Use Of Competitors Research Articles

Variation in farming damselfish behaviour creates a competitive landscape of risk on coral reefs.

Interspecific interactions are fundamental drivers of animal space use. Yet while non-consumptive effects of predation risk on prey space use are well-known, the risk of aggressive interactions on space use of competitors is largely unknown. We apply the landscape of risk framework to competition-driven space use for the first time, with the hypothesis that less aggressive competitors may alter their behaviour to avoid areas of high competitor density. Specifically, we test how aggressive risk from territorial algal-farming damselfishes can shape the spatial distribution of herbivore fish competitors. We found that only the most aggressive damselfish had fewer competitors in their surrounding area, demonstrating that individual-level behavioural variation can shape spatial distributions. In contradiction to the landscape of risk framework, abundances of farming damselfish and other fishes were positively associated. Our results suggest that reef fishes do not simply avoid areas of high damselfish abundance, but that spatial variation in aggressive behaviour, rather than of individuals, created a competitive landscape of risk. We emphasize the importance of individual-level behaviour in identifying patterns of space use and propose expanding the landscape of risk framework to non-predatory interactions to explore cascading behavioural responses to aggressive risk.

Temperature modulates the effects of predation and competition on mosquito larvae

1. Predation risk affects interspecific competition by decreasing foraging activity and relative competitive ability. Predation risk is determined by predators' prey choice and prey responses, both of which can be influenced by temperature. Temperature is especially important for larval prey and can result in a trade‐off between predator‐induced decreases in foraging activity and growth. Interspecific competition must also be examined in relation to intraspecific density‐dependent competition; weaker interspecific competition leads to coexistence of competitors.2. This study explored how temperature (15 and 25 °C) could affect a focal species, larvae of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, by examining prey choice in a shared predator (mosquitofish; Gambusia holbrooki) and the effects of predation risk on interspecific competition with Limnodynastes peronii tadpoles. Intraspecific density‐dependent competition in C. quinquefasciatus at these temperatures was also examined.3. At 25 °C, G. holbrooki consumption of both C. quinquefasciatus and L. peronii increased; however, the effects of interspecific competition on mosquito survival did not decrease with L. peronii exposure to predation risk. The relationship between intraspecific density‐dependent competition and interspecific competition was temperature‐dependent, with competitive dominance of L. peronii at 25 °C. Male and female mosquitoes had different temperature‐dependent responses, indicating sex‐specific intrinsic responses to starvation and differential selection pressures. At 25 °C, females were susceptible to interspecific competition by L. peronii, while males were susceptible to intraspecific competition.4. The use of competitors as biological controls has implications for mosquito disease transmission, and these results suggest that control effectiveness may be modified by climate change.

Altered Psychological Responses to Different Magnitudes of Deception during Cycling.

Deceptive manipulations of performance intensity have previously been investigated in cycling time trials (TT) but used different magnitudes, methods, and task durations. This study examines previously used magnitudes of deception during 16.1-km TT and explores yet unexamined psychological responses. Twelve trained cyclists completed five TT, performing two baseline trials alone, one against a simulated dynamic avatar representing 102% of fastest baseline trial (TT(102%)), one against a 105% avatar (TT(105%)), and one against both avatars (TT(102%,105%)). Deceptive use of competitors to disguise intensity manipulation enabled accomplishment of performance improvements greater than their perceived maximal (1.3%-1.7%). Despite a similar improvement in performance, during TT(102%,105%), there was significantly lower affect and self-efficacy to continue pace than those during TT(105%) (P < 0.05), significantly lower self-efficacy to compete than that during TT(102%) (P = 0.004), and greater RPE than that during TTFBL (P < 0.001). Because the interpretation of performance information and perceptions depends on the manner in which it is presented, i.e., "framing effect," it could be suggested that the summative effect of two opponents could have evoked negative perceptions despite eliciting a similar performance. Magnitudes of deception produce similar performance enhancement yet elicit diverse psychological responses mediated by the external competitive environment the participants were performing in.

Tidying Up the Internet: Take Down of Unauthorized Content under Copyright, Trademark and Defamation Law

As business clients make available an ever-increasing array of online content and services, the specter of liability for inappropriate online content looms large. Still, U.S. federal law protects businesses that adopt appropriate take-down regimes for copyright infringement, defamatory content, and even improper use of competitor’s trademarks. As business clients make available an ever-increasing array of online content and services, the specter of liability for inappropriate online content looms large. Still, federal law protects businesses that adopt appropriate take-down regimes for copyright infringement, defamatory content, and even improper use of competitor’s trademarks. While the percentage of complaints suggests that the notice-and-take-down system is a minor aspect of the Internet media ecology, the existence of the system remains a source of tremendous anger for many. Moreover significant litigation in the past year has renewed the focus on these legal tools to tidy the Internet to cleanse it of unwanted or unauthorized content. This article will focus on the recent activity in the courts and congress regarding the various attempts to deal with unauthorized, unwanted and controversial content available on the Internet.

Recognizing an Internet Renaissance for the European Court of Justice: The Quest for Certainty in the Preliminary Rulings on Keyword Use of Competitor’s Trademark

This paper concludes that there's a new - and often under-appreciated - internet lawmaker in the continent, illustrating the entailing practical consequences for various operators. At the same time, this is a story about how the Internet impacts the historical role of that institution in question, the European Court of Justice.These examinations are carried out via a case study on a phenomenon called the use of competitor's trademark in search engine keyword advertising.

Behavioral brand loyalty and consumer brand associations

Brand associations are a core part of Consumer Based Brand Equity (CBBE), and behavioral brand loyalty is a desirable outcome of CBBE. In this research, data from purchase panel and consumer surveys merge to reveal the relationship between a consumer's past behavioral loyalty and their current propensity to give brand associations. The results show a positive relationship, where those with a higher buying frequency and a higher share of category requirements are more likely to give brand associations. The findings also show that share of category requirements is a greater driver of brand association responses than buying frequency. This finding suggests that the use of competitors has a greater dampening effect on brand associations than the reinforcement effect of repeated brand buying. These results have important implications for modeling brand associations, particularly using cross-sectional data.

Balancing Investment Incentives and Social Benefits when Protecting Plant Varieties

This paper examines the most recent (1991) UPOV modification of Plant Variety Protection systems to provide incentives for prebreeding. We conclude the system is unworkable as presently interpreted and, at a minimum, recommend that national bodies be established to manage minimum enhancements for initial variety status. A more fundamental limitation is the application of a single approach for improvements controlled by single or by multiple gene traits; a relatedness requirement is appropriate for the latter but not the former. We recommend different criteria be applied depending on the type(s) of innovation that characterizes a new variety. Absent that, the incentive structure applies pressure against the use of competitors’ materials in a breeding program, which can delay breeding advances, while not providing significant incentives to encourage introduction of new traits through prebreeding.

Trade Restraints: Resale Price Maintenance: Use of Competitors as Agents

Trade Restraints: Resale Price Maintenance: Use of Competitors as Agents