A Genetic Algorithm With Self-Generated Random Parameters

In this paper we present a version of genetic algorithm (GA) where parameters are created by the GA itself, rather than predetermined by the programmer. Chromosome portions which do not translate into fitness (“genetic residual”) are given function to diversify control parameters for the GA,providing random parameter setting along the way, and doing away with fine-tuning of probabilities of crossover and mutation. We test the algorithm on Royal Road functions to examine the difference between our version (GAR) and the simple genetic algorithm (SGA) in the speed of discovering schema and creating building blocks. We also look at the usefulness of other standard improvements, such as non-coding segments, elitist selection and multiple crossover on the evolution of schema

Total participation in worker co-operatives: theory, measures and impacts

The paper contributes to the discourse on the impact of employee participation in organizations. We describe a management tool grounded in the cognitive theory of Total participation used to measure the degree of participation and its effects, and apply it to evaluate the extent of adherence to the principles and values in worker co-operatives

Theory of the labor-managed firm : the Yugoslavian case

This thesis presents a new approach to the theory of the labor-managed firm, based on the case of the Yugoslavian labor-managed economy. Instead of income per worker maximization, we suggest that a labor-managed firm in a certain environment and given institutional setting maximizes revenue, while under uncertainty another approach is taken, namely that of social welfare maximization.Inefficient allocation may result in a labor-managed firm whose workers have no transferable property rights. We explore creation of an internal shares market as the means to acquire efficiency. Internal market for shares is also seen as a possible form of transition of the labor-managed firm, given the path of transformation of the institutional setting in former Yugoslavia, through a kind of industrial democracy with private (transferable) property rights

Defining the co-operative difference

The paper argues that co-operative firms play a set of roles in market economies, based on the co-operative values and principles that are rarely noted in economic literature. Among other, those roles are to internalize market externalities, to serve as laboratories for social innovation, to espouse social entrepreneurship, to promote ethical business practices, and to aid in development. While economic literature has been focused primarily on the ownership and control structure as a source of the difference, we argue that this focus paints an incomplete picture. The principles of co-operation may supply additional insights in addressing questions why co-operatives may thrive in areas of low labour mobility, prevalent market failures, oligopoly markets, and labour intensive industries. They may also offer insights into strategies and survival in global markets of successful co-operative firms.Co-operative firms Co-operative principles Externalities Social entrepreneurship

Agricultural and Rural Cooperative Viability: A Management Strategy Based on Cooperative Principles and Values

We examine some characteristics of agricultural and rural cooperatives and their management challenges, in order to illustrate possible applications of Jim Collin’s management concept, catalytic mechanisms, in the cooperative context. Agricultural cooperatives are experiencing complex governance issues, particularly in light of increased heterogeneity of member interests, and increased market and regulatory pressures. Member commitment is often recognized to be a necessary ingredient in the cooperative success, and while primary agricultural cooperatives are built on that commitment, new generation cooperatives need not be. In this article we argue that some of the governance issues may be alleviated by the application of creating catalytic mechanisms, a process that builds cohesion, preserves cooperative identity, and is based on cooperative principles and values. We illustrate this technique with examples of successful agricultural and rural cooperatives that already use such mechanisms in their management strategies

Towards a Genetic Algorithm for Function Optimization

function optimization, which is simple and reliable for most applications. The novelty in current approach is random provision of parameters, created by the GA. Chromosome portions which do not translate into fitness are given function to diversify control parameters for the GA, providing random parameter setting along the way, and doing away with fine-tuning of probabilities of crossover and mutation. We test our algorithm on Royal Road functions to examine the difference between our version (GAW) and the simple GA (SGA) in the speed of discovering schema and creating building blocks. We also look at the usefulness of other standard improvements, such as non-coding segments, elitist selection and multiple crossover

Measuring Performance for Accountability of a Small Social Economy Organization: The Case of an Independent School

This article is a result of a joint project in social economy research between a community partner-an independent school-and academic partners. The school is a democratic organization, run by teachers and parents. The goal of the project was to find ways to improve communication and reporting about general performance of the school as part of the school's accountability to its members. Starting from lessons of the balanced scorecard approach for non-profits, we describe the process of development of survey-based measures for the particular organization. The direction of the tool development and subsequent organizational changes were carried out in a participatory process between the school's staff, the parents, and the board. We identify the limitations and challenges of this process, and outline its successes to draw lessons for other similar democratic organizations. / Cet article est le produit d'un projet conjoint de recherche sur l'économie sociale entre un partenaire communautaire-une école privée-et des partenaires académiques. L'école est une organisation démocratique dirigée par des enseignants et des parents. Le but de ce projet était de trouver des façons d'améliorer la communication et la reddition de compte en ce qui a trait au rendement général de l'école comme faisant partie de la responsabilité de l'école envers ses membres. En commençant par des leçons sur l'approche de tableau de bord équilibré pour les organismes sans but lucratif, nous abordons le processus de l'élaboration de mesures fondées sur des enquêtes pour l'organisation particulière. L'orientation du développement d'outils et des changements organisationnels subséquents ont été déterminés lors d'un processus participatif entre le personnel de l'école, les parents et la direction. Nous établissons les limites et les défis de cette façon de procéder et en soulignons les réussites pour tirer des leçons qui serviront à d'autres organisations démocratiques comparables

Producer collectives: what are we missing out?

It is widely recognised that small disaggregated producers need to come together and work as a collective enterprise. The performance of these organisations has been mired in a variety of constraints. This chapter argues that these collective enterprises work within some (i) Economic Conditions defining the business model; (ii) Organisational Design Conditions for efficient functioning and balancing governance; (iii) Socio-Economic Conditions and (iv) Institutional Conditions. An appropriate balance of all these conditions is necessary for these collective enterprises to function. Emphasising the need for local entrepreneurs to take charge of these organisations, this chapter argues that leading a producer collective requires the ability to strike commercial deals rapidly and lead diverse producer groups. The chapter argues that this requires entrepreneurial ability in addition to leadership. Often in the process of ‘promoting’ FPOs, the ability of the local leader-entrepreneur is not allowed to flourish

Alternative NF-κB signaling regulates mTEC differentiation from podoplanin-expressing presursors in the cortico-medullary junction

The thymic epithelium forms specialized niches to enable thymocyte differentiation. While the common epithelial progenitor of medullary and cortical thymic epithelial cells (mTECs and cTECs) is well defined, early stages of mTEC lineage specification have remained elusive. Here, we utilized in vivo targeting of mTECs to resolve their differentiation pathways and to determine whether mTEC progenitors participate in thymocyte education. We found that mTECs descend from a lineage committed, podoplanin (PDPN)-expressing progenitor located at the cortico-medullary junction. PDPN(+) junctional TECs (jTECs) represent a distinct TEC population that builds the thymic medulla, but only partially supports negative selection and thymocyte differentiation. Moreover, conditional gene targeting revealed that abrogation of alternative NF-κB pathway signaling in the jTEC stage completely blocked mTEC development. Taken together, this study identifies jTECs as lineage-committed mTEC progenitors and shows that NF-κB-dependent progression of jTECs to mTECs is critical to secure central tolerance

Microglial A20 protects the brain from CD8 T-cell-mediated immunopathology

Tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), or A20, is a ubiquitin-modifying protein and negative regulator of canonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TNFAIP3 are associated with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a role in tissue inflammation. While the role of A20 in peripheral immune cells has been well investigated, less is known about its role in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we show that microglial A20 is crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis. Without microglial A20, CD8+ T cells spontaneously infiltrate the CNS and acquire a viral response signature. The combination of infiltrating CD8+ T cells and activated A20-deficient microglia leads to an increase in VGLUT1+ terminals and frequency of spontaneous excitatory currents. Ultimately, A20-deficient microglia upregulate genes associated with the antiviral response and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our data suggest that microglial A20 acts as a sensor for viral infection and a master regulator of CNS homeostasis