Simple endotrivial modules for quasi-simple groups

We investigate simple endotrivial modules of finite quasi-simple groups and classify them in several important cases. This is motivated by a recent result of Robinson showing that simple endotrivial modules of most groups come from quasi-simple groups.Comment: 31 pages. Changes from (v1): in Theorem 1.3, we removed the assumption that G<SL and proved that endotrivial modules are liftable to characteristic zero in all generality. (v3): revised version, to appear in Journal f\"ur die Reine und Angewandte Mathemati

Information Aggregation and Preference Heterogeneity in Committees

This paper is concerned with the efficiency of information aggregation in a committee whose members have heterogeneous preferences over a binary decision variable. In a first stage, agents may exchange private (decision-relevant) information which is assumed to be verifiable. Then they reach a decision via majority voting. We study different information environments and identify conditions under which full information aggregation is possible. In particular, if preferences are common knowledge and each committee member is endowed with information full information aggregation is possible despite preference heterogeneity.Information aggregation, committee decisions, preference heterogeneity

Information acquisition and decision making in committees: a survey

JEL Classification: D71, E52Committees, costly information acquisition, monetary policy committees, strategic voting

Information aggregation in organizations

This dissertation contributes to the analysis of information aggregation procedures within organizations. Facing uncertainty about the consequences of a collective decision, information has to be aggregated before making a choice. Two main questions are addressed. Firstly, how well is an organization suited for the aggregation of decision-relevant information? Secondly, how should an organization be designed in order to aggregate information efficiently? The main part deals with information aggregation in committees. A committee is a decision-making institution in which several individuals take part in the decision procedure and possibly hold private, decision-relevant information. We study information aggregation in a committee whose members have heterogeneous preferences. Preference heterogeneity may interfere with information aggregation if the organization members disagree on how the information should be mapped into a decision. We study the performance of majority voting as a mechanism to aggregate information, when agents have the possibility to publicly announce their information before voting takes place. We identify conditions under which full information aggregation is possible. We compare the performance of two alternative decision procedures facing partially conflicting interests among decision makers. The two decision procedures differ with respect to the extent to which they allow communication among decision makers. We find that limiting the individuals' access to communication may enhance decision quality. In Chapter 5, we depart from the committee framework. Decision-relevant information is no longer private, but centrally available. The question is how to efficiently organize the information aggregation procedure. The organization is evaluated in terms of two dimensions, speed and quality of decision making. We assume that it takes time to read information, and that agents make a mistake with a certain probability when carrying out a processing task. The extent of parallel information processing affects the time it takes to reach a decision. The quality of the decision is affected by processing imperfections

Nutrition-sensitive irrigation and water management.

This document summarizes evidence and guidance on project design and results framework indicators for nutrition-sensitive irrigation and water management investments across water, agriculture, rural development, and other sectors, in which improving nutrition in vulnerable populations is a specific objective of the project.1 It draws on existing guidance on nutrition-sensitive agriculture developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 2015) and the World Bank (2013), with an emphasis on water-related aspects of these guidelines. The recommended actions at the project level depend on an enabling policy environment that prioritizes water use efficiency, nutritious diets, gender equality, and human capital development. Irrigation contributes to agricultural intensification and farm profitability (Burney, Naylor, and Postel 2013; De Fraiture and Giordano 2014; Giordano and de Fraiture 2014; Giordano et al. 2012; Xie et al. 2014; You et al. 2011), helps farm households to extend the growing season, and is increasingly important for farmer resilience to climate shocks and stressors. Until recently, there has been less attention to other benefits of irrigation, including improvements in household food security and nutrition, health, and women’s empowerment. Irrigation affects nutritional outcomes along the same pathways as broader agricultural interventions, but it does so in specific ways (Domènech 2015; Passarelli et al. 2018). These include a production pathway, an income pathway and a women’s empowerment pathway. In addition, irrigation presents a potential fourth pathway to improvements in nutritional outcomes through water, sanitation, and hygiene (figure ES.1)

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome Following Myeloablative Therapy and Tranexamic Acid Treatment for Hemorrhage in Two Patients with Neuroblastoma

Adverse thromboembolic events following administration of the anti-fibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TA), used to prevent/treat excessive blood loss, are rare. We present the clinical course of two young patients (22 and 56 months) receiving busulfan/melphalan (Bu/Mel) high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to treat high-risk neuroblastoma, who developed hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) within 48 h after systemic TA treatment for a hemodynamically relevant hemorrhage. Defibrotide treatment resolved hepatic SOS, but the short time between TA administration and SOS onset suggests a causal association