Absence Of Competition Research Articles

Overtraining Strengthens the Visual Discrimination Memory Trace Outside the Hippocampus in Male Rats.

The hippocampus (HPC) may compete with other memory systems when establishing a representation, a process termed overshadowing. However, this overshadowing may be mitigated by repeated learning episodes, making a memory resistant to post-training hippocampal damage. In the current study, we examined this overshadowing process for a hippocampal-dependent visual discrimination memory in rats. In Experiment 1, male rats were trained to criterion (80% accuracy on two consecutive days) on a visual discrimination and then given 50 additional trials distributed over 5 days or 10 weeks. Regardless of this additional learning, extensive damage to the HPC caused retrograde amnesia for the visual discrimination, suggesting that the memory remained hippocampal-dependent. In Experiment 2, rats received hippocampal damage before learning and required approximately twice as many trials to acquire the visual discrimination as control rats, suggesting that, when the overshadowing or competition is removed, the non-hippocampal memory systems only slowly acquires the discrimination. In Experiment 3, increasing the additional learning beyond criterion by 230 trials, the amount needed in Experiment 2 to train the non-hippocampal systems in absence of competition, successfully prevented the retrograde amnesic effects of post-training hippocampal damage. Combined, the findings suggest that a visual discrimination memory trace can be strengthened in non-hippocampal systems with overtraining and become independent of the HPC.

A non-internalised CD38-binding radiolabelled single-domain antibody fragment to monitor and treat multiple myeloma

BackgroundAntibody-based therapies targeting CD38 are currently used as single agents as well as in combination regimens for multiple myeloma, a malignant plasma cell disorder. In this study, we aimed to develop anti-CD38 single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that can be used to trace CD38+ tumour cells and subsequently used for targeted radionuclide therapy. SdAbs are derived from Camelidae heavy-chain antibodies and have emerged as promising theranostic agents due to their favourable pharmacological properties.MethodsFour different anti-CD38 sdAbs were produced, and their binding affinities and potential competition with the monoclonal antibody daratumumab were tested using biolayer interferometry. Their binding kinetics and potential cell internalisation were further studied after radiolabelling with the diagnostic radioisotope Indium-111. The resulting radiotracers were evaluated in vivo for their tumour-targeting potential and biodistribution through single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging and serial dissections. Finally, therapeutic efficacy of a lead anti-CD38 sdAb, radiolabelled with the therapeutic radioisotope Lutetium-177, was evaluated in a CD38+ MM xenograft model.Results We retained anti-CD38 sdAb #2F8 as lead based on its excellent affinity and superior stability, the absence of competition with daratumumab and the lack of receptor-mediated internalisation. When intravenously administered to tumour-xenografted mice, radiolabelled sdAb #2F8 revealed specific and sustained tumour retention with low accumulation in other tissues, except kidneys, resulting in high tumour-to-normal tissue ratios. In a therapeutic setting, myeloma-bearing mice received three consecutive intravenous administrations of a high (18.5 MBq) or a low radioactive dose (9.3 MBq) of 177Lu-DTPA-2F8 or an equal volume of vehicle solution. A dose-dependent tumour regression was observed, which translated into a prolonged median survival from 43 days for vehicle-treated mice, to 62 days (p = 0.027) in mice receiving the low and 65 days in mice receiving the high (p = 0.0007) radioactive dose regimen, respectively.ConclusionsThese results highlight the theranostic potential of radiolabelled anti-CD38 sdAbs for the monitoring and treatment of multiple myeloma.

Intraspecific Competition, Habitat Quality, Niche Partitioning, and Causes of Intrasexual Territoriality for a Reintroduced Carnivoran

Animals exploring a new environment develop cognitive maps using diverse sensory input and, thereby, gain information needed to establish home ranges. Experiencing, and learning information about, resources should be advantageous to the resident of a home range while lack of such information should put invaders into the home range at a disadvantage. Conspecifics, especially, should avoid the home ranges of one another to ensure that they do not experience reduced resource availability caused by resource depression or depletion. Yet, encountering conspecific competitors of different sexes may elicit responses that can lead to spacing on a landscape that has different costs and benefits on males and females. We tested the hypothesis that female fishers (Pekania pennanti) avoid competition from both males and female conspecifics whereas male fishers avoid competition only from other males. We reintroduced fishers onto our study site in the presence or absence of competitors’ home ranges during late 2009 through 2011. Using satellite transmitters (Argos) and land-based (VHF) telemetry, we monitored fishers and estimated their locations, movements and use of the surrounding landscape during their first 500 days after release. All fishers settled in relatively high-quality habitat but females that encountered the home ranges of conspecifics moved farther, explored larger areas, and settled farther from their release locations than did females that did not encounter a conspecific’s home range. Male fishers exhibited diverse responses upon encountering the home ranges of conspecifics. Thus, female fishers avoid conspecific competition from all fishers, but males tolerate, or impose, competition with females, apparently to increase mating opportunities. These observations are consistent with the movements and strategies of other solitary carnivores.

The mediating role of competition on deposit insurance and the risk-taking of banks in ASEAN countries

We investigate the mediating function of competition on the association between deposit insurance and the risk-taking of banks during an economic meltdown. In our analysis, we address issues of deposit insurance, competition, bank risk-taking, and bank crisis with explicit deposit insurance and full coverage dummies. Deposit insurance reduces bank risk in the absence of competition by reducing both credit and insolvency risk; however, it exacerbates bank risk and weakens banking stability in a highly competitive market. It also shows that the banking instability in a competitive market is attenuated by deposit insurance during financial crisis. This study offers policy implications.

Interacting Flooding and Competition Negatively Affect Growth of Riparian Species Dominating a Reservoir Shoreline

Plant–plant interactions change in response to environmental conditions, and riparian species are commonly influenced by flooding. This study tested whether flooding affects the intraspecific and interspecific competition of two riparian species and whether such effects depend on the topographic positions where plants have established. Seeds of the riparian species Polygonum hydropiper were collected from both low and high positions within the shoreline of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Groups of P. hydropiper seedlings from each position were either grown alone (i.e., without competition), with another group of P. hydropiper seedlings (i.e., intraspecific competition), or with a group of seedlings of the companion species Xanthium sibiricum (i.e., interspecific competition). Each group comprised six replicates. In total, 288 plants of P. hydropiper and 84 plants of X. sibiricum were selected for the experiment. Seedlings were subjected to control and flooding treatments for 60 days. Irrespective of competition type (i.e., intra- or interspecific), both flooding and competition negatively affected the growth and/or photosynthetic capacities of P. hydropiper. Flooding only interacted with competition to explain total biomass. Flooding reduced total biomass in a larger proportion in the absence of competition, and, to a lesser extent, with intraspecific competition, compared to interspecific competition. However, such interaction effects were independent of the positions where the seeds that originated from the plants were collected from. Interspecific competition significantly decreased the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency of plants, while intraspecific competition did not. In general, plants from lower positions had higher total chlorophyll content than plants from higher positions. These results suggest that flooding may regulate the population dynamics of P. hydropiper by altering its competitive interactions.

Wood Anatomical Traits Reveal Different Structure of Peat Bog and Lowland Populations of Pinus sylvestris L. in the Carpathian Region

Ecologically extreme habitats at a species’ distribution edges bear significance for biota under adverse climatic conditions and climate change. Range-edge populations adjust their functional traits to the special local ecological conditions, leading to increased intraspecific variability in their morpho-anatomical structure and, consequently, favor population survival in the absence of competitors. On the basis of wood anatomical traits, such as tracheid lumen area (CA), cell wall thickness (CWTrad), cell diameter-to-radial cell wall thickness ratio (CD/CWT), and the number of tracheids in the radial tracheid files (TNo), we investigated the xylem adjustment of Pinus sylvestris L. populations from six ecologically extreme habitats from the Eastern Carpathians and the Pannonian Basin. Results indicated significant differences among all studied sites in case of all wood anatomical traits as signs of the local adaptation of trees. Peat bog populations adapted their wood anatomical traits to the generally hydric, cool and anaerobic conditions of the peat bogs, exhibiting smaller CA and proportionally thick CWTrad to ensure the hydraulic safety of the stem, whereas, on the lowland site, trees were characterized by a more effective water-conducting system, developing larger CA with relatively thin CWTrad with lower carbon-per-conduit-costs at the expense of higher vulnerability to cavitation. Radial tree ring growth and TNo also differed markedly among sites, following the temperature and groundwater constraints of the habitats. Wood anatomical variability among tree rings and the corresponding short-term climate response of populations differed from the adaptive responses of the trees to the ecological characteristics of the habitat. In addition to the different phylogeographic origin evidenced in former studies, phenotypic differentiation by the habitat type of the studied populations linked to the variance in morpho-anatomical traits have contributed to the survival of the peripheral Scots pine populations at the species’ range margins.

Response of giant foxtail and wild proso millet to artificial light quality alteration

Light is an essential requirement for proper plant growth and development. Growth chamber experiments were conducted to determine whether artificial alteration of light quality (reducing the red to far-red ratio-R:FR) differentially affected the growth and development of giant foxtail and wild proso millet, two troublesome annual grass weeds in the United States. Growth phenotypes of both weeds were examined under two R:FR regimes (0.28-reduced R:FR and 1.12-unaltered R:FR) in the absence of competition (control conditions) and under intraspecific and interspecific competition. The reduced R:FR simulated shaded (below-canopy) R:FR conditions in the field while the unaltered R:FR treatment simulated direct sunlight (above-canopy) conditions. Averaged across weed species, reducing the R:FR increased plant height, but reduced tiller production and above-ground biomass under no plant competition (P<0.05). In the presence of competition, reducing the R:FR increased plant height and internode length but reduced the number of tillers and leaf area across weed species. No phenotypic differences were observed for weeds tested under intraspecific or interspecific competition. Our study has shown that the response of both weeds to artificial R:FR alteration is similar to that observed under shaded field conditions. Therefore, by replacing bordering plants with a crop, controlled experiments can be used to test the effect of crop canopies on weed suppression when selecting cultivars to be planted in areas where certain weed species are prevalent, minimizing weed-related yield losses.

Enhanced Sorption of Supercritical CO2 and CH4 in the Hydrated Interlayer Pores of Smectite.

Understanding the long-term confinement of supercritical fluids in the clay pores of subsurface rocks is important for many geo-energy technologies, including geological CO2 storage. However, the adsorption properties of hydrated clay minerals remain largely uncertain because competitive adsorption experiments of supercritical fluids in the presence of water are difficult. Here, we report on the sorption properties of four source clay minerals-Ca-rich montmorillonite (STx-1b), Na-rich montmorillonite (SWy-2), illite-smectite mixed layer (ISCz-1), and illite (IMt-2)-for water at 20 °C up to relative humidity of 0.9. The measurements unveil the unsuitability of physisorption analysis by N2 (at 77 K) and Ar (at 87 K) gases to quantify the textural properties of clays because of their inability to probe the interlayers. We further measure the sorption of CO2 and CH4 on swelling STx-1b and nonswelling IMt-2, both in the absence (dehydrated at 200 °C) and the presence of sub-1W preadsorbed water (following dehydration) up to 170 bar at 50 °C. We observe enhanced sorption of CO2 and CH4 in STx-1b (50 and 65% increase at 30 bar relative to dry STx-1b, respectively), while their adsorption on IMt-2 remains unchanged, indicating the absence of competition with water. By describing the supercritical adsorption isotherms on hydrated STx-1b with the lattice density functional theory model, we estimate that the pore volume has expanded by approximately 6% through the formation of sub-nanometer pore space. By presenting a systematic approach of quantifying the smectite clay mineral's hydrated state, this study provides an explanation for the conflicting literature observations of gas uptake capacities in the presence of water.

Climate-driven range shifts reduce persistence of competitors in a perennial plant community.

Forecasting the impacts of climate change on species persistence in diverse natural communities requires a way to account for indirect effects mediated through species interactions. In particular, we expect species to experience major changes in competition as they track favorable climates. Here, we combine experimental data with a recently developed theoretical framework based on coexistence theory to measure the impact of climate-driven range shifts on alpine plant persistence under climate change. We transplanted three co-dominant alpine perennial species to five elevations, creating a maximum of 5°C increase in average growing-season temperature. We statistically modeled species' demographic rates in response to the environment and interpolated species' intrinsic ranges-the environmental mapping of reproduction in the absence of competition. We used low-density population growth rates-species' initial rate of invasion into an established community-as a metric of persistence. Further analysis of low-density growth rates (LGRs) allowed us to parse the direct impacts of climate change from indirect impacts mediated by shifting competition. Our models predict qualitatively different range shifts for each species based on the climate conditions under which growth rates are maximized and where they are zero. Overall, climate change is predicted to increase the intrinsic (competition free) growth rates of all species, as warmer and wetter conditions increase the favorability of alpine habitat. However, these benefits are entirely negated by increased competition arising from greater overlap between competitors in their intrinsic ranges. Species were highly dispersal limited, which can prevent species from tracking shifting intrinsic ranges by reducing population spread rates. Yet dispersal limitation also promoted species' persistence because it promotes persistence mechanisms. Our study demonstrates the complex pathways by which climate change impacts species' persistence by altering their competitive environment, and highlights how a persistence framework based on LGRs can help disentangle impacts.

Significant inefficiency in running community health systems: The case of health posts in Southwest Ethiopia.

Although much has been documented about the performance of the health extension program, there is a lack of information on how efficiently the program is running. Furthermore, the rising cost of health services and the absence of competition among publicly owned health facilities demands strong follow up of efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the technical efficiency of the health posts and determinants in Southwestern Ethiopia. We used data for one Ethiopian fiscal year (from July 2016 to June 2017) to estimate the technical efficiency of health posts. A total of 66 health posts were included in the analysis. We employed a two-stage data envelopment analysis to estimate technical efficiency. At the first stage, technical efficiency scores were calculated using data envelopment analysis program version 2.1. Predictors of technical efficiency were then identified at the second stage using Tobit regression, with STATA version 14. The findings revealed that 21.2% were technically efficient with a mean technical efficiency score of 0.6 (± 0.3), indicating that health posts could increase their service volume by 36% with no change made to the inputs they received. On the other hand, health posts had an average scale efficiency score of 0.8 (± 0.2) implying that the facilities have the potential to increase service volume by 16% with the existing resources. The regression model has indicated average waiting time for service has negatively affected technical efficiency. More than three-quarters of health posts were found inefficient. The technical efficiency score of more than one-third of the health posts is even less than 50%. Community mobilization to enhance the uptake of health services at the health posts coupled with a possible reallocation of resources in less efficient health posts is a possible approach to improve the efficiency of the program.

Below-ground competition favors character convergence but not character displacement in root traits.

Character displacement can play a major role in species ecology and evolution; however, research testing whether character displacement can influence the evolution of root traits in plant systems remains scarce in the literature. Here we investigated the potential that character displacement may influence the evolution of root traits using two closely related morning glory species, Ipomoea purpurea and Ipomoea hederacea. We performed a field experiment where we grew the common morning glory, I.purpurea, in the presence and absence of competition from I.hederacea and examined the potential that the process of character displacement could influence the evolution of root traits. We found maternal line variation in root phenotypes and evidence that below-ground competition acts as an agent of selection on these traits. Our test of character displacement, however, showed evidence of character convergence on our measure of root architecture rather than displacement. These results suggest that plants may be constrained by their local environments to express a phenotype that enhances fitness. Therefore, the conditions of the competitive environment experienced by a plant may influence the potential for character convergence or displacement to influence the evolution of root traits.

Coexistence and bush encroachment in African savannas: The role of the regeneration niche

Abstract Globally there is increasing concern over the biodiversity and economic losses associated with bush encroachment. The dominant species responsible for bush encroachment in Africa belong to the mimosoid genera Senegalia and Vachellia, with previous research identifying Vachellia as the more aggressive invader. We asked whether these genera have evolved different traits to enable germination and establishment among competitively superior grasses. We hypothesised that these traits enable coexistence at local scales and underpin differences in invasiveness. We conducted a large greenhouse pot experiment to quantify functional trait differences between the two genera during seedling establishment both in the presence and absence of grasses. We also examined differences in seed morphology and tested whether co‐occurrence of the two genera at the plot scale is greater than expected by chance. Our results showed that Vachellia grew faster and taller than Senegalia in the absence of competition from grasses. In the presence of grasses, however, Senegalia increased root tissue density while Vachellia did not. The seed coats of Vachellia species were thicker than those of Senegalia, and their seeds were spherical while those of Senegalia were discoid. The two genera coexist at a local (plot) scale. We speculated that the thicker seed coat and spherical seed shape of Vachellia reflect its primarily endozoochorous dispersal mode, while the thinner seed coat and more discoid seeds of Senegalia reflect its use of wind dispersal. Since animal dispersal is directed, promoting the movement of seed into sites frequented by animals, and in which competition from grasses and fire has been removed, animal dispersal may contribute to the greater invasiveness of Vachellia. Once established in such sites, coexistence at the local scale is facilitated by differences in root tissue density with low‐density root tissue allowing for rapid resource acquisition and growth in Vachellia, and high‐density root tissue enabling slower but more persistent growth in Senegalia. Where previous research has focussed on environmental filtering, competition, predation or facilitation as explanations of plot‐scale phylogenetic overdispersion, our work suggests a potential role for regeneration niche in structuring local co‐occurrence. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Niche partitioning among three snail-eating snakes revealed by dentition asymmetry and prey specialisation.

The level of dentition asymmetry in snail-eating snakes may reflect their prey choice and feeding efficiency on asymmetric land snails. The three species of Pareas snakes (Squamata: Pareidae) in Taiwan, which form partially sympatric distribution on the island, provide a potential case to test the hypothesis of niche partitioning and character displacement with regard to dentition asymmetry and specialisation in feeding behaviour. In this study, behavioural experiments confirmed that P. formosensis feeds exclusively on slugs, whereas P. atayal and P. komaii consumed both. However, P. atayal more efficiently preys on land snails than P. komaii, exhibiting a shorter handling time and fewer mandibular retractions. Micro-CT and ancestral character reconstruction demonstrated the lowest asymmetry in P. formosensis (the slug specialist), the highest dentition asymmetry in P. atayal (the land snail specialist) and flexibility in P. komaii (the niche switcher): increased dentition asymmetry when sympatrically distributed with the slug eater (character displacement), and decreased asymmetry when living alone (ecological niche release). Ecological niche modelling showed that the distribution of P. formosensis is associated with the presence of slugs, while that of P. atayal could be explained by the land snails. Combining the results from morphology, phylogeny, behavioural experiments and ecological niche modelling, we showed that competition in the sympatric region might have facilitated character displacement among congeners, while the absence of competition in allopatric region has led to ecological niche release.

Strategic Experimentation with Congestion

This paper considers a two-player game of strategic experimentation with competition. Each agent faces a two-armed bandit problem where she continually chooses between her private, risky arm and a common, safe arm. Each agent has exclusive access to her private arm. However, the common arm can only be activated by one agent at a time. This congestion creates negative payoff externalities. Our main finding is that congestion gives rise to new strategic considerations: players perceive a strategic option value from occupying the common arm, making it more attractive than in the absence of competition or when switching is irreversible. (JEL C72, C73, D62, D83)

Vacant jurisdictions: The accountancy profession and the UK charity sector

AbstractProfessions enjoy privileged positions and expend efforts to sustain these in public and interprofessional domains. This research investigates a previously vacant and largely uncontested jurisdiction in the UK charity sector that was claimed, maintained and subsequently expanded by the accountancy profession. We find that the dominant involvement of the accountancy profession leads to a charity regulatory framework that centralises the giving of an account. Over time, the accountancy profession advances highly specialised charity accounting and novel disclosures in annual reports. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of professions expanding jurisdiction in the absence of competition. In our conclusions, we scrutinise implications for trust and legitimacy in the UK charity sector, balancing increased information demand on charities with accessibility to users.

КОН’ЮНКТУРНІ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ В СИСТЕМІ МАРКЕТИНГОВОГО АНАЛІЗУ

The article considers the peculiarities of market conjuncture in the system of marketing analysis as a component of the marketing complex of the enterprise. The ability to conduct conjuncture research is becoming especially relevant today due to the constant changes in the markets. Market conjuncture is its state or economic situation on it, which is characterized by the ratio of supply and demand, price dynamics, the activity of entities. The conjuncture situation depends on many factors, which must be analyzed in conjuncture research. The main tasks of conjuncture research and the main approaches for its implementation are indicated, a certain sequence of conjuncture research is given. Conjuncture analysis in the marketing system should be conducted continuously and systematically, it is a complex intellectual process and requires comprehensive and systematic approaches. If a systems approach is a multi-level or hierarchical description of the market as an object, then within the framework of an integrated approach, the market is considered through the interaction of many factors of the internal and external environment. To study conjuncture conditions, an appropriate system of indicators is developed, which differs for individual types of markets, but in general, based on it, the most complete and systematically real conjuncture situation of a particular market is presented. The stages of conjuncture research are given and the main methods used by marketers in the analysis of market conjuncture are emphasized. Among such methods the most complete and often used are methods of comparison, grouping, visual and graphic. It is mandatory to build time series, more and more experts turn to correlation-regression analysis, as well as the index method. It is also essential for marketing analysis to monitor the factors that affect market conjuncture, among which micro- and macro-level factors are distinguished. Significant among such factors of market conditions is the presence or absence of competition on this market, the product range of its products, the specifics of pricing by competitors. Forecasting the further development of markets as the end result of conjuncture research and the basis of future market behavior completes conjuncture research.

The Absence of Competition in the Privacy Terms of Online Marketplaces

This submission in response to the ACCC General Online Retail Marketplaces Issues Paper provides an analysis of the privacy terms offered by four key general online retail marketplaces in Australia (incl Amazon and eBay), to offer some assessment of both: • the quality of privacy terms offered to website users via those notices; and • the extent of competition between firms with respect to the privacy terms offered to website users. This analysis, together with existing research on consumer data practices, gives rise to the following key recommendations and conclusions: • At a minimum, it should be unlawful for online retailers and marketplaces to collect data relating to an individual consumer from a third party, unless the consumer has requested the online retailer or marketplace to do this by taking clear and unequivocal action with respect to specified third parties. There should be an exception if the collection and use are only for strictly necessary purposes, such as detection of unlawful activity, address verification and credit checks, where credit is sought. • There is negligible competition between the major online marketplaces operating in Australia in respect of the privacy terms offered to website users and marketplace customers, as illustrated by the tables in this submission. • In particular, the privacy terms of all major online marketplaces in Australia: o include numerous vague, open-ended and confusing terms that limit consumers’ information and decision-making. o offer no real and substantial choices about excess data collection and data uses (that is, collection and uses beyond those necessary to facilitate browsing and purchasing via an online marketplace). o universally require consumers to “consent” to the online marketplace obtaining further data about the consumer from third parties, often including data brokers and/or advertising companies, as a condition of using the website or marketplace. This is not necessary for the operation of the website or marketplace. o promise consumers they can opt out of seeing or receiving targeted ads or marketing, without highlighting the fact that this will not prevent the marketplace from continuing to collect and use excess data about the consumer. A warning about this should be highlighted. o require consumers to engage in the Sisyphean task of adjusting privacy settings and rejecting and/or deleting cookies and similar technologies, in a likely fruitless attempt to avoid tracking by these means. There should be a “no-cookie”/”no-tracking” default setting. Those major online marketplaces operating in both the European Union and Australia expressly offer more privacy-protective terms and defaults to EU users than Australian users, which can be taken to be a consequence of stronger privacy regulation in the EU. The three recommendations in this submission – the third-party data collection rule; the no-cookie /no-tracking default; and the warning on personalised advertising opt-outs – are modest, simple and achievable steps towards greater transparency and choice, while major changes to our privacy laws are still being considered. The analysis does not attempt to report on the actual data practices of these marketplaces, but is based on a good-faith interpretation of the published privacy terms.

Addressing Exclusivity Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Almost every aspect of the COVID-19 response, from vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to medical equipment, tracking systems, software, and other innovations, are or will become subject to some form of exclusive rights. Many of these involve intellectual property rights (IPRs). By offering innovators the exclusive right to exploit their innovations while recouping the costs of research, development, and other expenditures, IPRs may incentivize the development of new technologies. But IPRs may also preclude others from important research, manufacturing, and distribution. In the same vein, these exclusionary rights allow right holders to set prices in the absence of competition. Since this may limit access to innovations that are crucial for tackling pandemics, IPRs are a key factor in pandemic response and preparedness. Consequently, they have generated much controversy around the globe. Many of these debates have concentrated on traditional IPRs, particularly patent rights. Numerous existing patent claims cover new chemical or molecular entities. Patents are also filed for repurposed drugs and vaccine platforms (e.g., COVID-19 mRNA platforms), with separate patent protection for the vaccine and its elements, including viral particles, adjuvants, and vaccine boosters. Even in situations where no patent protection is available, many COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines will also obtain regulatory, data, and market exclusivities. Consequently, the specific design and new areas of application for regulatory exclusivities have become an increasingly important issue in general innovation policy debates. This chapter addresses exclusivity issues, with a particular emphasis on regulatory exclusivities for vaccines and therapeutics. We begin with a basic overview of the current regulatory exclusivity landscape in Europe and the US, followed by a discussion of current developments in COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. Next, we describe the influence of these technological developments on debates surrounding regulatory exclusivities while describing their relationship to other forms of exclusivities. From these assessments, we draw some lessons for market exclusivity, innovation, and access during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Effect of Laser Radiation near 1.5 µm on the Photoluminescence Parameters and the Ensemble of NV Centers in Diamond

The effect of laser radiation with a wavelength near 1.55 µm on the photoluminescence properties of “nitrogen-vacancy” (NV) color centers in diamond has been studied experimentally. The effect of radiation of an infrared laser on the charge state of color centers redistributes the spectral intensity of photoluminescence in the ensemble of NV centers. In the case of neutral NV centers, the quenching of photoluminescence reaching about 60% has been observed. A feature of the laser excitation of NV centers by this method is the absence of competition with stimulated emission and two-photon excitation, which is observed with an increase in the power of infrared radiation at other wavelengths.

COMPETITION AND RATCHET HYPOTHESIS: HOW SAFE ARE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA?

This study applied the conventional ratcheting notion that managers (agents) chose to restrict their performance because they anticipated that firms (principals) would respond to higher performance levels by raising targets or by cutting pay in a piece-rate labour environment. A cross-sectional panel model was developed to subject this baseline notion of ratcheting hypothesis to multi-period and ex-post competitive labour market environment, bearing in mind that there was information asymmetry to both parties. It was observed, as predicted by the theoretical model that there would be substantial ratchet effects in the absence of competition. However, when subjected to ex-post competition, the ratchet effects were reduced, regardless of whether market conditions favoured the firms or the managers and thereby making the manufacturing companies in Sub-Saharan Africa safer than when they were exposed to ratcheting in its conventional form.