Rise In Costs Research Articles

Renewable origin, additionality, temporal and geographical correlation – eFuels production in Germany under the RED II regime

E-fuels are a promising technological option to reduce the carbon footprint in the transportation sector. To ensure the renewable origin of electricity-based fuels and minimize the impact of power-to-liquid facilities on the electricity grid, the European Union implemented electricity purchase conditions within the Renewable Energy Directive II. In this work, we analyze the impact of these electricity purchase conditions on the optimal placement, dimensioning and operation of facilities and the German electricity system. The results show that implementing the proposed electricity purchase conditions increases electrolysis capacity by 15.8% and reduces utilization by 672 h in 2030. With the constrained electricity supply, the power-to-liquid facilities concentrate on network nodes with high renewable potential, while the carbon dioxide supply loses importance. Overall, the German electricity system is not heavily affected by the proposed purchase conditions as the required renewable generation capacities only increase slightly. At the same time, carbon dioxide abatement costs rise by 14.3% by introducing the electricity purchase conditions.

Reliability of multi-story buildings with load-bearing structures of cast reinforced concrete during the construction period

Reinforced concrete is considered to be one of the most reliable structural materials. For this reason, it is widely used for mass construction of buildings and structures in Russia and other countries. In particular, reinforced concrete is predominantly used in the construction of multi-story buildings of any design in all Russian regions at any time of the year. Improvements in technologies, construction management and mechanical aids increase the industrialization of construction. Although this fact is generally regarded as extremely positive, it reduces the time allowed for concrete to gain the required strength characteristics. Sometimes, loads from upper structures of buildings are applied to fresh, immature concrete. Obviously, specific technical decisions are required to intensify the concrete hardening process and create favorable temperature and humidity conditions for its curing. Russian science and practical experience have a large arsenal of effective technical means for solving these problems. However, these means are reluctantly applied in practice, since this entails a rise in construction costs, even though slight. This creates a situation when unacceptable loads from the higher floors are applied to the lower floors of the building. The structures perceive static loads rather than dynamic ones, including seismic loads, with an inertial mass of tens of tons, thereby causing a risky situation at the site. This happens en masse. The problem is even more complicated in winter time. During the period of concrete thawing in spring, the entire facility can be classified as being in a metastable state. The paper considers the production circumstances associated with the above situations and proposes recommendations for their prevention.

Does government investment push up manufacturing labor costs? Evidence from China

China’s labor costs have risen rapidly compared with other emerging market countries in recent years. Government investment is an essential factor pushing labor costs, a unique and exciting phenomenon in China. This paper explains why labor costs in China’s industrial manufacturing industry have rapidly increased from the local government investment perspective. First, the government’s preference for investment in infrastructure construction creates labor demand and drives up labor costs. Second, the improvement of infrastructure lowers the transaction costs of the enterprise sector, thus expanding the scale of production and triggering a rise in labor costs. The empirical results show that for every 1% increase in government investment, the unit labor cost increases by 0.0013 units, and the nominal labor cost increases by 1.443 units. A series of robustness tests support the results. China should rationally control the scale of government investment so that labor costs are in a moderate growth range and then promote the sustainable development of enterprises.

Global value chains, productivity and markup: Evidence from India

In this study, we use large-scale firm-product-level panel data of Indian manufacturing firms to examine the link between global value chain (GVC) participation and firm performance. Using rich product-level information on prices and quantity, we measure firm-product level markup, productivity and examine the impact of GVC participation on these two measures of firm performance. We correct for self-selection induced endogeneity using propensity score matching (PSM) to explore the GVC – productivity/markup nexus. We provide evidence that firms participating in GVCs experience productivity premium. Moreover, the empirical analysis also discerns that GVCs firms observe fall in markups. In this regard, we decompose firms change in markup to price and cost channels and show that the fall in markup is predominantly driven by rising marginal costs of the firm. This can be attributed to the increasing dependence on imported intermediate inputs, which induces rise in costs associated with production in GVCs. We also examine the aforementioned dynamics taking into account firm heterogeneity in terms of size and technology intensity of industries. Our results are robust to alternate measures of GVC, and alternate matching procedures.

Prevalence, correlates, and treatment gap of mental illnesses among middle age and elderly population of India

Introduction: Mental health issues are increasing globally and low- and middle-income countries contribute 80% of the total burden. In India, the proportion of mental illnesses contributing to the total disease burden has become twofold since 1990. Despite this high prevalence, a greater part of the affected people are deprived of proper care. Henceforth, this study was planned to estimate the prevalence of mental illnesses among middle age and older adults of India and determining the treatment gap across people suffering from various mental illnesses. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using the data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India Wave I, (2017–2018). Regression analysis was done to understand the association of mental illness with different sociodemographic factors. Ninety-five percentage confidence interval were considered a measure of uncertainty. Results: The prevalence of mental illness was found to be 31.23%. About 65.67% of the participants having Alzheimer’s/dementia and 61.06% of the participants having depression were not receiving any treatment. Females, smokers, nonworking, participants with no formal education, and those living without partner are found to be at higher risk of developing mental illness. Conclusion: A larger proportion of the middle age and older adults in India are affected with mental illnesses and the majority of them are left untreated. Failing to overcome this, treatment gap can cause a rise in indirect economic cost leading to poverty. Therefore, it is imperative for India to invest more on mental health services.

Rural Pediatric Radiation Oncology in the Era of COVID-19: A Single Institution Analysis

Health inequities have recently gained prominence in public consciousness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural access to care was particularly impacted regarding delays in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The fractionated nature of radiotherapy creates transportation burdens in this population. We reviewed our institutional experience with pediatric radiotherapy at a tertiary academic center serving a primarily rural population over a large geographic area. The financial burden of radiotherapy in pediatric patients in our database was modeled using cost-analysis. The cost of transportation using distance to our facility and the IRS-assessed tax value per mile was calculated. Correlative analyses were conducted to evaluate the association of radiotherapy delivered pre- vs. post-COVID with patient race, age at diagnosis, and distance from our institution. Analyses were conducted with two-tailed Pearson correlations for transportation cost vs. age at diagnosis. Mann-Whitney U testing was used to analyze transportation cost vs. patient race. Fisher's Exact Test was used to analyze the trends between tumor primary sites pre- and post-COVID. There was a statistically significant increase in brain tumors vs. all others from 9.1% to 66.7% post-COVID (p = 0.029). When comparing patients treated prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to those treated during the peak years of the pandemic in 2020-2021, there was no difference in the average distance traveled for treatment. However, the mean cost of transportation for pediatric patients undergoing radiotherapy prior to COVID-19 was $266 USD (median = $331), vs. a mean of $535 (median = $378) for patients treated during 2020-2021. For patients treated in 2022, after the height of COVID-19, the mean cost of transportation was $501 (median = $432). No statistically significant differences were found between the cost of transportation and patient race or age at diagnosis before vs. after the onset of COVID-19. Our results highlight the importance of understanding barriers to care and what type of resources are most impactful to rural pediatric patients at our center. The rise of transportation costs for radiotherapy following the COVID-19 pandemic may indicate an additional barrier to care, potentially associated with increasing inflation, for rural pediatric patients that is underreported in the literature. The rise in the relative prevalence of brain tumors at our institution during this period warrants further investigation.

B-175 Phytochemicals in K. pinnata and the Antioxidant Activity of Combined K. pinnata and Metformin Preparations on Normal and Diabetic Skeletal Muscle Cells

Abstract Background Diabetes Mellitus is associated with oxidative stress, which may play a central role in developing diabetic complications. With the rise in healthcare costs, more people globally are choosing to complement their pharmacological regimen with dietary supplements from natural products. In this study, the compound composition of K. pinnata and the effects of combined preparations of K. pinnata and metformin on antioxidant activity in human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMM) and human diabetic skeletal muscle myoblasts (DHSMM) were investigated. Methods K. pinnata leaves were crushed and extracted with hot water, then gravity filtered and freeze-dried. A 1 mL aliquot of the Kalanchoe pinnata extract solution was utilized to determine the chemical composition of the herbal extract. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was run in negative ion mode, with the K. pinnata extract analyzed in triplicate. A computer program further analyzed the LC-MS data to determine the chemical components in K. pinnata aqueous extract. A database algorithm within Compound Discoverer was used to identify the compounds in K. pinnata aqueous extract. For subsequent cell culture experiments, the K. pinnata leaf extract was weighed and combined with aqueous metformin solutions to prepare various combinatorial treatments. Human skeletal muscle myoblast cells and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblast cells (Lonza Inc, Walkersville, MD) were cultured and incubated at 37 °C with 5% CO2. A CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine cellular viability, while trypan blue was used to assess the cellular proliferation of in-vitro cells. The effects of combinatorial preparations of K. pinnata and metformin on antioxidant indices were determined in HSMM, DHSMM, and HSMM H2O2 stress-induced cells. Results Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) showed that K. pinnata contains biologically active flavanols. The main compounds identified in locally grown K. pinnata were quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and avicularin. Antioxidant results indicated that a combinatorial preparation of K. pinnata with metformin might modulate antioxidant responses by increasing the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and increasing levels of reduced glutathione. A combination of 50 μM and 150 μg/mL of metformin and K. pinnata resulted in a significant increase in reduced glutathione levels in non-diabetic and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblasts and H2O2 stress-induced human skeletal muscle myoblasts. Additionally, a K. pinnata treatment (400 µg/mL) alone significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity for non-diabetic and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblasts and an H2O2 stress-induced human skeletal muscle myoblast cell line while significantly lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The antioxidant activity of the treatment options was more effective at promoting cell viability after 24 h of treatment vs 72 h. Conclusion These treatment options show promise, especially after 24 h for treating oxidative stress-mediated pathophysiological complications associated with type II diabetes.

Improving Islamic bank performance through agency cost and dual board governance

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of agency cost, Islamic board characteristics and corporate governance on the performance of Islamic institutions. Design/methodology/approach Based on the selected criteria, 92 Islamic banks (IBs) from 20 countries were selected for further research. The authors used generalized method moments (GMM) estimation method. The agency cost and Shariah board characteristics are the explanatory variables. The author uses the age of the bank and the size of the bank for variable control. Findings Empirical results indicate that first, agency costs represented by cast/total assets negatively affect IBs’ return on equity and net income. As agency costs rise, IBs’ financial performance declines. Second, Shariah supervisory board (SSB) size and board independence affect IB performance. The study found that SSB size positively affects IB performance. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to the literature on IBs in different countries, which policymakers and practitioners can use to improve agency cost functions and Shariah board characteristics. Second, this analysis shows that IBs require specific attention for agency charges, given their operations and business structures. This study contributes to agency theory, which requires Islamic banking information and practices. Finally, the author has aided regulators and IBs by identifying the sources of agency cost practices that can be resolved. The other bank governance contribution is twofold. First, the author studied dual board governance in IBs (SSB and ordinary boards of directors). Second, the author examines how SSB and traditional board governance affect IB performance. This research focuses on banks listed on stock exchanges in the 20 countries analysed. Practical implications The research has policy and practical implications for central banks and IBs. By outlining appropriate regulatory guidelines and reporting systems, regulatory authorities can ensure Sharia compliance and protect the independence of IB Shariah department officers. Regulators and relevant stakeholders must ensure Sharia compliance, audits, inspections, reporting and accurate disclosure for IBs. Originality/value This paper offers original contributions to professionals in the field of IBs and stakeholders investigating the relationship between agency costs, governance of IBs, characteristics of Islamic supervisory boards and the performance of IBs.

Development of Wakf Fund in Public Higher Education Institutions

In light of evolving socioeconomic factors, the annual rise in education costs presents a pressing concern. Johor Islamic Religious Council has appointed special trustees from the UTM Education Wakf Fund and UTHM Education Cash Wakf Fund to address this challenge. This paper aims to analyze the development of wakf funds as practiced by UTM and UTHM. The research methodology employed for this study encompasses content analysis and interviews, unveiling the systematic and effective management of wakf funds for education. Notably, enhancements are evident in fund accumulation, refined management strategies, and the proactive adoption of fundraising approaches. These findings underscore the institutions' commitment to mitigating the escalating cost of education while ensuring sustainable financial support for their student communities.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation for end-stage renal failure in type 1 diabetes mellitus: Current perspectives.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the important causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Even with the best available treatment options, management of T1DM poses significant challenges for cli nicians across the world, especially when associated with CKD and ESRF. Substantial increases in morbidity and mortality along with marked rise in treatment costs and marked reduction of quality of life are the usual consequences of onset of CKD and progression to ESRF in patients with T1DM. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) is an attractive and promising treatment option for patients with advanced CKD/ESRF and T1DM for potential cure of these diseases and possibly several complications. However, limited availability of the organs for transplantation, the need for long-term immunosuppression to prevent rejection, peri- and post-operative complications of SPK, lack of resources and the expertise for the procedure in many centers, and the cost implications related to the surgery and postoperative care of these patients are major issues faced by clinicians across the globe. This clinical update review compiles the latest evidence and current recommendations of SPK for patients with T1DM and advanced CKD/ESRF to enable clinicians to care for these diseases.

Estimation of genetic parameters for feed efficiency traits using random regression models in dairy cattle

Feed efficiency has become an increasingly important research topic in recent years. As feed costs rise and the environmental impacts of agriculture become more apparent, improving the efficiency with which dairy cows convert feed to milk is increasingly important. However, feed intake is expensive to measure accurately on large populations, making the inclusion of this trait in breeding programs difficult. Understanding how the genetic parameters of feed efficiency and traits related to feed efficiency vary throughout the lactation period is valuable to gain understanding into the genetic nature of feed efficiency. This study used 121,226 dry matter intake (DMI) records, 120,500 energy-corrected milk (ECM) records, and 98,975 metabolic body weight (MBW) records, collected on 7,440 first-lactation Holstein cows from 6 countries (Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States), from January 2003 to February 2022. Genetic parameters were estimated using a multiple-trait random regression model with a fourth-order Legendre polynomial for all traits. Weekly phenotypes for DMI were re-parameterized using linear regressions of DMI on ECM and MBW, creating a measure of feed efficiency that was genetically corrected for ECM and MBW, referred to as genomic residual feed intake (gRFI). Heritability (SE) estimates varied from 0.15 (0.03) to 0.29 (0.02) for DMI, 0.24 (0.01) to 0.29 (0.03) for ECM, 0.55 (0.03) to 0.83 (0.05) for MBW, and 0.12 (0.03) to 0.22 (0.06) for gRFI. In general, heritability estimates were lower in the first stage of lactation compared with the later stages of lactation. Additive genetic correlations between weeks of lactation varied, with stronger correlations between weeks of lactation that were close together. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the change in genetic parameters across the first lactation, providing insight into potential selection strategies to include feed efficiency in breeding programs.

A 10-Year Analysis of Housing Prices and The Influence of Economic Factors in Turkey

Abstract In Turkey, the housing market is affected by various factors, and housing prices are shaped according to current conditions. In this study, the relationship between the housing price index (HPI) and economic variables (inflation and exchange rate) in Turkey was investigated. We used a 10-year time period for this study, from January-2010 to December-2019, with monthly data frequency. For our research, we employ the Wavelet Coherence Transformation (WCT) method. The results show that there is a positive relationship between inflation and housing prices in the short and long run. In addition, a continuous rise in inflation led to an increase in housing prices all over the period from 2010 to 2019. The findings of this study can aid in achieving the goal of the research by offering evidence-based perceptions of how housing prices and different economic variables are related. Housing costs in Turkey increased as a result of the substantial likelihood that the Turkish lira would weaken. The expansion of global inflation is a further anticipated factor contributing to the rise in housing costs in Turkey. This study can also be used by investors to help them decide whether to engage in the Turkish real estate industry.

La traslación del aumento de los costes de producción a los precios de venta de las empresas no financieras en 2022

Rationale The surge in energy and other commodity prices in 2021 H2 and a significant part of 2022 has led to firms’ costs increasing considerably. This article analyses how this rise in costs has been passed through to selling prices and what impact it has had on firms’ output, wages, employment and unit labour costs. Takeaways •On average, firms passed through a significant proportion of production cost increases to selling prices in 2022, albeit with a high degree of heterogeneity across sectors. •In sectors that have historically seen more rigid pricing (proxied by lower price volatility), pass-through of rising costs to selling prices has been slower. •Rising input prices directly cause selling prices and unit labour costs to grow. The latter is a consequence of the negative effect on labour productivity, owing to the adverse impact on output and the lack of an impact on personnel costs. •In any case, these direct effects, which are stronger in the sectors most exposed to this shock, do not account for the indirect (general equilibrium) effects that influence all sectors.

How did GVC‐trade respond to previous health shocks? Evidence from SARS and MERS

AbstractA health crisis can impact GVCs adversely by raising bilateral trade costs and via supply‐ and demand‐side shocks in the exporting and importing countries. Focusing on trade in select GVC‐intensive sectors, we disentangle the effects of these different channels in the context of SARS and MERS in a structural gravity framework. The estimated effects are found to be small in magnitude and show significant heterogeneity by sector, channel and disease outbreak. SARS‐induced rise in bilateral trade costs is found to reduce the export value and number of products traded of both intermediate and final goods, while similar adverse effects from MERS are only observed on intermediate goods export value. There is more evidence for the adverse effects of supply‐shocks from both SARS and MERS in our results, while the expected negative effects of the demand‐shock are only observed for MERS. The SARS effects are found to diminish over time, pointing to resilience of the associated value‐chains. We also find suggestive evidence for SARS in particular being associated with geographical diversification and widening of value‐chains.

Unveiling the Economic Toll of Surgical Learning Curve in Elderly Hip Fractures.

Can the financial impact of implant choice during the learning curve of inexperienced surgeons in hip fracture surgery be quantified? Hip fractures in the elderly are a significant medical concern, often requiring surgical interventions performed by orthopedic surgery residents. As healthcare costs rise, exploring cost reduction opportunities within the healthcare system becomes crucial. In this prospective analysis, we examined the financial implications of implant choices encountered by residents during their learning curve in hip fracture surgery. Our study included 278 surgically treated pertrochanteric fractures using the same locking cephalomedullary nail. Data on patients, surgeons (including their experience and seniority), and all implants charged by the hospital were collected. This encompassed documentation of any nail-related equipment that was opened on the operating table and whether it was subsequently used by the end of the procedure. By calculating the number and cost of these implants, we assessed the financial burden associated with suboptimal choices made during the learning curve. Our findings revealed that in 16.18% of surgeries, instances of suboptimal implant utilization occurred, highlighting the complexities of the learning process. Importantly, the rate of these challenges was not influenced by surgeon seniority or patient characteristics. The mean additional cost per surgery was determined to be USD 65.69 ± 157.63 for surgeries with suboptimal implant utilization, compared to USD 56.55 ± 139.13 for surgeries without such challenges. Although there was a trend towards higher implant-related costs in resident-led surgeries, the difference did not reach statistical significance. These findings underscore the feasibility of enabling residents to autonomously perform intramedullary nailing surgeries, even without specialist supervision, while incurring minimal additional expenses during the learning curve. By acknowledging the financial implications associated with the learning curve in the management of hip fractures, we can strive to optimize healthcare costs, thus addressing an important aspect of this issue.

Readmissions after appointments with nurse prescribers: A register-based study.

Increasing number of nurse prescribers could be part of a solution to the shortage of physicians, improve access to treatment and curb the rise in healthcare costs; however, readmissions after nurse prescribers' appointments are under-researched. To describe and compare clients' initial appointments with nurse prescribers and physicians. In addition, client readmissions within 60 days in the target organisation after nurse prescribers' and physicians' appointments were investigated. Retrospective register-based follow-up study. Data included client appointments (n = 3986) with nurse prescribers and physicians, and clients' readmissions (n = 9038) from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019 from one hospital district in Finland. Data were analysed statistically using frequencies, percentages, rate ratios and cross-tabulation. STROBE checklist was used. Initial appointments including trimethoprim, pivmecillinam, phenoxymethyl penicillin, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid and cephalexin prescriptions with nurse prescribers (n = 36) were 2131, and physicians (n = 140) 1855. On average, client readmissions (within 60 days) per initial appointment were 2.10 after appointments with nurse prescribers and 2.46 after physicians. After initial appointments, including phenoxymethyl penicillin prescriptions, with nurse prescribers, clients had more readmissions in all age groups than after initial appointments with physicians. However, in all, after initial appointments with physicians, clients had a higher proportion of readmissions. Clients have fewer readmissions after appointments with nurse prescribers than physicians, including the same prescriptions. Nurse prescribers' skills may not have been fully utilised. Physicians treated many patients whose diseases nurse prescribers might have been able to treat based on the nurse prescribers' rights. However, physician clients may have more demanding service requirements.

Literature Review: Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Plastic Surgery.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a postoperative complication experienced in all branches of surgery, including plastic surgery. Its occurrence can be lowered with adequate prophylaxis in the light of the patient's risk category and the type of surgery that will be performed. Nevertheless, thromboembolic prophylaxis is not routinely administered in plastic surgery. The prevention of VTE has gained significant attention in the past 5years due to increased knowledge about the disease process and the alarming incidence rates. This literature review is specifically aimed at carrying out a synopsis of VTE prophylaxis trials conducted on plastic surgery patients. Antithrombotic agents have generally been avoided by plastic surgeons due to the increased risk of bleeding or hematomas; however, the prevalence of clinically important bleeding has not been found to increase with their use, as it emerges from numerous studies. VTE events can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates, as well as a rise in healthcare costs. As it emerges from multiple studies, as a preventive measure against VTE, it is strongly advised to use mechanical prophylaxis along with low-molecular-weight heparin as the primary treatment option for plastic surgery patients who are at a greater risk. Up to date though, this practice is not commonly embraced by physicians. Preventing VTE is crucial, and measures to do so are necessary. However, there is no clear evidence to support the use of anticoagulation for plastic surgery patients, and some surgeons are hesitant to use it due to potential bleeding in extensive dissection areas.Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF A DEDICATED SMART HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

<em>With the continuous rise of electrical energy costs for heating, cooling, and ventilation and the increasing number of energy-consuming home appliances, designing a cost-effective efficient residential electric energy management system has become crucial. This paper presents a prototype simulated design of a Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS), dedicated to the management of residential electrical energy according to the user-preassigned comfort requirements and cost criteria. All planted sensors and home appliances are controlled by one master microcontroller. The Proteus Software ISIS was used for all simulation results. The proposed application collects information from sensors to control the required home appliances by switching them ON or OFF based on a specified design algorithm. The sensors' assigned values and home appliance status are stored in a main database. The proposed design also allows home appliances to be monitored and controlled remotely via the Internet. Simulated results are given for a two-room residential home</em>.

A study on the impact of fuel injection parameters and boost pressure on combustion characteristics in a diesel engine using alcohol/diesel blends

Engine researchers focused on alcohol fuels since the invention of diesel engines in the 1900s, and the rise in petrochemical costs in the 1970s triggered this concern. This study investigates the impacts of the injection start timing, pilot injection application, and boost air pressure increase, on combustion and exhaust emissions in a common rail diesel engine fueled with ethanol/butan-2-ol/diesel blends. The lowest combustion noise was obtained in the pilot injection application as 83.8 dB in E15B3. The results indicated that the peak point of cylinder gas pressure rose by more than 5 % in the application of pilot fuel injection and advanced injection timing, compared to conventional engine operating conditions. However, maximum CO2 and NOx were seen in the pilot injection application using FBDF as 5.7 % and 670 ppm, respectively. As alcohol rate increases in fuel blends, the average 1.3 °CA in the ignition delay period was increased, while the total combustion period was shortened more than 6 °CA. This result shows that the combustion reactions of alcohol/diesel fuels occur faster than pure diesel. However, the variation in the ignition delay and total combustion periods of the test fuels considerably reduced with pilot fuel injection application. These results indicates that pilot fuel injection may be applied very controlled according to changing engine conditions. It was calculated in statistical analysis that except for the coefficient variation of the maximum pressure increase rate, the other coefficient variation values were relatively stable and below 3 %. In addition, it was determined that the results of the finite element analysis are proportional to the pressure values obtained experimentally.

Die Bereitstellung von leistbarem Wohnraum in Zeiten der Wohnkrise

Limited-profit housing associations are established players in Vienna’s housing market. The exorbitant rise in land and construction costs in recent years and increasing demand for affordable housing have far-reaching implications for the provision of affordable housing in Vienna. These developments are causing shifts not only in the housing market in general, but also within the nonprofit sector. This paper approaches these shifts at the level of limited-profit housing associations and examines a) which interpretations of affordability and related challenges can be found in the field of limited-profit housing, and b) which practices are applied in the provision of (affordable) housing. Empirically, the article draws on interviews with board members, managing directors and project developers from the limited-profit housing sector, which were conducted between 2020 and 2021. Finally, implications for the limited-profit sector in Vienna and for the provision of (affordable) housing are discussed. English title: The provision of affordable housing in times of the housing crisis. Interpretations and practices of the non-profit sector in Vienna