O presente trabalho buscou verificar aspectos relacionados ao (re)aproveitamento e agregação de valor, analisando a viabilidade técnica e de investimento em processos de coloração artificial do “basalto carijó” (riodacito) utilizando efluentes dos processos de tingimento inorgânico vermelho de ágata. Para isto foram inicialmente buscadas e descritas informações acerca das cadeias produtivas da ágata e do basalto e processos de beneficiamento destas, bem como de processos de impregnação industrialmente utilizados. A partir das informações obtidas foi iniciado o ciclo de ensaios e análises, dividido em três fases. Todos os ensaios realizados tiveram como objetivo, além do tingimento da rocha, o desenvolvimento de processos ambientalmente sustentáveis. Na primeira fase, dada a falta de informações sobre processos de impregnação em rochas ou materiais idênticos, foram utilizados processos de simples imersão, sob vácuo e/ou pressão. O primeiro ensaio foi estabelecido aleatoriamente e os subsequentes programados a partir da análise visual dos resultados obtidos nos anteriores. Na segunda fase, considerando a baixa influência verificada pelas cargas de pressão e vácuo utilizadas anteriormente, optou-se pela utilização de aquecimento de 90ºC durante os ensaios – processo baseado nos utilizados para o tingimento da ágata – tendo, diferentemente da primeira fase, todos os ensaios seus parâmetros de execução previamente estabelecidos. Nestes, foram obtidos resultados mais ágeis e melhores no que tange a alteração de cor. Após a realização dos processos de tingimento, as amostras foram serradas, para a verificação da possível impregnação do efluente, e, posteriormente, uma das metades de cada amostra levada à queima em forno sob temperatura de 200ºC durante 8 horas – processo também baseado nos utilizados para o tingimento da ágata. Na terceira fase, buscando a minimização da possibilidade de volatilização do efluente e da impregnação deste na rocha – não verificada nas amostras serradas na segunda fase de ensaios – foi reduzida para 40ºC a temperatura de aquecimento utilizada durante os processos e aumentados os tempos de exposição das amostras ao pigmentante. Também nesta fase foram utilizados efluentes provenientes de lotes com diferentes concentrações de Fe para a verificação da influência desta nos resultados. Ao final, também foram serradas e queimadas as amostras. Os resultados obtidos em cada ensaio foram digitalmente registrados para análise quantitativa utilizando padrão H (matiz), S (saturação) e B (brilho). Tecnicamente, após a análise quantitativa, foram verificados melhores resultados nos processos desenvolvidos na fasedois (sob 90ºC) sendo, a partir destes desenvolvida análise de investimento para ambas as indústrias envolvidas – ágata e basalto. Bons resultados foram obtidos na análise de investimento para a indústria de beneficiamento de ágata a partir dos valores de mercado utilizados como parâmetros. Já para a indústria de beneficiamento do basalto o impacto do custo de contratação dos serviços de tingimento junto à indústria da ágata determinou a inviabilidade de investimento no processo. / This study aimed to verify aspects concerning to (re)use and appreciation, analyzing the technical and the investment feasibility in artificial processes to dye "Basalto Carijó" (rhyodacite) using effluent from dyeing processes of inorganic red agate. Initially are described and sought information about supply chains and beneficiation processes of production chains agate and basalt, as well as impregnation processes industrially used. From the information obtained was started the three stages of experimentation and analysis. All trials were designed, to beyond the dyeing of the rocks, to advance in environmentally sustainable processes. In the first stage, given the lack of information about impregnation process on rocks or identical materials, simple immersion processes were used under vacuum and / or pressure. The first trial was randomly established and the subsequent programmes was starting from the visual analysis of the results obtained in the precedents. In the second stage, considering the low influence verified by loads of pressure and vacuum used previously, we opted for the use of heating of 90 ° C during the trials - based process used in for dyeing agate - having, unlike the first phase, all trials was previously established. Better, with respect to color change, and more agile results were obtained in these experiments. After completion of the dyeing process, the samples were sawn, to check the possible impregnation of the effluent, and subsequently one half of each sample was burned oven at a temperature of 200 ° C for 8 hours - process also based in used to dyeing agate. In the third phase, seeking to minimize the possibility of volatilization of the wastewater and soak this in the rock - not observed in samples sawn in the second phase of trials - was reduced to 40 ° C heating temperature used during the procedure and was increased the time of exposure the samples to the colorant. Also at this stage effluents from batches with different concentrations of Fe to verify the influence of the results were used. At the end, were also burnt the halves of the sawn samples. The results obtained in each experiment were digitally recorded for quantitative analysis using H (hue), S (saturation) and B (brightness) standard colours. Technically, after the quantitative analysis, the best results on the processes developed in phase two (under 90) being developed from these investment analysis for both industries involved have been checked. Good results were obtained in the analysis of investment industry for beneficiation agate from the market values used as parameters. As for the processing industry Basalt the impact of the cost of hiring the services of dyeing with the agate industry determined the impracticability of investment in the process.

Fluctuations in the stock market through economic crises, risks of deflation and liquidity traps are critical in the analysis of risk, which cause discrepancies in the execution of a particular scope in the equities market. The crisis in subprime insolvency in 2007/2008 which had a major impact on financial markets founded further discussions in relation to risk control in the decision making of investors. In the stock market risk analysis seeks to assist the investor in making decisions, for it makes use of statistical methods and tools to try to predict market movements. Based on these and previous statements in order to assist investors in making decisions through an economic crisis, this is an exploratory study aimed to develop and train two neural networks with differentiated learning without the problem of "black box" methods to compare which of the two has better forecast in periods of economic crisis. As input variables for the neural networks used the return of the volume of weekly Ibovespa in the period 12/08/2002 to 30/05/2011 and a setup developed from the Elliott Wave Theory. That is, these two neural networks were developed, trained and validated to predict market movements when it presents oscillations from an economic crisis. As mentioned earlier to validate the study compared the power of explanation of two methods before a point of probable attack. We conclude, therefore, that the analogy made for the creation of the theory of Elliott wave theory of psychological behavior of the masses and the Fibonacci sequence proved unable to provide for oscillations of the market in a series corresponding to an economic crisis. It was concluded, too, that neural networks with unsupervised learning using temporal variables as input variables has a higher prediction in training, but lower than most crucial step in the validation of systems. / As oscilações no mercado acionário por meio de crises econômicas, riscos de deflação e armadilhas de liquidez são pontos críticos na análise de risco, que ocasionam discrepâncias na execução de um determinado escopo no mercado de renda variável. A crise da inadimplência do subprime em 2007/2008 que obteve uma das maiores repercussões nos mercados financeiros fundou novas discussões em relação ao controle de risco na tomada de decisão do investidor. No mercado acionário, a análise de risco busca auxiliar o investidor na tomada de decisões, para isso utiliza-se de ferramentas e métodos estatísticos para tentar predizer os movimentos do mercado. Com base nestas afirmações anteriores e com o intuito de auxiliar o investidor na tomada de decisão mediante a uma crise econômica, este trabalho, do tipo exploratório, objetivou-se desenvolver e treinar duas redes neurais com aprendizados diferenciados sem o problema da caixa preta dos métodos a fim de comparar quais das duas tem melhor previsão em períodos de crises econômicas. Como variáveis de entrada para as redes neurais utilizou-se o retorno do volume semanais do Ibovespa no período de 12/08/2002 até 30/05/2011 e um setup desenvolvido a partir da Teoria das Ondas de Elliott. Ou seja, estas duas redes neurais foram desenvolvidas, treinadas e validadas para antever os movimentos do mercado quando este apresentar oscilações provenientes de uma crise econômica. Como mencionado anteriormente para validar o estudo, foi comparado o poder de explicação dos dois métodos, antes de um ponto de uma provável crise. Conclui-se, portanto, que a analogia feita para a criação da teoria das ondas de Elliott entre a teoria do comportamento psicológico das massas e a seqüência de Fibonacci se mostrou incapaz de prever oscilações do mercado em uma série correspondente a uma crise econômica. Conclui-se, também, que redes neurais com aprendizados não supervisionados que utilizam variáveis temporais como variáveis de entrada tem a previsão superior no treinamento, mas inferiores na etapa mais determinante a validação das redes.

The focus for this research project was on the use of technology in bridging a perceived gap in sport psychology. This gap is present between the three main contexts in which sport psychology is practised, namely the individual consultancy, the lecture hall and the sports field. These contexts are removed from one another due to cost implications, time constraints and distance challenges. I propose that by using technology, in the form of video-taping athletes, these challenges can be overcome. Thus leading to better service delivery by sport psychologists on the one hand and more fulfilled and informed clients on the other. An example of this, in a practical situation, is this research project done with the golfers of the Tshwane University of Technology Golf Academy (TUTGA). Six of these golfers were video-taped while playing a round of golf. Then they were interviewed individually, using narrative practice interviewing techniques, about their experiences on the course. Lastly they were interviewed in a group session so as to ascertain how they experienced being video-taped on the course and how they experienced the use of video technology in the sport psychology process. Copyright 2007, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bezuidenhout, T 2007, Bridging the sport psychology gap in golf, MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09302008-132016 / > E1115/ag / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

First part of this graduation theses "Fundamental and technical analysis of the Telefonica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. equity" concern more about the teoretical approach of the characteristics of the company Telefonica O2, his competitors on the country level as well as on the regional level. This description should prepare the reader to know better the telecomunication sector. The second part is a empirical study. Primarily from the fundamental approach and then from the technical one. These two parts concern about discovering the "buy" os "sell" recommendation for a real investor. Each of the methods are first described and then a brief comment of the results is made.

The aim of the thesis is testing of created investment strategies on American capital market. The beginning of the thesis is devoted to the explanation of principles of Walk-forward optimalization, description of tested time period and shares and other starting points of the thesis. Afterwards several tools of technical analysis are used to create two trading systems, which are then tested. The final part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis of results of both trading system and to suggestions, which could improve both trading systems performance.

This thesis has two main objectives. It attempts to describe the process of developing an intraday discretionary trading strategy based on technical analysis and to create through the process an intraday discretionary strategy for speculative trading of contracts for difference on the OTC market. The theoretical part of the thesis is divided into three chapters providing the necessary knowledge for creation of an intraday discretionary trading strategy in the practical part of the thesis. The emphasis is put on the description of different tools and methods technical traders usually use in their strategies. The development process of the strategy is divided into three parts which are Strategy Creation, Backtest and Optimization. These parts are further divided into smaller sections dealing with different issues of the strategy development process. The final outcome of the work is structured development process of discretionary trading strategies and also highly profitable intraday discretionary strategy for trading of Gold based contracts for difference.

Diploma thesis focuses on the practical methods and application of technical analysis in international markets. Thesis is divided in three thematic parts. The first one focuses on the history and basic concepts of international exchange markets, futures contracts and the definition of basic terms which are essential for understanding the markets. Second part focuses on the methods of technical analysis which can be divided in two sections -- technical indicators and price action. All mentioned instruments are shown in real market data and charts. Third part focuses on the application of technical analysis in a chosen international market. The application goes through our trading system which combines appropriate technical indicators with price action formation supplemented by methods of money management. Several simulations were made on tested real historical data. The simulations differed in money management settings (automated stoploss tracking, Kelly's formula, Fixed ratio). To find the worst possible trading scenario was used Monte Carlo analysis.

The main goal of this thesis is to properly apply the methods and approaches of these two concepts of valuing stocks. Fundamental and technical analysis are the most common ways to value stocks. In the first part of the text, I present the theoretical background of fundamental analysis and aftewards apply its methods in practice. The whole analysis comes from global analysis of the economy and its relations to capital markets to banking industry analysis and firm analysis in the end. Technical analysis comprises two basic fields - charting and technical indicators. Upon the practical application of both concepts, I present the final recommendation for investors.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the foreign exchange currency forecasting techniques. Moreover the central idea behind the topic is to develop the strategy of forecasting by choosing indicators and techniques to make own forecast on currency pair EUR/USD. This thesis work is a mixture of theory and practice analyses. The goal during the work on this project was to study different types of forecasting techniques and make own forecast, practice forecasting and trading on Forex platform, based on acquired knowledge.

Diploma thesis deals with the creation of an automated trading system for foreign exchange market with the usage of artificial intelligence and elements of technical analysis. In the custom solution design a brokerage company for trading and backtesting is selected with the help of fuzzy logic. For selecting currency pairs for backtesting the strategy on is used method of clustering called self-organizing map. The particular ATS is created in MetaTrader4 platform with the usage of a programming language MQL4 and a FANN library for creating artificial neural networks.