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The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 tested the U.S. financial leadership, while at the same time it sent a beam of hope to many emerging countries in finding ways to shoulder the global financial leadership. The major idea behind this article is to demonstrate and critically assess the possibility of emerging economies reshaping the future financial system. I use Shanghai and Dubai to discern the meaning of a government-supported international financial center project. This article first assesses the challenge of the current financial turmoil in relation to financial globalization. Second, I illustrate the efforts of Shanghai and Dubai-both before and after the financial crisis-in the establishment of an international financial center with a view of the challenges facing the current financial system. Finally, I endeavor to draw some parallels/differences of the responses or measures taken by the countries that were affected by the financial crisis in Asia in 1997 to examine the possibility and shortcomings of government-backed financial policy in connection with the global financial architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free circulating DNA is present in the plasma of healthy subjects, and is elevated in conditions characterized by increased cell death, such as cancer and physical trauma. Analysis of circulating DNA in plasma could provide a useful biomarker in sickle cell disease (SCD) in view of the increased cell turnover through chronic ongoing haemolysis, recurrent vaso-occlusion and inflammation. Plasma DNA was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the β-globin gene ( HBB) in 154 patients with SCD [105 haemoglobin (Hb)SS, 46 HbSC and three HbS/ β0 thalassaemia] and 53 ethnically matched controls. Blood samples were obtained from all patients in steady state; 21 of the 154 patients were also sampled during admission to hospital for acute pain. Median concentration of circulating plasma DNA in acute pain was more than 10-fold that in steady state and in controls – 10070 vs. 841 and 10070 vs. 933 genome equivalents/ml respectively ( P < 0·0001, in both cases). During steady state, patients had plasma DNA levels similar to controls. Plasma DNA levels in SCD correlated with C-reactive protein levels ( P < 0·005) and total white cell counts ( P < 0·05) in steady state. The study shows that plasma DNA concentration may have potential as a biomarker in sickle cell patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A structured telephone reference check (STRC) was developed to assess three job-relevant personality/interpersonal dimensions (Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, customer focus) for a family of entry-level, customer-contact jobs within a service organization. The procedure was designed to be brief (a 10-15 minute telephone call with each referee) and easy to administer by untrained recruitment staff. Confirmatory factor analyses on referee ratings for 223 applicants indicated that referees were able to adequately discriminate between dimensions of applicants' past performance. A predictive, criterion-related validation study on those applicants who were hired demonstrated that the STRC predicted supervisory ratings of job performance (r = .25, p < .01, uncorrected; .36 corrected for range restriction and criterion unreliability). No evidence was found that referees with shorter working relationships with applicants provided less valid ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to use the shark fin business in Hong Kong as a case to illustrate its challenge to international sustainability and global environmental governance. Regarding the commercial fishing of sharks and the degradation of the species, the paper begins with a survey of characteristics of sharks in the world and the responses from the international environmental agents. The authors will then detail their statistical findings, together with interviews with the shark fin manufacturers in Hong Kong. Their study began in 1999 and the statistical data ran from 1977 to 2001. Finally, the so-called ‘foodway’ in the consumption of shark fin will be discussed with a view to the international concerns over endangered species in general and sharks in particular. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which identified different forms of self-other ratings disagreement (S-ORD) that are detectable through the use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Difference in factor form; Difference in factor loadings; Difference in random measurement error.