Long-Range Autocorrelations of CpG Islands in the Human Genome

In this paper, we use a statistical estimator developed in astrophysics to study the distribution and organization of features of the human genome. Using the human reference sequence we quantify the global distribution of CpG islands (CGI) in each chromosome and demonstrate that the organization of the CGI across a chromosome is non-random, exhibits surprisingly long range correlations (10 Mb) and varies significantly among chromosomes. These correlations of CGI summarize functional properties of the genome that are not captured when considering variation in any particular separate (and local) feature. The demonstration of the proposed methods to quantify the organization of CGI in the human genome forms the basis of future studies. The most illuminating of these will assess the potential impact on phenotypic variation of inter-individual variation in the organization of the functional features of the genome within and among chromosomes, and among individuals for particular chromosomes

Cross-National Comparison of Export Promotion Services: The Views of Canadian and Austrian Companies

Export promotion systems in Canada and Austria are contrasted and their services evaluated from a company perspective. The Canadian system is government-based, while the Austrian one operates in the private sector. Apart from the philosophy under which these export support systems operate, they differ also in strategic orientation. A survey of stratified samples of exporters in Canada (271) and Austria (312) shows significant differences in perceived usefulness of services given similar exporters needs. Companies desire more tailored support as well as greater involvement of private sector institutions which are not currently providing export support. Overall, Austrian companies appear more inclined to use export support and generally seem more willing to acquire exporting know-how externally compared to Canadian firms. Conclusions are offered with respect to improving the respective export promotion systems.© 1991 JIBS. Journal of International Business Studies (1991) 22, 115–133

Australia's export promotion program: Is it effective?

Government-supported national trade promotion programs are common around the world and universal in industrialized economies. The philosophy behind such schemes is that increased exports will add to employment in a nation, they will improve the availability of foreign exchange, offer the opportunity for local firms to generate economies of scale and deliver related spin-off effects such as the transfer of technology and management knowledge from export destinations. The article first reviews the research-based attempts to evaluate export promotion programs (EPP's) world wide and the associated problems. It then looks at the development of export promotion programs in Australia. Some recently collected data relevant to the issue is presented and comments made on the implications of this data. The article finishes with a discussion of the Australian EPP situation, implications for other countries and some ideas for future research in this important area