The aim of this thesis is to analyse the current situation on the precious metals market, above all of gold and silver, as metals with an interesting past and future. The result should be a current view of both markets and their unique differences. The first part is devoted to the characteristics of gold and silver, their utilisation and outlook of new applications as a consequence of developing industrial branches in the new millennium. The second part is a more detailed view of the market and an analysis of the aspect of supply and demand of both theese metals and differences that influence their price. The third part brings together the main factors shaping this market and introduces some indicators eligible to watch these markets. The conclusion presents an evaluation of the discussed conclusions in a broader perspective.

This master thesis deals with issue of trade on commodity market, especially the gold. It uses the artificial intelligence resources, more accurate non-linear auregressive neural network. The purpose is the prediction of the gold prices by indicators which has impact on the gold.

This thesis deals with guided self-assembly of gold nanoparticles from their colloidal solutions onto silicon substrates and possible employment of nanoparticles for detection of biomolecules. It was found that by adjustment of solution pH and surface chemistry modification by means of electron beam irradiation it is possible to facilitate nanoparticle deposition to patterns with almost single particle precision. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was then employed in analysis of self-assembled layers of nanoparticles and its combination with a theory of effective medium approximation has proven the ability to assess nanoparticle dimensions and volume fractions. By experiments with thiolated oligonucleotides it has been shown that using ellipsometry one can detect even with very subtle changes in nanoparticle environment caused by biomolecules, thus promising its possible use in the field of biodetection.

This diploma thesis deals with Czech portrait medals in the past and present. The aim was to map Czech medal portrait work from its origins in the Renaissance to the present. At the beginning, the work is focused on the precious metals from which the medals are made, gold and silver. The history of gold and silver is included in the theory. The concepts of numismatics or commemorative medals made of gold and silver as investment preservation of real value are clarified. We were interested in the overall artistic process of producing portrait medal into the final product. The historical development of medals in the Czech lands followed. In each period, important artists, medalists, and their work are mentioned. All chapters contain pictorial materials. The practical part is devoted to all existing mintages of Karel Gott, which is a unique medal investment. Along with him, contemporary medal artists are characterized in more detail. In the end, the first findings about the portrait medal are summarized. The work brings an overall view of portrait medal work. Medal making represents a specific area of fine and sculptural art. It is an artistic artifact that reflects our history. KEYWORDS medal, gold, silver, portrait medal, commemorative medal, numismatics, art mintage, collecting

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.

This master thesis, Analysis and Influences of Fundamental news on Gold Prices deals with macroeconomic variables that drive the price of gold. This paper is divided into three chapters: Possible investment forms in gold, Fundamental analysis of commodities, and lastly Analysis of impact of strong economies and their influence on gold prices. In the first chapter, emphasis is put on the Efficient Market Theory that plays an important role in success or failure of investment strategies such as technical and fundamental analysis. The second chapter illustrates the Commitment of Traders (COT) report and how it is used as a tool to predict the movement of gold prices. This chapter also discusses other large drivers effecting gold prices such as financial and geopolitical stability, inflation, interest rates, Central Banking operations, the value of the US dollar, and other influences. The final chapter analyzes the impact of announced fundamental news in the United States, China, and Europe on the price of gold. The empirical part of this paper analysis the impact of announced fundamental news in United States, China and Europe on gold prices. With the use of the linear regression method, we can test whether the macroeconomic variables significantly influence the return on gold investments immediately after their announcement, or over long periods of time. If this new public data was calculated into gold prices directly, investors would not be able to achieve additional returns by using fundamental analysis. The major findings are summed up at the end of the last chapter.

This thesis focuses on the process of nanoparticle generation using new source of nonthermal plasma combining corona and pin-hole discharge in liquids. The theoretical part is focused on generation of metallic nanoparticles using various types of plasma discharge, the properties of metallic nanoparticles, their preparation by other methods and methods of characterization of nanoparticles. The experimental part deals with the preparation of copper, silver and gold nanoparticles from solutions of their precursors. The influence of experimental conditions, such as the influence of voltage polarity, effect of precursor concentration, effect of added electrolyte or reducing agent were investigated. All samples were analyzed by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine the sice of nanoparticles. To confirm the presence of nanoparticles, samples were analyzed using scanning microscope with and energy dispersion spectrometer for elemental analysis.

This project deals with historical precious metals price development as gold, silver, platinum and palladium in connection to analysis of the precious metals investment benefits. There are discussed international market prices and retail prices as well. There is also mentioned the issue of price structure from the premium and other costs point of view, including possible risks coupled with investment. Approximated are also basic terms and forms of investment metals, alternative options of precious metals investment as well. The project also includes the issue of tax investment aspects and other advantages connected to it. Further there is indicated medial disinformation criticism and insufficient legal support for customers investing to the precious metals.

Precious metal - gold, is perceived as a safety and is used to secure investment at the time of nervousness in the global market. However, the only small part is usually inset into world funds. Qualified (hedge) funds can be managed completely differently. Diploma thesis solves which way and how the qualified investor funds can include the gold into portfolio. The work takes all instruments on gold suitable for investing and analyzes their basic characteristics and differences.

(EN) The presented dissertation thesis summarizes the results contained in five original research papers that were published in prestigious international scientific journals in the field of analytical chemistry and atomic spectrometry. It is devoted to the method of generation of volatile compounds using a tetrahydroborate reaction and detection in a quartz multiatomizer by atomic absorption spectrometry. The thesis can be divided into two thematic parts - speciation analysis of arsenic based on hydride generation technique with collection and separation in a cryogenic trap and generation of volatile species of transition metals. In the first thematic part pre-reduction of pentavalent inorganic and methylated arsenicals has been studied. A simple setup for on-line pre-reduction employing thioglycolic acid as a fast pre-reductant has been developed, connected with a current hydride generator and applied/verified to oxidation state specific arsenic speciation analysis of human urine samples. In the same method the possibility of drying the gaseous phase from water vapor has been investigated to avoid incidental blocking the cryogenic trap by frozen water and to decrease fluctuations of signal baseline. Pronounced losses of methylated species have been discovered on Nafion tube dryer currently used in...