguments in favor of such agreements, and the countervailing arguments, most represented by the stance of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The note concludes by arguing that the United States Supreme Court should clarify the issue in favor of mandatory arbitration agreements, but require that arbitration proceedings from such agreements incorporate fundamental procedural protections for employees, as opposed to the present scheme in which arbitrators do so only on a voluntary basis

Introduction: Recent Research on Inflation Targeting

The inflation targeting framework that Canada introduced in 1991 has played a significant role in the exceptional economic performance that the country has experienced in recent years. Understanding the factors that have contributed to the success of the current inflation-targeting framework, and investigating the various ways in which it might be improved in the future, are an important part of the Bank of Canada's medium-term research program.

Coastal planning, education and the Australian context

The Victorian Planning Minister&rsquo;s response to the &lsquo;Coastal Climate Change Advisor Report&rsquo;, initiated by the Baillieu government in 2010, identified the need to &ldquo;initiate ! a skills audit with the view to developing a range of professional development courses to meet the shortfall of professionals with the capability to assess coastal climate change impacts&rdquo; (Victoria 2012). The following paper addresses this deficiency by examining how Australia&rsquo;s higher education and further education sectors currently attend to the issue of coastal planning.A detailed review of a large number of national and international planning programs was undertaken to highlight the subject matter contained in each program with a specific focus on any coastal planning courses. Working from a theoretical perspective, the first part of the paper addresses why a dedicated subject on Coastal Planning is required in the present Australian planning school syllabus, and how such a program would be positioned within the intent of PIA&rsquo;s Education Policy.Utilising the benefits of Problem Based learning and Student Centred Learning in relating to delivering a Coastal planning course, the second part of the paper provides a theoretical overview of the types of competencies which students may be expected to attain when undertaking such a course. The third part of the paper proposes a series of 12 lectures to underpin a unit titled &ldquo;Coastal Planning: The Australian Context&rdquo; which includes a draft lecture relating to the monitoring of Coastal Erosion in Adelaide.<br /