The Ecuadorian electricity sector encompasses generation, transmission, distribution and sales. Since the change of the Constitution in Ecuador in 2008, the sector has opted to employ a centralized model. The present research aims to measure the efficiency level of the Ecuadorian electricity sector during the period 2012–2021, using a DEA-NETWORK methodology, which allows examining and integrating each of the phases defined above through intermediate inputs, which are inputs in subsequent phases and outputs of some other phases. These intermediate inputs are essential for analyzing efficiency from a global view of the system. For research purposes, the Ecuadorian electricity sector was divided into 9 planning zones. The results revealed that the efficiency of zones 6 and 8 had the greatest impact on the overall efficiency of the Ecuadorian electricity sector during the period 2012–2015. On the other hand, the distribution phase is the most efficient with an index of 0.9605, followed by sales with an index of 0.6251. It is also concluded that the most inefficient phases are generation and transmission, thus verifying the problems caused by the use of a centralized model.

A failsafe network design recovering from the stressed condition against a massive supply disruption is generally useful for various applications. Water flow in plants under a tension is inherently vulnerable to an embolism, a water supply cut off, causing a death. However, the function of the network structures of leaf veins and xylem stems effectively reduces the embolism-induced failure. In this study, water transport in plants under the pressurized conditions compared to the normal physiological conditions is observed by X-ray imaing. By examining embolism-induced water supply limits in the architecturally diverse leaf and stem networks, a progressive hydraulic rule has been found: the limited flows in the selected parts of the network structures against a total fail. For a scientific explanation on nanoscale water flow dynamics occurring in plants, temporal meniscus development in the nanomembrane model system is investigated. The pressure-driven hydrodynamic transport phenomena can be explained to follow network dynamics of the modified imbibition typically occuring in nanostrutcures. This study contributes to a variety of design technologies of networked materials against the spread of flow damages under the stressed conditions.

African countries have shown interest in developing the legal framework for electronic payment as part of digital law. The article aims to analyze the role of the legal framework for electronic payment in the field of digital economy. It relies on a legal methodology through analyzing legal texts related to electronic payment. It also relies on the comparative and descriptive approaches whenever there is a scientific necessity. The article concluded that the legal framework plays an important role in the field of digital economy. This framework appears in the general rules of civil and commercial laws or through the laws of money and credit. Other laws also play a complementary role, such as criminal law and personal data protection laws.

This study examines the interaction between foreign direct investment (FDI), idiosyncratic risk, sectoral GDP, economic activity, and economic growth in ASEAN countries using structural equation modeling (SEM) performed using AMOS software. The analysis uses data from the ASEAN Statistics Database 2023 to distinguish the significant direct and indirect impacts of FDI on idiosyncratic risks, sectoral GDP, economic activity and aggregate economic growth can. ASEAN, which includes ten Southeast Asian countries, has experienced rapid economic growth and increasing integration in recent decades, making it an interesting area to study these relationships. The study covers a comprehensive period to capture trends and differences among ASEAN member states. Applying SEM with AMOS allows a detailed examination of complex relationships between important economic variables. The results show a clear link between FDI inflows, idiosyncratic risks, industry GDP performance, economic activity, and overall economic growth. More specifically, FDI inflows have a notable direct influence on idiosyncratic risks, which then impact GDP growth by sector, and the level of economic activity and ultimately contribute to economic growth trends. economy more broadly in ASEAN countries. These findings highlight the importance of understanding and effectively managing the dynamics between FDI and various economic indicators to promote sustainable economic development across ASEAN. This information can inform policymakers, investors, and stakeholders in developing targeted strategies and policies that maximize the benefits of FDI while minimizing related risks to promote strong and inclusive economic growth in the region. This study highlights the multifaceted relationships in the ASEAN economic context, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions and policy frameworks to exploit the potential of foreign investment directed at ASEAN, to the Sustainable Development Goals and long-term economic prosperity in the region.

It is critical for urban and regional planners to examine spatial relationships and interactions between a port and its surrounding urban areas within a region’s spatial structure. This paper seeks to develop a targeted framework of causal relationships influencing the spatial structure changes in the Bushehr port-city. Hence, the study utilizes Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs), a computational technique adept at analyzing complex decision-making processes. FCMs are employed to identify concepts that act as drivers or barriers in the spatial structure changes of Bushehr port-city, thereby elucidating the causal relationships within this context. Additionally, the study evaluates these concepts’ relative significance and interrelationships. Data was collected through interviews with ten experts from diverse backgrounds, including specialists, academics, policymakers, and urban managers. The insights from these experts were analyzed using FCMapper and Pajek software to construct a collective FCM, which depicts the influential and affected concepts within the system. The resulting collective FCM consists of 16 concepts, representing the varied perspectives and expertise of the participants. Among these, the concepts of management and planning reform, economic growth of the city-port, and port development emerged as the three most central concepts. Moreover, the effects of all influential concepts on the spatial structure change in Bushehr port-city were evaluated through simulations conducted across four different scenarios. The analysis demonstrated that the system experiences the most significant impact under the fourth scenario, where the most substantial changes are observed in commercial and industrial growth and the planning of port-city separation policies.

Heat stress amplified by climate change causes excessive reductions in labor capacity, work injuries, and socio-economic losses. Yet studies of corresponding impact assessments and adaptation developments are insufficient and incapable of effectively dealing with uncertain information. This gap is caused by the inability to resolve complex channels involving climate change, labor relations, and labor productivity. In this paper, an optimization-based productivity restoration modeling framework is developed to bridge the gap and support decision-makers in making informed adaptation plans. The framework integrates a multiple-climate-model ensemble, an empirical relationship between heat stress and labor capacity, and an inexact system costs model to investigate underlying uncertainties associated with climate and management systems. Optimal and reliable decision alternatives can be obtained by communicating uncertain information into the optimization processes and resolving multiple channels. Results show that the increased heat stress will lead to a potential reduction in labor productivity in China. By solving the objective function of the framework, total system costs to restore the reduction are estimated to be up to 248,700 million dollars under a Representative Concentration Pathway of 2.6 (RCP2.6) and 697,073 million dollars under RCP8.5 for standard employment, while less costs found for non-standard employment. However, non-standard employment tends to restore productivity reduction with the minimum system cost by implementing active measures rather than passive measures due to the low labor costs resulting from ambiguities among employment statuses. The situation could result in more heat-related work injuries because employers in non-standard employment can avoid the obligation of providing a safe working environment. Urgent actions are needed to uphold labor productivity with climate change, especially to ensure that employers from non-standard employment fulfill their statutory obligations.