No abstract / Dissertation MCom--University of Pretoria, 2013. / hb2014 / Taxation / unrestricted

Prediction of stock prices is an important financial problem that is receiving increased attention in the field of artificial intelligence. Many different neural network and hybrid models for obtaining accurate prediction results have been proposed during the last few years in an attempt to outperform the traditional linear and nonlinear approaches. This study evaluates the performance of three different hybrid neural network models used for one-day stock close price prediction; a pre-processed evolutionary Levenberg-Marquardt neural network, Bayesian regularized artificial neural network and neural network with technical- and fractal analysis. It was also determined which of the three outperformed the others. The performance evaluation and comparison of the models are done using statistical error measures for accuracy; mean square error, symmetric mean absolute percentage error and point of change in direction. The results indicate good performance values for the Bayesian regularized artificial neural network, and varied performance for the others. Using the Friedman test, one model clearly is different in its performance relative to the others, probably the above mentioned model. The results for two of the models showed a large standard deviation of the error measurements which indicates that the results are not entirely reliable.

Gifted children are a forgotten group in the Swedish school context according to earlier research. Swedish teachers need to have more knowledge about gifted children. Several countries have special programs or education for gifted children. Sweden has no national action plan for gifted children, though Skolverket has published several texts about gifted children as information to schools.  A comparative research design is applied in this study. The method in the thesis is comparative, and semi-structured interviews have been conducted. The respondents were principals, teachers and special educators from Thailand and Sweden. The collected data was thematised into three topics: Definitions of gifted children, strategies in education and“dark side” for gifted children.  The data collection was limited due to the Corona-outbreak in the beginning of 2020. However, the result shows there is a difference between how the Thai and Swedish respondents define gifted children. They are fairly consistent in how gifted children can be helped in education. Further knowledge, for researchers and educators in both Thailand and Sweden would improve the education and can help more children to succeed in school.

A new method for assessing the performance of popular image matching algorithms is presented. Specifically, the method assesses the type of images under which each of the algorithms reviewed herein perform to its maximum or highest efficiency. The efficiency is measured in terms of the number of matches founds by the algorithm and the number of type I and type II errors encountered when the algorithm is tested against a specific pair of images. Current comparative studies asses the performance of the algorithms based on the results obtained in different criteria such as speed, sensitivity, occlusion, and others. These studies are an important resource to understand the behavior of the algorithms and their influence on the results obtained. But they do not account for the inherent characteristics of the algorithms that derive the process through which the matching features are evaluated, filtered, and finally selected. Moreover, these methods cannot be used to predict the efficiency or level of accuracy that could be reached by using one algorithm or the other depending on of the type of images. This ability to predict performance becomes handy in situations where time is a limiting factor in a project because it allows one to quickly predict which algorithm will save the most time and resources.

Purpose – This study aims to compare existing certification schemes to the legislation in Sweden to see which measures the best are to ensure the sustainability of Swedish wool when using it as a raw material. Design/methodology/approach - The study follows a qualitative research approach. The comparative analysis research design was chosen as the data analysis method. Data is collected from desktop research and interviews with experts in wool, farmers, and companies working with Swedish wool and certification schemes. Findings - Regarding Swedish animal welfare legislation covers more than the wool certifications. It is suggested to have a certificate for foreign wool as it might not have as strong animal welfare law. The consumer should be educated about animal welfare, social rights, and environmental regulations in Sweden for the legislation to be enough to prove the sustainability of Swedish wool. Research limitations/implications - This study does not include a detailed description of all the existing global wool certifications as not all are relevant in the context of the Swedish market. Only some Swedish legislation about animal welfare and farming practices is included. This research excludes the barriers of the existing Swedish wool SC and the process from raw material to fabric. Practical implications - Swedish wool industry and market can acknowledge the opportunities and barriers connected to the sustainability of wool and consider the right tool to support that. The comparative analysis describes the inputs and challenges of the Swedish legislation and three wool certifications for companies and farmers to decide what is best for them. The study revealed essential aspects for the Swedish wool industry on how they can grow to utilise more wool and have sustainable growth. Originality/value – A comparison between certifications and legislation in Sweden has not been conducted before. It is essential to see the differences and similarities between them to support the growth of the Swedish wool industry. Certifications can bring critical knowledge of the quality and sustainability of the wool. Swedish animal welfare regulations and laws are extensive and more comprehensive than other countries.

From the introduction: Purposes of the problem: The purpose of this study was to obtain a representative sample of public opinion to the three following questions: (1) To what extent is the public informed of certain basic facts pertaining to the workings of the College of the Pacific? (2) What does the public think of the College of the Pacific in certain areas? (3) What does the public expect of the College of the Pacific relative to certain policies and issues? The data of this study were obtained by means of a questionnaire sent to residents of the metropolitan area of Stockton, California, September, 1950.

No description available.

Yes / The literature of guilt in the context of consumer behavior is notably limited. It is particularly limited with respect to examining gender differences across nations. Existing studies have only evaluated gender differences, in terms of consumer guilt, in the United States. In addition, those studies evaluated gender differences in specific consumption situations such as consumer boycotting and food consumption. Thus, they do not give a comprehensive understanding of gender variations in consumer guilt. Notably, gender differences with regard to consumer guilt were shown to be limited in countries other than the United States. These studies provided contradictory results to established findings in social psychology. In view of this, by using quantitative techniques, numerous consumption settings, and samples from two distinct countries, this study provides a holistic assessment of gender differences in consumer guilt across nations. The findings indicate that gender differences, with respect to consumer guilt, are predominately present in individualistic countries and notably absent in collectivist countries. Hence, marketers should consider gender as an influential variable when devising guilt related strategies in individualistic countries. In contrast, marketers may reconsider allocating resources, with respect to gender related marketing strategies, in collectivist countries.

Gordon Binkerd (1916-2003) was an influential and well-known twentieth century composer. While his choral works are renowned worldwide, his piano music is rather unfamiliar to present-day scholars and performers. Binkerd’s Essays for the Piano (1976) is a set of six pieces that was greatly influenced by Brahms’ music. Especially noteworthy is the first piece of the set, titled “Intermezzo,” which is based on Brahms’ “Intermezzo” Op. 118, No. 1. The fact that Binkerd’s compositional procedures allow for a “recasting” of Brahms’ piece in a way that disguises the original source of his work are intriguing and call for further research on the topic. As such, the main purpose of this study is to analyze Binkerd’s modern transcription-style writing, and consequently examine how it incorporates a series of influences and compositional elements from Brahms’ music. This dissertation is divided into five chapters. The first chapter contains a general overview of piano works by Binkerd that incorporate quotations of works by other composers are addressed. These include Five Pieces for Piano, Suite for Piano: Five Fantasies (Nos. 2, 3, and 4), and the Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-3. The second chapter provides an analytical study of the fundamental structure found in Brahms’ Intermezzo, No. 1 from Sechs Klavierstücke, Op. 118 The third chapter equally analyzes the fundamental structure of Binkerd’s “Intermezzo,” No. 1 from Essays for the Piano. The fourth chapter consists of a comparative study of the findings in Chapter 3, as they relate to both Brahms’ and Binkerd’s intermezzi. The fifth and final chapter is a conclusion.

The purpose of this study is to provide an insight into six primary school teachers’ attitudes, ideas and approaches to teaching reading comprehension in Finnish and Swedish schools. In addition, the informants’ reflections on the PISA studies’ results concerning reading comprehension are also included. The study is comparative and based on interviews with primary school teachers in Finland and Sweden. Six teachers, three from a Finish school and three from different Swedish schools, have been interviewed by e-mail. The result shows that on the one hand there are some similarities but also differences both concerning approach and practice. Regarding the reasons why the PISA results differ between the two countries, the informants seem to differ because they have different views on how their colleagues in the other country work and they have no knowledge of each other´s work.