New Lump-like Structures in Scalar-field Models

In this work we investigate lump-like solutions in models described by a single real scalar field. We start considering non-topological solutions with the usual lump-like form, and then we study other models, where the bell-shape profile may have varying amplitude and width, or develop a flat plateau at its top, or even induce a lump on top of another lump. We suggest possible applications where these exotic solutions might be used in several distinct branches of physics.Comment: REvTex4, twocolumn, 10 pages, 9 figures; new reference added, to appear in EPJ

Regional differences in the feeding of the ambush predator Neosebastes pandus and comparisons of diets in the Scorpaenidae, Triglidae and Platycephalidae

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the dietary composition of the ambush predator Neosebastes pandus and compares the diets of 49 species from 39 studies of three benthic predatory families in the Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae (20 species), Triglidae (19 species) and Platycephalidae (10 species). A total of 275 N. pandus were collected from the west (Rottnest Island) and south coasts (Esperance) of south‐western Australia and the percentage frequency and volumetric contribution of the stomach contents identified. Fish from the west coast consumed a greater mean number of broad taxonomic groups and were more diverse in their diet than fish from the south coast. Cephalopods, brachyurans and teleosts were the largest overall contributors to diet, with teleosts being more important to diets of west‐coast fish and polychaetes for south‐coast fish. This reflects differences in habitat between the two locations. Dietary composition also changed with increasing body size, reflecting morphological changes that allow bigger fish to capture and ingest larger, more mobile prey. Meta‐analysis of the diets of 49 species of scorpaenid, triglid and platycephalid revealed that they feed predominantly on teleosts and large crustaceans. Significant differences in diet were detected among families, with platycephalids being the most distinct and feeding more on teleosts than scorpaenids and triglids

Entrapment of a Network of Domain Walls

We explore the idea of a network of defects to live inside a domain wall in models of three real scalar fields, engendering the Z_2 x Z_3 symmetry. The field that governs the Z_2 symmetry generates a domain wall, and entraps the hexagonal network formed by the three-junctions of the model of two scalar fields that describes the remaining Z_3 symmetry. If the host domain wall bends to the spherical form, in the thin wall approximation there may appear non-topological structures hosting networks that accept diverse patterns. If Z_3 is also broken, the model may generate a buckyball containing sixty junctions, a fullerene-like structure. Applications to cosmology are outlined.Comment: Revtex, 4 pages, 2 ps figures; version to appear in Phys. Rev. D, Rapid Communicatio

Deformed Defects

We introduce a method to obtain deformed defects starting from a given scalar field theory which possesses defect solutions. The procedure allows the construction of infinitely many new theories that support defect solutions, analytically expressed in terms of the defects of the original theory. The method is general, valid for both topological and non-topological defects, and we show how it extends to quantum mechanics, and how it works when the scalar field couples to fermions. We illustrate the general procedure with several examples, which support kink-like or lump-like defects.Comment: RevTex4, 5 pages, 2 eps figures; version to be published in Phys. Rev. D, Rapid Commu

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Biological characteristics of the non-indigenous Acentrogobius pflaumii (Bleeker 1853) in a warm-temperate estuary, and thus very different from its typical environment

The gobiid Acentrogobius plflaumii, native to estuaries and coastal embayments in East Asia, has recently established a population in the warm-temperate Swan-Canning Estuary (SCE) in southwestern Australia. Data from 432 individuals demonstrated that although A. pflaumii was shown to live for 4 years, the age composition was dominated by 0+ and 1+ individuals. The maximum size of female (94 mm) and male (96 mm) A. pflaumii in the SCE is 33% larger than in its native habitat. Acentrogobius plflaumii grew rapidly, attaining a length of 65 mm, i.e. 84 and 87% of their ’s of 77.3 and 72.9 mm for females and males, respectively, within the first year of life. Gonadosomatic indices, trends in monthly gonadal development and histological examination of gonads indicate that, although peak spawning in the SCE occurs over a similar period and season as in South Korean waters, spawning is more protracted in the SCE. Two discrete modes in oocyte diameter frequencies indicate this species exhibits determinate fecundity. The protracted spawning period enables batches of eggs to be released periodically during favourable conditions. These biological traits are likely to have aided in the successful colonisation of this species in the SCE. Quantifying the phenotypic plasticity of this non-indigenous species may inform risk assessments and subsequent management plans to mitigate the effect of A. pflaumii in the SCE and predict the likelihood of it colonising other southwestern Australian estuaries

Dietary characteristics of the ecologically-important fish species Centroberyx gerrardi, including discussion of resource partitioning among species of Berycidae in Australia

Data for the Berycidae, collected during extensive past scientific surveys, were used to quantify the depth distributions of the four species of Centroberyx and two of Beryx found in Australian coastal waters and thus elucidate the extent to which these species are partitioned by region and depth. The dietary, jaw and dentitional characteristics of the ecologically and fishery-important Centroberyx gerrardi were then determined, providing the first such account for any Centroberyx species. While Centroberyx gerrardi, Centroberyx lineatus, Beryx splendens and Beryx decadactylus are found throughout southern Australia, the last two species extend further up the west and east coasts. Centroberyx australis occurs on the lower half of the west coast eastwards to the central south coast and Centroberyx affinis on the lower half of the east coast. The four Centroberyx species typically occur at depths 350 m. On the south coast of Western Australia, depth distributions undergo an overlapping progressive gradation, from C. lineatus in inshore and nearshore shallow waters, to C. gerrardi and C. australis in nearshore deep waters, and then B. splendens and B. decadactylus in offshore deep waters. The main dietary categories of C. gerrardi change with increasing body size from crabs and isopods in small fish to teleosts in the largest fish, in which volumetrically they constituted >60% of the stomach contents. The wide range of teleost prey (at least 39 species from 33 families) ingested by C. gerrardi would be valuable to this species if continuing climate change or other anthropogenic effects lead to alterations in the composition of potential prey. Differences between depth distributions account for the fish prey of C. gerrardi comprising nearshore species, such as those of clupeids, congrids, pomacentrids and platycephalids, whereas those of B. splendens (from studies elsewhere) are dominated by myctophids, which are abundant in deeper waters. The combination of a large mouth and numerous, exclusively small teeth (edentulate morphotype) strongly suggest that C. gerrardi is a suction feeder adapted to engulfing larger prey. While the co-occurring and likewise commercially-fished Oplegnathus woodwardi also ingests substantial volumes of crabs and teleosts, its diet is distinguished from C. gerrardi by large volumes of poriferans and appreciable volumes of echinoderms, likewise reflecting feeding specialisations. Although differing in depth distributions and dietary compositions, berycid species in general are close to the apex of the food web