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Objective motor skill assessment plays a critical role in fields such as surgery, where proficiency is vital for certification and patient safety. Existing assessment methods, however, rely heavily on subjective human judgment, which introduces bias and limits reproducibility. While recent efforts have leveraged kinematic data and neural imaging to provide more objective evaluations, these approaches often overlook the dynamic neural mechanisms that differentiate expert and novice performance. This study proposes a novel method for motor skill assessment based on dynamic directed functional connectivity (dFC) as a neural biomarker. By using electroencephalography (EEG) to capture brain dynamics and employing an attention-based Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model for non-linear Granger causality analysis, we compute dFC among key brain regions involved in psychomotor tasks. Coupled with hierarchical task analysis (HTA), our approach enables subtask-level evaluation of motor skills, offering detailed insights into neural coordination that underpins expert proficiency. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is then used to classify skill levels, achieving greater accuracy and specificity than established performance metrics in laparoscopic surgery. This methodology provides a reliable, objective framework for assessing motor skills, contributing to the development of tailored training protocols and enhancing the certification process.

In this article, we employ the transfer matrix method to investigate relativistic particles in super-periodic potentials (SPPs) of arbitrary order $n \in I^{+}$. We calculate the reflection and transmission probabilities for spinless Klein particles encountering rectangular potential barriers with super-periodic repetition. It is found that spinless relativistic particles exhibit Klein tunneling and a significantly higher degree of reflection compared to their non-relativistic counterparts. Additionally, we analytically explore the behavior of experimentally realizable massless Dirac electrons as they encounter rectangular potential barriers with a super-periodic pattern in a monolayer of graphene. In this system, the transmission probability, conductance, and Fano factor are evaluated as functions of the number of barriers, the order of super-periodicity, and the angle of incidence. Our findings reveal that the transmission probability shows a series of resonances that depend on the number of barriers and the order of super-periodicity. We extend our analysis to specific cases within the Unified Cantor Potentials (UCPs)-$\gamma$ system ($\gamma$ is a scaling parameter greater than $1$), focusing on the General Cantor fractal system and the General Smith-Volterra-Cantor (GSVC) system. For the General Cantor fractal system, we calculate the tunneling probability, which reveals sharp transmission peaks and progressively thinner unit cell potentials as $G$ increases. In the GSVC system, we analyze the potential segment length and tunneling probability, observing nearly unity tunneling coefficients when $\gamma \approx 1$, as well as saturation behavior in transmission coefficients at higher stages $G$., Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures

We derive an exact analytical expression at stroboscopic intervals for the time-dependent wave function of a class of integrable quantum many-body systems, driven by the periodic delta-kick protocol. To investigate long-time dynamics, we use the wave function to obtain an exact analytical expression for the expectation values of the defect density, magnetization, residual energy, fidelity, and the correlation function after the $n$th drive cycle. Periodically driven integrable closed quantum systems absorb energy, and the long-time universal dynamics are described by the periodic generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE). We demonstrate that the expectation values of all observables are divided into two parts: one highly oscillatory term that depends on the drive cycle n, and the rest of the terms are independent of it. Typically, the $n$-independent part constitutes the saturation at large n and periodic GGE. The contribution from the highly oscillatory term vanishes in large $n$. We also generalize our formalism to include square pulse and sinusoidal driving protocols., Comment: 16 pages, 31 figures

We propose a modified moment matching algorithm to avoid catastrophic failures for sources with a low signal to noise ratio (SNR). The proposed modifications include a method to eliminate non-physical negative pixel values and a forced single iteration with an initial guess derived from co-add measurements when iterative methods are unstable. We correct for all biases in measurements introduced by the method. We find that the proposed modifications allow the algorithm to avoid catastrophic failures in nearly 100\% of the cases, especially at low signal to noise ratio. Additionally, with a reasonable guess from co-add measurements, the algorithm measures the flux, centroid, size, shape and ellipticity with bias statistically consistent with zero. We show the proposed method allows us to measure sources seven times fainter than traditional methods when applied to images obtained from WIYN-ODI. We also present a scheme to find uncertainties in measurements when using the new method to measure astronomical sources., Comment: Published in AJ

We report observations of the optical counterpart of the long gamma-ray burst (LGRB) GRB 230812B, and its associated supernova (SN) SN 2023pel. The proximity ($z = 0.36$) and high energy ($E_{\gamma, \rm{iso}} \sim 10^{53}$ erg) make it an important event to study as a probe of the connection between massive star core-collapse and relativistic jet formation. With a phenomenological power-law model for the optical afterglow, we find a late-time flattening consistent with the presence of an associated SN. SN 2023pel has an absolute peak $r$-band magnitude of $M_r = -19.46 \pm 0.18$ mag (about as bright as SN 1998bw) and evolves on quicker timescales. Using a radioactive heating model, we derive a nickel mass powering the SN of $M_{\rm{Ni}} = 0.38 \pm 0.01$ $\rm{M_\odot}$, and a peak bolometric luminosity of $L_{\rm{bol}} \sim 1.3 \times 10^{43}$ $\rm{erg}$ $\rm{s^{-1}}$. We confirm SN 2023pel's classification as a broad-lined Type Ic SN with a spectrum taken 15.5 days after its peak in $r$ band, and derive a photospheric expansion velocity of $v_{\rm{ph}} = 11,300 \pm 1,600$ $\rm{km}$ $\rm{s^{-1}}$ at that phase. Extrapolating this velocity to the time of maximum light, we derive the ejecta mass $M_{\rm{ej}} = 1.0 \pm 0.6$ $\rm{M_\odot}$ and kinetic energy $E_{\rm{KE}} = 1.3^{+3.3}_{-1.2} \times10^{51}$ $\rm{erg}$. We find that GRB 230812B/SN 2023pel has SN properties that are mostly consistent with the overall GRB-SN population. The lack of correlations found in the GRB-SN population between SN brightness and $E_{\gamma, \rm{iso}}$ for their associated GRBs, across a broad range of 7 orders of magnitude, provides further evidence that the central engine powering the relativistic ejecta is not coupled to the SN powering mechanism in GRB-SN systems., Comment: 21 pages, 7 Figures, 1 Table, Accepted to ApJ Letters

We present optical, near-infrared, and radio observations of supernova (SN) SN~IIb 2022crv. We show that it retained a very thin H envelope and transitioned from a SN~IIb to a SN~Ib; prominent H$\alpha$ seen in the pre-maximum phase diminishes toward the post-maximum phase, while He {\sc i} lines show increasing strength. \texttt{SYNAPPS} modeling of the early spectra of SN~2022crv suggests that the absorption feature at 6200\,\AA\ is explained by a substantial contribution of H$\alpha$ together with Si {\sc ii}, as is also supported by the velocity evolution of H$\alpha$. The light-curve evolution is consistent with the canonical stripped-envelope supernova subclass but among the slowest. The light curve lacks the initial cooling phase and shows a bright main peak (peak M$_{V}$=$-$17.82$\pm$0.17 mag), mostly driven by radioactive decay of $\rm^{56}$Ni. The light-curve analysis suggests a thin outer H envelope ($M_{\rm env} \sim$0.05 M$_{\odot}$) and a compact progenitor (R$_{\rm env}$ $\sim$3 R$_{\odot}$). An interaction-powered synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) model can reproduce the radio light curves with a mean shock velocity of 0.1c. The mass-loss rate is estimated to be in the range of (1.9$-$2.8) $\times$ 10$^{-5}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ for an assumed wind velocity of 1000 km s$^{-1}$, which is on the high end in comparison with other compact SNe~IIb/Ib. SN~2022crv fills a previously unoccupied parameter space of a very compact progenitor, representing a beautiful continuity between the compact and extended progenitor scenario of SNe~IIb/Ib., Comment: The paper contains 20 figures and 9 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

We present a broadband X-ray study ($\sim$\,0.3-50 keV) of the dwarf nova SS Cyg highlighting the changes in the accretion during two phases, the quiescence and the outburst states. The investigation was based on simultaneous observations carried out with the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR telescopes in two epochs, involving medium and high-resolution spectroscopy. Spectra were harder during quiescence ($kT_{\rm high}\sim22.8$ keV) than outburst ($kT_{\rm high}\sim8.4$ keV), while the mass accretion rate increased by $\sim35$ times in outburst ($1.7\times10^{16} \rm g\;s^{-1}$) than quiescence. The bolometric luminosity (0.01-100.0 keV) during the outburst was dominated by a blackbody emission ($kT_{\rm BB}\sim28$ eV) from the optically thick boundary layer, and the inner edge of the accretion disk resides very close to the WD surface. X-rays from the accretion disk boundary layer are consistent with the white dwarf having mass $1.18_{-0.01}^{+0.02} \rm M_{\odot}$. Our study conclusively confirms the presence of the reflection hump in the 10-30 keV range for both phases, which arises when X-ray photons hit colder material and undergo Compton scattering. We estimated a similarly strong reflection amplitude during quiescence ($\sim1.25$) and outburst ($\sim1.31$), indicating both the WD surface and disk are contributing to reflection. The neutral Fe K$_{\alpha}$ line, which is correlated with Compton reflection, also showed similar strength ($\sim80$ eV) in both phases. Finally, X-rays also revealed the presence of a partial intrinsic absorber during the outburst, possibly due to an outflowing accretion disk wind., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

We present early-phase panchromatic photometric and spectroscopic coverage spanning far-ultraviolet (FUV) to the near-infrared (NIR) regime of the nearest hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernova in the last 25 years, SN 2023ixf. We observe early 'flash' features in the optical spectra due to a confined dense circumstellar material (CSM). We observe high-ionization absorption lines (FeII, MgII) in the ultraviolet spectra from very early on. We also observe a multi-peaked emission profile of H-alpha in the spectrum beginning ~16 d, which indicates ongoing interaction of the SN ejecta with a pre-existing shell-shaped CSM having an inner radius of ~75 AU and an outer radius of ~140 AU. The shell-shaped CSM is likely a result of enhanced mass loss ~35-65 years before the explosion assuming a standard Red-Supergiant wind. The UV spectra are dominated by multiple highly ionized narrow absorption features and broad emission features from elements such as C, N, O, Si, Fe, and Ni. Based on early light curve models of Type II SNe, we infer that the nearby dense CSM confined to (7+-3)e14cm (~45 AU) is a result of enhanced mass loss (10^{-3.0+-0.5} Msol/yr) two decades before the explosion., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL (Revised, 3 figures and 1 table)

We present the optical photometric and spectroscopic analysis of two type Iax SNe 2018cni and 2020kyg. SN 2018cni is a bright type Iax SN (M$_{V,peak}$ = $-$17.81$\pm$0.21 mag) whereas SN 2020kyg (M$_{V,peak}$ = $-$14.52$\pm$0.21 mag) is a faint one. We derive $^{56}$Ni mass of 0.07 and 0.002 M${_\odot}$, ejecta mass of 0.48 and 0.14 M${_\odot}$ for SNe 2018cni and 2020kyg, respectively. A combined study of the bright and faint type Iax SNe in $R/r$- band reveals that the brighter objects tend to have a longer rise time. However, the correlation between the peak luminosity and decline rate shows that bright and faint type Iax SNe exhibit distinct behaviour. Comparison with standard deflagration models suggests that SN 2018cni is consistent with the deflagration of a CO white dwarf whereas the properties of SN 2020kyg can be better explained by the deflagration of a hybrid CONe white dwarf. The spectral features of both the SNe point to the presence of similar chemical species but with different mass fractions. Our spectral modelling indicates stratification at the outer layers and mixed inner ejecta for both the SNe., Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, Accepted for Publication in The Astrophysical Journal

We present the science case for the proposed Daksha high energy transients mission. Daksha will comprise of two satellites covering the entire sky from 1~keV to $>1$~MeV. The primary objectives of the mission are to discover and characterize electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave source; and to study Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). Daksha is a versatile all-sky monitor that can address a wide variety of science cases. With its broadband spectral response, high sensitivity, and continuous all-sky coverage, it will discover fainter and rarer sources than any other existing or proposed mission. Daksha can make key strides in GRB research with polarization studies, prompt soft spectroscopy, and fine time-resolved spectral studies. Daksha will provide continuous monitoring of X-ray pulsars. It will detect magnetar outbursts and high energy counterparts to Fast Radio Bursts. Using Earth occultation to measure source fluxes, the two satellites together will obtain daily flux measurements of bright hard X-ray sources including active galactic nuclei, X-ray binaries, and slow transients like Novae. Correlation studies between the two satellites can be used to probe primordial black holes through lensing. Daksha will have a set of detectors continuously pointing towards the Sun, providing excellent hard X-ray monitoring data. Closer to home, the high sensitivity and time resolution of Daksha can be leveraged for the characterization of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes., Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures. Accepted in Experimental Astronomy. More details about the mission at https://www.dakshasat.in/

We present optical photometric and spectroscopic analysis of a Type Iax supernova (SN) 2020rea situated at the brighter luminosity end of Type Iax supernovae (SNe). The light curve decline rate of SN~2020rea is $\Delta$m$_{15}$(g) = 1.31$\pm$0.08 mag which is similar to SNe 2012Z and 2005hk. Modelling the pseudo bolometric light curve with a radiation diffusion model yields a mass of $^{56}$Ni of 0.13$\pm$0.01 M$_{\odot}$ and an ejecta mass of 0.77$^{+0.11}_{-0.21}$ M$_{\odot}$. Spectral features of SN~2020rea during the photospheric phase show good resemblance with SN 2012Z. TARDIS modelling of the early spectra of SN~2020rea reveals a dominance of Iron Group Elements (IGEs). The photospheric velocity of the Si {\sc II} line around maximum for SN~2020rea is $\sim$ 6500 km s$^{-1}$ which is less than the measured velocity of the Fe {\sc II} line and indicates significant mixing. The observed physical properties of SN~2020rea match with the predictions of pure deflagration model of a Chandrasekhar mass C-O white dwarf. The metallicity of the host galaxy around the SN region is 12+log(O/H) = 8.56$\pm$0.18 dex which is similar to that of SN 2012Z., Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS)

S190426c / GW190426_152155 was the first probable neutron star - black hole merger candidate detected by the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration. We undertook a tiled search for optical counterparts of this event using the 0.7m GROWTH-India Telescope. Over a period of two weeks, we obtained multiple observations over a 22.1 deg^2 area, with a 17.5% probability of containing the source location. Initial efforts included obtaining photometry of sources reported by various groups, and a visual search for sources in all galaxies contained in the region. Subsequently, we have developed an image subtraction and candidate vetting pipeline with ~ 94% efficiency for transient detection. Processing the data with this pipeline, we find several transients, but none that are compatible with kilonova models. We present the details of our observations, working of our pipeline, results from the search, and our interpretations of the non-detections that will work as a pathfinder during the O4 run of LVK., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

We present optical observations and Monte Carlo radiative transfer modeling of the Type Ia supernova SN 2011aa. With a $\Delta m_{15} (B)$ of $0.59 \pm 0.07$ mag and a peak magnitude $M_{\rm B}$ of $-19.30 \pm 0.27$ mag, SN 2011aa has the slowest decline rate among SNe Ia. The secondary maximum in the $I$-band is absent or equally bright as the primary maximum. The velocity of C II is lower than the velocity of Si II. This indicates either presence of C at lower velocities than Si or a line of sight effect. Application of Arnett's radiation diffusion model to the bolometric light curve indicates a massive ejecta $M_{\rm{ej}} ~ 1.8 - 2.6~M_{\odot}$. The slow decline rate and large ejecta mass, with a normal peak magnitude, are well explained by double degenerate, violent merger explosion model. The synthetic spectra and light curves generated with SEDONA considering a violent merger density profile match the observations., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

We present the design and performance of the GROWTH-India telescope, a 0.7 m robotic telescope dedicated to time-domain astronomy. The telescope is equipped with a 4k back-illuminated camera giving a 0.82-degree field of view and sensitivity of m_g ~20.5 in 5-min exposures. Custom software handles observatory operations: attaining high on-sky observing efficiencies (>~ 80%) and allowing rapid response to targets of opportunity. The data processing pipelines are capable of performing PSF photometry as well as image subtraction for transient searches. We also present an overview of the GROWTH-India telescope's contributions to the studies of Gamma-ray Bursts, the electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources, supernovae, novae and solar system objects., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal

We present the broadband (0.3-40.0 keV) X-ray analysis of a unique intermediate polar Paloma using simultaneous data from XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observatories. The X-ray power spectra show strong modulations over orbital period compared to spin period. The orbit folded lightcurves show single broad hump like structure with strong dips for soft to medium X-rays (0.3-10.0 keV). The energy dependent dips at $\phi \sim 0.16$ and $0.5$ arise due to complex intrinsic absorber, strong enough to have effect well around 15 keV. The absorber could potentially be contributed from accretion curtain/ accretion stream and absorbing material produced by stream-disc/stream-magnetosphere interactions. We notice significant variation of the absorber with orbital phase, with maximum absorption during orbital phase 0.1-0.22. The absorber requires more than one partial covering absorber component, specifying the necessity to use distribution of column densities for spectral modelling of the source. Isobaric cooling flow component is utilized to model the emission from the multi-temperature post-shock region, giving shock temperature of $31.7_{-3.5}^{+3.3}$keV, which corresponds to white dwarf mass of $0.74_{-0.05}^{+0.04}\;M_{\odot}$. We have used both the neutral absorber and the warm absorber models, which statistically give similarly good fit, but with different physical implications. Among the Fe K$_{\alpha}$ line complex, the neutral line is the weakest. We probed the Compton reflection, and found minimal statistical contribution in the spectral fitting, suggesting presence of weak reflection in Paloma., Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for Publication in ApJ on September 26, 2022

We present results from extensive broadband follow-up of GRB 210204A over the period of thirty days. We detect optical flares in the afterglow at 7.6 x 10^5 s and 1.1 x 10^6 s after the burst: the most delayed flaring ever detected in a GRB afterglow. At the source redshift of 0.876, the rest-frame delay is 5.8 x 10^5 s (6.71 d). We investigate possible causes for this flaring and conclude that the most likely cause is a refreshed shock in the jet. The prompt emission of the GRB is within the range of typical long bursts: it shows three disjoint emission episodes, which all follow the typical GRB correlations. This suggests that GRB 210204A might not have any special properties that caused late-time flaring, and the lack of such detections for other afterglows might be resulting from the paucity of late-time observations. Systematic late-time follow-up of a larger sample of GRBs can shed more light on such afterglow behaviour. Further analysis of the GRB 210204A shows that the late time bump in the light curve is highly unlikely due to underlying SNe at redshift (z) = 0.876 and is more likely due to the late time flaring activity. The cause of this variability is not clearly quantifiable due to the lack of multi-band data at late time constraints by the bad weather conditions. The flare of GRB 210204A is the latest flare detected to date., Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures

A simultaneous broadband analysis of X-ray data obtained with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observatories for the asynchronous polar source CD Ind is presented. The spin folded lightcurve in soft 0.3-3.0 keV band shows single broad hump-like structure superimposed with occasional narrow dips, indicating a single-pole accretion model with a complex intrinsic absorber. Lack of strong modulation in folded lightcurve above 3 keV reveals that emission from corresponding zone of post-shock region (PSR) remains in view throughout the spin phase. The broadband spectrum is modelled with a three-component absorbed plasma emission model and absorbed isobaric cooling flow model, both of which fit the data well with similar statistical significance. Presence of partial covering absorber is evident in the spectra with equivalent column density $\sim7\times10^{22}\;\text{cm}^{-2}$ and a covering fraction of $\sim 25\%$. Strong ionised oxygen K$_{\alpha}$ line emission is detected in the spectra. We notice spectral variability during spin phase 0.75-1.05, when there is a considerable increase in column density of overall absorber (from $\sim 1 \times 10^{20}\;\text{cm}^{-2}$ to $\sim 9 \times 10^{20}\;\text{cm}^{-2}$). We required at least three plasma temperatures to describe the multi-temperature nature of the PSR. The shock temperature $\sim 43.3_{-3.4}^{+3.8}$ keV, represented by the upper temperature of the cooling flow model, implies a white dwarf mass of $\sim 0.87^{+0.04}_{-0.03}\;M_{\odot}$. The iron K$_{\alpha}$ line complex shows a strong He-like and a weak neutral fluorescence line. We could not unambiguously detect the presence of Compton reflection in the spectra, which is probably very small and signifying a tall shock height., Comment: 10pages, 7figures, 3tables, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS)

We present optical UBVRI photometry and low-to-medium resolution spectroscopic observations of type Iax SN 2020sck spanning -5.5 d to +67 d from maximum light in the B-band. From the photometric analysis we find $\Delta m_{\rm{B}}$(15) = 2.03$\pm$0.05 mag and $M_{\rm{B}}$=-17.81$\pm$0.22 mag. Radiation diffusion model fit to the quasi-bolometric light curve indicates 0.13$\pm$0.02 $M_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni and 0.34 $M_{\rm \odot}$ of ejecta are synthesized in the explosion. Comparing the observed quasi-bolometric light curve with angle-averaged bolometric light curve of three-dimensional pure deflagration explosion of $M_{\rm{ch}}$ carbon-oxygen white dwarf, we find agreement with a model in which 0.16 $M_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni and 0.37 $M_{\odot}$ of ejecta is formed. By comparing the +1.4 day spectrum of SN 2020sck with synthetic spectrum generated using SYN++, we find absorption features due to C II, C III and O I. These are unburned materials in the explosion and indicate a C-O white dwarf. One dimensional radiative transfer modeling of the spectra with TARDIS shows higher density in the ejecta near the photosphere and a steep decrease in the outer layers with an ejecta composition dominated mostly by C, O, Si, Fe, and Ni. The star formation rate of the host galaxy computed from the luminosity of the H$\alpha$ ($\lambda$6563) line is 0.09 $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ indicating a relatively young stellar environment., Comment: 28 pages, 17 figures, 11 tables, Accepted for Publication in ApJ

We present comprehensive spectroscopic and photometric analyses of the intermediate luminosity Type Iax supernova (SN Iax) 2019muj based on multi-band datasets observed through the framework of the OISTER target-of-opportunity program. SN 2019muj exhibits almost identical characteristics with the subluminous SNe Iax 2008ha and 2010ae in terms of the observed spectral features and the light curve evolution at the early phase, except for the peak luminosity. The long-term observations unveil the flattening light curves at the late time as seen in a luminous SN Iax 2014dt. This can be explained by the existence of an inner dense and optically-thick component possibly associated with a bound white dwarf remnant left behind the explosion. We demonstrate that the weak deflagration model with a wide range of the explosion parameters can reproduce the late-phase light curves of other SNe Iax. Therefore, we conclude that a common explosion mechanism operates for different subclass SNe Iax., Comment: 37 pages, 22 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in PASJ

We present the optical (UBVRI) and ultraviolet (Swift-UVOT) photometry, and optical spectroscopy of Type Ia supernova SN 2017hpa. We study broadband UV+optical light curves and low resolution spectroscopy spanning from $-13.8$ to $+108$~d from the maximum light in $B$-band. The photometric analysis indicates that SN 2017hpa is a normal type Ia with $\Delta m_{B}(15) = 0.98\pm0.16$ mag and $M_{B}=-19.45\pm0.15$ mag at a distance modulus of $\mu = 34.08\pm0.09$ mag. The $(uvw1-uvv)$ colour evolution shows that SN 2017hpa falls in the NUV-blue group. The $(B-V)$ colour at maximum is bluer in comparison to normal type Ia supernovae. Spectroscopic analysis shows that the Si II 6355 absorption feature evolves rapidly with a velocity gradient, $\dot{v}=128\pm 7$ km s$^{-1}$ d$^{-1}$. The pre-maximum phase spectra show prominent C II 6580 {\AA} absorption feature. The C II 6580 {\AA} line velocity measured from the observed spectra is lower than the velocity of Si II 6355 {\AA}, which could be due to a line of sight effect. The synthetic spectral fits to the pre-maximum spectra using syn++ indicate the presence of a high velocity component in the Si II absorption, in addition to a photospheric component. Fitting the observed spectrum with the spectral synthesis code TARDIS, the mass of unburned C in the ejecta is estimated to be $\sim 0.019$~$M_{\odot}$. The peak bolometric luminosity is $L^{bol}_{peak} = 1.43\times10^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$. The radiation diffusion model fit to the bolometric light curve indicates $0.61\pm0.02$ $M_\odot$ of $^{56}$Ni is synthesized in the explosion., Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We investigate the observational properties of a hydrogen-deficient superluminous supernova (SLSN) SN 2020ank (at z = 0.2485), with the help of early phase observations carried out between $-$21 and +52 d since $g$-band maximum. Photometrically, SN 2020ank is one of the brightest SLSN ($M_{g,peak}$ $\sim$ $-$21.84 $\pm$ 0.10 mag), having fast pre-peak rising and post-peak decaying rates. The bolometric light curve of SN 2020ank exhibits a higher peak luminosity ($L_{max}$) of $\sim$(3.9 $\pm$ 0.7) $\times$ 10$^{44}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and appears to be symmetric around the peak with $L^{rise}_{max}$/e $\approx$ $L^{fall}_{max}$/e $\approx$ 15 d. The semi-analytical light-curve modelling using the MINIM code suggests a spin down millisecond magnetar with $P_i$ $\sim$2.2 $\pm$ 0.5 ms and $B$ $\sim$(2.9 $\pm$ 0.1) $\times$ $10^{14}$ G as a possible powering source for SN 2020ank. The possible magnetar origin and excess ultraviolet flux at early epochs indicate a central-engine based powering source for SN 2020ank. Near-peak spectra of SN 2020ank are enriched with the W-shaped O II features but with the weaker signatures of C II and Fe III. Using the estimated rise time of $\sim$27.9 d and the photospheric velocity of $\sim$12050 km s$^{-1}$, we constrain the ejecta mass to $\sim$7.2 $M_{\odot}$ and the kinetic energy of $\sim$6.3 $\times$ 10$^{51}$ erg. The near-peak spectrum of SN 2020ank exhibits a close spectral resemblance with that of fast-evolving SN 2010gx. The absorption features of SN 2020ank are blueshifted compared to Gaia16apd, suggesting a higher expansion velocity. The spectral similarity with SN 2010gx and comparatively faster spectral evolution than PTF12dam (a slow-evolving SLSN) indicate the fast-evolving behavior of SN 2020ank., Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, Accepted in MNRAS, Accepted 2020 December 29. Received in original form 2020 October 06

Acquisition of fine motor skills is a time-consuming process as it requires frequent repetitions. Transcranial electrical stimulation is a promising means of enhancing simple motor skill development via neuromodulatory mechanisms. Here, we report that non-invasive neurostimulation facilitates the learning of complex fine bimanual motor skills associated with a surgical task. During the training of 17 medical students on the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) pattern cutting task over a period of 12 days, we observed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) decreased the error level and the variability in performance, compared to the Sham group. By concurrently monitoring the cortical activations of the subjects via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), our study showed that the cortical activation significantly stimulated by tDCS. The lowered performance error and the increased brain activation were retained after one-month post-training. This work supports the use of tDCS to enhance performance accuracy in fine bimanual motor tasks., Comment: 5 figures

We present a systematic search for optical counterparts to 13 gravitational wave (GW) triggers involving at least one neutron star during LIGO/Virgo's third observing run. We searched binary neutron star (BNS) and neutron star black hole (NSBH) merger localizations with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and undertook follow-up with the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH) collaboration. The GW triggers had a median localization of 4480 deg^2, median distance of 267 Mpc and false alarm rates ranging from 1.5 to 1e-25 per yr. The ZTF coverage had a median enclosed probability of 39%, median depth of 20.8mag, and median response time of 1.5 hr. The O3 follow-up by the GROWTH team comprised 340 UVOIR photometric points, 64 OIR spectra, and 3 radio. We find no promising kilonova (radioactivity-powered counterpart) and we convert the upper limits to constrain the underlying kilonova luminosity function. Assuming that all kilonovae are at least as luminous as GW170817 at discovery (-16.1mag), we calculate our joint probability of detecting zero kilonovae is only 4.2%. If we assume that all kilonovae are brighter than -16.6mag (extrapolated peak magnitude of GW170817) and fade at 1 mag/day (similar to GW170817), the joint probability of zero detections is 7%. If we separate the NSBH and BNS populations, the joint probability of zero detections, assuming all kilonovae are brighter than -16.6mag, is 9.7% for NSBH and 7.9% for BNS mergers. Moreover, <57% (<89%) of putative kilonovae could be brighter than -16.6mag assuming flat (fading) evolution, at 90% confidence. If we further account for the online terrestrial probability for each GW trigger, we find that <68% of putative kilonovae could be brighter than -16.6mag. Comparing to model grids, we find that some kilonovae must have Mej < 0.03 Msun or Xlan>1e-4 or phi>30deg to be consistent with our limits. (Abridged), Comment: Submitted to ApJ

High cadence ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic observations of the peculiar Type II supernova (SN) 2018hna are presented. The early phase multiband light curves exhibit the adiabatic cooling envelope emission following the shock breakout up to ~14 days from the explosion. SN~2018hna has a rise time of $\sim$\,88 days in the V-band, similar to SN 1987A. A $\rm^{56}Ni$ mass of ~0.087$\pm$0.004 $\rm M_{\odot}$ is inferred for SN 2018hna from its bolometric light curve. Hydrodynamical modelling of the cooling phase suggests a progenitor with a radius ~50 $\rm R_{\odot}$, a mass of ~14-20 $\rm M_{\odot}$ and explosion energy of ~1.7-2.9$\rm \times$ $\rm 10^{51}\ erg$. The smaller inferred radius of the progenitor than a standard red supergiant is indicative of a blue supergiant progenitor of SN 2018hna. A sub-solar metallicity (~0.3 $\rm Z_{\odot}$) is inferred for the host galaxy UGC 07534, concurrent with the low-metallicity environments of 1987A-like events., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for Publication in ApJ Letters

The third observing run by LVC has brought the discovery of many compact binary coalescences. Following the detection of the first binary neutron star merger in this run (LIGO/Virgo S190425z), we performed a dedicated follow-up campaign with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and Palomar Gattini-IR telescopes. The initial skymap of this single-detector gravitational wave (GW) trigger spanned most of the sky observable from Palomar Observatory. Covering 8000 deg$^2$ of the initial skymap over the next two nights, corresponding to 46\% integrated probability, ZTF system achieved a depth of $\approx$\,21 $m_\textrm{AB}$ in $g$- and $r$-bands. Palomar Gattini-IR covered 2200 square degrees in $J$-band to a depth of 15.5\,mag, including 32\% integrated probability based on the initial sky map. The revised skymap issued the following day reduced these numbers to 21\% for the Zwicky Transient Facility and 19\% for Palomar Gattini-IR. We narrowed 338,646 ZTF transient "alerts" over the first two nights of observations to 15 candidate counterparts. Two candidates, ZTF19aarykkb and ZTF19aarzaod, were particularly compelling given that their location, distance, and age were consistent with the GW event, and their early optical lightcurves were photometrically consistent with that of kilonovae. These two candidates were spectroscopically classified as young core-collapse supernovae. The remaining candidates were ruled-out as supernovae. Palomar Gattini-IR did not identify any viable candidates with multiple detections only after merger time. We demonstrate that even with single-detector GW events localized to thousands of square degrees, systematic kilonova discovery is feasible.