Organizational Climate and Teachers' Job Satisfaction in Residential and Non Residential Schools

The usefulness of teacher perceptual data in school organizational climate and job satisfaction research was illustrated by a study of two selected residential and two non residential schools in Kuala Lumpur. Seven school climate dimensions of mission and goal consensus, empowerment, student support, affiliation, professional interest, resource adequacy and work pressure were assessed by seventy teachers from residential schools and sixty four teachers from non residential schools. Comparisons of school climate in the selected residential and non residential schools revealed statistically significant difference on six dimensions, namely mission and goal consensus, empowerment, student support, affiliation, professional interest and resource adequacy. Teachers in the selected residential schools perceived more positive school environments than teachers in the selected non residential schools. The selected school teachers' job satisfaction were determined by two separate measures of facet specific and facet free job satisfaction. Comparisons of teachers' facet specific job satisfaction in residential and non residential schools revealed no statistically significant difference on teachers' intrinsic, extrinsic and social satisfaction. Nevertheless, comparisons of teachers' facet free job satisfaction in residential and non residential schools revealed statistically significant difference on all the five global measures of occupation satisfaction, occupation expectation satisfaction, present job satisfaction, re-entry and optional retirement decision. Teachers in residential schools were found to be more satisfied with their facet free overall job satisfaction. Analysis for the combined sample revealed that majority of the teachers were satisfied with their social satisfaction; only three out of ten teachers perceived high level of intrinsic satisfaction while seven out of ten teachers were dissatisfied with extrinsic satisfaction. The overall job satisfaction for the combined sample was only at the medium level. This study also revealed that majority of the combined sample only perceived highly of affiliation while the perceptions for empowerment, student support, professional interest, mission and goal consensus, resource adequacy and work pressure dimensions were only at the medium level

Interdependence of ASEAN Business Cycles

This paper examines the interdependence relationship of five ASEAN business cycles, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. We conducted an augmented VAR of Granger non-causality test and discovered that there is strong interdependence among the ASEAN countries under study. Our empirical findings revealed the existence of bi-directional causality among ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia and Singapore. That is to say, economic shocks or policy implementation by any neighbouring countries may be easily transmitted to another

The impact of green fnance on environmental degradation in BRI region

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world, accounting for more than 30% of global GDP and 60% of world population. The economic growth of BRI member countries can be improved signifcantly, attributable to the success‑fulness of the infrastructure projects. The increased economic growth indirectly leads to higher energy consumption and environmental damage. In response to this, the BRI estab‑ lished a new concept and version of the project, namely green BRI. Thus, this study aims to examine if green fnance plays a signifcant role in mitigating environmental degradation in the BRI region. Utilising a Generalised Method of Moments approach, we fnd green fnance is negatively and signifcantly correlated with environmental degradation, suggest‑ing green fnance play an essential role to reduce the deterioration of environmental qual‑ ity, while enhancing economic growth at the same time. In conclusion, BRI member states should continue promoting green fnance by implementing incentive schemes, such as subsidising interest rates for the green loan, reducing corporate tax and establishing green credit guarantee scheme. Besides, in order simultaneously enhance economic growth, pro‑mote sustainability and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, both governments and private sector should work hand in hand to promote green transformation of BRI

Business Cycle in the US and five ASEAN countries: are they related?

Given the inter-country linkages arising from technological advances in communication and transportation, this paper examines the interdependent relationships between the output of the world's largest economy, the U.S, and those of five other ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Based on result of the augmented VAR of the Granger non-causality test, the paper finds a weak interdependence between the U.S and the five ASEAN countries, but a strong interdependence among the ASEAN countries. The empirical findings also revealed bi-directional causality among ASEAN countries especially Malaysia and Singapore. As such, every ASEAN country has to consider the economic developments and policies of other ASEAN countries as their decisions could affect one another

Business cycles in the US and five ASEAN countries : are they related?

Given the inter-country linkages arising from technological advances in communication and transportation, this paper examines the interdependent relationships between the output of the world’s largest economy, the US, and those of five other ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Based on results of the augmented VAR of the Granger non-causality test, the paper finds a weak interdependence between the US and the five ASEAN countries, but a strong interdependence among the ASEAN countries. The empirical findings also revealed bidirectional causality among ASEAN countries especially Malaysia and Singapore. As such, every ASEAN country has to consider the economic developments and policies of other ASEAN countries as their decisions could affect one another.Granger non-causality, augmented-VAR, MWald test, business cycles

Airway 'Resistotypes' and Clinical Outcomes in Bronchiectasis

INTRODUCTION: Application of whole-genome shotgun metagenomics to the airway microbiome in bronchiectasis highlights a diverse pool of antimicrobial resistance genes: the 'resistome', the clinical significance of which remains unclear.METHODS: Individuals with bronchiectasis were prospectively recruited into cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts (n=280) including the international multicentre cross-sectional Cohort of Asian and Matched European Bronchiectasis 2 study (CAMEB 2; n=251) and two independent cohorts, one describing patients experiencing acute exacerbation and a further cohort of patients undergoing P. aeruginosa eradication treatment. Sputum was subjected to metagenomic sequencing and the bronchiectasis resistome evaluated in association with clinical outcomes and underlying host microbiomes.RESULTS: The bronchiectasis resistome features a unique resistance gene profile and elevated counts of aminoglycoside, bicyclomycin, phenicol, triclosan and multi-drug resistance genes. Longitudinally, it exhibits within-patient stability over time and during exacerbations despite between-patient heterogeneity. Proportional differences in baseline resistome profiles including increased macrolide and multi-drug resistance genes associate with shorter intervals to next exacerbation, while distinct resistome archetypes associate with frequent exacerbations, poorer lung function, geographic origin, and the host microbiome. Unsupervised analysis of resistome profiles identified two clinically relevant 'resistotypes' RT1 and RT2, the latter characterized by poor clinical outcomes, increased multi-drug resistance and P. aeruginosa. Successful targeted eradication in P. aeruginosa-colonized individuals mediated reversion from RT2 to RT1, a more clinically favourable resistome profile demonstrating reduced resistance gene diversity.CONCLUSION: The bronchiectasis resistome associates with clinical outcomes, geographic origin, and the underlying host microbiome. Bronchiectasis 'resistotypes' link to clinical disease and are modifiable through targeted antimicrobial therapy.</p