Using a newly developed data set, we analyze the effects of infrastructure investment on economic performance in Portugal. A vector-autoregressive approach estimates the elasticity and marginal products of twelve types of infrastructure investment on private investment, employment, and output. We find that the largest long-term accumulated effects come from investments in railroads, ports, airports, health, education, and telecommunications. For these infrastructures, the output multipliers suggest that these investments pay for themselves through additional tax revenues. For investments in ports, airports and education infrastructures, the bulk of the effects are short-term demand-side effects, while for railroads, health, and telecommunications, the impact is mostly of a long-term and supply-side nature. Finally, investments in health and airports exhibit decreasing marginal returns, with railroads, ports, and telecommunications being relatively stable. In terms of the other infrastructure assets, the economic effects of investments in municipal roads, electricity and gas, and refineries are insignificant, while investments in national roads, highways, and waste and waste water have positive economic effects but too small to improve the public budget. Clearly, from a policy perspective, not all infrastructure investments in Portugal are created equal.

In the current context of China’s vigorous development of its high-speed rail (HSR) network to accelerate the realization of connectivity, which is the aim of the “Belt and Road” initiative, it is crucial to study how the specific opening of HSR enhances enterprise human capital investment efficiency. Using a multiple-time-point difference-in-differences (DID) regression model, we empirically study data from listed Chinese companies. An HSR opening can promote the efficiency of an enterprise’s human capital investment. We further explore the relationship between HSR and a company’s human capital investment, by considering the moderating effects of firm property rights and foreign shareholding. Our findings indicate that these factors can enhance the impact of HSR on the efficiency of firms’ investments in human capital. Finally, to ensure the reliability of our experimental findings, we employed a combination of propensity score matching and the DID methodology. The findings of this study offer empirical evidence that can inform enterprise management strategies and provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote economic growth.

Several studies have investigated Islamic endowment (Waqf), but less attention has been given to the application of legal principles of Islamic objectives in the regulation and management of Islamic endowments in Muslim communities. The primary focus of this study is to explore the legal implementation of Maqasidush-Shari’ah or otherwise known as the Objectives of Islamic Law, as evidenced in Islamic charitable endowments. This study employs an analytical research approach (ARA), systematic literature review (SLR) and content analysis (CA) to demonstrate and evaluate how the Waqf institution can be revitalized in contemporary times, drawing parallels with its effective implementation during the formative years of Islam, rooted in the principles of Maqasidush-Shari’ah. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of Waqf typically stems from the societal advantages it offers, derived from the safeguarding of faith, property, life, honour, and lineage, which are fundamental of Maqasidush-Shari’ah or objectives of Islamic law. The study further demonstrated that Islamic endowment has various benefits such as providing grant to the social development and interests to the public. However, various challenges such as knowledge deficit in the application of Shari‘ah principles in Waqf, lack of a developed framework for managing various types of Waqf among others are identified. Nonetheless, effective regulation and management of Waqf applications of Islamic objectives on Waqf. In conclusion, this study has underscored the significant contributions of the Islamic endowment system across various spheres, including social welfare, scientific advancements, economic prosperity, and healthcare, all of which align with the objectives of Islamic legal principles encapsulated in Maqasidush-Shari’ah. Hence, the research ultimately proposes several favourable elements that could bolster the resurgence of Waqf in contemporary times, reviving its significance and societal impact. It is therefore suggested that the stakeholders should enhance understanding of the policies, legal principles, and governance structures governing Waqf as an Islamic charitable foundation, substantiated by Islamic objectives (Maqasidush-Shari’ah).

Flower-visiting insects may be pollinators or, conversely, unrelated to the reproductive process of plants. Interactions between pollinating and non-pollinating flower visitors can negatively influence pollen transfer. Little is known about the effects of bee visits on pollination of squash (Cucurbita spp.) flowers and their interactions with the presence of other floral visitors. The study was conducted at the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias (Universidad Nacional de Rosario) in the south of Santa Fe (Argentina) and evaluated the effect of the presence of non-pollinating floral visitors on bee foraging in the flowers of two cultivated squash species. Flower sex and squash species C. maxima and C. moschata were included as variables. A total of 937 visitors were recorded in 403 flowers. Bees of the tribes Eucerini and Apini were the most abundant pollinators with an average of 2.3 individuals per flower during 10 minutes of observation. Diptera, flower sex and squash species did not influence the number of bee visits, whereas the prolonged stay of coleoptera and formicids negatively affected the presence of bees on both squash species. The presence of coleoptera reduced bee visits by 38%, while in the presence of ants, bees did not visit the flowers. The theft of nectar and pollen by non-pollinating floral visitors could have a negative effect on the reproductive success of squash.

Using a newly-developed data set for Portugal, we analyze the industry-level effects of infrastructure investment. Focusing on the divide between traded and non-traded industries, we find that infrastructure investments have a non-traded bias, as these shift the industry mix towards private and public services. We also find that the industries that benefit the most in relative terms are all non-traded: construction, trade, and real estate, among the private services, and education and health, among the public services. Similarly, emerging trading sectors, such as hospitality and professional services, stand to gain. The positive impacts on traded industries are too small to make a difference. These results highlight that infrastructure-based strategies are not neutral in terms of the industry mix. Moreover, with most of the benefits accruing to non-traded industries, such a development model that is heavily based on domestic demand may be unsustainable in light of Portugal’s current foreign account position.