Cartesian genetic programming for trading: a preliminary investigation

In this paper, a preliminary investigation of Cartesian Genetic Programming (CGP) for algorithmic intraday trading is conducted. CGP is a recent new variant of genetic programming that differs from traditional approaches in a number of ways, including being able to evolve programs with limited size and with multiple outputs. CGP is used to evolve a predictor for intraday price movements, and trading strategies using the evolved predictors are evaluated along three dimensions (return, maximum drawdown and recovery factor) and against four different financial datasets (the Euro/US dollar exchange rate and the Dow Jones Industrial Average during periods from 2006 and 2010). We show that CGP is capable in many instances of evolving programs that, when used as trading strategies, lead to modest positive returns

Random convolution ensembles

A novel method for creating diverse ensembles of image classifiers is proposed. The idea is that, for each base image classifier in the ensemble, a random image transformation is generated and applied to all of the images in the labeled training set. The base classifiers are then learned using features extracted from these randomly transformed versions of the training data, and the result is a highly diverse ensemble of image classifiers. This approach is evaluated on a benchmark pedestrian detection dataset and shown to be effective

Symbol grounding and its implications for artificial intelligence

In response to Searle's well-known Chinese room argument against Strong AI (and more generally, computationalism), Harnad proposed that if the symbols manipulated by a robot were sufficiently grounded in the real world, then the robot could be said to literally understand. In this article, I expand on the notion of symbol groundedness in three ways. Firstly, I show how a robot might select the best set of categories describing the world, given that fundamentally continuous sensory data can be categorised in an almost infinite number of ways. Secondly, I discuss the notion of grounded abstract (as opposed to concrete) concepts. Thirdly, I give an objective criterion for deciding when a robot's symbols become sufficiently grounded for "understanding" to be attributed to it. This deeper analysis of what symbol groundedness actually is weakens Searle's position in significant ways; in particular, whilst Searle may be able to refute Strong AI in the specific context of present-day digital computers, he cannot refute computationalism in general

Antonio Gramsci and his relevance for the education of adults

This paper, drawing on original sources, provides an overview of and a discussion on those writings and ideas, in Antonio Gramsci's huge corpus of work, that are relevant to the education of adults. This should provide a fitting tribute to this major social theorist of the 20th century on the 70th anniversary of his death. Among the topics discussed are those of adult education for industrial democracy, adult education and cultural preparation, adult literacy, prison education, adult education and the Southern Question with specific reference to immigration, and, most important of all, adult education in the context of an intellectual and moral reform.peer-reviewe

Italian signposts for a sociologically and critically engaged pedagogy : Don Lorenzo Milani (1923-1967) and the schools of San Donato and Barbiana revisited

This paper provides a critical exposition and analysis of the work of an acclaimed Italian educator, Lorenzo Milani, and ideas that emerged from his experiences in two Tuscan localities. His work is well known in Italy and many parts of southern Europe. Despite the translations of his works into English and Spanish, in the early 1970s, and their use in sociology of education classes in the United Kingdom, he seems to have had a very limited impact on the Anglo-North American-dominated critical education field. The paper revisits his ideas, in this 90th anniversary year, indicating their contemporary relevance and the signposts they provide for a critically and sociologically engaged pedagogy.peer-reviewe

Bayesian sequence learning for predicting protein cleavage points

A challenging problem in data mining is the application of efficient techniques to automatically annotate the vast databases of biological sequence data. This paper describes one such application in this area, to the prediction of the position of signal peptide cleavage points along protein sequences. It is shown that the method, based on Bayesian statistics, is comparable in terms of accuracy to the existing state-of-the-art neural network techniques while providing explanatory information for its predictions

Identifying Market Price Levels Using Differential Evolution

Evolutionary data mining is used in this paper to investigate the concept of support and resistance levels in financial markets. Specifically, Differential Evolution is used to learn support/resistance levels from price data. The presence of these levels is then tested in out-of-sample data. Our results from a set of experiments covering five years worth of daily data across nine different US markets show that there is statistical evidence for price levels in certain markets, and that Differential Evolution can uncover them

Antonio Gramsci and Paulo Freire : some connections and contrasts

Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) and Paulo Freire (1921-1997) are certainly two of the most cited figures in the debate concerning critical approaches to education. Their respective cultural and political work occurred in different contexts and at different times (Gramsci in Europe in the first part of the 20th century and Paulo Freire in Latin America, N. America, Europe and Africa in the second half of the century). Nevertheless, a whole generation of writers, positing a critical approach to education, especially those subscribing to what is commonly referred to as critical pedagogy, constantly draw on Gramsci’s and Freire’s powerful insights into the relationship between education/ cultural work and power. The two figures are often accorded iconic status inthis literature.In this paper, I shall attempt to draw theoretical and, when appropriate, biographicalconnections between the work of the two, also highlighting some obvious contrasts. In so doing,I shall reproduce key points made in my earlier published work on these two figures, notably my book length study in which I sought to derive insights from their respective writings for a process of trans-formative adult education relevant to contemporary times. In this piece, I also hope to provide fresh comparative insights not found in the earlier work.peer-reviewe

Social democracy in a postcolonial island state : Dom Mintoff’s impact

This paper pays homage to former Maltese premier and postcolonial Maltese leader, Dom Mintoff soon after his death in August 20 2012. The pragmatic socialist politics of Dom Mintoff is exposed and the contradictions revealed. His ability as a negotiator, orator and architect of a democratic socialist politics marked by the building of a welfare state is underscored. Pugilistic and irascible, Mintoff is presented warts and all as a statesman and a political figure of international acclaim.peer-reviewe