Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Confucianism and work ethic - introducing the ReVaMB model

We explore the relationship between Confucian values and the “Western” concept of Work Ethic, and introduce our ReVaMB model, Relative Values and Moderated Behavior, as a framework for study. We draw from established models of the link between beliefs and behavior, and argue that current measures of values and beliefs in isolation (normative measures) are insufficient to understand choices of alternative behaviors. But it is the relative importance of potentially competing values (ipsative measures), within the context of particular situations, that affect behavior. We demonstrate the ReVaMB model as a template for understanding Confucian values and work ethic, and conclude with examples of how existing measures of different values and behavioral constructs can be turned into relative measures.28 page(s

Personality biases of accounting students: Some implications for learning style preferences

This paper reviews the evidence of a Myers‐Briggs personality type bias for accounting students, A survey of a sample of accounting majors in three Australian universities supports the overseas evidence that there appears to be a strong tendency for accounting students to have common preferences on three of the four Myers‐Briggs dimensions. The findings of this research suggest that while significant diversity is still evident, there is a bias in the Myers‐Briggs personality profiles of accounting students towards preferences for sensation over intuition, thinking over feeling, and judgment over perception. Research in psychology and education has shown that different Myers‐Briggs personality preferences are associated with significant differences in how people prefer to learn, and the types of learning experiences under which they perform best, that is personality types are associated with distinct learning styles. These outcomes suggest that accounting educators should cater to the variety of personality types among their students by adopting a diversified teaching approach. Such an approach should provide a balance of learning experiences and teaching strategies by attempting to challenge the weaknesses of the personality bias of accounting students in the intuition, feeling and perception areas, and building upon their strengths in the sensation, thinking and judgment areas

Relationship marketing in Australian professional sport: an extension of the Shani Model

The value and benefits of relationship marketing to sport practitioners have been observed in the literature for more than a decade. In spite of this, little empirical research has been reported to examine the uptake of this approach or the means by which it is implemented. This paper reports the findings of qualitative, case study research into the uptake and application of relationship marketing principles by sport organizations. The findings are couched in terms of the Shani model, which is extended into an Australian context. Results indicate that while practitioners are cognizant of the workings of relationship marketing, there is some reluctance to embrace and apply these principles

Effectiveness of telescopic advertisements delivered via personal video recorders

Purpose - Assess whether a new type of TV advertising format, telescopic advertising, results in increased advertising effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach - Reports on how personal video recorders (PVRs) are generally regarded as being detrimental to consumer exposure to advertisements. Suggests that PVRs may result in new models of advertising, including 'telescopic' advertising that allows consumers to access additional audio-visual advertising content on demand. Features a study conducted in Australia examining the potential effectiveness of telescopic advertising by comparing it with two traditional advertising formats (the 30-second commercial and the long-format commercial). Drawing on a relevant literature review to present a number of hypotheses that were tested on 154 students at an Australian university. Findings - Puts forward how the telescopic advertising was found to be more effective than both forms of traditional advertising; outlines how it was more effective with regard to attitude towards the advertisement, brand and the behavioural intentions of consumers toward the brand. Measure whether novelty effected the findings; student sample. Originality/value - Provides evidence that telescopic advertising makes consumers more likely to buy the advertised product