Contract Positions Research Articles

Ultrasonographic evaluation of masseter muscle thickness in patients with disk displacement with reduction.

This study was performed to ultrasonographically assess the masseter muscle thicknesses of individuals with disk displacement with reduction. The thickness of the masseter muscle in 100 patients (28 male, 72 female; average age 34years) who presented with one-sided temporomandibular joint pain and a clicking sound and were diagnosed with disk displacement with reduction was measured in relaxation and at maximum contraction using ultrasonography. In the contracted position, the difference in the masseter muscle thickness between the healthy side and the side with disk displacement with reduction was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two sides in the relaxed position. Obvious ultrasonographic changes of the masseter muscle were found in patients with temporomandibular disk displacement with reduction, and these changes might be related to unilateral chewing. Individuals with anterior disc displacement probably chew unilaterally because of pain and clicking.

Structure of Channel Management and Agency Theory: Relationship Marketing Approach for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Business

This article aimed at identifying, describing, and obtaining deep understanding about channel management to reveal the characteristics of relationship-marketing theory. As such, it utilizes the agency theoretical perspective which is occasionally used in prior relationship-marketing research. The research uses qualitative method based on phenomenology theoretical-design and constructivism philosophy to observed fast-moving consumer goods business phenomenon within transactional buying-selling process in the channel management structure. Such design will be applied through the mechanism of distribution channels in traditional trade. The result identifies three positions of distribution channels within the agency theory perspective: (1) relationship between principal, distributor and promotional agencies in an efficient contract position, (2) relationship between distributor, wholesaler and retailer in the position of the realized outcomes, and (3) relationship between wholesaler, retailer and the end-users in a pay-offs position. The findings viewed as a constructive way in describing the re-design model structure of channel management from the agency theoretical perspective. As such, the research revealed three characteristics of relationship marketing; exclusive contract, direct competitive, and temporary contract approach. This research implies that the agency theoretical perspective will emerge as a new and prosperous theoretical perspective in the field of relationship marketing research in the future. It might be argued that managers in applying any relationship marketing approach are advised to stay focused on improving the quality of relationships among the partners covered by each channel-group. Further, it is expected that future research in the field of marketing management, particularly on relationship-marketing research, to utilize the agency theory as their theoretical strands.

The Role of a Full-time Mathematics Support Tutor

In September 2016, Maynooth University appointed a Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) University Tutor on a three year contract, a unique position on the island of Ireland. In this paper, we briefly explore the important role of MSCs and their tutors. We describe the University Tutor’s activities for the 2016-17 academic year and we discuss the benefits of establishing such a position. We also advocate for the establishment of more contract positions.

Transverzalna analiza skoliotičnih poremećaja kod mlađih adolescentkinja urbane i ruralne životne sredine

The main aim of the research is to determine the frequency, severity, structure, and possible differences of spinal disorders among the girls from urban and rural areas in Montenegro. Research of transversal character included 155 female respondents, 77 of whom were from urban and 78 from rural areas, the average age 13.7 years. The analysis of scoliotic disorders was performed by using several combined techniques and methods of measurement: somatoscopy method, method by using plumb line and ruler, test of raising hand on the concave side of the body, Adams test, test of 'voluntary' muscle contraction and higher position test (Koturović & Jeričević, 1998; Živković, 1998; Radisavljević, 2001; Jovović, 2008). Frequency distribution of interrupted statistical series has been calculated for all postural variables and their variations. The differences between the subsamples of respondents were tested using the chisquare test. The results of the research indicate that the frequency of scoliotic disorders is present in great number of younger respondents in Montenegro. Statistically significant differences have not been confirmed between the respondents from urban and rural areas. The research showed that the largest percentage of deviations from the functional disorders, in both subsamples, which can be successfully corrected with the adequate application of physical treatments.

Imperfect Competition in Electricity Markets with Renewable Generation: The Role of Renewable Compensation Policies

We analyze the effects of commonly employed renewable compensation policies on firm behavior in an imperfectly competitive market. We consider a model where firms compete for renewable capacity in a procurement auction prior to choosing their forward contract positions and competing in wholesale electricity markets. We focus on fixed and premium-priced feed-in tariff (FIT) compensation policies. We demonstrate that the renewable compensation policy impacts both the types of resources that win the renewable auction and subsequent market competition. While firms have stronger incentives to exercise market power in wholesale markets under a premium-priced FIT, they also have increased incentives to sign pro-competitive forward contracts. Despite these countervailing incentives, in net firms have stronger incentives to exercise market power under the premium-priced policy. We find conditions under which renewable resources that are correlated with market demand are procured under a premium-priced design, while the opposite occurs under a fixed-priced policy. If the cost efficiencies associated with the more renewable resources are sufficiently large, then welfare is larger under the premium-priced policy despite the stronger market power incentives in the wholesale market. Finally, we consider incumbent behavior in the renewable auction when competing against entrants with valuable resources.

“Ice Cream is Worse, and Joblessness is Not an Option”

A rise in informal labor, characterized by contracted and non-salaried positions, has been observed in many industry sectors including journalism. While opportunities for freelance journalists have increased, the journalism industry has simultaneously experienced mass layoffs. Using a survey (N = 411), with quantitative and qualitative measures, this study assesses freelancers’ experiences in the US context with a particular attention to gender. The study finds that women perceive freelancing, but not full-time journalism, as compatible with raising children. Although there were no differences in perceptions about layoffs and job stability, the women in the sample were more likely to rely on freelancing as the only job and subsequently express concerns over pay. Open-ended responses provide further insight into the state of the journalism industry, full-time employment, and gender dynamics.

1308PD - Preliminary efficacy and safety of lorlatinib in patients (Pts) with ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background: Most pts with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC achieve initial benefit with crizotinib but subsequently develop resistance, and further treatment options are limited. In Phase 1 of this study, lorlatinib, a potent and brain-penetrant TKI, was associated with a response rate of 50% in ROS1-positive NSCLC pts, most of whom had central nervous system (CNS) metastases (mets) and a majority of whom had received prior crizotinib. Antitumor activity and safety were explored at the recommended Phase 2 dose. Methods: In this ongoing, Phase 2 study (NCT01970865), pts with ROS1+ NSCLC, ± asymptomatic untreated or treated CNS mets were enrolled with no restriction on the type or number of prior lines of therapy. Pts received lorlatinib 100 mg QD. The primary objective was overall and intracranial (IC) antitumor activity, measured as overall and IC response by independent central review. Results: 23 pts with ROS1+ NSCLC were treated; 12 had CNS involvement, 16 had received prior crizotinib and 1 had received prior crizotinib and ceritinib. The overall response rate (ORR) by investigator assessment for this cohort was 8/23 (34.8%; 95% CI: 16.4, 57.3). The best overall response was SD in 11 pts (47.8%) and progressive disease (PD) in 2 pts (8.7%). The disease control rate at 12 weeks was 17/23 (73.9%; 95% CI: 51.6, 89.8). Of 8 pts with a confirmed response, 3 have progressed (after a range of 3.5–7.0 mos) and the remainder are in follow-up (range: 5.6–8.3 mos). The IC-ORR was 3/12 (25%) (95% CI: 5.5, 57.2). The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hypercholesterolemia (95.7%) and hypertriglyceridemia (69.6%) both managed with statins or other lipid lowering agents. Additional TRAEs included peripheral edema (34.8%) and cognitive effects (30.4%). Treatment-related dose interruptions and dose reductions occurred in 26.1% and 17.4% of pts, respectively; there were no treatment-related discontinuations or deaths. Most pts remain on treatment. Conclusions: Lorlatinib has shown clinical activity in ROS1+ NSCLC pts, a majority of whom had CNS involvement and most of whom had received prior crizotinib. Overall, lorlatinib was well-tolerated with lipid elevations being the most common TRAEs. Clinical trial identification: NCT01970865 Legal entity responsible for the study: Pfizer Funding: Pfizer Disclosure: B. Besse: Corporate sponsored research: Pfizer. A.T. Shaw: Advisory board or board of directors: Blueprint medicines, KSQ Therapeutics (scientific advisory board). Consulting/Honoria Pfizer, Novartis, Ariad, Genentech/Roche, Ignyta, Daiichi-sankyo, Taiho, LOXO, Blueprint medicines, EMD Serono, Foundation Medicine. B.J. Solomon: Membership of an advisory board or board of directors: Advisory Boards: Pfizer, Novartis, Roche-Genentech, AstraZeneca, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb. M. Satouchi: Corporate sponsored research: Pfizer Honoraria: Pfizer. J.S. Clancy: Employed by inVentiv clinical but under contract position with Pfizer. L.P. James, A. Abbattista: Employee and stock owner of Pfizer. E. Felip Font: Advisory boards: Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, MSD, Boehringer Ingelheim Speaker's bureau/lectures fees: AstraZeneca, BMS, Novartis. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Etude Archeothanatologique De La Sepulture Protohistorique Du Monument Funeraire Mbii (Boulmane, Moyen Atlas, Maroc)

The Moudmane Boulama site is a funeral structure located at 10 km South West of the city of Boulmane (Middle Atlas). It is a necropolis made of approximately twenty tumuli implanted on a hill. The MBII funeral monument is a tumulus built on the top of this hill, which culminates at 1970 m. It is an oval formation made of stack of stones and blocks. The funeral space is delimited in its West part by a low wall made of a sharpened stone alignment. The digs undertaken in June 2013 brought to light the burial place of a H3 adult and some remains of another adult as well as an immature subject. The skeleton of the most complete H3 individual is a male adult, buried in a lying dorsal position, oriented towards East West, head towards West and feet East. He is in a hyper contracted position and lays on an oval plane pit with a diameter of less than a meter. The calvarium and the mandible were subjected to a rotation and lay on the right side. The superior members are folded on themselves and laid on the thorax. The inferior members are also flexed. The skeleton is characterised by the maintaining of the connection of a number of labile elements which allows the characterisation of the burial place as being primarily in clogged space. This funeral monument has probably been used at first for the reception of the two individuals (H1 and H2) and then for the burial of the H3 individual in a sepulchral pit. The reuse of the monument could be explained by the three individuals belonging to the same family and that the last buried subject H3 has a more important familial and possibly social role. This tumulus has also released funeral furniture made of a few bones of domestic fauna. They were the object of a radiometric dating, which allowed the attribution of 2290 ± 35 years old to this tumulus14C B.P (GifA15085/ Sac A 41509).

Contracts and capabilities: public service interpreting and third sector domestic violence services

ABSTRACTThis article evaluates the role played by professional and non-professional volunteer interpreters in the care trajectories and institutional itineraries of survivors of domestic abuse in the third sector and is informed by Martha C. Nussbaum’s capabilities approach to contractarian theory. Reporting on a case study involving an organisation in the North West of England, it sheds light on how interpreter provision supports survivors in converting capabilities into effective social participation, and the extent to which survivors are able to influence the initial contract position in relation to language services provision. It finds that rather than being used as a replacement for professional interpreting, nonprofessional volunteer interpreters support survivors in ways that help them to achieve a range of service outcomes. Further, it finds that the evolving contractual relation places demands on professional interpreters to limit their role in interaction as the service user prepares to move on independently. I conclude that the capabilities approach provides a useful theoretical lens for examining service user empowerment in multilingual service spaces, especially in light of recently observed failings in rights-based approaches to interpreting and translation provision. The approach widens the debate about what constitutes socially responsible language services provision in this setting.

Does that pose become you? Testing the effect of body postures on self-concept

ABSTRACTSelf-concept expansion predicts a range of adaptive outcomes. An intriguing possible cause of self-concept expansion is the posing of one’s body expansively, that is, “power posing.” In Study 1 (N = 65), we found that body expansion had an effect, of moderate magnitude (d = 0.58), on self-concept size in college women as measured by the Twenty Statements Test. Participants who were randomly assigned to hold expanded poses (vs. contracted) – under the guise of a cover story about holding different body positions to test the accuracy of wireless electrodes – wrote significantly more self-statements than those who assumed contracted positions. In pre-registered Study 2 we tested whether this finding was replicable and extended this research by aiming to characterize the process by which it occurred. One hundred and twenty-eight women students were randomly assigned to hold either expanded or contracted postures. They completed surveys measuring two general classes of potential mediators (“broaden-and-build” and “narrow-and-disrupt”), body self-objectification as a moderator, and four indices of self-concept size. Posture was not found to affect self-concept size, nor was it moderated by self-objectification. Though there was no effect on self-expansion, in exploratory analyses, assigned posture affected one of the broaden-and-build measures: psychological flexibility. Results of Study 2 could indicate that a mere two minutes of holding an expanded versus contracted body posture is not enough to induce changes in self-concept size; lack of main effects could in addition be due to a range of unmeasured confounders and/or the fragile and transient nature of the effect.

Building an archivist: exploring career paths in our profession since 2008 (an Irish perspective)

Since the financial crisis of 2007–2008, newly qualified archivists in Ireland have increasingly found themselves working for years in short-term contract positions, augmented in many cases by volunteering at repositories or by taking government-sponsored internships. This article explores the ways in which the jobs market has changed in Ireland for archivists and records managers from 2008 to 2014, how the lack of employment stability has impacted new archives professionals in both personal and professional terms, and what, if any, future steps might be necessary or useful to counter the effects on both.

The Scholar-Practitioner Debate in International Higher Education

This discussion looks at the role and potential of a growing class of professionals at U.S. colleges and universities today: scholar-practitioners or alternative-academics. Scholar-practitioners are products of a changing higher education landscape where core faculty lines are declining while contract and adjunct positions are growing in tandem with the proliferation of specialized campus services. For hybrid scholar-practitioners of international higher education, opportunities exist to leverage their exposure to data and experiential knowledge in order to broaden and deepen the discussion in an enterprise increasingly attracting significant research attention.

The skewness risk premium in currency markets

This paper examines the relationship between currency option's implied skewness and its future realized skewness, where the difference is known as the skewness risk premium (SRP). The SRP indicates whether investors pay a premium to be insured against future crash risk. Past investigations about implied and realized skewness within currency markets showed that both measures are loosely connected or even exhibit a negative relationship that cannot be rationalized by no-arbitrage arguments. Therefore, this paper studies time-series of future and option contract positions data in order to explain the disconnection in terms of investor's position-induced demand pressure. While demand pressures on options do not sufficiently contribute to the disconnection, there is evidence that, surprisingly, demand pressure in currency future markets have the power to explain this market anomaly. Furthermore, currency momentum also plays an important role, which leads to a strong cyclical demand for OTM calls in rising or OTM puts in declining markets. In order to exploit the disconnection of skewness, a simple skew swap trading strategy proposed by Schneider (2012) has been set up. The resulting skew swap returns are relatively high, but the return distribution is extremely fat-tailed. To appropriately compare different skew swap strategy returns, this paper proposes a Higher Moment Sharpe Ratio that also takes higher moments into account.

The Skewness Risk Premium in Currency Markets

This paper examines the relationship between currency option’s implied skewness and its future realized skewness, where the difference is known as the skewness risk premium (SRP). The SRP indicates whether investors pay a premium to be insured against future crash risk. Past investigations about implied and realized skewness within currency markets showed that both measures are loosely connected or even exhibit a negative relationship that cannot be rationalized by no-arbitrage arguments. Therefore, this paper studies time-series of future and option contract positions data in order to explain the disconnection in terms of investor’s position-induced demand pressure. While demand pressures on options do not sufficiently contribute to the disconnection, there is evidence that, surprisingly, demand pressure in currency future markets have the power to explain this market anomaly. Furthermore, currency momentum also plays an important role, which leads to a strong cyclical demand for OTM calls in rising or OTM puts in declining markets. In order to exploit the disconnection of skewness, a simple skew swap trading strategy proposed by Schneider (2012) has been set up. The resulting skew swap returns are relatively high, but the return distribution is extremely fat-tailed. To appropriately compare different skew swap strategy returns, this paper proposes a Higher Moment Sharpe Ratio that also takes higher moments into account.

FATIGUE CONTRACTION ANALYSIS USING EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION AND WAVELET TRANSFORM

Muscle fatigue is a long lasting reduction of the ability to contract and it is the condition when produced force is reduced. Walking fast can cause muscle fatigue, which is unhealthy and it is incurable when the level of fatigue is high. Muscle fatigue during walk can be determined using several spectral variables. The amplitude and frequency of the surface EMG signal provide a more accurate reflection of motor unit pattern among these spectral variables. This research reports on the effectiveness of Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and wavelet transform based filtering method applied to the surface EMG (sEMG) signal as a means of achieving reliable discrimination of the muscle fatigue during human walking exercise. In this research, IAV, RMS and AIF values were used as spectral variable. These spectral variables extensively identifies the difference between fatigue and normal muscle when using EMD method compared with other different wavelet functions (WFs). The result shows that the sEMG amplitude and frequency momentously changes from rest position to maximum contraction position.

A comparison of two gluteus maximus EMG maximum voluntary isometric contraction positions.

Background. The purpose of this study was to compare the peak electromyography (EMG) of the most commonly-used position in the literature, the prone bent-leg (90°) hip extension against manual resistance applied to the distal thigh (PRONE), to a novel position, the standing glute squeeze (SQUEEZE).Methods. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the upper and lower gluteus maximus of thirteen recreationally active females (age = 28.9 years; height = 164 cm; body mass = 58.2 kg), before three maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) trials for each position were obtained in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion.Results. No statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed between PRONE (upper: 91.94%; lower: 94.52%) and SQUEEZE (upper: 92.04%; lower: 85.12%) for both the upper and lower gluteus maximus. Neither the PRONE nor SQUEEZE was more effective between all subjects.Conclusions. In agreement with other studies, no single testing position is ideal for every participant. Therefore, it is recommended that investigators employ multiple MVIC positions, when possible, to ensure accuracy. Future research should investigate a variety of gluteus maximus MVIC positions in heterogeneous samples.

MEMBANGUN LEGAL BASIS PENGISIAN JABATAN DALAM PENINGKATAN KUALITAS PELAYANAN PUBLIK

Civil servants management at the Regional Agencies implemented by local governments in accordance with the legislation., The substance of the requirements for filling the positions (Contract Position Determination and Structural), can be set at the level of local regulations. A Civil State Apparatus in addition to unifying the nation primarily as a public servant and qualified professionals. In building the legal basis of structural filling positions, especially at the local level through the establishment of regional regulation is not easy, a fact often creates debate table because political aspects are the dominant rather than normative aspects required in forming the Government Area and the persistence of attitudes like and dislike.

Unexpected cone position in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐treated dark‐adapted goldfish retina

Dopamine (DA) is an important modulator of light‐adaptation in the vertebrate retina. A known source of DA in the retina is amacrine or interplexiform cells, but another potential source is the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). The neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) has been used extensively to ablate DAergic retinal neurons and could be used to distinguish between neuronal and RPE sources of DA. We have, therefore, examined first the impact of 6‐OHDA on light‐induced cone contraction, a phenomenon mediated by D2 DA receptors. Under MS‐222 anesthesia, adult goldfish (C. auratus) received two 50 μg intraocular injections of 6‐OHDA on consecutive days. After 10 days, control (uninjected) or 6‐OHDA‐treated fish were placed in the light (&gt;100 lux) or in complete darkness for 1 hr and then sacrificed, eyes removed and fixed in glutaraldehyde. Retinas were then isolated, cones labeled with anti‐zrp1 (ZIRC, Eugene, OR) and cone length determined from confocal z‐stack reconstruction. In control light‐adapted retinas, cones were contracted, with a length of 55 ± 3 µm (mean ± SD), compared to cones from dark‐adapted retinas (115 ± 7 µm). In light‐adapted retinas, treated with 6‐OHDA, cones were contracted (55 ± 1 µm) but in dark‐adapted 6‐OHDA‐treated retinas cones were partially contracted (82 ± 5 µm). A previous study reported similar results and suggested that the partially contracted cone position in dark‐adapted 6‐OHDA‐treated retina indicated a role for DA in dark‐adaptation. Another possibility is that DAergic neurons damaged, but not destroyed by 6‐OHDA, have increased tonic DA release. To investigate this further, we are currently determining to what extent cone position in 6‐OHDA‐treated retinas is affected by treatment with D2 DA receptor agonists and antagonists. Funded by the NSERC.

Vitamin D Profile in National Football League Players

Background: By maintaining phosphate and calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is critical for bone health and possibly physical performance. Hence, vitamin D is important to athletes. Few studies have investigated vitamin D levels in relation to fractures and performance in athletes, and no published study has included a multiracial sample of professional American football players. Purpose: To assess vitamin D levels, including the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, in professional American football players and to evaluate the association of vitamin D levels with race, fracture history, and the ability to obtain a contract position, which may be a marker for athletic performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Serum vitamin D levels of 80 professional football players from a single team in the National Football League were obtained during the 2011 off-season (mean age, 26.5 ± 3.7 years; black, n = 67 [84%]). These levels were used to compare injury reports from the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. Statistical analyses were performed to test if vitamin D levels were related to race, fracture history, and the ability to obtain a contract position. Results: Mean vitamin D level was 27.4 ± 11.7 ng/mL, with significantly lower levels for black players (25.6 ± 11.3 ng/mL) versus white players (37.4 ± 8.6 ng/mL; F1,78 = 13.00, P = .001). All athletes who were vitamin D deficient were black. When controlling for number of professional years played, vitamin D levels were significantly lower in players with at least 1 bone fracture when compared with no fractures. Players who were released during the preseason because of either injury or poor performance had significantly lower vitamin D levels than did players who played in the regular season. Conclusion: Black professional football players have a higher rate of vitamin D deficiency than do white players. Furthermore, professional football players with higher vitamin D levels were more likely to obtain a contract position in the National Football League. Professional football players deficient in vitamin D levels may be at greater risk of bone fractures.

Beginning Teachers’ Perception of Their Induction into the Teaching Profession

Beginning teachers’ induction into the teaching profession needs to be personally and professionally fulfilling, which is often not the case. The main objective of this mixed method study was to gain a deeper understanding of beginning teachers’ experiences and the perceptions of their induction into the teaching profession and the support they received. A key finding was that many beginning teachers entered the profession through casual or contract positions. Although the beginning teachers reported receiving satisfactory support, the support received varied among schools. Beginning teachers’ perceptions of their induction are that the mentor and induction programs are limited. Lack of support, work dissatisfaction and an informal entrance into the profession influences beginning teacher’s career plans and thus teacher attrition.