The promise of endogenous potential in times of crisis

The measures against the spread of the Covid-19 virus have massive effects on local economies. By means of an explorative qualitative case study in deprived neighbourhoods in the Middle Lower Rhine region of Germany, this paper explicitly aims at examining the Corona pandemic’s impact on their endogenous potential. In this context, the focus is on organisations whose main contribution lies in the fulfilment of the function of integration and communication. The analysis is based on theoretical concepts of the local economy, but it also refers to crisis as well as transition research, especially the multilevel perspective framework. By means of desktop research, a focus group with multipliers involved in local economic contexts as well as thirteen guideline-based interviews with the heads of local organisations, the subsequent analysis reveals the partially counteracting effects of the Corona pandemic on the organisations’ socio-economic embeddedness. On the one hand, they are threatened by economic bottlenecks, by pending social consequences of a longer period without or with minimized offerings as well as by fear of contagion and exhaustion. While the organisation’s perceived level of urgency varies greatly, their level of uncertainty is generally high. On the other hand, organisations of the local economy benefit from a positive push in the areas of digitization and new life and working environments (home-based work), as well as from a strengthening of local solidarity and cohesion.

The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) Diesel Prototype: Reducing Internal Engine Friction by about 40% under Idle Conditions

The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) concept is a design concept for internal combustion engines, where the cylinder liner rotates at a surface speed of 2–4 m/s in order to assist piston ring lubrication. Specifically, we have evidence from prior art and from our own research that the above rotation has the potential to eliminate the metal-to-metal contact/boundary friction that exists close to the piston reversal areas. This frictional source becomes a significant energy loss, especially in the compression/expansion part of the cycle, when the gas pressure that loads the piston rings and skirts is high. This paper describes the Diesel RLE prototype constructed from a Cummins 4BT and the preliminary observations from initial low load testing. The critical technical challenge, namely the rotating liner face seal, appears to be operating with negligible gas leakage and within the hydrodynamic lubrication regime for the loads tested (peak cylinder pressures of the order of 100 bar) and up to about 10 bar BMEP (brake mean effective pressure). Preliminary testing has proven that the metal-to-metal contact in the piston assembly mostly vanished, and a friction reduction at idle conditions of about 40% as extrapolated to a complete engine has taken place. It is expected that as the speed increases, the friction reduction percentage will diminish, but as the load increases, the friction reduction will increase. The fuel economy benefit over the US Heavy-Duty driving cycle will likely be of the order of 10% compared to a standard engine.

Research on the Pricing Model about Online Celebrity Economy

With the continuous development of China's Internet economy, the model of grasping Internet economy benefit is diversified. Since 2016, the online celebrity economy has formed a trend of Internet marketing, and the online celebrity economic industry chain further has established along with the further development of MCN institutions. The relationship among the overall industry upstream and downstream sectors become closer and closer and even appear the trend of vertical cooperation. This paper is aimed at expressing the pricing mechanism of the online celebrity industrial chain and applies game theory and mathematical analysis to propose a reasonable pricing model

Metode Baru Valuasi Ekonomi Dampak Langsung Spesies Asing Invasif Berbasis Kompetisi Makanan pada Ekosistem Perairan

Alien crayfish species (Cherax quadricarinatus and Procambarus clarkii) have been found in some Indonesian area and demonstrated invasive species characters. Despite of their economy benefit the crayfish has potential ecologically disadvantage to be valuated. This study aimed to develop valuation method to estimate economical loss due to alien invasive species on food competition basis in an aquatic ecosystem. This approach was conducted by estimating the potential loss due food competition between invasive species and its inferior competitor. The case study was carried out in the Lido Lake and in an aquaculture site at Cisaat, Sukabumi – West Java. The research results that economic loss due to the disappearance of native Macrobrachium sintangense caused by the existences of single male C. quadricarinatus is 784 IDR and 1,096 for the female in Lido Lake. The potential loss of M. rosenbergii due to the single P. clarkii is 1,416.76 IDR. The difference economic loss is constituted by the quantity of feed taken by the invasive species, and the economic value of competitive inferior species. This method is clearly explained in the method section and is simple to use, but more understandable for limited economics background stakeholders. However, this approach needs robust biological dynamic model. The valuation results become important reference for the policy maker to develop risk analysis in concern of introduced invasive species into an ecosystem. For holistic economic loss value valuation, further studies covering space competition and potential harmful pathogen carrier are warranted.