Stellar Variability in a Forming Massive Star Cluster

We present a near-infrared (NIR) variability analysis for an 6\arcmin $\times$ 6\arcmin region, which encompasses the massive protocluster G286.21+0.17. The total sample comprises more than 5000 objects, of which 562 show signs of a circumstellar disk based on their infrared colors. The data includes HST observations taken in two epochs separated by 3 years in the F110W and F160W bands. 363 objects (7% of the sample) exhibit NIR variability at a significant level (Stetson index >1.7), and a higher variability fraction (14%) is found for the young stellar objects (YSOs) with disk excesses. We identified 4 high amplitude (>0.6 mag) variables seen in both NIR bands. Follow up and archival observations of the most variable object in this survey (G286.2032+0.1740) reveal a rising light curve over 8 years from 2011 to 2019, with a K band brightening of 3.5 mag. Overall the temporal behavior of G286.2032+0.1740 resembles that of typical FU Ori objects, however its pre-burst luminosity indicates it has a very low mass ($<0.12\:M_\odot$), making it an extreme case of an outburst event that is still ongoing.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Ap

The Core Mass Function in the Massive Protocluster G286.21+0.17 revealed by ALMA

We study the core mass function (CMF) of the massive protocluster G286.21+0.17 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array via 1.3~mm continuum emission at a resolution of 1.0\arcsec\ (2500~au). We have mapped a field of 5.3\arcmin$\times$5.3\arcmin\ centered on the protocluster clump. We measure the CMF in the central region, exploring various core detection algorithms, which give source numbers ranging from 60 to 125, depending on parameter selection. We estimate completeness corrections due to imperfect flux recovery and core identification via artificial core insertion experiments. For masses $M\gtrsim1\:M_\odot$, the fiducial dendrogram-identified CMF can be fit with a power law of the form ${\rm{d}}N/{\rm{d}}{\rm{log}}M\propto{M}^{-\alpha}$ with $\alpha \simeq1.24\pm0.17$, slightly shallower than, but still consistent with, the index of the Salpeter stellar initial mass function of 1.35. Clumpfind-identified CMFs are significantly shallower with $\alpha\simeq0.64\pm0.13$. While raw CMFs show a peak near $1\:M_\odot$, completeness-corrected CMFs are consistent with a single power law extending down to $\sim 0.5\:M_\odot$, with only a tentative indication of a shallowing of the slope around $\sim1\:M_\odot$. We discuss the implications of these results for star and star cluster formation theories.Comment: 11 pages, accepted by Ap

Making sense: dopamine activates conscious self-monitoring through medial prefrontal cortex

When experiences become meaningful to the self, they are linked to synchronous activity in a paralimbic network of self-awareness and dopaminergic activity. This network includes medial prefrontal and medial parietal/posterior cingulate cortices, where transcranial magnetic stimulation may transiently impair self-awareness. Conversely, we hypothesize that dopaminergic stimulation may improve self-awareness and metacognition (i.e., the ability of the brain to consciously monitor its own cognitive processes). Here, we demonstrate improved noetic (conscious) metacognition by oral administration of 100 mg dopamine in minimal self-awareness. In a separate experiment with extended self-awareness dopamine improved the retrieval accuracy of memories of self-judgment (autonoetic, i.e., explicitly self-conscious) metacognition. Concomitantly, magnetoencephalography (MEG) showed increased amplitudes of oscillations (power) preferentially in the medial prefrontal cortex. Given that electromagnetic activity in this region is instrumental in self-awareness, this explains the specific effect of dopamine on explicit self-awareness and autonoetic metacognition

Improving Energy Efficiency and Response Time of an Offshore Winch Drive with Digital Displacement Motors

Offshore winch drives require high energy efficiency and control precision, making digital displacement motors an attractive solution due to their high efficiency and potential controllability. However, the response time and the realized energy efficiency of these motors are heavily dependent on the chosen displacement control strategy, especially at low-speed operation. This paper considers various displacement control strategies to investigate whether digital displacement motors are a viable solution for offshore winch drive applications. The motor specifications are derived based on the requirements of a commercial offshore winch drive system. The analysis reveals that various displacement control strategies should be used across the drive’s operational speed range to ensure both satisfactory performance and high efficiency. Full-stroke and partial-stroke strategies are optimal for speeds above 28 rpm and 20 rpm, respectively, but unsuited for lower-speed operation. For speeds below 20 rpm, an improved sequential-stroke strategy is therefore presented. The proposed displacement control strategy provides instantaneous motor response and maintains high energy efficiency, although its robustness is slightly reduced at higher operating speeds above 20 rpm.publishedVersio

Determining the Optimal Number of Pistons for Offshore Digital Winch Drives

In offshore winch drive applications, determining the required number of pistons in digital displacement motors is critical for minimizing torque ripples. Digital displacement motors have shown promise for improving energy efficiency for offshore operations, such as placing equipment on the seabed or mineral drilling. However, they are known for exhibiting significant torque ripples, which can affect load-handling precision. This paper estimates the required number of pistons for realizing a digital hydraulic winch drive based on information from a commercial winch. The proposed drive employs full-stroke displacement strategies at high speeds and partial-stroke at low speeds. By simulating steady-state operations, this study correlates torque output with position oscillations. The results show that 37 pistons are required to keep position oscillations below a benchmark threshold of 10 mm throughout the drive’s operating range to avoid hindering the drive’s performance. However, such a high piston count could result in high costs due to the large, expensive valves required for partial-stroke operations. Therefore, this paper suggests an alternative drive topology for future research, which could potentially reduce the number of pistons that are operated with partial strokes

Gas Kinematics of the Massive Protocluster G286.21+0.17 Revealed by ALMA

We study the gas kinematics and dynamics of the massive protocluster G286.21+0.17 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array using spectral lines of $C^{18}O$(2-1), $N_2D^+$(3-2), $DCO^+$(3-2) and $DCN$(3-2). On the parsec clump scale, $C^{18}O$ emission appears highly filamentary around the systemic velocity. $N_2D^+$ and $DCO^+$ are more closely associated with the dust continuum. $DCN$ is strongly concentrated towards the protocluster center, where no or only weak detection is seen for $N_2D^+$ and $DCO^+$, possibly due to this region being at a relatively evolved evolutionary stage. Spectra of 76 continuum defined dense cores, typically a few 1000 AU in size, are analysed to measure their centroid velocities and internal velocity dispersions. There are no statistically significant velocity offsets of the cores among the different dense gas tracers. Furthermore, the majority (71\%) of the dense cores have subthermal velocity offsets with respect to their surrounding, lower density $C^{18}O$ emitting gas. Within the uncertainties, the dense cores in G286 show internal kinematics that are consistent with being in virial equilibrium. On clumps scales, the core to core velocity dispersion is also similar to that required for virial equilibrium in the protocluster potential. However, the distribution in velocity of the cores is largely composed of two spatially distinct groups, which indicates that the dense molecular gas has not yet relaxed to virial equilibrium, perhaps due to there being recent/continuous infall into the system.Comment: 26 pages, 17 figures, accepted by Ap

Monitoring food marketing to children: A joint Nordic monitoring protocol for marketing of foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) towards children and young people

The protocol describes methods for how to monitor marketing of foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar towards children and young people at a given time as cross-sectional studies, as well as allowing for monitoring of trends. The data provided could also be used for evaluation purposes, for instance providing relevant data for evaluating regulation practices and schemes in the respective countries; to study advertising and marketing practices, contents and forms over time. In addition to being a tool for monitoring purposes within each country, the protocol will also enable comparisons between the Nordic countries by establishing a joint understanding on how each marketing channel should be monitored. The protocol has been developed as a Nordic project between representatives and experts from Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway together with international experts