On integrability of the Yao-Zeng two-component short-pulse equation

We show how the Yao-Zeng system of coupled short-pulse equations is related to the original short-pulse equation and obtain the correct zero-curvature representation of the Yao-Zeng system via this relationship.Comment: 5 page

Deformed Harry Dym and Hunter-Zheng Equations

We study the deformed Harry Dym and Hunter-Zheng equations with two arbitrary deformation parameters. These reduce to various other known models in appropriate limits. We show that both these systems are bi-Hamiltonian with the same Hamiltonian structures. They are integrable and belong to the same hierarchy corresponding to positive and negative flows. We present the Lax pair description for both the systems and construct the conserved charges of negative order from the Lax operator. For the deformed Harry Dym equation, we construct the non-standard Lax representation for two special classes of values of the deformation parameters. In general, we argue that a non-standard description will involve a pseudo-differential operator of infinite order.Comment: Latex file, 15 page

A Nonliearly Dispersive Fifth Order Integrable Equation and its Hierarchy

In this paper, we study the properties of a nonlinearly dispersive integrable system of fifth order and its associated hierarchy. We describe a Lax representation for such a system which leads to two infinite series of conserved charges and two hierarchies of equations that share the same conserved charges. We construct two compatible Hamiltonian structures as well as their Casimir functionals. One of the structures has a single Casimir functional while the other has two. This allows us to extend the flows into negative order and clarifies the meaning of two different hierarchies of positive flows. We study the behavior of these systems under a hodograph transformation and show that they are related to the Kaup-Kupershmidt and the Sawada-Kotera equations under appropriate Miura transformations. We also discuss briefly some properties associated with the generalization of second, third and fourth order Lax operators.Comment: 11 pages, LaTex, version to be published in Journal of Nonlinear Mathematical Physics, has expanded discussio

Hamiltonian Structures for the Ostrovsky-Vakhnenko Equation

We obtain a bi-Hamiltonian formulation for the Ostrovsky-Vakhnenko equation using its higher order symmetry and a new transformation to the Caudrey-Dodd-Gibbon-Sawada-Kotera equation. Central to this derivation is the relation between Hamiltonian structures when dependent and independent variables are transformed.Comment: 13 page

A Survey of Multi-Source Energy Harvesting Systems

Energy harvesting allows low-power embedded devices to be powered from naturally-ocurring or unwanted environmental energy (e.g. light, vibration, or temperature difference). While a number of systems incorporating energy harvesters are now available commercially, they are specific to certain types of energy source. Energy availability can be a temporal as well as spatial effect. To address this issue, ‘hybrid’ energy harvesting systems combine multiple harvesters on the same platform, but the design of these systems is not straightforward. This paper surveys their design, including trade-offs affecting their efficiency, applicability, and ease of deployment. This survey, and the taxonomy of multi-source energy harvesting systems that it presents, will be of benefit to designers of future systems. Furthermore, we identify and comment upon the current and future research directions in this field

Governance mechanism in public agencies: the Italian practice in an international perspectives

The diffusion of Public Agencies seems to characterise the approach to public management in European countries. Under New Public Management, the role of politics is to provide strategic planning and economic policy target definition, whereas the administration is responsible for the management of public services. Moreover, the separation between politics and administration is strengthened by downsizing and decentralizing the public central administration. The current paper argues that this split necessitates careful attention to the adoption of models of accountability that respond to both citizen and political information needs. Thus, with respect to public agencies, this paper models accountability levels, defines an accountability cycle showing the relations between politics, administration, and citizens, and applies this model to the Italian case

On bosonic limits of two recent supersymmetric extensions of the Harry Dym hierarchy

Two generalized Harry Dym equations, recently found by Brunelli, Das and Popowicz in the bosonic limit of new supersymmetric extensions of the Harry Dym hierarchy [J. Math. Phys. 44:4756--4767 (2003)], are transformed into previously known integrable systems: one--into a pair of decoupled KdV equations, the other one--into a pair of coupled mKdV equations from a bi-Hamiltonian hierarchy of Kupershmidt.Comment: 7 page

Differential expression of aquaporin 3 in Triturus italicus from larval to adult epidermal conversion

By using immunohistochemical techniques applied to confocal microscopy, the presence of aquaporin 3 water channel in the epidermis of Triturus italicus (Amphibia, Urodela) has been shown. We analysed the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) during the larval, pre-metamorphic and adult phases; we also showed the localization of the water-channel protein AQP3 in free-swimming conditions and during aestivation in parallel with histological analysis of the skin, focusing on the possible relationship between protein expression and terrestrial habitats. Our results indicate that aquaporin is produced as the epidermis modifies during the functional maturation phase starting at the climax. Moreover, our data suggest an increase in enzyme expression in aestivating newts emphasizing the putative functional importance of differential expression related to a distinct phase of the biological cycle

Functional outcome after lower limb amputation: is hyperhomocysteinemia a predictive factor? an observational study

Lower limb amputation (LLA) is the drastic stage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where the hyperhomocysteinemia (H-HCY) seems to be a risk factor. Surprisingly, in literature the levels and the role of homocysteinemia (HCY) in persons with LLA are understudied. This study aims to investigate the level of HCY and its correlation with the functional outcomes after LLA.A case-control study to analyze HCY levels in amputees admitted in a rehabilitation hospital during an investigation period of 1.5 years. Barthel Index was used to assess the functional outcome.We enrolled 91 dysvascular amputees and 44 amputees for other reasons than PAD (controls). The mean level of HCY was found higher in dysvascular amputees (15.27.5) compared to controls (11.0 +/- 5.0, P<0.0001) with a risk related ratio of 4.78. Normal Gaussian distribution of HCY was observed in controls, whereas in dysvascular amputees the data follow a double Gaussian distribution. Finally, a significant negative correlation was found between HCY and the effectiveness of rehabilitation (R=-0.37, P=0.001) only in dysvascular amputees.Dysvascular amputees had a level of HCY significantly higher than amputees without PAD. H-HCY seems to influence the functional outcomes of the rehabilitative treatment only in LLA due to PAD