Retired galaxies: not to be forgotten in the quest of the star formation -- AGN connection

We propose a fresh look at the Main Galaxy Sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey by packing the galaxies in stellar mass and redshift bins. We show how important it is to consider the emission-line equivalent widths, in addition to the commonly used emission-line ratios, to properly identify retired galaxies (i.e. galaxies that have stopped forming stars and are ionized by their old stellar populations) and not mistake them for galaxies with low-level nuclear activity. We find that the proportion of star-forming galaxies decreases with decreasing redshift in each mass bin, while that of retired galaxies increases. Galaxies with $M_\star > 10^{11.5} M_\odot$ have formed all their stars at redshift larger than 0.4. The population of AGN hosts is never dominant for galaxy masses larger than $10^{10} M_\odot$. We warn about the effects of stacking galaxy spectra to discuss galaxy properties. We estimate the lifetimes of active galactic nuclei (AGN) relying entirely on demographic arguments --- i.e. without any assumption on the AGN radiative properties. We find upper-limit lifetimes of about 1--5 Gyr for detectable AGN in galaxies with masses between $10^{10}$--$10^{12} M_\odot$. The lifetimes of the AGN-dominated phases are a few $10^8$ yr. Finally, we compare the star-formation histories of star-forming, AGN and retired galaxies as obtained by the spectral synthesis code STARLIGHT. Once the AGN is turned on it inhibits star formation for the next $\sim$ 0.1 Gyr in galaxies with masses around $10^{10} M_\odot$, $\sim$ 1 Gyr in galaxies with masses around $10^{11} M_\odot$.Comment: accepted for MNRAS figure resolution has been degraded with respect to what will be published in MNRA

Sustainable development aspects of biodiesel production and application in Brazil

Concerns about climate change effects have prompted many countries to search for solutions to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In the last few years biodiesel production has gained world attention, as it is seen as a sustainable and renewable energy source. Biodiesel is a natural substitute for diesel oil, and can be obtained from different oleaginous plants. However, there are worries about devastation of forests and biodiversity-rich areas to produce biodiesel. Even considering biodiesel as a promising solution, the impacts of its production must be carefully evaluated. This work examines the Brazilian scenario for biodiesel production and use as an automotive fuel. Native and adapted oleaginous in many Brazilian regions and their potentiality for biodiesel production are presented. Experimental results of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a diesel power generator fuelled by blends of diesel oil and castor oil or soybean biodiesel are also presented

Further developments on biodiesel production and applications in brazil

Environmental concerns have motivated many countries to search for solutions to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In the last few years, biodiesel has attracted attention as a possible sustainable and renewable energy source to substitute diesel oil. Biodiesel can be produced from different oleaginous plants, but there are worries about food competition and forests and biodiversity-rich areas devastation to produce biodiesel. Even considering biodiesel as a promising solution, its production impacts must be carefully evaluated. This work examines the Brazilian prospects for biodiesel production and use as an engine fuel for automotive propulsion and power generation. The potential for biodiesel production of many native and adapted oleaginous plants in Brazilian territory is discussed. Experimental results of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emis-sions from a diesel power generator fuelled by blends of diesel oil and castor oil or soybean biodiesel are also presented

The galaxy environment in GAMA G3C groups using the Kilo Degree Survey Data Release 3

We aim to investigate the galaxy environment in GAMA Galaxy Groups Catalogue (G3C) using a volume-limited galaxy sample from the Kilo Degree Survey Data Release 3. The k-Nearest Neighbour technique is adapted to take into account the probability density functions (PDFs) of photometric redshifts in our calculations. This algorithm was tested on simulated KiDS tiles, showing its capability of recovering the relation between galaxy colour, luminosity and local environment. The characterization of the galaxy environment in G3C groups shows systematically steeper density contrasts for more massive groups. The red galaxy fraction gradients in these groups is evident for most of group mass bins. The density contrast of red galaxies is systematically higher at group centers when compared to blue galaxy ones. In addition, distinct group center definitions are used to show that our results are insensitive to center definitions. These results confirm the galaxy evolution scenario which environmental mechanisms are responsible for a slow quenching process as galaxies fall into groups and clusters, resulting in a smooth observed colour gradients in galaxy systems.Comment: 14 pages, Accepted to MNRA

Model for Energy Consumption and Costs of Bioethanol production from Wastepaper

This work investigates bioethanol production from wastepaper via acid and enzymatic hydrolysis with the aim to attain the highest possible yield, including an evaluation of energy consumption of the production processes and costs involved. A mathematical model was designed using MATLAB software, in which pre-calculated chronological stages have been specified with the parameters that significantly affect the bioethanol yield, including type and number of consumables, reaction temperature and residence time. The independent variables have been decided based on recommended values found in the literature and are provided as suggestions to the user, who is also given the choice to manually input the values. Mass and energy balance are carried out for each process stage of bioethanol production in order to calculate the energy consumption of the chemical reactions. The model also calculates the bioethanol yield per 100 g of lignocellulosic biomass and the related costs. A comparison between enzymatic and acid hydrolysis bioethanol is presented by a line chart on the software interface, helping the understanding of the effects of the independent variable parameters. As a result, the most optimal conditions to produce the highest yield of bioethanol and therefore increasing the efficiency of a process is obtained. The model is expected to aid in the reduction of laboratory-based experiments being conducted, saving time, human errors, costly microorganisms and other consumables

Morphological Classification of galaxies by Artificial Neural Networks

We explore a method for automatic morphological classification of galaxies by an Artificial Neural Network algorithm. The method is illustrated using 13 galaxy parameters measured by machine (ESO-LV), and classified into five types (E, S0, Sa + Sb, Sc + Sd and Irr). A simple Backpropagation algorithm allows us to train a network on a subset of the catalogue according to human classification, and then to predict, using the measured parameters, the classification for the rest of the catalogue. We show that the neural network behaves in our problem as a Bayesian classifier, i.e. it assigns the a posteriori probability for each of the five classes considered. The network highest probability choice agrees with the catalogue classification for 64 percent of the galaxies. If either the first or the second highest probability choice of the network is considered, the success rate is 90 per cent. The technique allows uniform and more objective classification of very large extragalactic data sets

Supplying new cocoa planting material to farmers: a review of propagation methodologies

The review, coordinated by Bioversity International, presents an impartial, evidence-based review of cacao propagation methods, to serve as a basis for the assessment and implementation of strategies for providing farmers with quality planting materials, adapted to current and future needs (cultural, institutional, technical, environmental and financial). It describes the various propagation methods available for the production and supply of large numbers of cacao plants to growers. It is hoped that the result of the efforts of the key authors provides a basis to build on for case-specific recommendations. As the supply of new improved planting material to farmers is at the heart of improving cocoa productivity and modernizing the crop, we hope that the information in the review will make its way into national cocoa plans, and help to make cocoa farming more attractive and more sustainable

ALDEHYDE EMISSIONS FROM A STATIONARY DIESEL ENGINE OPERATING WITH CASTOR OIL BIODIESEL – DIESEL OIL BLENDS

The presence of aldehyde in the exhaust gas of a stationary, direct injection, compression ignition engine operating with castor oil biodiesel/diesel oil blends (B5, B10, B20 and B35) is analyzed. The diesel engine was operated with constant speed of 1800 rev/min and load of 37.5 kW. The gas sample was collected directly from the exhaust. Aldehydes were identified and quantified using gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detector analyzer (FID). Acetaldehyde presented higher exhaust concentration than formaldehyde for all fuel blends tested. In general, the exhaust aldehyde levels were very low and did not present significant differences between the fuel blends tested