Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2006. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-39). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The diploma thesis deals with fundamental share analyss in order to propose a variant of investing in shares of selected gold mining companies. The subject is macroeconomic analysis of the environment in which selected gold mining companies operate, gold industry analysis and company analysis comprising evaluation of the development of corporate indicators and their issued shares. On the basis of these analyzes ind inter-company comparison, the most profitable options will be proposed to the management of the hedge fund.

This dissertation focuses on the development, characterization, and analysis of luminescent materials and coatings for sensing applications, including CO2, heavy metals, and silver. Chapter 2 involves the use of a gold(I) pyrazolate trimer that is able to detect silver ions with an AgNP medium. Detection of silver is vital, because there is an influx of silver into our environment caused by the increased use of AgNP. Therefore, having a sensor that is able to differentiate between and detect only Ag ions is an important first step to solving the toxicity mystery of AgNPs. Chapter 3 focuses on the development of sensor coatings containing a Eu(III) based luminescent system for sensing dissolved CO2 without the aid of an absorption-based dye. It is well-known that monitoring CO2 levels in our environment is important since even at low concentrations it can cause adverse health effects to the human body. This work demonstrates a pH-sensitive Eu complex being used directly as a CO2 sensor without the aid of any other absorption-based dye. Chapter 4 explores the idea of developing a heavy metal sensor for lead and its ability to detect lead in wide concentration range upon changing the pH of the medium and the polymer matrix. Different heavy metals have toxicity at different concentrations, therefore, being able to change the dynamic range of the sensor is advantageous. This research is the first step towards developing a luminescent Pb sensor with a tunable dynamic range.

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The goal of this diploma thesis is to analyze the gold market and provide readers with the necessary information and context having an impact on the price of gold. The thesis consists of three chapters. First one deals in general with the commodity market and introduces the readers to commodity exchange issues such as trading commodities in commodity exchanges, motives of commodity trading as well as the specific characteristics of commodities. Second one concerns the detailed analysis of commodity investment tools that investors might use when they feel like getting an exposure to price movements of commodities. The last chapter gears towards an analysis of the gold market in today's super globalized world and depicts what fundamental factors have an impact on the price of gold. At last, I shall summarize existing pieces of knowledge and cast light on further gold price movements.