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Journal of Integrable Systems (2015) Page 1 of 2
doi:10.1093/integr/xyv001
Editorial
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We welcome the readers to the new Journal of Integrable Systems (JoIS). The launch of JoIS heralds
the culmination of a long process of careful reflection, wide consultation and preparation on the part of
the publisher to set the wheels into motion. We are pleased to see that we are now at a stage where the
journal is ready to become operative.
Integrable Systems is one of those subjects that is hard to pin down to a single clear definition.
Nevertheless, because of the singular features shared by integrable equations, to those working in the
subject area, it is almost always evident when an integrable system presents itself. One of the most gratifying aspects is that over the past decades the study of integrable systems has pushed the mathematical
sciences into new territories, and has helped to initiate new areas of endeavour in mathematics as well
as in mathematical physics, forging new concepts and ideas. Thus, the subject has always been strong
in not only benefiting from, but also in being of benefit to the work in well-established mathematical
disciplines.
Until now the research literature in the subject has spread itself over many different journals, some of
which are in physics, while others are in pure mathematics and addressed to more subject-specific fora.
For a considerable time there has been a feeling in the community that there is a need for a mathematical
journal that connects the activities in integrable systems, reflecting the state-of-the-art of the subject,
but most importantly acting as a platform where work on the interfaces between different mathematical
subjects and integrable systems can be made more visible. By bringing together top quality work, JoIS
will seek to serve as a platform for the above-mentioned interfaces, the journal’s role being to bring a
level of cohesiveness and help establish integrable systems as a subject of scientific excellence.
There are several journals in physics or in physics-related areas, where work on integrable systems
is often published. Modern developments in the subject, however, have veered increasingly towards
connections with pure mathematics, where integrable systems have proved to be a catalyst of new ideas
and applications. The journal needs to be sensitive to those developments, and bring together mathematicians and mathematical physicists whose work would enhance the understanding of the subject.
Conversely, it is our intention that publishing in JoIS will assure authors of pure mathematical work a
high level of impact for their results, while at the same time maintaining high standards of rigour and
scholarly excellence. Thus, the ambition of JoIS is to develop into a high forum for research articles
that are directly or indirectly related to integrable systems, in order to foster new interfaces and the
spawning of new ideas.
The high-quality level of work published in JoIS will be its greatest asset and, to ensure that this
is achieved, as Editors-in-Chief we have proposed a communication-type editorial model. This entails
that papers are communicated by the Editors to whom the papers are submitted or directed. Thus, the
scope of the journal is reflected by the areas of expertise covered by the editorial board. Authors should
be aware that the Editors are granted a high level of autonomy in deciding whether a paper is deemed
suitable for the area they cover, while maintaining high standards of fairness and good practice. Editors
will be taking responsibility for the articles they handle by signing off each published paper with their
name. In cases where papers have to be redirected between Editors, the Editors-in-Chief will oversee
this process. Over time the editorial board will develop further, taking into account new areas of fruitful
endeavour as the subject evolves.
c The authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
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2 of 2
EDITORIAL
Thus, it is with great enthusiasm that we are now launching this journal and directing it on its journey
in the hope that its success as a flagship for endeavour in Integrable Systems will help take the subject
to new heights. We rely on the community of researchers to support this initiative, by urging them to
submit top quality papers to the journal in the hope that JoIS will become the forum where people are
proud to publish their best work.
Alexander Mikhailov and Frank Nijhoff
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