ASPECTS OF CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The 25 year period of transition in newly independent post-USSR states did not bring either of them to a desired target – mid-European level of economy. Against this sad background China represents a unique example of successful economic reforms, which lead to rapid economic development and accelerated increase of leaving standards. In spite of structural and legislative changes, the success of China’s economic reforms was determined by extensive industrialization based on downstream processing of national and imported primary commodities. Privatization in this sector and support of private businesses was expressed by creation of corresponding financial instruments and, first of all, by foundation of commodity exchanges of the global importance. The phase of extensive economic development has not been finished in China yet, however, such extensive development cannot be sustainable for more than 8-10 years, and the greatest challenge for China will be a step-by-step construction of a post-industrial economy and society in coming years. Example of China may show a guideline for the newly independent states: only synergetic amalgamation of, on one hand, a civil society and, on the other hand, sustainable exploitation of national natural resources and downstream processing of national primary commodities may ensure irreversible merging of newly independent states into the civilized world.

THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY LITERACY ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF MEDICAL AND DENTAL STUDENTS AT SHIRAZ UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

The internet, since its advent, has been well embraced and broadly used by students, faculty members and researchers as an information source, and as a tool for collaboration, learning and also a tool for the dissemination of research results. As such the internet is assumed to have a great effect on both the quality and quantity of research and education worldwide. In this regard, many studies have been conducted to know more about the applications and outcomes of the internet in educational fields. This article, in line with previous studies, was an attempt to investigate the impact of students’ computer and information communication technology (ICT) literacy on their academic achievement. According to the results, the Pearson correlation coefficient between students computer grades as a measure of their ICT skill and their grade point averages was (R=0.367, P<=0.01) which shows a positive and significant relationship between these two variables. Adopting a self-evaluation procedure, the students scored themselves low to average, regarding the application of numerous information services available to them on the campus. They additionally self-evaluated their skills in using Microsoft Office products as good. Their knowledge and skill with regard to internet and email services was ranked as very good. The students spent nearly 3 hours a day on different internet activities as follows: internet search (60 minutes), social networks (45 minutes) and electronic mails (30 minutes)

Influence of COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic on international oil markets

At the beginning of the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic, the oil market was crushed. In this period, the oil market was correlated with COVID-19 coronavirus world infection cases: more infected cases resulted in low oil prices, and the negative correlation between these two indices was very strong. Different factors determined the increase in both crude oil price and the number of oil futures contracts after April 20. Firstly, oil prices were driven by the coronavirus mortality rate, rather than by the absolute number of infection cases. The decisive driver for oil prices in the medium-term became pandemic development trends, instead of the actual epidemiological situation. This statement is proven by the statistical regression model of the interdependence between oil prices and COVID-19 coronavirus world mortality rate. Secondly, a gradual stable decrease in the coronavirus world mortality rate created an environment for the gradual restart of the world economy. Thirdly, the coronavirus mortality rate analysis provides investors with tangible guidelines to assess the medium-term sustainability of futures markets and, therefore, to elaborate investment strategies. Fourthly, after April 20, the oil market gradually achieved equilibrium, which is proven by a restored correlation between oil prices and the Euro-to-U.S. Dollar exchange rate. Three-month tendencies provide tangible guidelines for an optimistic forecast of the oil the market and maritime tanker business for the end of 2020 and all of 2021. So long as a new wave of COVID-19 does not dramatically increase mortality rates, the oil and maritime tanker trade market will regain the equilibrium it lost at the end of Januar