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Masahiro N. Machida

Publications and source records attributed to Masahiro N. Machida.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The Dense Gas Structures Around MMS 2/OMC-3 Traced by C$^{18}$O Emission

We report the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of 1.3 mm continuum, C$^{18}$O ($J=2$$-$$1$), and N$_{2}$D$^{+}$ ($J=3$$-$$2$) toward the millimeter multi-system MMS 2 in the Orion Molecular Cloud-3 region, at an angular resolution of 1.59" ($\sim$620 au). MMS 2 is in the flat-spectrum phase, with its protostars in the late stage of the main accretion phase. We detect the centrally condensed structures traced by C$^{18}$O emission associated with the 1.3 mm continuum sources MMS 2-North and MMS 2-South, which are spatially resolved and unresolved, respectively. The estimated diameter and mass of the centrally condensed structure associated with MMS 2-North are 1.64" ($\sim$640 au) and 3.0$\times$10$^{-4}$M$_{\odot}$, respectively. We also detect an extended structure traced by C$^{18}$O emission associated the circumbinary envelope at scale of 5.70" ($\sim$2240 au) with an estimated gas mass of 1.4$\times$10$^{-2}$$M_{\odot}$. In addition, we detect a filamentary structure traced by N$_2$D$^+$ emission to the south of MMS 2, which is spatially offset from the C$^{18}$O emission. This offset may be attributed to the influence of the warm surrounding environment.

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ALMA 2D super-resolution imaging survey of Ophiuchus Class I/flat spectrum/II disks. II. Statistical analysis of stellar and disk properties

We present a statistical study of stellar and dust disk properties for young stellar objects in the Ophiuchus star-forming region. Building on our previous paper (Shoshi et al. 2025b), which applied two-dimensional super-resolution imaging with PRIISM to ALMA archival Band 6 continuum data and spatially resolved 78 disks, we analyze a sample of 67 systems with robust dust-radius measurements. We combine stellar parameters from the literature, including bolometric temperature $T_{\rm bol}$, stellar mass $M_\ast$, and mass accretion rate $\dot{M}_{\rm acc}$, with disk parameters derived from the super-resolution images, including inclination $i_{\rm disk}$, millimeter luminosity $L_{\rm mm}$, and dust radius $R_{95\%}$. We quantify pairwise correlations and compare their behavior across evolutionary stages (Class I/FS and Class II) and between disks with and without detectable substructures. We identify substructure dependencies in $L_{\rm mm}$ and $R_{95\%}$, indicating that substructures tend to be found preferentially in relatively massive and extended disks. Moreover, we find a tight size-luminosity relation between $R_{95\%}$ and $L_{\rm mm}$. In particular, only Class II disks with substructures exhibit a steeper scaling, $R_{95\%}\propto L_{\rm mm}^{0.8}$, while the other subsamples are broadly consistent with $R_{95\%}\propto L_{\rm mm}^{0.4\text{-}0.5}$. This behavior is qualitatively consistent with disk evolution models in which disks with planet-induced pressure bumps follow a steeper size-luminosity relation than smooth disks. Overall, our results suggest that disk substructures play an important role in shaping the evolution of dust and global disk properties, while providing empirical constraints on accretion, dust trapping, and possible gravitational instability in young disks.

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From inter-filamentary gas to filaments and hubs: gas flows in the Mon R2 hub-filament system

Hub-filament systems (HFSs) play an important role in the formation of massive stars and star clusters. Although the velocity structures along dense filaments have been studied, the gas kinematics in the low density inter-filament regions has not been investigated. We use $^{13}$CO ($J$ = 1--0) and C$^{18}$O ($J$ = 1--0) observations obtained with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope to study the gas dynamics towards the Monoceros R2 (Mon R2) HFS. From the $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O data, tracing low- and high-density gas, respectively, we identify velocity coherent structures and divide them into filaments (Fs) and inter-filamentary regions (IFs). We estimate velocity gradients ($\Delta v$) and mass accretion rates ($\dot{M}$) along ($\parallel$) and across ($\perp$) the Fs and IFs. The mean ratio of $\dot{M}_\parallel$ to $\dot{M}_\perp$ in Fs is 6.8, while that in IFs is 1.5. These results show that the overall gas within both Fs and IFs flows directly into the hub and the gas flows faster along the Fs than the IFs. In addition, we found that at least 30\% of the gas mass in the IFs may flow towards the Fs replenishing the latter with new matter. Our study reveals the importance of considering the total gas mass reservoir, both low- and high-density, infalling into the hub and promoting the formation of massive stars, which are preferentially located in the hub of Mon R2.

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A Hybrid Origin for the Multiple Ring-Gap Structures in the Large Protoplanetary Disk V1094 Sco: A Low-Mass Planet and Secular Gravitational Instability

High spatial resolution observations reveal that some protoplanetary disks host multiple ring-gap pairs at large stellocentric radii, yet their physical origin remains unsettled. We present a multi-wavelength analysis of the V1094~Sco disk using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band~6 continuum and $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO $J=2-1$ emission, together with a Very Large Telescope/SPHERE near-infrared scattered light image. The continuum image shows four narrow dust ring-gap pairs extending to exceptionally large radii ($r \sim 380$ au), while the CO isotopologues trace a spatially extended gas disk ($r \sim 760$ au) in Keplerian rotation. From the dust ring widths, we place conservative upper limits on the turbulent viscosity parameter, $\alpha \lesssim 10^{-3}$ and potentially $\lesssim 10^{-4}$, implying weak turbulence. The ensemble of gap widths and depths is inconsistent with a simple one-planet-per-gap interpretation. At $r \simeq 100$~au, a double gap and its scattered light counterpart are consistent with multi-gap excitation by a single low-mass companion of $(55 \pm 35)\,M_{\oplus}$. At $r \simeq 170$-$230$~au, the outer ring system shows regular spacing and no clear scattered light counterpart, indicating mechanisms that operate primarily at the disk midplane. These outer rings are quantitatively compatible with secular gravitational instability. V1094~Sco therefore supports a hybrid pathway in which weak turbulence in an extended disk allows secular gravitational instability to assemble long-lived midplane dust concentrations that can cradle planet formation beyond $\sim100$~au, alongside planet-driven substructures at intermediate radii.

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Multiple protostellar outflows from a single protostar with a misaligned disk

We investigate how misalignment between the core angular momentum and the large-scale magnetic field affects protostellar outflows, and whether a single protostellar system can drive multiple outflow components. We perform three-dimensional nonideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations of magnetized rotating cores, focusing on the formation of a protostar, a circumstellar disk, and magnetically driven outflows. The initial angle between the core angular-momentum vector and the magnetic field is systematically varied from $0^\circ$ to $90^\circ$. All models launch a classical magnetocentrifugal disk wind (DW) roughly along the local disk normal. For large misalignment, the system also develops a spiralflow (SF) component that propagates parallel to the disk plane. In a representative model with a $60^\circ$ misalignment, the outflow transitions from a DW-dominated to an SF-dominated phase, with the SF becoming more massive and more extended than the DW, and the two components intermittently coexisting. Across the model suite, the maximum mass and size ratios of SF to DW, as well as the relative lifetimes of the two components, increase for misalignment angles $\gtrsim60^\circ$. We propose that secondary, misaligned outflows (or their fossil remnants) observed in some protostellar systems can be interpreted as the SF component, while the main bipolar outflow traces the DW from the same misaligned system.

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ALMA Band 9 CO(6--5) Reveals a Warm Ring Structure Associated with the Embedded Protostar in the Cold Dense Core MC 27/L1521F

Infall and outflows, coupled with magnetic fields, rapidly structure the gas around newborn protostars. Shocks from interacting components encode the temperature and density distribution, offering a direct probe of the earliest evolution history. However, interferometric observations characterizing warm envelopes using high-excitation lines remain scarce. We present ALMA Band 9 observations of the Taurus dense core MC 27/L1521F, which hosts a Class 0 protostar, targeting the CO($J$=6-5) line at an angular resolution of $\sim$2\arcsec\ ($\approx$300 au). We detect an off-centered ring-like structure with a diameter of $\sim$1000 au that was not identifiable in previous low-$J$ CO data, where emission close to the systemic velocity is strongly affected by optical depth. The ring shows a typical peak brightness temperature of $\sim$3 K at our resolution. Excitation considerations indicate that the detected CO($J$=6-5) emission likely arises from relatively warm ($T \gtrsim 20$ K) and dense ($n({\rm H_2}) \gtrsim 10^{5}$ cm$^{-3}$) gas embedded within the surrounding cold, dense core. The morphology and kinematics suggest an energetic and localized shock-heating event, potentially linked to dynamical gas--magnetic-field interactions in the earliest protostellar phase. Our results demonstrate that high-$J$ CO observations provide a powerful new window on warm and dense gas components, enabling a more direct view of the physical processes operating at the onset of star formation.

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Twisted Pseudodisk and Asymmetric Mass Accretion on the Circumstellar Disk

We model gas inflow patterns onto circumstellar disks and the evolution of the pseudodisk using three-dimensional resistive MHD simulations. Starting from a prestellar core without turbulence and with a misalignment between the initial magnetic field and rotation axis, the simulations are performed for $\sim10^5$ yr after protostar formation. After disk formation, the magnetic field around the disk becomes significantly distorted due to the disk rotational motion. Consequently, the structure of the pseudodisk also evolves into a complex morphology. As a result, both accretion onto the disk and outflow become asymmetric and anisotropic. Accretion to the disk occurs primarily through narrow-channel flows or streams. The time evolution of the infalling envelope leads to non-steady accretion onto the disk, which in turn causes variability in the mass accretion onto the central protostar. This study demonstrates that complex infalling envelope structures and channelized accretion flows onto the disk naturally arise even without assuming turbulence or external asymmetric inflows.

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How External Medium outside Prestellar Cores Affects Protostellar Growth: Variations in Accretion Rate and Evolution of Disks and Outflows

We investigate how the external medium surrounding prestellar cores affects the star formation process by conducting three-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The initial cores follow critical Bonnor-Ebert profiles and are embedded in environments with different ambient densities. The simulations follow the evolution at least until the envelope mass within a radius equal to twice the critical Bonnor-Ebert radius drops to 35% of the initial cloud mass. We reveal that in environments with higher external density, enhanced mass inflow from the envelope leads to Bondi-like accretion as the protostellar mass increases. The continued inflow substantially increases the final stellar mass, resulting in star formation efficiencies that appear to exceed unity in dense environments. The external medium also influences the evolution of circumstellar disks and protostellar outflows: with the high-density external medium, disks grow rapidly but their mass becomes smaller relative to the protostellar mass, and the outflow is sustained over a long duration. However, the ratio of angular momentum removed by outflows and magnetic braking to that introduced by inflowing gas decreases with increasing external density. These results suggest that the density of the external medium regulates not only protostellar mass growth but also the inflow-outflow balance and angular momentum transport in magnetized, rotating star-forming cores.

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Extended and Compact Ortho-H$_2$D$^+$ Structures Close to the Moment of Star-Formation: Evidence from ALMA-ACA Observations in Taurus

Observing and characterizing pre- and protostellar cores in the earliest and densest stages of star formation is challenging due to their short timescales and high densities, limiting the suitable tracers and targets. We conducted ALMA-Atacama Compact Array (ACA) stand-alone observations of ortho-H$_2$D$^+$ (1$_{\rm 1,0}$-1$_{\rm 1,1}$) emission, which is believed to trace cold high-density regions, toward three dense cores in the Taurus molecular cloud: (1) L1544, likely in the densest prestellar phase; (2) MC 35-mm, a candidate for the first hydrostatic core; and (3) MC 27/L1521F, which hosts a Class 0 very-low luminosity object. These observations provide high angular resolution data for the line across a set of cores selected to represent consecutive stages around the onset of star formation, offering a unique opportunity to trace the time evolution of $\sim$10$^4$ years. With the single-dish total-power array, we detected ortho-H$_2$D$^+$ emission in all three cores, revealing its presence over scales of $\sim$10,000 au. In the interferometric 7 m array data with a beam size of 3.$''$5 ($\sim$500\,au), emission was detected only toward the central continuum source of MC 35-mm, with a significance of $\sim$3$σ$. No significant detections were found in the other targets, placing an upper limit on the H$_2$D$^{+}$ abundance of $\sim$10$^{-11}$ in the dense components traced by the interferometric continuum emission. These results suggest that ortho-H$_2$D$^+$ predominantly exhibits an extended distribution over several thousand au in the early stages of star formation. Detection in compact, dense central structures may only be achieved within a few $\times$ 10$^{4}$ years immediately before or after protostar formation.

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ALMA High-resolution Observation for the Transitional Disk around IRAS 04125+2902

Recently, the youngest transiting planet was discovered around the T Tauri star, IRAS 04125+2902, in the Taurus-Auriga star-forming region. This system is crucial for understanding the early stages of planet formation. We used Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 6 data to investigate the IRAS 04125+2902 system in detail. The dust continuum emission reveals a ring-gap transitional disk structure with an inclination of 35.6$^{\circ}$. In addition, two-dimensional super-resolution imaging based on Sparse Modeling and the one-dimensional modeling of disk brightness distribution suggest the existence of an inner emission, which may be attributed to an inner disk, although free-free emission from the central star is not ruled out. Furthermore, we identified the $^{12}$CO $J$=2-1 emission, and the dynamical mass of the central star is estimated to be 0.7-1.0 $M_{\odot}$. The asymmetry of the dust ring and the velocity distortion around the central star are, if at all, weak, suggesting that the inner disk, if it exists, is not highly inclined with respect to the outer disk. Radiative transfer calculations of dust continuum emission suggest that the inner and the outer disk may be misaligned by $\sim$10$^\circ$, which may be confirmed in future observations with higher resolution and sensitivity. Our results suggest that IRAS 04125+2902 is a dynamically complex system, where the binary orbit, outer disk, inner disk, and planetary orbit are mutually misaligned, providing insight into the early orbital evolution of young systems.

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Inclination Effect on Observational Identification of Outflow Rotation in Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations

We investigate the observational signatures of outflow rotation in protostellar systems using magnetohydrodynamics simulations of protostellar evolution with radiative transfer and synthetic observation. The velocity gradient perpendicular to the outflow axis indicates outflow rotation. The rotation signature is clearly seen in the moment 1 map and a position-velocity (PV) diagram across an outflow lobe made from our model with an inclination angle of i>~85{degree sign}, as in observational studies of protostellar outflows. Velocity projection with lower inclinations distorts the moment 1 map because the outflow vertical (propagation) velocity contributes more to the line-of-sight velocity, leading to an incorrect outflow axis direction. The PV diagram adopting the incorrect outflow axis shows no clear velocity gradient. These effects may prevent us from identifying outflow rotation. Our analysis implies that rotational signatures can be obscured in ~2/3 to ~4/5 of the total outflow population (i<70{degree sign}-80{degree sign}), regardless of the evolutionary stage. Complicated structures in observed outflows make it difficult to determine the outflow, which may result in the apparent non-detection of outflow rotation.

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Effect of Magnetic Field on the Accretion Phase of Population III Star Formation

We examine the impact of the magnetic field on Population III star formation by varying the magnetic field strength. We perform simulations with magnetic field strengths ranging from $10^{-20}$ G to $10^{-4}$ G, in addition to a model without a magnetic field. The simulations are run for $>1000-1400$ yr after the first protostar forms. In weak-field models, the surrounding disk fragments, forming multiple protostars, and the magnetic field is amplified by the orbital motion and rotation of these protostars. In the model without a magnetic field, frequent fragmentation occurs, and the most massive protostar reaches $\sim200 M_\odot$. However, in models with a magnetic field, once the magnetic field is amplified, the protostars merge to form a single massive protostar, and no further fragmentation occurs except in the model with the strongest magnetic field. Even after the formation of the single protostar, the magnetic field continues to amplify, leading to the formation of a thick disk supported by magnetic pressure and a global spiral pattern. In models with moderate or strong magnetic fields, a rotating disk can form, but fragmentation does not occur, and a strong magnetic field drives an outflow. However, the range of parameters for both disk formation and outflow driving is very narrow, making their appearance under realistic conditions unlikely. Given the weak magnetic field in the early universe, Population III stars are expected to form as single stars, surrounded by a thick disk with a spiral pattern. Thus, the magnetic field, regardless of its strength, plays a crucial role in Population III star formation.

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ALMA 2D Super-resolution Imaging Survey of Ophiuchus Class I/Flat Spectrum/II Disks -- I: Discovery of New Disk Substructures

This study focuses on Class I, Flat Spectrum (FS), and Class II disks in the Ophiuchus molecular cloud, a nearby active star-forming region with numerous young stellar objects (YSOs), to unveil signs of substructure formation in these disks. We employ two-dimensional super-resolution imaging based on Sparse Modeling (SpM) for ALMA archival Band 6 continuum data, achieving images with spatial resolutions comparable to a few au (0".02-0".2) for 78 dust disks, all of which are spatially resolved. In our sample, we confirm that approximately 30-40% of the disks exhibit substructures, and we identify new substructures in 15 disks (4 Class I, 7 Class FS, and 4 Class II objects). Compared to the eDisk sample in terms of bolometric temperature, Tbol, our targets are in a relatively later accretion phase. By combining our targets with the eDisk sample, we confirm that substructure detection in available data is restricted to objects where Tbol exceeds 200-300 K and the dust disk radius, Rdust, is larger than ~30 au. Moreover, we find that the distribution of inclination angles for Class II disks has a deficit of high values and is not consistent with being random. Analyzing molecular line emission data around these objects will be crucial to constrain disk evolutionary stages further and understand when and how substructures form.

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Impact of MHD disk wind on early evolutionary stage of protoplanetary disk and dust growth

We perform one-dimensional protoplanetary disk evolution calculations to investigate the impact of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) disk wind on disk evolution and dust particle growth.To examine the effect of the MHD disk wind, we compare calculations with and without it. In disk evolution calculations, episodic accretion events (or outbursts) occur repeatedly, as reported in previous studies, regardless of the presence of the MHD disk wind. However, the time interval between outbursts is shorter in cases with the MHD disk wind than in those without it. For dust particle growth, during the infall phase, there is no significant difference between cases with and without the MHD disk wind, and dust particles grow to approximately 1-10\,cm. Inside the $\mathrm{H_{2}O}$ snowline, the maximum dust particle size is limited by the collisional fragmentation of dust particles. Outside the snowline, the maximum dust particle size is primarily determined by radial drift. After the infall phase, when the MHD disk wind is considered, the disk temperature decreases noticeably, and the snowline migrates inward. As a result, the dust particles can grow beyond 10\,cm. Therefore, we find that the MHD disk wind plays a crucial role in dust growth and planet formation after the infall phase.

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Velocity Structure of Circumstellar Environment around Class 0/I Protostars: Uncertainty in the Protostellar Mass Estimation Using Circumstellar Velocities

Recent high-resolution observations have enabled detailed investigations of the circumstellar environments around Class 0/I protostars. Several studies have reported that the infall velocity of the envelope is a few times smaller than the free-fall velocity inferred from protostellar masses estimated via the observed rotational velocity of their Keplerian disks. To explore the physical origins of the slow infall, we perform a set of three-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the star formation process, extending to $10^5$ yr after protostar formation. Our simulations show that the infall velocity decreases markedly at the outer edge of the pseudo-disk (at radii of $\sim\!100-1000$ au) and is much slower than the expected free-fall velocity. The degree of this reduction depends on (1) the initial magnetic field strength, (2) the alignment between the initial field and the rotation axis, and (3) the evolutionary stage of the system. Across our parameter space, the ratio of the infall velocity to the free-fall velocity is as small as $0.2-0.5$, which is consistent with the observations. We further examine the reliability of protostellar mass estimates derived from infall and rotational velocities. While the mass derived from disk rotation closely matches the true value, deviation by a factor of $0.3-2$ is found for the estimates using the infall velocity; it is underestimated due to slow infall, but could also be overestimated due to the contribution of disk mass. These findings underscore the critical role of magnetic fields in shaping star formation dynamics and highlight the uncertainties associated with protostellar mass estimates.

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Complex Structure around a Circumstellar Disk Caused by Interchange Instability

We perform a three-dimensional nonideal magnetohydrodynamic simulation of a strongly magnetized cloud core and investigate the complex structure caused by the interchange instability. This is the first simulation that does not use a central sink cell and calculates the long term ($> 10^4$ yr) evolution even as the disk and outflow formation occur. The magnetic field dissipates inside the disk, and magnetic flux accumulates around the edge of the disk, leading to the occurrence of interchange instability. During the main accretion phase, the interchange instability occurs recurrently, disturbing the circumstellar region and forming ring, arc, and cavity structures. These are consistent with recent high-resolution observations of circumstellar regions around young protostars. The structures extend to $>1,000$ au and persist for at least 30,000 yr after protostar formation, demonstrating the dynamic removal process of magnetic flux during star formation. We find that the disk continues to grow even as interchange instability occurs, by accretion through channels between the outgoing cavities. The outflow is initially weak, but becomes strong after $\sim 10^3$ yr.

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ALMA 0.1 pc View of Molecular Clouds Associated with High-Mass Protostellar Systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud: Are Low-Metallicity Clouds Filamentary or Not?

Filamentary molecular clouds are an essential intermediate stage in the star formation process. To test whether these structures are universal throughout cosmic star formation history, it is crucial to study low-metallicity environments within the Local Group. We present an ALMA analysis of the ALMA archival data at the spatial resolution of $\sim$0.1 pc for 17 massive young stellar objects (YSOs) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC; Z $\sim$0.2 $Z_{\odot}$). This sample represents approximately 30% of the YSOs confirmed by Spitzer spectroscopy. Early ALMA studies of the SMC have shown that the CO emission line traces an H$_2$ number density of $\gtrsim$10$^4$ cm$^{-3}$, an order of magnitude higher than in the typical Galactic environments. Using the CO($J$ = 3-2) data, we investigated the spatial and velocity distribution of molecular clouds. Our analysis shows that about 60% of the clouds have steep radial profiles from the spine of the elongated structures, while the remaining clouds have a smooth distribution and are characterized by lower brightness temperatures. We categorized the former as filaments and the latter as non-filaments. Some of the filamentary clouds are associated with YSOs with outflows and exhibit higher temperatures, likely reflecting their formation conditions, suggesting that these clouds are younger than non-filamentary ones. This indicates that even if filaments form during star formation, their steep structures may become less prominent and transit to a lower-temperature state. Such transitions in structure and temperature have not been reported in metal-rich regions, highlighting a key behavior for characterizing the evolution of the interstellar medium and star formation in low-metallicity environments.

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Tracking Star-Forming Cores as Mass Reservoirs in Clustered and Isolated Regions Using Numerical Passive Tracer Particles

Understanding the physical properties of star-forming cores as mass reservoirs for protostars, and the impact of turbulence, is crucial in star formation studies. We implemented passive tracer particles in clump-scale numerical simulations with turbulence strengths of $\mathcal{M}_{\rm rms} = 2, 10$. Unlike core identification methods used in observational studies, we identified 260 star-forming cores using a new method based on tracer particles falling onto protostars. Our findings reveal that star-forming cores do not necessarily coincide with high-density regions when nearby stars are present, as gas selectively accretes onto protostars, leading to clumpy, fragmented structures. We calculated convex hull cores from star-forming cores and defined their filling factors. Regardless of turbulence strength, convex hull cores with lower filling factors tend to contain more protostars and have larger masses and sizes, indicating that cores in clustered regions are more massive and larger than those in isolated regions. Thus, the filling factor serves as a key indicator for distinguishing between isolated and clustered star-forming regions and may provide insights into the star formation processes within clustered regions. We also found that most convex hull cores are gravitationally bound. However, in the $\mathcal{M}_{\rm rms} = 10$ model, there are more low-mass, unbound convex hull cores compared to the $\mathcal{M}_{\rm rms} = 2$ model. In the $\mathcal{M}_{\rm rms} = 10$ model, 16% of the convex hull cores are unbound, which may be explained by the inertial-inflow model. These findings highlight the influence of turbulence strength on the mass and gravitational stability of cores.

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