O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estabilidade de cor de três marcas comerciais de porcelanas aluminizadas durante seu processo de queima. Para o experimento foram confeccionados 30 corpos de prova em forma de disco com 2mm de espessura e 10mm de circunferência, sendo 10 da marca ALLCeram, 10 da marca Noritake Cerabien CZR e 10 da marca Vita VM7. As amostras foram queimadas 10 vezes. As leituras de cor foram feitas em espectrofotômetro de reflexão nos seguintes intervalos: após a 1ª queima, após a 3ª queima, após a 5ª queima e após a 10ª queima. As curvas de reflexão foram convertidas em valores LAB e a diferença de cor foi medida através do método CIELAB (FE). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que existe variação de cor e que esta variação depende do número de queimas realizadas e da marca comercial utilizada. / The purpose of this investigation was to quantify in CIE FE units the differences in color produced by multiple firing of three allceramic systems. For this study 30 samples were fabricated of 3 brands: AllCeram, Noritake Cerabien CZR and Vita VM7. A spectrophotometer was used for reflectance measurement of color after 1 firing, 3 firings, 5 firings and 10 firings. The results were converted in CIELAB units. Color differences, FE, were calculated in the CIE color space. Color differences as a result of multiple firings depended on the number of firings and the brand tested.

Para quantificar o teor de lignina em alguns cultivares de aveia, foi utilizado o método espectrofotométrico "lignina solúvel em brometo de acetila – LSBA", onde a lignina é solubilizada em uma solução a 25% de brometo de acetila em ácido acético glacial e em seguida sua absorbância lida a 280 nm; como padrão de referência foi utilizada a lignina extraída da aveia através de uma solução ácida de dioxana. A quantificação da lignina foi realizada em oito cultivares de aveia, nas frações planta inteira, caule e folha, em três estádios de maturidade (45, 55 e 65 dias de idade). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com três métodos gravimétricos: lignina detergente ácido (LDA), lignina permanganato de potássio (LPer) e lignina Klason (LK). Os quatro métodos estudados mostraram teores de lignina diferentes entre si. Os resultados de LSBA foram superiores para quase todos os cultivares, ocorrendo o inverso para a LDA. Houve uma pequena diferença em relação aos dias de corte, com dados superiores para LSBA, onde o caule apresentou maior variação em relação às demais frações. As curvas de regressão e os espectrogramas indicaram presença de diferenças qualitativas entre as ligninas provenientes da aveia forrageira nos diferentes estádios de maturidade. / To quantify lignin content in some varieties of oat, it was employed the spectrophotometric method acetyl bromide soluble lignin – ABSL where lignin is dissolved into a 25% acetyl bromide solution in glacial acetic acid and its absorbance read at 280 nm; as a standard it was employed a, lignin extracted by mild acidic dioxane solution from the same sample. Lignin quantification was evaluated in eight oat cultivars, divided in three vegetable parts (whole plant, stem and leaf), and three different maturity stages (cuts at 45, 55 and 65 days). Obtained results were compared with three gravimetric methods: acid detergent lignin (ADL), potassium permanganate lignin (PerL) and Klason lignin (KL). All four methodologies yielded different results. Overall, ABSL yielded highest values whereas ADL yielded the lowest ones. There was a slight difference related to maturity, with higher values for ABSL, where stem fraction showed higher variation when comparing to the two other vegetable parts. Regression equations and espectrograms indicated the presence of qualitative differences between lignins from at distinct maturity stages.

Plants are an important source of secondary metabolites, such as substances that have a beneficial biological effect on the health of humans and they are irreplaceable in the modern medicine. They may operate in prevention and in the treatment of civilization diseases. In terms of content substances, the phenolic come to fore, especially polyphenols, which have been related to a number of overview studies due to their wide distribution and high concentration in plants. They also represent an important part of substances with redox effects present in the human diet and have an important role for the plant itself. Currently, many laboratories are dedicated to pharmaceutical and biological testing of plants. Individual polyphenols in plant matrices are determined primarily by chromatography, electrophoresis methods, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Valuable information on the content of polyphenols in plant extract can be obtained also by using spectrophotometric methods. The subject of this thesis is to provide information, characterization and comparison of conventional and modern techniques for the determination of natural substances – phenolic compounds using spectral techniques.

Pectin has a long history as a food additive. However, elucidation of its fine structural and property relationships remains elusive. Recent research has focused on pectin's ability to complex with divalent heavy metals to aid in characterizing it. Commercial pectins of unknown composition were obtained from local grocers. Purified pectin samples from orange peel, lemon peel, and apple pomace, each of low and high levels of methyl esterification and of unknown distribution pattern were also purchased. Instead of metal complexation, several highly absorbing dyes such as Ruthenium Red, Nile Blue, and Acridine Orange were used to complex with the pectins and their resulting UV-Vis spectral patterns were employed to determine if one can characterize the different pectins. Chemometric methods are also included to aid in distinguishing them apart.

The paper and the graphics industries use two instruments with different optical geometry (d/0 and 45/0) to measure the quality of paper prints. The instruments have been reported to yield incompatible measurements and even rank samples differently in some cases, causing communication problems between these sectors of industry.A preliminary investigation concluded that the inter-instrument difference could be significantly influenced by external factors (background, calibration, heterogeneity of the medium). A simple methodology for eliminating these external factors and thereby minimizing the instrument differences has been derived. The measurements showed that, when the external factors are eliminated, and there is no fluorescence or gloss influence, the inter-instrument difference becomes small, depends on the instrument geometry, and varies systematically with the scattering, absorption, and transmittance properties of the sample.A detailed description of the impact of the geometry on the results has been presented regarding a large sample range. Simulations with the radiative transfer model DORT2002 showed that the instruments measurements follow the physical radiative transfer model except in cases of samples with extreme properties. The conclusion is that the physical explanation of the geometrical inter-instrument differences is based on the different degree of light permeation from the two geometries, which eventually results in a different degree of influence from near-surface bulk scattering. It was also shown that the d/0 instrument fulfils the assumptions of a diffuse field of reflected light from the medium only for samples that resemble the perfect diffuser but it yields an anisotropic field of reflected light when there is significant absorption or transmittance. In the latter case, the 45/0 proves to be less anisotropic than the d/0.In the process, the computational performance of the DORT2002 has been significantly improved. After the modification of the DORT2002 in order to include the 45/0 geometry, the Gauss-Newton optimization algorithm for the solution of the inverse problem was qualified as the most appropriate one, after testing different optimization methods for performance, stability and accuracy. Finally, a new homotopic initial-value algorithm for routine tasks (spectral calculations) was introduced, which resulted in a further three-fold speedup of the whole algorithm.The paper and the graphics industries use two instruments with different optical geometry (d/0 and 45/0) to measure the quality of paper prints. The instruments have been reported to yield incompatible measurements and even rank samples differently in some cases, causing communication problems between these sectors of industry.A preliminary investigation concluded that the inter-instrument difference could be significantly influenced by external factors (background, calibration, heterogeneity of the medium). A simple methodology for eliminating these external factors and thereby minimizing the instrument differences has been derived. The measurements showed that, when the external factors are eliminated, and there is no fluorescence or gloss influence, the inter-instrument difference becomes small, depends on the instrument geometry, and varies systematically with the scattering, absorption, and transmittance properties of the sample.A detailed description of the impact of the geometry on the results has been presented regarding a large sample range. Simulations with the radiative transfer model DORT2002 showed that the instruments measurements follow the physical radiative transfer model except in cases of samples with extreme properties. The conclusion is that the physical explanation of the geometrical inter-instrument differences is based on the different degree of light permeation from the two geometries, which eventually results in a different degree of influence from near-surface bulk scattering. It was also shown that the d/0 instrument fulfils the assumptions of a diffuse field of reflected light from the medium only for samples that resemble the perfect diffuser but it yields an anisotropic field of reflected light when there is significant absorption or transmittance. In the latter case, the 45/0 proves to be less anisotropic than the d/0.In the process, the computational performance of the DORT2002 has been significantly improved. After the modification of the DORT2002 in order to include the 45/0 geometry, the Gauss-Newton optimization algorithm for the solution of the inverse problem was qualified as the most appropriate one, after testing different optimization methods for performance, stability and accuracy. Finally, a new homotopic initial-value algorithm for routine tasks (spectral calculations) was introduced, which resulted in a further three-fold speedup of the whole algorithm. / QC 20100707 / PaperOpt, Paper Optics and Colour

A unique K-band selected high-redshift spectroscopic dataset (UDSz) is exploited to gain further understanding of galaxy evolution at z > 1. Acquired as part of an ESO Large Programme, this thesis presents the reduction and analysis of a sample of ∼ 450 deep optical spectra of a random 1 in 6 sample of the KAB < 23, z > 1 galaxy population. Based on the final reduced dataset, spectrophotometric modelling of the optical spectra and multi-wavelength photometry available for each galaxy is performed using a combination of single and dual component stellar population models. The stellarmass and age estimates provided by the spectrophotometric modelling are exploited throughout the rest of the thesis to investigate the evolution of massive galaxies at z > 1. Focusing on a K-band bright (K < 21.5) sub-sample in the redshift range 1.3 < z < 1.5 the galaxy size-mass relation has been studied in detailed. In agreement with some previous studies it is found that massive, old, early-type galaxies (ETGs) have characteristic radii a factor ~- 1.5 − 3.0 smaller than their local counterparts at a given stellar-mass. Due to the potential errors in spectrophotometric estimates of the stellarmasses at high redshift velocity dispersion measurements are derived for a sub-sample of massive ETGs at z > 1.3 in order to calculate dynamical mass estimates. To date, only a handful of objects at z > 1.3 have individual velocity dispersion estimates in the literature. Here the largest single sample (13 objects) of velocity dispersion measurements at high redshift is presented. The results for the sub-sample of objects with dynamical mass estimates confirm the results based on stellar mass estimates that high redshift massive systems are more compact than their local counterparts. The fraction of K-band bright objects at high redshift that are passively evolving is calculated with specific star-formation rates from the UV rest-frame continuum, [OII] emission and 24μm data. It is concluded that ∼ 58 ± 10% of the K < 21.5, 1.3 < z < 1.5 galaxy population is passively evolving. Various photometric techniques for separating star-forming and passively evolving galaxies are assessed by exploiting the accurate spectral types derived for the UDSz spectroscopic sample. Popular highredshift selection techniques are shown to fail to effectively select complete samples of passive objects with low levels of contamination. Using detailed information available for the UDSz dataset, various techniques are optimised and then used to estimate the passive fraction from the full UDS photometric catalog. The passive fraction results from the full photometric catalog are found to agree well with the results derived from the UDSz sample. With the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) now starting to produce data, the opportunity has been taken to develop high-redshift galaxy population dividers based on the VISTA filters. Using the first data release from the VISTA Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey (VVDS D1 field), the passive fractions of K-band limited samples have been estimated to compare with results derived in the UDS. Within the errors the passive fraction estimates in the UDS and VISTA VVDS D1 field are found to agree reasonably well. Finally, composite spectra are used to study the evolution of various different galaxy sub-samples as a function of redshift, age, stellar-mass and specific star-formation rate. This work produces an remarkably clean result, showing that the massive, absolute Kband bright, passively evolving ETGs are always the oldest population, with ages close to the age of the Universe at z ∼ 1.4. In contrast, the late-type, low-mass, star-forming galaxies are always found to be much younger systems. This result strongly supports the downsizing scenario, in which more massive systems complete their stellar-mass assembly before lower-mass counterparts.

O presente trabalho apresenta estudos da reação de autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina ou Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV). Estudos espectrofotométricos enfocaram a formação do respectivo íon metálico no estado de oxidação 3+. Verificou-se que S(IV) acelera a autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina em pH=9,2 (tampão borato), com a determinação de alguns parâmetros cinéticos desta reação. A autoxidação de Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV), caracterizada por efeito sinérgico positivo de Ni(II), foi empregada no desenvolvimento de método analítico para S(IV) na faixa de (0-0,12) milimolar. Este método foi utilizado para estudo da autoxidação de S(IV) catalisada por traços de íons metálicos de transição, em meio não-complexante. Estudos por quimiluminescência abordaram a interação das espécies geradas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina e Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com o íon tris-bipiridil-2,2´-rutênio(II). Foi avaliado o efeito de intensificação da radiação emitida, causado por tensoativos ou adições sucessivas de S(IV). A interação das espécies produzidas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com luminol foi aproveitada para desenvolvimento de método quimiluminescente para determinação de sulfito. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinação de S(IV) livre em amostras de bebidas, açúcar e água de chuva (limite de detecção 0,28 nanomolar). / The current work shows studies concerning the sulfite induced Ni(II)/tetraglycine (NiIIG4) and Cu(II)/tetraglycine (CuIIG4) autoxidation reaction in aqueous medium. Spectrophotometric studies focused on the formation of the correspondent metallic ion in the 3+ oxidation state. It was found that S(IV) accelerates NiIIG4 autoxidation at pH = 9.2 (borate buffer). Some kinetic parameters of this reaction have been successfully determined. S(IV) induced CuIIG4 autoxidation, which is characterized by the remarkable positive synergistic effect of Ni(II), was used in the development of a S(IV) analytical method in the range of (0-12)x10-5 mol L-1. This method was used to study the S(IV) catalyzed autoxidation of metallic transition ions, in non-complexing medium. Chemiluminescence studies approached the interaction between Ru(II)/bipy (tris-bipyridil-2,2´-ruthenium(II) ion) and the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation. The emitted radiation intensifying effect, which is caused by the presence of certain surfactants or consecutive additions of S(IV), was evaluated. The interaction between the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation and luminol was used in the development of a sulfite determination method by chemiluminescence. A flow system containing a gas-diffusion unit was used to separate S(IV) from the matrix. Free sulfite was determined in beverages, sugar and rainwater samples, with a detection limit of 2,8 x 10-8 mol L-1.

O presente trabalho apresenta estudos da reação de autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina ou Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV). Estudos espectrofotométricos enfocaram a formação do respectivo íon metálico no estado de oxidação 3+. Verificou-se que S(IV) acelera a autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina em pH=9,2 (tampão borato), com a determinação de alguns parâmetros cinéticos desta reação. A autoxidação de Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV), caracterizada por efeito sinérgico positivo de Ni(II), foi empregada no desenvolvimento de método analítico para S(IV) na faixa de (0-0,12) milimolar. Este método foi utilizado para estudo da autoxidação de S(IV) catalisada por traços de íons metálicos de transição, em meio não-complexante. Estudos por quimiluminescência abordaram a interação das espécies geradas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina e Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com o íon tris-bipiridil-2,2´-rutênio(II). Foi avaliado o efeito de intensificação da radiação emitida, causado por tensoativos ou adições sucessivas de S(IV). A interação das espécies produzidas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com luminol foi aproveitada para desenvolvimento de método quimiluminescente para determinação de sulfito. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinação de S(IV) livre em amostras de bebidas, açúcar e água de chuva (limite de detecção 0,28 nanomolar). / The current work shows studies concerning the sulfite induced Ni(II)/tetraglycine (NiIIG4) and Cu(II)/tetraglycine (CuIIG4) autoxidation reaction in aqueous medium. Spectrophotometric studies focused on the formation of the correspondent metallic ion in the 3+ oxidation state. It was found that S(IV) accelerates NiIIG4 autoxidation at pH = 9.2 (borate buffer). Some kinetic parameters of this reaction have been successfully determined. S(IV) induced CuIIG4 autoxidation, which is characterized by the remarkable positive synergistic effect of Ni(II), was used in the development of a S(IV) analytical method in the range of (0-12)x10-5 mol L-1. This method was used to study the S(IV) catalyzed autoxidation of metallic transition ions, in non-complexing medium. Chemiluminescence studies approached the interaction between Ru(II)/bipy (tris-bipyridil-2,2´-ruthenium(II) ion) and the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation. The emitted radiation intensifying effect, which is caused by the presence of certain surfactants or consecutive additions of S(IV), was evaluated. The interaction between the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation and luminol was used in the development of a sulfite determination method by chemiluminescence. A flow system containing a gas-diffusion unit was used to separate S(IV) from the matrix. Free sulfite was determined in beverages, sugar and rainwater samples, with a detection limit of 2,8 x 10-8 mol L-1.

This thesis summarizes the outcome of work performed withthe objective to contribute to the knowledge and development ofthe kraft cooking process using spectrophotometricinterfaces. In kraft cooking, it is desirable to maximize the removal oflignin in the cook without loss of pulp strength. Theselectivity can be improved by exchanging some of the hydrogensulfide ion in the white liquor for polysulfides. Paper Ipresents a spectrophotometric method for in-line monitoring ofthe electrochemical production of polysulfide using anATR-probe for the UV-Vis range. A linear relation existsbetween the ATR-probe response and the concentration ofabsorbing species. Thus the process can be followed by simplemonitoring of a few wavelengths. A spectrophotometric monitoring system using a durableNafion ionomer membrane interface for continuous on-linemeasurement of sulfide and dissolved lignin during kraftcooking has previously been developed by our group. In paperII, the permeation of low molecular weight anions from liquorshaving high ionic strengths through a membrane in Na+ form hasbeen studied. A general relation between penetration and ionsize approximated by molecular weight has been established. Thepenetration of different anions can be explained as a diffusionthrough the winding membrane channels. Further the differentanions transport independently without being interfered by thesample matrix. In light of this validation, we applied the membraneinterface to the determination of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate(AQ-S) in alkaline pulping liquor. In paper III, a simple andrapid spectrophotometric method was developed and implementedon real samples. Interferences from other compounds penetratingthe membrane were minimized by reduction of the penetrated AQ-Sand measurement at 520 nm. This method is quick and can be usedon-line. Further, we extended the method to determination ofanthraquinone (AQ) in pulping liquor (paper IV). Although AQ isregarded as insoluble, it was found that the apparentsolubility of AQ in alkaline solutions increases considerablyin the presence of lignin, reaching 0.14 g/L at 90 oC. Thismakes the calibration of AQ possible. Time-resolvedmeasurements of dissolved AQ in 3 kraft-AQ pulping processeswere performed. The results show that the membrane has great potential aspart of a selective interface in applications where theconcentrations of small anions are to be monitored in mediawith high ionic strength. Keywords: Kraft cooking, On-line, Sulfide, Lignin,Polysulfide excess sulfur, Anthraquinone-2-Sulfonate (AQ-S),Anthraquinone (AQ), Nafion Membrane, UV-Vis, ATR-probe,Spectrophotometric.

<p>This thesis summarizes the outcome of work performed withthe objective to contribute to the knowledge and development ofthe kraft cooking process using spectrophotometricinterfaces.</p><p>In kraft cooking, it is desirable to maximize the removal oflignin in the cook without loss of pulp strength. Theselectivity can be improved by exchanging some of the hydrogensulfide ion in the white liquor for polysulfides. Paper Ipresents a spectrophotometric method for in-line monitoring ofthe electrochemical production of polysulfide using anATR-probe for the UV-Vis range. A linear relation existsbetween the ATR-probe response and the concentration ofabsorbing species. Thus the process can be followed by simplemonitoring of a few wavelengths.</p><p>A spectrophotometric monitoring system using a durableNafion ionomer membrane interface for continuous on-linemeasurement of sulfide and dissolved lignin during kraftcooking has previously been developed by our group. In paperII, the permeation of low molecular weight anions from liquorshaving high ionic strengths through a membrane in Na+ form hasbeen studied. A general relation between penetration and ionsize approximated by molecular weight has been established. Thepenetration of different anions can be explained as a diffusionthrough the winding membrane channels. Further the differentanions transport independently without being interfered by thesample matrix.</p><p>In light of this validation, we applied the membraneinterface to the determination of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate(AQ-S) in alkaline pulping liquor. In paper III, a simple andrapid spectrophotometric method was developed and implementedon real samples. Interferences from other compounds penetratingthe membrane were minimized by reduction of the penetrated AQ-Sand measurement at 520 nm. This method is quick and can be usedon-line. Further, we extended the method to determination ofanthraquinone (AQ) in pulping liquor (paper IV). Although AQ isregarded as insoluble, it was found that the apparentsolubility of AQ in alkaline solutions increases considerablyin the presence of lignin, reaching 0.14 g/L at 90 oC. Thismakes the calibration of AQ possible. Time-resolvedmeasurements of dissolved AQ in 3 kraft-AQ pulping processeswere performed.</p><p>The results show that the membrane has great potential aspart of a selective interface in applications where theconcentrations of small anions are to be monitored in mediawith high ionic strength.</p><p>Keywords: Kraft cooking, On-line, Sulfide, Lignin,Polysulfide excess sulfur, Anthraquinone-2-Sulfonate (AQ-S),Anthraquinone (AQ), Nafion Membrane, UV-Vis, ATR-probe,Spectrophotometric.</p>