Unraveling Predatory Pricing:Insights From Case Studies and Game Theory Modeling

This paper develops a game-theory model for predatory pricing via in-depth analyses of three case studies:Brooke Group Ltd.v.Brown&Williamson Tobacco Corp.,Matsushita Electric Industries Co.v.Zenith Radio Corporation,and AKZO Chemie BV v.Commission of the European Communities.This model is based on subsequent action game theory models and rational economics behavior,offering a chronological outline of the“predation”stages.It presents the predator’s decisions,the prey’s potential responses,possible loops,and the two distinctive outcomes.The analysis of the model in context of the three case studies demonstrates its practicality in assessing real-life predatory pricing scenarios and players’strategies.It’s flexibility also allows applications in related fields.Overall,this paper offers a comprehensive framework that bridges the gap between law,economics,and game theory in the study of predatory pricing,informing future research in this area.

Impact Assessments of Transgenic cry1Ab Rice on the Population Dynamics of Five Non-Target Thrips Species and Their General Predatory Flower Bug in Bt and Non-Bt Rice Fields Using Color Sticky Card Traps

A 2-yr field study was conducted to assess the effects of transgenic japonica rice（KMD1 and KMD2） with a synthetic cry1 Ab gene from Bacillus thuingiensis Berliner on population dynamics and seasonal average densities of five thrips species including Stenchaetothrips biformis（Bagnall）,Frankliniella intonsa（Trybom）,F.tenuicornis（Uzel）,Haplothrips aculeatus（Fabricius）,Haplothrips tritici（Kurd） and their general predatory flower bug,Orius similis Zheng as compared to the parental control rice line using the white,blue and yellow sticky card traps.Population dynamics and seasonal average densities of these five thrips species and their general predatory flower bug were not significantly affected by rice type.Additionally,the white sticky card trap was suggested to be the most suitable for monitoring the population of these five thrips species and their general predator.These results show that our tested Bt rice lines do not interrupt the population of non-target thrips species and their general predatory flower bug in the field,and also cannot result in more occurrence of these thrips species in the rice ecosystem.

Predatory Efficacy of Cotton Inhabiting Spiders on Bemisiatabaci, Amrascadevastans Thripstabaci and Helicoverpa armigera in Laboratory Conditions

Distinction of predator＇s diet and prey choice preference is a hot topic of current investigations. Spider being generalist predator and cosmopoliter in nature acts as biological control agent in many agro-ecosystems. In the current study, predatory efficacy of five spiders （Pardosa birmanica, Cyclosa insulana, Thomisus projectus, Plexippus paykulli and Lycosa terrestris） inhabiting the cotton fieldevaluated in the laboratory conditions maintained at （27＋2）℃ temperature, 65%-5% relative humidity and 12 ： 12 h of light and dark photoperiod. Four key cotton pests＇ viz. Bemisiatabaci, Amrascaderastans Thripstabaci and Helicoverpa armigera were utilized in the choice and no-choice predatory studies. The findings of current investigation revealed that each predatory spider utilized at least one pest species. Predation rate was found higher in the no-choice predation because of unavailability of substitutes feeding source. The investigation also indicated each predatory spider killed more pests than consumed. The findings of this study support the predatory role of spiders in controlling the cotton major pests.

Understanding the Nature of Predatory Pricing in Large-Scale Market Economy with Genetic Algorithms

In this paper the nature of predatory pricing is analyzed with genetic algorithms. It is found that, even under the same payoff structure, the results of the coevolution of weak monopolists and entrants are sensitive to the representationof the decisionmaking process. Two representations are studied in this paper. One is the actionbased representation and the other the strategybased representation. The former is to represent a naive mind and the latter is to capture a sophisticated mind. For the actionbased representation, the convergence results are easily obtained and predatory pricing is only temporary in all simulations. However, for the strategybased representation, predatory pricing is not a rare phenomenon and its appearance is cyclical but not regular. Therefore, the snowball effect of a little craziness observed in the experimental game theory wins its support from this representation. Furthermore, the nature of predatory pricing has something to do with the evolution of the sophisticated rather than the naive minds.

Predatory behavior of Tetrigus lewisi on Monochamus alternatus

Pine wilt is a serious and fatal disease in pine forests. It is caused by the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, transmitted by the Japanese saw beetle Monochamus alternatus. Control of this disease depends on reducing its vector population. The public is demanding environmentally friendly control methods and biological control has become increasingly seen as an impor-tant, safe and effective approach. Through our investigations both in the field and by breeding in our laboratory, a new predator of M. alternatus, Tetrigus lewisi （Coleoptera： Elateridae）, was found for the first time in China. Given our continuous observations, we are assured that the predatory behavior of the elater can be separated into four parts, i.e., foraging and sensing, killing, eating and excre-tion. They always took several hours to eat the preys that have been killed momentarily. We finally found that most of the elaters preferably attacked in the stomach and abdomen of the larva of M. alternatus.

A case of cellulitis of the hands caused by a predatory bird attack

Many species have been drastically affected by rapid urbanization.Harris' s hawks from their natural habitat of open spaces and a supply of rodents,lizards and other small prey have been forced to change their natural environment adapting to living in open spaces in sub-and periurban areas.Specific areas include playgrounds,parks and school courtyards.The migration of this predatory species into these areas poses a risk to individuals,and especially the children are often attacked by claws,talons and beaks intentionally or as collateral damage while attacking rodent prey.In addition,the diverse micro-organisms harbored in the beaks and talons can result in wound infections,presenting a challenge to clinical management.Here we would like to present a case of an 80-year-old man with cellulitis of bom hands after sustaining minor injuries from the talons of a Harris s hawk and review the management options.We would also like to draw attention to the matter that,even though previously a rarity,more cases of injuries caused by birds of prey may be seen in hospital settings.

Piscicidal Effects of Terminalia arjuna Leaf,Bark and Fruit Extract on a Fresh Water Predatory Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis

Piscicidal effects of several solvent extarcts(distilled water,50%ethanol,absolute ethanol and 80%methanol)of Terminalia arjuna leaves,barks and fruits were studied against a common fresh water predatory fish,Heteropneustes fossilis under laboratory conditions in terms of Behavior and mortality of fishes after 24 h.Fishes exposed to plant extracts showed agitating movement with quick surfacing,loss of balance,mucus secretion,and finally died.The LC50 values of distilled water,50%ethanol,absolute ethanol and 80%methanol extracts were found to be 311.726,236.141,183.541,478.794 ppm for leaves,117.894,96.998,38.990,304.193 ppm for barks and 1400.033,949.209,555.201,875.158 ppm for fruits,respectively.Chi-square values were found to be insignificant at P<0.05 in almost all plant extracts,indicating that observed and expected mortalities did not vary significantly in relation to doses,except 80%methanol extract of barks and absolute ethanol extract of fruits.The F-values of treatments were significant at P<0.01,except 80%methanol extract of fruits,in which F-values were insignificant in all replicates at P>0.01.Based on LC50 values,order of piscicidal activity followed the pattern,bark>leaf>fruit extracts.Order of piscicidal activity for the extracts was like absolute ethanol>50%ethanol>distilled water>80%methanol for leaf and bark,while for fruit extracts,trend was like absolute ethanol>80%methanol>50%ethanol>distilled water.

Neurocircuitry of Predatory Hunting

Predatory hunting is an important type of innate behavior evolutionarily conserved across the animal king-dom.It is typically composed of a set of sequential actions,including prey search,pursuit,attack,and consumption.This behavior is subject to control by the nervous system.Early studies used toads as a model to probe the neuroethology of hunting,which led to the proposal of a sensory-triggered release mechanism for hunting actions.More recent stud-ies have used genetically-trackable zebrafish and rodents and have made breakthrough discoveries in the neuroethol-ogy and neurocircuits underlying this behavior.Here,we review the sophisticated neurocircuitry involved in hunting and summarize the detailed mechanism for the circuitry to encode various aspects of hunting neuroethology,including sensory processing,sensorimotor transformation,motivation,and sequential encoding of hunting actions.We also discuss the overlapping brain circuits for hunting and feeding and point out the limitations of current studies.We propose that hunting is an ideal behavioral paradigm in which to study the neuroethology of motivated behaviors,which may shed new light on epidemic disorders,including bingeeating,obesity,and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Acaricidal effect of the antimicrobial metabolite xenocoumacin 1 on spider mite control

The two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch,is one of the most harmful pests in many agroecosystems worldwide.To effectively manage this pest,there is an urgent need to develop novel bio-active acaricides that support integrated pest management strategies targeting T.urticae.In this study,we explored the acaricidal effects of xenocoumacin 1 (Xcn1) on T.urticae and its predator Neoseiulus californicus using the highly puri?ed compound.Xcn1 was extracted and purified from the cell-free supernatant of the Xenorhabdus nematophila CB6 mutant constructed by the easy promoter activated compound identi?cation (easyPACId) method.When the concentration of Xcn1 exceeded 100μg mL~(–1),the survival rate of spider mite adults declined to below 40%and the fecundity was decreased by 80%at six days post-application.At concentrations of 25 and 50μg mL~(–1),Xcn1 signi?cantly impeded spider mite development by inhibiting the molt.However,neither concentration had any adverse effects on the survival or reproduction of the predatory mite N.californicus.The results from laboratory and semi-?eld experiments consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of the antimicrobial metabolite Xcn1 in controlling pest mites at both the molecular and physiological levels.Our study offers a promising possibility that combines the compatible biocontrol agents of Xcn1 and predatory mites for integrated pest mite control.

Predatory journals and meetings in forensic sciences:what every expert needs to know about this“parasitic”publishing model

The emergence of the internet has transformed all areas of society.This includes the universe of scientific publications,with several publishers now exclusively focusing on the electronic format and open access model while expanding to a megajournal scope.in this context,the pandemic of predatory open access journals(POAJs)and meetings are of grave concern to the academic and research community.This new shift within academia produces a variety of new victims;namely,the authors themselves.in turn,scientific knowledge is often discredited,with the public placing less trust in science.Now more than ever,performing research with integrity and selecting a journal in which to publish requires close attention and expertise.The“predatory movement”has developed increasingly sophisticated techniques for misleading people into believing what seem to be credible professional layouts and legitimate invitations.initiatives such as the Jeffrey Beall’s list,the Cabell’s Scholarly Analytics and Think.Check.Submit offer some guidance to uncover the“parasitic”intervention of predatory journals and meetings,but specific education in this field is sorely needed.This work aims to review the main characteristics of predatory journals and meetings and to analyze this topic in the context of forensic and legal medicine research.

Demographic histories of three predatory lady beetles reveal complex patterns of diversity and population size change in the United States

Predatory lady beetles (Coccinellidae)contribute to biological control of agri- cultural pests,however,multiple species frequently compete for similar resources in the same environment.Numerous studies have examined ecological interactions among the native North American convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens)and two intro- duced species,the seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)and the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis),in agricultural fields and described multiyear population dynamics.However,the evolutionary dynamics of these interacting species of predatory beetles are uncharacterized.We utilize publicly available multilocus genotype data from geographically disjunct populations of these three species to estimate demography across North American populations.Coalescent analyses reveal (1)a recent (4-5years)decline (>12 fold)in microsatellite effective population size ofH.convergens,while expanding (mutation scaled growth rate in 1/u generations =2910,SD =362)over evolutionary time scales,(2)a massive (>150 fold),and very recent,effective population size decline in Ha. axyridis,and (3)population size growth (mutation scaled growth rate =997,SD =60)over recent and evolutionary time scales in C.septempunctata.Although these estimates are based on genetic data with different mutation rates and patterns of inheritance (mitochondrial versus nuclear),these dynamic and differing population size histories are striking. Further studies of the interactions of these predatory lady beetles in the field are thus warranted to explore the consequences of population size change and biological control activities for evolutionary trajectories in North America.

Impacts of 2 species of predatory Reduviidae on bagworms in oil palm plantations

Integrated pest management （IPM） is widely practiced in commercial oil palm agriculture. This management system is intended to minimize the number of attacks by pest insects such as bagworms on crops, as well as curb economic loss with less dependency on chemical pesticides. One practice in IPM is the use of biological control agents such as predatory insects. In this study, we assessed the response of predatory natural enemies to pest outbreak and water stress, and document the habitat associations of potential pest predators. The abundances of 2 predatory insect species, namely Sycanus dichotomus and Cosmolestes pictieeps （Hemiptera： Reduviidae）, were compared bagworm outbreak sites and nonoutbreak sites within oil palm plantations. We also examined habitat characteristics that influence the abundances of both predatory species. We found that the abundance of C. picticeps was significantly higher in bagworm outbreak sites than in nonoutbreak sites. There were no significant differences in the abundance ofS. dichotomus among outbreak and non-outbreak sites. Both species responded negatively to water stress in oil palm plantations. Concerning the relationship between predatory insect abundance and in situ habitat quality characteristics, our models explained 46.36% of variation for C. picticeps and 23.17% of variation for S. dichotomus. Both species of predatory insects thrived from the planting of multiple beneficial plants in oil palm plantations. The results suggest that C. picticeps can be used as a biological agent to control bagworm populations in oil palm plantations, but S. dichotomus has no or little potential for such ecosystem service.

Behavior and Approximate Entropy of Right-eye Lateralization During Predation in the Music Frog

Brain asymmetry for processing visual information is widespread in animals.However,it is still unknown how the complexity of the underlying neural network activities represents this asymmetrical pattern in the brain.In the present study,we investigated this complexity using the approximate entropy(ApEn)protocol for electroencephalogram(EEG)recordings from the forebrain and midbrain while the music frogs(Nidirana daunchina)attacked prey stimulus.The results showed that(1)more significant prey responses were evoked by the prey stimulus presented in the right visual field than that in the left visual field,consistent with the idea that right-eye preferences for predatory behaviors exist in animals including anurans;(2)in general,the ApEn value of the left hemisphere(especially the left mesencephalon)was greatest under various stimulus conditions,suggesting that visual lateralization could be reflected by the dynamics of underlying neural network activities and that the stable left-hemisphere dominance of EEG ApEn may play an important role in maintaining this brain asymmetry.

Quantitative impact of mating duration on reproduction and offspring sex ratio of Phytoseiulus persimilis(Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Phytoseiulus persimilis is an important biological control agent, commercially produced worldwide. To increase understandings of its reproduction, herein we provided quantitative descriptions of the inflation and deflation of its spermathecae as a function of time and copulation duration, and the quantitative impact of copulation termination on volume of spermatheca vesicle, fecundity, and offspring sex ratio. After mating started, at least one spermatheca started to inflate immediately, but no egg was produced until spermatheca volume reached 1 021 μm3. Beyond this size, cumulative fecundity was linearly correlated with vesicle volume. Producing one egg required 36 μm3 volume increase of the vesicle. Each spermatheca vesicle reached its peak size at the end of mating duration(ca. 2.38 h after mating started), and started to shrink immediately. In 24 h, ca. 71% individuals had one completely shriveled spermatheca, while in 72 h all individuals had at least one shriveled spermatheca. The estimated maximum cumulative fecundity per female after a single mating is(69.4±7.7) eggs. No significant impact of mating termination on offspring sex ratio was observed after mating duration reached 60 min, while higher proportion of male offspring was observed when mating duration is 15 or 30 min. This study is the first step to investigate possible male impact on offspring sex ratio in P. persimilis. Our results suggested the number of sperms received during mating be a restriction factor of P. persimilis offspring sex ratio regulation.

Selectivity of Three Miticides to Spider Mite Predator,Phytoseius plumifer(Acari:Phytoseiidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The predatory mite, Phytoseius plumifer （Canestrini ＆ Fanzago）, is one of the most abundant natural enemies and efficient predator of phytophagous mites in Iran. The miticides hexythiazox （Nisorun, EC 10%）, fenpyroximate （Ortus, SC 5%）, and abamectin （Vertimec, EC 1.8%） were tested in the laboratory for their side effects on P. plumifer. The miticides were applied at the highest field recommended concentration （N） to detached leaves using a Potter Tower to deposit 2 mg spray solution per cm2. Percent predator mortality was evaluated from the protonymph up to the adult stage including the first five days of the oviposition period. Analysis of data showed that the total effect values of hexythiazox were below the lower threshold, and thus it could be considered to be a harmless miticide to P. plumifer. In contrast, the total effects of fenpyroximate and abamectin were found harmful to the predatory mite at the highest field recommended concentrations.

智利小植绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨的捕食效能评价

采用室内观察的方法,用HollingⅡ型圆盘方程进行拟合,研究了智利小植绥螨雌成螨和若螨在不同的温度下对土耳其斯坦叶螨成螨的功能反应,以及智利小植绥螨个体之间捕食的干扰反应,为智利小植绥螨人工繁殖以及在田间释放提供理论依据。结果表明,各个温度下智利小植绥螨雌成螨和若螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨成螨的反应均属于HollingⅡ型。智利小植绥螨雌成螨和若螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨成螨的最大捕食量分别为16.13头/d和1.07头/d,瞬时攻击系数分别为:0.801和0.115,捕食能力(a/Th值)随温度的升高而增大,27℃达到最大;研究发现在土耳其斯坦叶螨密度一定时,智利小植绥螨个体之间存在干扰和竞争作用,平均捕食量随着捕食螨密度的增加而减小。在防治土耳其斯坦叶螨的过程中,应考虑智利小植绥螨雌成螨和若螨的捕食能力差别以及其自身存在的干扰作用,以混合螨态进行田间释放,以达到持续防治土耳其斯坦叶螨的效果。

Effects of Predators on the Belowground Life Stages (Prepupae and Pupae) of the Western Flower Thrips, <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i>(Thripidae: Thysanoptera): A Review

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major cosmopolitan insect pest causing direct and indirect damage to greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. The primary way of managing western flower thrips populations is by routinely applying insecticides, which target the aboveground life stages: larvae and adult. However, insecticides are minimally effective against the pupal stages (prepupae and pupae) that reside in the growing medium or soil. Therefore, soil-dwelling biological control agents including: predatory mites [Stratiolaelaps scimitus and Hypoaspis = (Geolaelaps) aculeifer], and a rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria may be a viable option to induce mortality on the pupal stages. These predators will feed on the pupal stages of the western flower thrips and can provide mortality on a life stage that is tolerant of insecticide applications. However, these biological control agents need to be used in conjunction with other plant protection strategies, such as insecticides and/or biological control agents that target the aboveground life stages (larvae and adult) to effectively manage western flower thrips populations in greenhouse production systems.

Implications of Publication Requirements for the Research Output of Ukrainian Academics in Scopus in 1999-2019

Purpose:This article explores the implications of publication requirements for the research output of Ukrainian academics in Scopus in 1999-2019.As such it contributes to the existing body of knowledge on quantitative and qualitative effects of research evaluation policies.Design/methodology/approach:Three metrics were chosen to analyse the implications of publication requirements for the quality of research output:publications in predatory journals,publications in local journals and publications per SNIP quartile from the disciplinary perspective.Findings:Study results highlight,that,firstly,publications of Ukrainian authors in predatory journals rose to 1%in 2019.Secondly,the share of publications in local journals reached the peak of 47.3%in 2015.In 2019 it fell to 31.8%.Thirdly,though the total number of publications has risen dramatically since 2011,but the share of Q3+Q4 has exceeded the share of Q1+Q2.To summarise,the study findings highligh,that research evaluation policies are required to contain not only quantitative but also qualitative criteria.Research limitation:The study does not explore in detail the effects of a particular type of publication requirements.Practical implications:The findings of the study have practical implications for policymakers and university managers aimed to develop research evaluation policies.Originality/value:This paper gains insights into the effects of publication requirements on the research output of Ukrainian academics in Scopus.

Predator-prey encounters:deciphering the robbery relationship between highwayman flies and their ant victims

Examples of predator–prey interactions in which flies rob ants are uncommon.To date,this behavior has only been recorded in the genus Bengalia Robineau-Desvoidy(Bengaliinae,Diptera,Calliphoridae).These predatory flies ambush ants,and rob them of the food or offspring that they are carrying.However,because of the rarity of this behavior,the reasons and consequences(evolutionary advantages)are unknown,and indeed,the behavior has been sometimes considered anecdotal.In this study,we employed field investigations and behavioral analyses to investigate whether the sex of the fly Bengalia varicolor,or the weight and quality of the food carried by Pheidole nodus ants influenced fly–ant interactions in their natural habitats.We show that food weight and quality influenced the behavior of B.varicolor independent of the fly’s sex.Robbing behavior by the flies was more successful when the food robbed was of high-quality and light in weight.Furthermore,the weight of the food robbed modulated the escape distance the flies could carry it.This then may affect the food quality and weight transported by the ants.This is a novel example of deciphering the relationship between highwayman flies and their ant victims.Given the widespread distribution of Bengalia flies,we suggest that such interspecific predator–prey encounters may shape the robbery interactions and the carrying behavior of further ant species in nature.

The fecal shield is a double-edged sword for larvae of a leaf beetle

Larvae of some leaf beetles carry masses of feces covering parts or all of the body,which is called a"fecal shield'In general,the shield is thought to be a defense structure against natural enemies.However,some studies have suggested that defense effectiveness varies depending on the natural enemy.In this study,we used a fecal retention leaf beetle Ophrida xanthospilota(Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae),and 2 local generalist predators(an ant,Camponotus japonicus(Hymenoptera:Formicidae)and a stinkbug,Arma custos(Hemiptera:Pentatomidael)as a system to test the hypothesis that the fecal shield of O.xanthospilota plays different roles in predation behavior of different predators and can provide multiple chemical communication signals in predator-prey interactions.Prey bioassays showed that the fecal shield of O.xanthospilota larvae repelled the ant C.japonicus while attracting the stinkbug A.custos.The results also strongly demonstrated that hexane extracts of the fecal shield significantly repelled C.japonicus,while dichloromethane(DCM)extracts did not inhibit ant predation.Interestingly,DCM extracts attracted A.custos,but hexane extracts did not.Therefore,we suggest that the fecal shield is a double-edged sword for the larvae of O.xanthospilota.Our results also indicated that the risk-benefit tradeoff of an insect should be estimated at a community level involving multiple enemies(predators and parasites)and herbivores,rather than in a single prey-predator pair.