Introduction

Nowadays, a variety of forecasting methods are used by different organizations. In actuality, it is hardly possible to speak about the most efficient or less efficient. Nonetheless, it should be pointed out that among the variety of methods there are some which are widely spread but are still not deprived of certain drawbacks as well as advantages. At the same time, it is necessary to realize that regardless their advantages or drawbacks forecasting methods are essential and practically each method is unique though some common features may be traced as well.

Time series methods

Among the most popular forecasting methods, it is possible to single out the group of methods that are traditionally referred to as time series methods. Basically, these methods attempt to understand time series, often to understand the underlying theory of the data points, or what is particularly important to make forecasts. Continue reading →

Introduction

Speaking about a monopoly I should clarify the concept of monopoly itself. What does it mean? According to Oxford Wordpower dictionary,  ‘Monopoly is a company or an organization that controls the industry’.

So it means a monopolistic (exceptional) activity or right that is concentrated in a certain sphere. As soon as you become the actual owner of market, you acquire possibility to dictate terms and especially price. That is why discounts are no longer needed. So it is rather hard to survive in a fight with a giant. Therefore you are able to hold a high price, ignoring the laws of open market. In addition, you have no need to care about permanent perfection of technology; you do not even need to support quality at former level. Continue reading →

Basically, TechSmart.com.kw can be divided into several units which may be viewed as separate business but their effectiveness increases substantially as they are united in one company.

First of all, it is possible to speak about the distribution unit which actually searches for the newest products and serves as an intermediary between producers and TechSmart.com.kw. Another unit is focused directly on sales of the electronics and other products the distribution units supplies for the company. Furthermore, it is possible to single out the shipping unit which deals with the delivery of the products sold by the company to customers. It is extremely important that the company has an IT unit which deals with all IT applied in the website and the company at large, it also provides the company security as well as the security of private information of customers. Finally, it is possible to single out the advertising and PR unit which deals with the promotion of the company and products it offers to customers as well as with public relations of the company. Continue reading →

Introduction

Nowadays such concepts as project, project manager and project management have become rather widely used in business to describe a set of special activities, an occupation or a process. Despite of the fact that the majority of people have heard about these three notions, not everybody understands their meanings. Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to relate the notion pf “project” with the notion of “management”. It is clear that project management is a process, but what kind of process is it? What steps does a person who manages the project (a project manager) has to take in order to reach a success? All of this may remain unclear unless a person faces project management very closely. Continue reading →

Introduction

The capacity to distinguish oneself from others is one of the most significant cognitive abilities, which separate humans from other living creatures. People should distinguish themselves from the surrounding to operate effectively in the world. This process is a prior mechanism of human functioning, but it has been very little studied until recent time. Only few decades ago the scientists linked self-recognition with the operation of the brain. The study of the patients with split-brain can shed light on the problem of self-recognition.

Split-brain operation over humans gave new data in question of double consciousness. Empirical data received during experiments didn’t let drop one definite conclusion and gave birth to multiple theories about the split mind. Some specialists state that all humans have one mind and patients with split-brain have two ones. Roland Puccetti became famous with his statement that all people who have separated hemispheres have two brains. Dennett rejects this thesis and gives his alternative interpretation. He developed his own “multiple drafts” model of consciousness. Continue reading →

Introduction

Nowadays, the demographic situation in many countries of the world is considered to be critical to the extent that often it is estimated that the continuous deterioration of the demographic situation may lead to a profound crisis affecting practically all spheres of human life. It should be pointed out that many developed countries have a similar trend to the gradual but stable decline of birth rates that inevitably affects the demographic situation in these countries. What is more important the similar trends have started to grow in developing countries which were traditionally characterized by the high level of birth rates. In this respect, Asian region was traditionally considered to be the most densely populated area of the world. This is why many people may presumably think that the low birth rate is not the problem of the region.

Moreover, the overpopulation resulting from the high level of the birth rate was considered the major demographic problem of the region. However, in actuality, the demographic situation in some countries of the region is really quite difficult and the reason is the low birth rates.
At the same time, the current low birth rates in such countries as Japan and Australia only proves the general global trend typical for well-developed countries. Continue reading →

Today dying has become much more problematical than it used to be in the past. Centuries ago people died at home of illnesses that could not be cured by medicine. Nowadays the modern technology has created alternatives for terminal patients and their families; these alternatives raise fundamental questions about social poise and what is natural and good death. That as well built an issue of having the right not only to live but also to die. Most people die in hospitals where the doctors make an effort to keep patients alive even if there is only the slightest chance of recovery. For some people it is perfect because they want to fight off death as long as possible. Others, when faced with incurable illnesses, may conclude that there is no point to fight anymore. Continue reading →

There is a very popular term nowadays – “echo generation” – a generation of young people, between 2 and 27, who are the first to grow up with computers and the Internet. In fact, the interactive computer and video games that are based on the digital computer technology are one of the most important peculiarities of the “new” advanced generation. Some people nowadays use video games, to transport them away from the real world that oppresses, discriminates upsets them. By doing that they create a fantasy world in which they can forget their problems and pressures. What is different about this leisure activity of the 21st century is that when people watched or read, everything they got involved with was happening in their imagination. However, video games players are actively involved in the game, involved to the extent that they simply make the game a part of their real life. Continue reading →

Legal, moral, and ethical controversies happen often in health care. Recently the world media reported the legal case where the parents of 18-month-old boy with a terminal muscle-wasting disease expected to die within a year appealed to the court in order to stop the doctors from turning off the ventilator necessary to sustain his life. The baby “cannot breathe for himself, has to be fed through a tube, and can only move his eyebrows, feet, and fingers very slightly.” (CNN, 2005, para.2)

The doctors’ argued that his life was intolerable, while the parent opposed this claim by stating that the critter was still capable of enjoying communication with his parents.

The judge James Holman of the High Court in London said the following when explaining his decision in favour of the parents’ plea to leave the baby alive: Continue reading →