On the additivity of block designs

We show that symmetric block designs \({\mathcal {D}}=({\mathcal {P}},{\mathcal {B}})\) can be embedded in a suitable commutative group \({\mathfrak {G}}_{\mathcal {D}}\) in such a way that the sum of the elements in each block is zero, whereas the only Steiner triple systems with this property are the point-line designs of \({\mathrm {PG}}(d,2)\) and \({\mathrm {AG}}(d,3)\). In both cases, the blocks can be characterized as the only k-subsets of \(\mathcal {P}\) whose elements sum to zero. It follows that the group of automorphisms of any such design \(\mathcal {D}\) is the group of automorphisms of \({\mathfrak {G}}_\mathcal {D}\) that leave \(\mathcal {P}\) invariant. In some special cases, the group \({\mathfrak {G}}_\mathcal {D}\) can be determined uniquely by the parameters of \(\mathcal {D}\). For instance, if \(\mathcal {D}\) is a 2-\((v,k,\lambda )\) symmetric design of prime order p not dividing k, then \({\mathfrak {G}}_\mathcal {D}\) is (essentially) isomorphic to \(({\mathbb {Z}}/p{\mathbb {Z}})^{\frac{v-1}{2}}\), and the embedding of the design in the group can be described explicitly. Moreover, in this case, the blocks of \(\mathcal {B}\) can be characterized also as the v intersections of \(\mathcal {P}\) with v suitable hyperplanes of \(({\mathbb {Z}}/p{\mathbb {Z}})^{\frac{v-1}{2}}\).     

Sui piani di André generalizzati privi di orbite di lunghezza finita sulla retta impropria

This paper presents an example of an infinite generalized André plane with the following properties: (1) has dimension eight over its kernel (hence is neither desarguesian nor a Hall plane); (2) the full collineation group of has no orbit of finite length on the line at infinity.

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Lavoro eseguito nell'ambito delle attività del G.N.S.A.G.A. del C.N.R.     

Anelli ternari di Hestenes primitivi,con ideale destro minimale

Summary In this paper I classify primitive Hestenes ternary rings having minimal onesided ideals.

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L'autore appartiene al G.N.S.A.G.A. del C.N.R.     

On 2 – (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>, 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>, 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>–1) designs with three intersection numbers

The simple incidence structure , formed by the points and the unordered pairs of distinct parallel lines of a finite affine plane of order n > 4, is a 2 – (n ²,2n,2n–1) design with intersection numbers 0,4,n. In this paper, we show that the converse is true, when n ≥ 5 is an odd integer. Supported by M.I.U.R., Università di Palermo.