ON MONOTONE TRAVELING WAVES FOR NICHOLSON'S BLOWFLIES EQUATION WITH DEGENERATE p-LAPLACIAN DIFFUSION

We study the existence and stability of monotone traveling wave solutions of Nicholson's blowflies equation with degenerate p-Laplacian diffusion.We prove the existence and nonexistence of non-decreasing smooth traveling wave solutions by phase plane analysis methods.Moreover,we show the existence and regularity of an original solution via a compactness analysis.Finally,we prove the stability and exponential convergence rate of traveling waves by an approximated weighted energy method.

Coexisting fast–slow dendritic traveling waves in a 3D-array electric field coupled neuronal network

Coexistence of fast and slow traveling waves without synaptic transmission has been found in hhhippocampal tissues,which is closely related to both normal brain activity and abnormal neural activity such as epileptic discharge. However, the propagation mechanism behind this coexistence phenomenon remains unclear. In this paper, a three-dimensional electric field coupled hippocampal neural network is established to investigate generation of coexisting spontaneous fast and slow traveling waves. This model captures two types of dendritic traveling waves propagating in both transverse and longitude directions: the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)-dependent wave with a speed of about 0.1 m/s and the Ca-dependent wave with a speed of about 0.009 m/s. These traveling waves are synaptic-independent and could be conducted only by the electric fields generated by neighboring neurons, which are basically consistent with the in vitro data measured experiments. It is also found that the slow Ca wave could trigger generation of fast NMDA waves in the propagation path of slow waves whereas fast NMDA waves cannot affect the propagation of slow Ca waves. These results suggest that dendritic Ca waves could acted as the source of the coexistence fast and slow waves. Furthermore, we also confirm the impact of cellular spacing heterogeneity on the onset of coexisting fast and slow waves. The local region with decreasing distances among neighbor neurons is more liable to promote the onset of spontaneous slow waves which, as sources, excite propagation of fast waves. These modeling studies provide possible biophysical mechanisms underlying the neural dynamics of spontaneous traveling waves in brain tissues.

Travel-Limiting Disabilities in the United States: Why Accessibility Matters?

This study evaluates the distribution of travel-limiting disabilities across genders and geographic locations in the United States. This study aims to describe and compare the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the people with and without travel-limiting disabilities across geographic locations and gender. The study further evaluates the trip purpose and impact of Covid-19 fourth wave pandemic on the use of public transit and travel to physical workplace for the people with and without travel-limiting disabilities across gender and geographic locations. The study uses the 2022 weighted National Household Travel Survey dataset and employs descriptive statistics. Results reaffirm the findings from previous literature that there are more people with travel-limiting disabilities in urban areas and among women. Over 50 percent of people aged 65 and above have a form of travel-limiting disabilities. The most trip for people with travel-limiting disabilities is made for shopping and medical purposes. Across all categories, rural areas, urban areas, male and female for the people without travel-limiting disabilities, COVID-19 fourth wave did not change the pattern of trips made to physical workplace as pre-COVID-19 era. This pattern is also observable for the people with travel-limiting disabilities in rural and urban areas. Females with travel-limiting disabilities reported making less trips to physical workplaces while male reported doing the same as before COVID-19 era. The study concludes that the quantification of travel-limiting disabilities across geographic location and gender is vital in disability study and could drive policy implementation for improved accessibility for the vulnerable population.

A Combination Prediction Model for Short Term Travel Demand of Urban Taxi

This study proposes a prediction model considering external weather and holiday factors to address the issue of accurately predicting urban taxi travel demand caused by complex data and numerous influencing factors.The model integrates the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise(CEEMDAN)and Convolutional Long Short Term Memory Neural Network(ConvLSTM)to predict short-term taxi travel demand.The CEEMDAN decomposition method effectively decomposes time series data into a set of modal components,capturing sequence characteristics at different time scales and frequencies.Based on the sample entropy value of components,secondary processing of more complex sequence components after decomposition is employed to reduce the cumulative prediction error of component sequences and improve prediction efficiency.On this basis,considering the correlation between the spatiotemporal trends of short-term taxi traffic,a ConvLSTM neural network model with Long Short Term Memory(LSTM)time series processing ability and Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)spatial feature processing ability is constructed to predict the travel demand for urban taxis.The combined prediction model is tested on a taxi travel demand dataset in a certain area of Beijing.The results show that the CEEMDAN-ConvLSTM prediction model outperforms the LSTM,Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model(ARIMA),CNN,and ConvLSTM benchmark models in terms of Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error(SMAPE),Root Mean Square Error(RMSE),Mean Absolute Error(MAE),and R2 metrics.Notably,the SMAPE metric exhibits a remarkable decline of 21.03%with the utilization of our proposed model.These results confirm that our study provides a highly accurate and valid model for taxi travel demand forecasting.

Measurement of very low-molecular weight metabolites by traveling wave ion mobility and its use in human urine samples

The collision cross-sections(CCS)measurement using ion mobility spectrometry(IMS)in combination with mass spectrometry(MS)offers a great opportunity to increase confidence in metabolite identification.However,owing to the lack of sensitivity and resolution,IMS has an analytical challenge in studying the CCS values of very low-molecular-weight metabolites(VLMs250 Da).Here,we describe an analytical method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)coupled to a traveling wave ion mobility-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer optimized for the measurement of VLMs in human urine samples.The experimental CCS values,along with mass spectral properties,were reported for the 174 metabolites.The experimental data included the mass-to-charge ratio(m/z),retention time(RT),tandem MS(MS/MS)spectra,and CCS values.Among the studied metabolites,263 traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry(TWIMS)-derived CCS values(TWCCSN2)were reported for the first time,and more than 70%of these were CCS values of VLMs.The TWCCSN2 values were highly repeatable,with inter-day variations of<1%relative standard deviation(RSD).The developed method revealed excellent TWCCSN2 accuracy with a CCS difference(DCCS)within±2%of the reported drift tube IMS(DTIMS)and TWIMS CCS values.The complexity of the urine matrix did not affect the precision of the method,as evidenced by DCCS within±1.92%.According to the Metabolomics Standards Initiative,55 urinary metabolites were identified with a confidence level of 1.Among these 55 metabolites,53(96%)were VLMs.The larger number of confirmed compounds found in this study was a result of the addition of TWCCSN2 values,which clearly increased metabolite identification confidence.

Harmonic balance simulation of the influence of component uniformity and reliability on the performance of a Josephson traveling wave parametric amplifier

A Josephson traveling wave parametric amplifier(JTWPA),which is a quantum-limited amplifier with high gain and large bandwidth,is the core device of large-scale measurement and control systems for quantum computing.A typical JTWPA consists of thousands of Josephson junctions connected in series to form a transmission line and hundreds of shunt LC resonators periodically loaded along the line for phase matching.Because the variation of these capacitors and inductors can be detrimental to their high-frequency characteristics,the fabrication of a JTWPA typically necessitates precise processing equipment.To guide the fabrication process and further improve the design for manufacturability,it is necessary to understand how each electronic component affects the amplifier.In this paper,we use the harmonic balance method to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of nonuniformity and fabrication yield of the electronic components on the performance of a JTWPA.The results provide insightful and scientific guidance for device design and fabrication processes.

Solving the Generalized Traveling Salesman Problem Using Sequential Constructive Crossover Operator in Genetic Algorithm

The generalized travelling salesman problem(GTSP),a generalization of the well-known travelling salesman problem(TSP),is considered for our study.Since the GTSP is NP-hard and very complex,finding exact solutions is highly expensive,we will develop genetic algorithms(GAs)to obtain heuristic solutions to the problem.In GAs,as the crossover is a very important process,the crossovermethods proposed for the traditional TSP could be adapted for the GTSP.The sequential constructive crossover(SCX)and three other operators are adapted to use in GAs to solve the GTSP.The effectiveness of GA using SCX is verified on some GTSP Library(GTSPLIB)instances first and then compared against GAs using the other crossover methods.The computational results show the success of the GA using SCX for this problem.Our proposed GA using SCX,and swap mutation could find average solutions whose average percentage of excesses fromthe best-known solutions is between 0.00 and 14.07 for our investigated instances.

Appropriate Combination of Crossover Operator and Mutation Operator in Genetic Algorithms for the Travelling Salesman Problem

Genetic algorithms(GAs)are very good metaheuristic algorithms that are suitable for solving NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems.AsimpleGAbeginswith a set of solutions represented by a population of chromosomes and then uses the idea of survival of the fittest in the selection process to select some fitter chromosomes.It uses a crossover operator to create better offspring chromosomes and thus,converges the population.Also,it uses a mutation operator to explore the unexplored areas by the crossover operator,and thus,diversifies the GA search space.A combination of crossover and mutation operators makes the GA search strong enough to reach the optimal solution.However,appropriate selection and combination of crossover operator and mutation operator can lead to a very good GA for solving an optimization problem.In this present paper,we aim to study the benchmark traveling salesman problem(TSP).We developed several genetic algorithms using seven crossover operators and six mutation operators for the TSP and then compared them to some benchmark TSPLIB instances.The experimental studies show the effectiveness of the combination of a comprehensive sequential constructive crossover operator and insertion mutation operator for the problem.The GA using the comprehensive sequential constructive crossover with insertion mutation could find average solutions whose average percentage of excesses from the best-known solutions are between 0.22 and 14.94 for our experimented problem instances.

FRESH MOMENTUM AND TRENDS FOR OUTBOUND TRAVEL FROM CHINA--China’s tourism economy is rapidly rebounding, with outbound travel poised to unleash even greater opportunities and stimulate the global tourism industry

In July,Wu Siyan from Nanning,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and her husband took their daughter to Thailand.It was the first time the seventh grader had traveled to another country."Traveling in another country was an eye-opener for us,especially for my daughter.Some customs in Thailand are similar to those in China's Yunnan Province,but it was still a great opportunity to explore the rest of the world,"Wu said,adding that it only took around two hours to fly from Nanning to Bangkok,capital of Thailand.

A Novel Insertion Solution for the Travelling Salesman Problem

The studypresents theHalfMax InsertionHeuristic (HMIH) as a novel approach to solving theTravelling SalesmanProblem (TSP). The goal is to outperform existing techniques such as the Farthest Insertion Heuristic (FIH) andNearest Neighbour Heuristic (NNH). The paper discusses the limitations of current construction tour heuristics,focusing particularly on the significant margin of error in FIH. It then proposes HMIH as an alternative thatminimizes the increase in tour distance and includes more nodes. HMIH improves tour quality by starting withan initial tour consisting of a ‘minimum’ polygon and iteratively adding nodes using our novel Half Max routine.The paper thoroughly examines and compares HMIH with FIH and NNH via rigorous testing on standard TSPbenchmarks. The results indicate that HMIH consistently delivers superior performance, particularly with respectto tour cost and computational efficiency. HMIH’s tours were sometimes 16% shorter than those generated by FIHand NNH, showcasing its potential and value as a novel benchmark for TSP solutions. The study used statisticalmethods, including Friedman’s Non-parametric Test, to validate the performance of HMIH over FIH and NNH.This guarantees that the identified advantages are statistically significant and consistent in various situations. Thiscomprehensive analysis emphasizes the reliability and efficiency of the heuristic, making a compelling case for itsuse in solving TSP issues. The research shows that, in general, HMIH fared better than FIH in all cases studied,except for a few instances (pr439, eil51, and eil101) where FIH either performed equally or slightly better thanHMIH. HMIH’s efficiency is shown by its improvements in error percentage (δ) and goodness values (g) comparedto FIH and NNH. In the att48 instance, HMIH had an error rate of 6.3%, whereas FIH had 14.6% and NNH had20.9%, indicating that HMIH was closer to the optimal solution. HMIH consistently showed superior performanceacross many benchmarks, with lower percentage error and higher goodness values, suggesting a closer match tothe optimal tour costs. This study substantially contributes to combinatorial optimization by enhancing currentinsertion algorithms and presenting a more efficient solution for the Travelling Salesman Problem. It also createsnew possibilities for progress in heuristic design and optimization methodologies.

Neutral Territory:Cultural Space in Hawthorne’s Travel Writing

The emphasis on the combination of physical space and metaphorical space is a major feature of Hawthorne’s narrative.This paper analyzes cultural space in Hawthorne’s travel writing,centering on his works The Old Manse and The Marble Faun from the perspective of neutral territory.The old manse and Rome carry different cultural metaphors,each reflecting a complex and subtle narrative space.Individually,Hawthorne transforms the old manse into Thoreauesque cabin,where American is affected by“sleepiness”and gains spiritual healing.At the national level,Hawthorne creates an allegorical Italy as borderland to explore the existence of American civilization.

Propagation and Pinning of Travelling Wave for Nagumo Type Equation

In this paper, we study the propagation and its failure to propagate (pinning) of a travelling wave in a Nagumo type equation, an equation that describes impulse propagation in nerve axons that also models population growth with Allee effect. An analytical solution is derived for the traveling wave and the work is extended to a discrete formulation with a piecewise linear reaction function. We propose an operator splitting numerical scheme to solve the equation and demonstrate that the wave either propagates or gets pinned based on how the spatial mesh is chosen.

On the “Onion Husk” Algorithm for Approximate Solution of the Traveling Salesman Problem

The paper describes some implementation aspects of an algorithm for approximate solution of the traveling salesman problem based on the construction of convex closed contours on the initial set of points (“cities”) and their subsequent combination into a closed path (the so-called contour algorithm or “onion husk” algorithm). A number of heuristics related to the different stages of the algorithm are considered, and various variants of the algorithm based on these heuristics are analyzed. Sets of randomly generated points of different sizes (from 4 to 90 and from 500 to 10,000) were used to test the algorithms. The numerical results obtained are compared with the results of two well-known combinatorial optimization algorithms, namely the algorithm based on the branch and bound method and the simulated annealing algorithm. .

“China Travel”火爆背后

“China Travel(中国游)”在国内外社交平台上成为持续热门话题的直接原因,就是中国持续推进一系列入境旅游便利化政策。近来,不少外国博主创作的“China Travel(中国游)”主题视频,在国内外社交平台上爆火,成为持续热门话题。中国旅游研究院6月25日发布的《中国入境旅游发展报告(2023—2024)》显示,2024年我国入境旅游市场发展态势持续向好。预计2024年,外国人入境市场有望恢复到2019年的八成,港澳台入境市场将实现全面恢复。

Analysis of Service Marketing Strategies in the Senior Study Travel Tour Market

Senior study travel,as an emerging form of tourism,combines the dual characteristics of educational learning and leisure travel.It not only meets the elderly’s desire for spiritual and cultural life and self-fulfillment but also promotes the construction of a healthy aging society.This study comprehensively uses methods such as literature analysis,interviews,and case studies to analyze the current status and existing problems of the senior study travel market.Based on the 7Ps service marketing model,it explores service marketing strategies for the senior study travel market,aiming to provide reference and guidance for related tourism enterprises to supply more attractive senior study travel services.

“China Travel”热潮来袭

在“72/144小时过境免签”等系列便利外籍人士来华的政策推动下,越来越多的外国游客和外国博主来到中国,在全球网络社交媒体平台掀起一股“China Travel(中国游)”热潮。

China Travel,何以戳中流量密码

近一段时间,外国人来华旅游体验的视频,在网络上广为传播。不但外国网友爱看,中国网友也在“追更”,然已是“流量担当”“ChinaTravel”,成为新晋的网络热词。一群人生地不熟的外国人China Travel,一句只可意会不能言传的“city 不city?”,为何能精准戳中互联网的流量密码?“双向奔赴”的巨大流量背后,还藏着哪些我们熟视无赌的认知?

Bolzano Traffic: An Example of Open ITS Deployment for Advanced Traveller Information Services

This paper aims to present the experience gathered in the Italian alpine city of Bolzano within the project“Bolzano Traffic”whose goal is the introduction of an experimental open ITS platform for local service providers,fostering the diffusion of advanced traveller information services and the future deployment of cooperative mobility systems in the region.Several end-users applications targeted to the needs of different user groups have been developed in collaboration with local companies and research centers;a partnership with the EU Co-Cities project has been activated as well.The implemented services rely on real-time travel and traffic information collected by urban traffic monitoring systems or published by local stakeholders(e.g.public transportation operators).An active involvement of end-users,who have recently started testing these demo applications for free,is actually on-going.

“China Travel”打开中国国际传播新维度

随着中国免签“朋友圈”的不断扩容,越来越多的外国游客在72/144小时过境免签政策的鼓励下来到中国。外国游客沉浸体验实时现场展开的中国故事,“city不city”的“热梗”在网上病毒式传播,还在攀升中的“China Travel”正在打开中国国际传播的一个新维度。

Dengue and falciparum malaria co-infection in travelers returning from Burkina Faso:Report of two cases in Northeastern Italy

Rationale: Malaria and dengue are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in tropical countries. Plasmodium parasite and dengue virus(DENV) concurrent infection is possible and often under-recognized in geographical areas where these infections are both endemic.Patients concern and diagnosis: We describe the first two cases of Plasmodium falciparum and DENV-3 co-infection in travelers returning to northeastern Italy from Burkina Faso during 2013-2014.Interventions: Malaria infection in both patients was treated with mefloquine. Due to the persistence of symptoms despite of the antimalaria treatment, dengue was also investigated;the treatment of dengue was symptomatic.Outcomes: The patients were discharged in good general condition.Lessons: The need for surveillance of potential malaria and dengue co-infection in travelers returning to Europe from endemic areas is highlighted, as infection with Plasmodium does not exclude arboviral co-infection.