This book introduces the Topological Weighed Centroid approach and describes some applications in the study of the dynamics of various spatial phenomena with a special emphasis on the spatial analysis of the relationship, influence, and dynamics of geographical phenomena. Offering a comprehensive introduction to the theory and illustrative examples from various kinds of geographical data, this book also takes an in-depth look at more complex case studies, such as the applications of the topological weighed centroid approach in the study of epidemic patterns, cultural processes, criminality, and environmental phenomena.
This book offers an introduction to artificial adaptive systems and a general model of the relationships between the data and algorithms used to analyze them. It subsequently describes artificial neural networks as a subclass of artificial adaptive systems, and reports on the backpropagation algorithm, while also identifying an important connection between supervised and unsupervised artificial neural networks. The book’s primary focus is on the auto contractive map, an unsupervised artificial neural network employing a fixed point method versus traditional energy minimization. This is a powerful tool for understanding, associating and transforming data, as demonstrated in the numerous examples presented here. A supervised version of the auto contracting map is also introduced as an outstanding method for recognizing digits and defects. In closing, the book walks the readers through the theory and examples of how the auto contracting map can be used in conjunction with another artificial neural network, the “spin-net,” as a dynamic form of auto-associative memory.
This book provides a thorough summary of the means currently available to the investigators of Artificial Intelligence for making criminal behavior (both individual and collective) foreseeable, and for assisting their investigative capacities. The volume provides chapters on the introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning suitable for an upper level undergraduate with exposure to mathematics and some programming skill or a graduate course. It also brings the latest research in Artificial Intelligence to life with its chapters on fascinating applications in the area of law enforcement, though much is also being accomplished in the fields of medicine and bioengineering. Individuals with a background in Artificial Intelligence will find the opening chapters to be an excellent refresher but the greatest excitement will likely be the law enforcement examples, for little has been done in that area. The editors have chosen to shine a bright light on law enforcement analytics utilizing artificial neural network technology to encourage other researchers to become involved in this very important and timely field of study.
This book offers an introduction to artificial adaptive systems and a general model of the relationships between the data and algorithms used to analyze them. It subsequently describes artificial neural networks as a subclass of artificial adaptive systems, and reports on the backpropagation algorithm, while also identifying an important connection between supervised and unsupervised artificial neural networks. The book’s primary focus is on the auto contractive map, an unsupervised artificial neural network employing a fixed point method versus traditional energy minimization. This is a powerful tool for understanding, associating and transforming data, as demonstrated in the numerous examples presented here. A supervised version of the auto contracting map is also introduced as an outstanding method for recognizing digits and defects. In closing, the book walks the readers through the theory and examples of how the auto contracting map can be used in conjunction with another artificial neural network, the “spin-net,” as a dynamic form of auto-associative memory.
This book introduces the Topological Weighed Centroid approach and describes some applications in the study of the dynamics of various spatial phenomena with a special emphasis on the spatial analysis of the relationship, influence, and dynamics of geographical phenomena. Offering a comprehensive introduction to the theory and illustrative examples from various kinds of geographical data, this book also takes an in-depth look at more complex case studies, such as the applications of the topological weighed centroid approach in the study of epidemic patterns, cultural processes, criminality, and environmental phenomena.
From the author of Death’s Dark Abyss and The Goodbye Kiss comes an extraordinary tale of life on the run. Massimo Carlotto’s odyssey began in 1976 when, as a member of a militant leftwing organization that had fallen awry of the ruling powers, he was arrested and falsely accused of murder. Unwilling to play the role of fall guy in a political power struggle, he chose to flee the country rather than wait for a verdict that the whole country knew was a foregone conclusion. He first went into hiding in the French underworld and then made his way to a Mexico embroiled in bloody class conflict. Betrayed by a Mexican lawyer, he returned to Italy in 1985 and spent six years in prison, during which time the “Carlotto case” became Italy’s most famous legal fiasco. Carlotto was finally freed with a presidential pardon in 1993. Subsequently, his case helped bring about significant changes to the Italian criminal code to ensure that similar judicial travesties would never happen again. The Fugitive is the first book that Carlotto wrote as a free man. It tells his story with verve and humor. Virtually a handbook on how to live life on the run, The Fugitive is also a vibrant novel full of vivid underworld characters and breathtaking moments that Carlotto recounts in the cool, lucid prose that has become his trademark.
An explosive crime thriller from the author of The Goodbye Kiss, “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir” (Boston Phoenix). Giorgio Pellegrini, the hero of The Goodbye Kiss, has been living an “honest” life for eleven years. But that’s about to change. His lawyer has been deceiving him and now Giorgio is forced into service as an unwilling errand boy for an organized crime syndicate. At one time, Giorgio wouldn’t have thought twice about robbing, kidnapping, and killing in order to get what he wanted, but these days he realizes he’s too long in the tooth to face his enemies head-on. To return to his peaceful life as a successful businessman he’s going to have to find another way to shake off the mob. Fortunately, Giorgio’s circumstances may have changed, but deep down he’s still the ruthless killer he used to be. “Carlotto . . . provides a machine-gun pace, a jaundiced eye for political corruption and a refreshing absence of anything approaching a moral vision.” —Kirkus Reviews “Carlotto’s taut, broody Mediterranean noir is filled with blind corners and savage set pieces. Pellegrini’s deeds are unquestionably loathsome, but his witty Machiavellian perspective, amplified by a class rage well attuned to the current Italian zeitgeist, makes you root for him all the same.”—The New Yorker “[Carlotto’s] narration allows gruesome glimpses into an unscrupulous psyche.” —Publishers Weekly “A surprisingly enjoyable romp . . . a very solid noir thriller, and very good (if slightly queasy-making) fun. One of Carlotto’s better works.” —The Complete Review
“Think The Sopranos meets Goodfellas—without the Americanized gloss . . . [A] not-for-the-faint-hearted novel by an Italian master” (Reading Matters). In The Colombian Mule, the author called “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir” (The Boston Phoenix) and “the best living Italian crime writer” (Il Manifesto) brings to riveting life the story of Arías Cuevas, who sets in motion a chain of bloody events when police catch him trying to carry a shipment of La Tía’s cocaine into Italy. The intended recipient of the coke appears to have been art smuggler Nazzareno Corradi. But Corradi has been set up. He hires a PI known as “the Alligator” to get him out of the mess he’s in. Meanwhile, La Tía, a notoriously ruthless figure in the Colombian drug trade, is determined to move her operation to Italy, where cocaine has become all the rage among the professional classes. There’s only one thing standing in her way: the Alligator. The Alligator, an ex-con-turned-investigator, and his two companions, former underworld heavy Beniamino Rossini and Max the Memory, are among Massimo Carlotto’s most vivid noir creations. Together, the three men will wade deep into a criminal world of few scruples, testing their own strict and specific moral code along the way. “The morally ambiguous tone makes this an intriguing read, and the suspense is well maintained.” —Manchester Evening News “A fascinating glimpse into Italian culture and justice system. It’s sparely written and though quite short, there’s a lot of action . . . dark and gritty.” —Euro Crime “[A] brilliant book.” —The Friendly Shelf
PI Marco “the Alligator” Buratti returns in a thriller from the author whose “brand of crime writing is tougher than even the toughest American noir” (Josh Bazell, national bestselling author). Massimo Carlotto has been described as “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir” (Boston Phoenix), “about as gritty as they come” (The New York Times), and “the best living Italian crime writer” (Il Manifesto). Now, he gives his American readers his most memorable character yet: ex-con turned private investigator Marco Buratti, a.k.a. the Alligator. Closing the door on a crime-ridden past, Buratti plans to spend the rest of his days in the darkness of a seedy nightclub sipping Calvados and listening to the blues. But things don’t quite work out as he planned: though he may be through with his past, his past isn’t through with him. When his gangster friend Beniamino Rossini’s girlfriend is kidnapped, Buratti is forced to investigate a case of international drug dealing. He will be thrown headfirst into the underworld he has struggled to escape. In the world of Massimo Carlotto’s fiction, new and old criminal organizations collide and innocent bystanders are as hard to find as honest cops. “A cocktail of mystery and romanticism, a novel in which there are no real heroes and no signs of redemption. In short, classic Carlotto.” —Rolling Stone (Italy) “A gripping novel that can be read on different levels, as a breathtakingly dark noir novel or as a means of penetrating reality. These two levels magically blend in Massimo Carlotto’s books.” —Il Manifesto “The setting is beautifully—if grimly—realized. La dolce vita it ain’t—but this is top-notch Mediterranean noir.” —Kirkus Reviews
A brand new Carlotto, darker than ever... A robbery goes wrong and ends with a brutal murder. The police investigation turns up nothing. Two years later, Marco Buratti, alias "the Alligator," is asked to look into the crime and find out who was responsible. Buratti's employer is young, the youngest client he has ever had; he is only 12 years old, the son of one of the victims. The Alligator senses right from the start that the truth is cloaked, twisted, shocking. Together with his trusted associates, Beniamino Rossini and Max the Memory, he will find himself mixed up in a story of contraband gold and blood vendettas between criminal gangs. Carlotto once again provides a unique perspective on the criminal and social dynamics that dominate contemporary Italy.
A woman has gone missing. Her husband, too ashamed to admit to the police that he and his wife were part of a ring of sexual adventurers that organized sadomasochistic orgies, turns instead to the Alligator. Marco, a.k.a the Alligator, enters a depraved demi-world where ferocious deviants prey upon lonely victims. But the savagery of this world is only the first surprise this investigation holds in store for the Alligator. Encountering such violence and desperation triggers memories of his own time in prison. And while the unwritten rule of ex-cons is that you must never talk about your experiences behind bars, the Alligator and his two long-time associates, Max Memory and Beniamino Rossini, are forced to confront demons they thought long buried. In The Master of Knots, "the reigning king of Mediterranean Noir" Massimo Carlotto gives his readers a work of hardboiled noir fiction that is darker than ever before as he digs into the shadowy corners of human experience. This stunning novel sets a new standard in the history of the Mediterranean Noir novel.
Crime writing this good just has to be read." — NB Magazine International secret police operations, drug trafficking, prostitution, and identity theft set the stage for the eternal struggle between Good and Evil "A masterpiece."— Mystery Tribune "An engrossing fable in which families and societies unravel and are refashioned." — ForeWord Reviews Acclaimed as one of today's best noir writers, Massimo Carlotto reaches new heights in the most complex Alligator novel to date, rich with biting humour, humanity, and psychological insight. Marco Buratti, a.k.a. the Alligator, and his partners have fallen into a trap laid by their worst enemy: Giorgio Pellegrini, a wanted man who has no intention of living as a fugitive and turns police informer. But something goes wrong: with Pellegrini's wife and lover in the sights of a team of ruthless sicarios, the Alligator and co. are blackmailed and forced to investigate. But they've been framed. Even if they discover who's behind the crime, they'll rot in prison. To survive, some rules will have to be bent, and others broken. "Carlotto makes even minor characters three-dimensional, such as a woman whose face shows that "she'd expected more from life and couldn't figure out why that hadn't come to pass," in this grim tale of violence and corruption. James Ellroy fans will be satisfied." - Publishers Weekly
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