Contract Parameters Research Articles

Two-part tariff contract design for a supplier base: a unifying methodology

Abstract Conventional contract designs largely aim to coordinate decisions in dyadic relationships. In the new era of network environments and near-zero variable costs for many goods and services, a different approach to contract design is required for two reasons. First, offering a set of contracts to multiple contractors of different objectives, sizes, and business practices will allow each to choose the most suitable contract. Second, given that most previous studies have not considered quasi-fixed costs, it is helpful to understand two-part tariff contracts and their variants for a supplier base, new variants based on quasi-fixed costs, and related decision sequences between the parties in a supply chain. We propose a unifying methodology to set the contract parameters so that the different variants will have comparable performance outcomes. The results and the insights gained suggest that the proposed methodology should improve a retailer’s management of its supplier base and also benefit all parties throughout the supply chain.

Protective Effect of Water-Soluble C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles on the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Muscle Soleus in Rats.

The biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction in rats and their blood biochemical indicators after the intramuscular administration of water-soluble C60 fullerene at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg 1 h before the onset of muscle ischemia were investigated. In particular, changes in the contraction force of the ischemic muscle soleus, the integrated power of the muscle, the time to achieve the maximum force response, the dynamics of fatigue processes, and the parameters of the transition from dentate to smooth tetanus, levels of creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate and lactate dehydrogenase, and parameters of prooxidant–antioxidant balance (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, and reduced glutathione and catalase) were analyzed. The positive therapeutic changes in the studied biomechanical and biochemical markers were revealed, which indicate the possibility of using water-soluble C60 fullerenes as effective prophylactic nanoagents to reduce the severity of pathological conditions of the muscular system caused by ischemic damage to skeletal muscles.

Optimal deterministic and robust selection of electricity contracts

We address the Electricity Contract Selection Problem (ECSP), of finding best parameters of an electricity contract for a client based on his/her past records of electricity consumption over a fixed time period. The objective is to optimize the electricity bill composed by some fixed cost, the cost of the subscription of the electricity contract and penalties due to overpowering when consumption exceeds subscribed power. The ECSP can be formulated as a convex separable optimization problem subject to total order constraints. Due to this special structure, ECSP is a special case of two well known classes of convex separable optimization problems, namely the minimum network flow under convex separable cost and minimizing convex separable functions under chain constraints. Both classes are well treated in the litterature and can be solved in polynomial time (Ahuja and Orlin in Oper Res 49(5):784–789, 2001; Ahuja et al. in Manag Sci 49(7):950–964, 2003; Best et al. in SIAM J Optim 10:658–672, 2000; Karzanov and McCormick in SIAM J Comput 26(4):1245–1275, 1997; Minoux in Eur J Oper Res 18(3):377–387, 1984; Minoux, in Gallo and Sandi (eds) Netflow at pisa, mathematical programming studies, Springer, Berlin, 1986). In particular, the algorithm in Ahuja and Orlin (2001) achieves the best theoretical time complexity assuming that computing the objective function value at one specific point can be done in constant time. However, when we work on a big amount of historic data as in ECSP, the time required for evaluating the objective function cannot be assumed to be O(1) anymore. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for ECSP which is specially designed to reduce the computational effort over large scale historical data. We present numerical results showing that our algorithm outperforms the algorithm in Ahuja and Orlin (2001) when applied to consumption data of various types of clients. A robust version of ECSP based on a Seasonal and Trend decomposition approach for modelling consumption uncertainty is also investigated. The resulting worst-case cost minimization problem is shown to be efficiently solvable using the same algorithm as for deterministic ECSP.

Pricing contract design of a multi-supplier-multi-retailer supply chain in hybrid electricity market

PurposeIn the hybrid electricity market consisting of renewable and conventional energy, the generation output of renewable power is uncertain because of its intermittency, and the power market demand is also fluctuant. Meanwhile, there is fierce competition among power producers in the power supply market and retailers in the demand market after deregulation, which increases the difficulty of renewable energy power grid-connection. To promote grid-connection of renewable energy power in the hybrid electricity market, the authors construct different contract decision-making models in the “many-to-many” hybrid power supply chain to explore the pricing strategy of renewable energy power grid-connecting.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the dual-uncertainty of renewable energy power output and electricity market demand, the authors construct different decision-making models of wholesale price contract and revenue-sharing contract to compare and optimize grid-connecting pricing, respectively, to maximize the profits of different participants in the hybrid power supply chain. Besides, the authors set different parameters in the models to explore the influence of competition intensity, government subsidies, etc. on power pricing. Then, a numerical simulation is carried out, they verify the existence of the equilibrium solutions satisfying the supply chain coordination, compare the differences of pricing contracts and further analyze the variation characteristics of optimal contract parameters and their interaction relations.FindingsRevenue-sharing contract can increase the quantity of green power grid-connection and realize benefits Pareto improvement of all parties in hybrid power supply chain. The competition intensity both of power supply and demand market will have an impact on the sharing ratio, and the increase of competition intensity results in a reduction of power supply chain coordination pressure. The power contract price, spot price and selling price have all been reduced with the increase of the sharing ratio, and the price of renewable power is more sensitive to the ratio change. The sharing ratio shows a downward trend with the increase of government green power subsidies.Originality/valueOn the basis of expanding the definition of hybrid power market and the theory of newsvendor model, considering the dual-uncertainty of green power generation output and electricity market demand, this paper builds and compares different contract decision-making models to study the grid-connection pricing strategy of renewable energy power. And as an extension of supply chain structure types and management, the authors build a “many-to-many” power supply chain structure model and analyze the impact of competition intensity among power enterprises and the government subsidy on the power grid-connecting pricing.

Individual Adjustment of Contraction Parameters for Effective Swing Assist Using a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle in the Elderly

Leg swing during walking is controlled by hip and knee flexion motions. This study examined the effect of swing assist using a pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) driver system on hip and knee motions and gait performance in the elderly. The participants consisted of 10 healthy elderly individuals. Two PAMs were attached to each participant’s left hip joint, and a pressure sensor was inserted under the right heel as the trigger. PAM contraction parameters could be controlled through a smartphone, i.e., the delay from trigger to contraction and the contraction duration. These parameters were randomly changed to 0, 100, or 200 ms for the delay and 100, 200, or 300 ms for the contraction. Four combination patterns of delay and contraction duration were observed as the parameter settings for maximizing the hip flexion angle. During walking with the PAM assistance, the hip and knee flexion angles in the swing phase and hip angular excursion of the elderly were significantly increased without altering the gait performance. The findings show that our PAM driver system can realize effective swing assist through changing temporal parameter settings for the PAM contraction in the elderly.

Optimized Well Construction Cost Estimate in South of Iraqi Fields/ Case Study from Zubair Field

Cost estimation and control is a crucial activity for well engineering and construction. Inaddition to the technical preparation before drilling an oil well, well construction cost is one ofthe essential activities leading to AFE (authorization for expenditure). Recently theprobabilistic method for cost estimate became necessary for understanding the risk anduncertainty of a certain cost range instead of a single (deterministic) value. This work describesthe main types of drilling contracts have been used in Basra oilfields and discusses theprinciples of well construction cost estimate according to those contracts. In addition, itsummarize the relevant cost breakdown for drilling operations. The research also illuminatesthe probabilistic method for effective well cost estimating along with deterministic method. thestudy subdivided the process of well construction into segments for cost tracking, emphasizedthe main aspects influence the well cost and leading to a methodology that can be applied bythe operator for onshore well in the south of Iraqi fields. The methodology used in this workincludes, first, analyzing data from offset wells to facilitate the possible cost out comes, andsecond, subdivide the well construction activities into fixed costs, time dependent and depthdependent costs. A probabilistic model (Monte Carlo simulation) for cost estimating isconstructed using @ Risk software. The results released for risked drilling operation, whichincludes the NPT. While revising the historical cost performances in Zubair field, it has foundthat the best practices and lesson learned of the previous activities has significantly contributedin time and cost reduction of well operation. The findings of this work contributes to improvethe decision-making by managers for best investment, enhance the planning for next activitiesand confident choice of well budget. It also helps to investigate the critical factors and actions
 that can be applied on operational and contractual parameters to achieve cost reduction. A casestudy from Zubair field will be presented in order to illuminate the mentioned points.

Adverse effects polystyrene microplastics exert on zebrafish heart – Molecular to individual level

In the present study the effects of sublethal concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on zebrafish were evaluated at multiple levels, related to fish activity and oxidative stress, metabolic changes and contraction parameters in the heart tissue. Zebrafish were fed for 21 days food enriched with PS-MPs (particle sizes 3–12 µm) and a battery of stress indices like DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, autophagy, ubiquitin levels, caspases activation, metabolite adjustments, frequency and force of ventricular contraction were measured in fish heart, parallel to fish swimming velocity. In particular, exposure to PS-MPs caused significant decrease in heart function and swimming competence, while enhanced levels of oxidative stress indices and metabolic adjustments were observed in the heart of challenged species. Among stress indices, DNA damage was more vulnerable to the effect of PS-MPs. Our results provide evidence on the multiplicity of the PS-MPs effects on cellular function, physiology and metabolic pathways and heart rate of adult fish and subsequent effects on fish activity and fish fitness thus enlightening MPs characterization as a potent environmental pollutant.

Optimal Swing Support During Walking Using Wireless Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Driver

This study evaluates the effect of swing support during walking using a wireless pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) driver on hip and knee flexion angles. This driver can control two contraction parameters of the PAM: delay of contraction from the trigger and duration of contraction through a smartphone. Eleven healthy young individuals participated in this study. We asked the participants to walk with two PAMs attached to the left hip joint and a pressure sensor placed under the right heel to trigger the contraction. During the experiment, the contraction parameters were randomly changed: 0, 100, or 200 ms for the delay and 0, 100, 200, or 300 ms for the duration. The experimental results revealed significant differences in the hip and knee flexion angles, hip joint angular excursion, and stride length among the conditions. In addition, the optimal parameter differed among the subjects. It was confirmed that this individual variation was related to the walking speed of the subject, without PAM assistance.

Coping with Loss Aversion and Risk Management in the Supply Chain Coordination

In this paper, we apply a combined revenue sharing and buyback contract to investigate the channel coordination of a two-echelon supply chain with a loss-averse retailer. Since loss-averse decision makers usually take on more risks, the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) measure is introduced to hedge against it and the retailer’s objective is to maximize the CVaR of utility. We obtain the retailer’s optimal order quantity under the combined contract. It is shown that there is a unique wholesale price coordinating the supply chain if the retailer’s confidence level is less than a threshold that is independent of contract parameters. Moreover, a complete sensitivity analysis of parameters is carried out. In particular, the retailer’s optimal order quantity and coordinating wholesale price decreases as the loss aversion or confidence level increases, while it increase as the buyback price or sharing coefficient increases. Furthermore, there exists the situation where the combined contract can coordinate the chain even though neither the revenue sharing nor buyback contract can when the contract parameters are constrained.

A violent market price contract for agribusiness supply chain

A contract farming arrangement between a firm and a farmer is an important mechanism for development in the agribusiness sector. Among the major challenges of these arrangements are the violations of the contract by the parties under conditions of extreme market price fluctuations. To address this issue, we propose a violent market price (VMP) contract, which incentivises the firm and the farmer to remain in the contract even under extreme price fluctuation. In the VMP contract, we propose a pricing mechanism which adjusts the price based on adverse market conditions. We model the firm-farmer interaction as a Stackelberg game and derive the optimal contract parameters using backward induction. We establish that there is no incentive to deviate from the VMP contract. The sum of the expected profits of the firm and the farmer is found to be higher when both honour the VMP contract than when they violate. The individual rationality conditions for the firm and the farmer to enter into the contract are derived. The model is demonstrated through numerical illustrations based on case-study, and sensitivity analysis is performed to provide further insights.

Supply Chain Coordination with a Risk-Averse Retailer and the Call Option Contract in the Presence of a Service Requirement

This paper investigates a supply chain consisting of a single risk-neutral supplier and a single risk-averse retailer with the call option contract and a service requirement, where the retailer’s objective is to maximize the Conditional Value-at-Risk about profit. The optimal ordering quantity of the retailer and the optimal production quantity of the supplier are derived with the call option contract in the presence of a service requirement. Furthermore, by investigating the effect of the service level and the risk aversion on the supply chain, it is found that the retailer’s optimal Conditional Value-at-Risk is non-increasing in the service requirement and increasing in the risk aversion, while the supplier’s optimal expected profit is non-decreasing in the service and decreasing in the risk aversion. In addition, this paper demonstrates the impact of contract parameters on the service-constrained supply chain, and finds that the retailer’s optimal Conditional Value-at-Risk may be increasing, constant or decreasing in unit exercise price. Finally, with the call option contract, a distribution-free coordination condition is derived to achieve the Pareto improvement under Conditional Value-at-Risk criterion in the presence of a service requirement.

The assessment of selected parameters of bioelectric and mechanical activity of the uterus during pharmacologic treatment of threatening preterm delivery.

To analyze and compare the bioelectric and mechanical activity of the uterus in pregnant women with threatening preterm delivery treated with tocolysis. Additionally, auxiliary parameters of the bioelectric signal, as registered by electrohysterography and characteristic only for this method, were measured and analyzed. Forty-five women with pregnancies from 24 to 36 weeks of gestation with typical clinical symptoms of threatening preterm delivery were given tocolytic therapy. Registration and analysis of bioelectric activity with electrohysterography was performed simultaneously with registration and analysis of mechanical activity with tocography. After administration of tocolytic treatment, the presence of bioelectric activity was accompanied by the lack of or minimal occurrence of mechanical activity. All parameters of contraction recorded by electrohysterography had significantly greater values than those recorded by tocography. Measurement of bioelectric activity is more sensitive than measurement of mechanical activity of the uterus. Elevated bioelectric activity of the uterine muscle was observed despite the use of tocolysis, a lack of symptoms of threatening preterm delivery, as well as a lack of contraction in tocography. The presence of bioelectric activity may precede the occurrence of mechanical activity of the uterus, but further research is required on larger groups of patients.

Maintenance service strategy for leased equipment: Integrating lessor-preventive maintenance and lessee-careful protection efforts

Lessees may abuse equipment during the lease period since lacking of ownership, thereby increasing lessors’ repair cost and lessees’ downtime losses. This study integrates lessees’ effort to protect leased equipment during the lease period with lessors’ preventive maintenance (PM) into maintenance service strategies. It is proved in a non-cooperative game, neither party achieves the cooperative game’s ideal revenue, but improvement in the lessee’s effort level and lessor’s PM degree can increase the other party’s revenue. A cost-sharing contract model is designed to achieve the maximum revenue as in a cooperative game and ensure Pareto improvement of the leasing parties. In the contract, the lessor grants the lessee a rental discount, and the lessor’s PM cost and lessee’s effort cost are shared with cost-sharing coefficients. Conditions under which the ideal revenue and Pareto improvement can be achieved are discussed. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effects of contract parameters, unit penalty on the effort level, and revenue. Managerial insights are finally proposed for leasing parties. The results show: the effect of the effort level and PM degree on equipment failures is marginally diminishing; proposed cost-sharing contract model can achieve the ideal revenue and Pareto improvement; the rental discount has a greater impact on the lessee, while the cost-sharing coefficients have a greater impact on the lessor; and increasing the unit penalty decreases (increases) the lessor’s (lessee’s) revenue but maintains the effort level at constant.

Forwarder’s empty container ordering and coordination considering option trading in the container transportation service chain

With the rapid development of the container transportation market, empty container capacity planning problems have become more complex. We consider a container transportation service chain (CTSC) composed of container leasing company, carriers, forwarders, ports, and consignors. We introduce a one-period, two-echelon option contract into the empty container ordering problem from the forwarder’s perspective. After the demand is updated, the option contract allows the forwarder to adjust the option exercise quantity based on the options ordered at the start of the selling season to reduce losses caused by the inaccurate container order quantity. First, we establish a basic model without option contract. Second, we consider a case with no cooperation between two forwarders and establish a model in which there is only option contract without option trading. Next, we consider the cooperation between the two forwarders in the decentralized and centralized modes and establish a model with option trading. We analyse the optimal option ordering level under different circumstances and the effect of the option trading price on the system profit. We then apply the contract coordination theory to the empty container ordering problem and coordinate the CTSC by applying appropriate contract parameters. The results of the study show that option trading can share risks among forwarders, while the two-part tariff contract can achieve win–win outcomes for the two forwarders.

Behavior of a constrained particle on superintegrability of the two-dimensional complex Cayley–Klein space and its thermodynamic properties

In this paper, we study the motion of a particle on a family of superintegrable Hamiltonians of the unitary groups in Cayley–Klein space. This possibility is provided through the general commutator relations between generators from its respective group. Hence, by converting coordinates from Cartesian space to Eulerian parameterization, the obtained metric in terms of the new coordinates is equal to the same Lagrangian of geodesic motion. On the other hand, by reducing the SUκ1κ2(3) group manifold to the SUκ1κ2(3)∕SUκ1(2)≃Ω5 quotient space and considering the three Fourier transformations, the particle is reduced to two-dimensional space (Ω2=S2,H2ordS1+1) depending on the contraction parameter κ. Then with overlapping the reduced coordinates in the Eulerian parameterization with the canonical coordinates, we incorporate them into the Lagrangian. Therefore, we find three constant integrals of motion from the vector fields and we construct the superintegrable Hamiltonian. However, we obtain the wave function and the energy spectrum of the system by separating the variables and their solutions. Finally, by applying the resulting energy, for the two special cases of the produced topological space, we investigate and compare their thermodynamic properties.

Effects of whole-body vibration training on calf muscle function during maximal isometric voluntary contractions.

The purposes of this study were to determine the impact of 6weeks of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on maximum voluntary plantar flexor strength, muscle activity via surface electromyography (EMG), and muscle architecture measured at rest and during maximal contraction at different ankle joint angles in young healthy adults. Using a single-blind study design, 28 healthy men and women were randomly assigned to control (CG; N=14, 7 women) or whole-body vibration training (WBVG; N=14, 7 women) groups. Vibration training (20-25minutes; standing with knees flexed) was performed 3week-1 for 6weeks (18 sessions). Maximum isometric plantar flexor torque, muscle activity (medial and lateral gastrocnemius EMG) and medial gastrocnemius fascicle angle and length at rest and maximum contraction were tested at four ankle joint angles (ranging 45° to -15°; 0°=anatomical) before and after training. Significant increases (24.7%-37.5%) were observed in peak torque (N∙m∙kg-1 ;%) at -15°, 0°, 15° and 30° joint angles from pre- to post-intervention in WBVG, which were different to CG (no change) and greater at longer muscle lengths. No between-group differences were observed in changes in EMG amplitudes measured during contraction or muscle architecture parameters at rest or during contraction. Six weeks of WBVT in young, healthy adults increased isometric plantarflexion strength at multiple joint angles, without detectible changes in EMG, muscle architecture, or body composition. Therefore, WBVT can significantly improve maximum plantar flexor strength at multiple joint angles (muscle lengths) in young healthy men, although the mechanisms underpinning the changes are currently unclear.

Continuous spin representation from contraction of the conformal algebra

In this paper, we discuss the Inönü–Winger contraction of the conformal algebra. We start with the light-cone form of the Poincaré algebra and extend it to write down the conformal algebra in d dimensions. To contract the conformal algebra, we choose five dimensions for simplicity and compactify the third transverse direction to a circle of radius R following the Kaluza–Klein dimensional reduction method. We identify the inverse radius, 1/R, as the contraction parameter. After the contraction, the resulting representation is found to be the continuous spin representation in four dimensions. Even though the scaling symmetry survives the contraction, the special conformal translation vector changes and behaves like the four-momentum vector. We also discuss the generalization to d dimensions.

Development of methods for parameters of long-term contracts optimization for operational road maintenance

The object of research is the processes of cost, duration and quality management in long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads. The presented work is based on the use of project management theory. The main hypothesis of the study is the application of methods for optimizing the parameters of long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads. Features, advantages and problematic issues concerning the use of long-term contracts based on quality indicators in the road sector are considered. The world and domestic experience of introduction of long-term maintenance of highways is analyzed. The main approaches to optimization of parameters are defined and the mathematical model of management of processes of cost, duration and quality in long-term contracts is developed. Based on the model, two methods of mathematical solution of the optimization problem of the proposed parameters have been developed. A mathematical experiment based on the example of the project of long-term maintenance of roads on the final quality indicators, the results of which showed that the adaptive capacity of projects by the second method is less flexible than the first. But the second method achieved better performance to minimize time parameters with averaging at 5 %. Optimization of parameters of long-term contracts for maintenance of roads has a multiplier effect, which is expressed in reducing administrative costs of the customer, reducing the responsibility of road services, creating conditions for stable financing of road works, satisfaction of road users, building strong partnerships between the customer and the contract. The results of calculations have practical value and can serve as a tool for making sound management decisions to determine the basic parameters of long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads based on quality.

A clinically relevant decrease in contractile force differentially regulates control of glucocorticoid receptor translocation in mouse skeletal muscle

Muscle atrophy decreases physical function and overall health. Increased glucocorticoid production and/or use of prescription glucocorticoids can significantly induce muscle atrophy by activating the glucocorticoid receptor, thereby transcribing genes that shift protein balance in favor of net protein degradation. Although mechanical overload can blunt glucocorticoid-induced atrophy in young muscle, those affected by glucocorticoids generally have impaired force generation. It is unknown whether contractile force alters the ability of resistance exercise to mitigate glucocorticoid receptor translocation and induce a desirable shift in protein balance when glucocorticoids are elevated. In the present study, mice were subjected to a single bout of unilateral, electrically induced muscle contractions by stimulating the sciatic nerve at 100 Hz or 50 Hz frequencies to elicit high or moderate force contractions of the tibialis anterior, respectively. Dexamethasone was used to activate the glucocorticoid receptor. Dexamethasone increased glucocorticoid signaling, including nuclear translocation of the receptor, but this was mitigated only by high force contractions. The ability of high force contractions to mitigate glucocorticoid receptor translocation coincided with a contraction-mediated increase in muscle protein synthesis, which did not occur in the dexamethasone-treated mice subjected to moderate force contractions. Though moderate force contractions failed to increase protein synthesis following dexamethasone treatment, both high and moderate force contractions blunted the glucocorticoid-mediated increase in LC3 II:I marker of autophagy. Thus, these data show that force generation is important for the ability of resistance exercise to mitigate glucocorticoid receptor translocation and promote a desirable shift in protein balance when glucocorticoids are elevated.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Glucocorticoids induce significant skeletal muscle atrophy by activating the glucocorticoid receptor. Our work shows that muscle contractile force dictates glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation. We also show that blunting nuclear translocation by high force contractions coincides with the ability of muscle to mount an anabolic response characterized by increased muscle protein synthesis. This work further defines the therapeutic parameters of skeletal muscle contractions to blunt glucocorticoid-induced atrophy.

Intrauterine contraction parameters at baseline and following epidural and combined spinal-epidural analgesia: A repeated measures comparison

ObjectiveThe effects of epidural and combined spinal-epidural analgesia on uterine contraction parameters are unclear, although as many as 80% of laboring women use neuraxial analgesia. We explored the effects of epidural and combined spinal-epidural analgesia on all uterine contraction parameters using a retrospective analysis of selected parturients, who required Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) instrumentation for clinical management. Additionally, we analyzed the effects of parity, Pitocin dose, and mode of neuraxial anesthesia, i.e. epidural verses combined spinal-epidural on uterine contractility. DesignUsing a retrospective within and between repeated measure design we compared uterine contraction parameters at 4 time points (epochs): (1) baseline, (2) pre-epidural fluid bolus, (3) immediate and (4) secondary post-epidural/combined spinal-epidural analgesia to detect differences in contractility over time comparing two types of epidural interventions. MethodsEighteen healthy parturients at term gestation were admitted to the labor unit for induction, augmentation, or spontaneous labor. Contraction parameters including frequency, duration, peak intensity, resting intensity and duration, and Montevideo Units (MVUs) were collected using fetal monitor strip data with intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) instrumentation. FindingsParametric and non-parametric tests showed no significant differences within or between the two Epidural intervention groups for frequency, duration, peak intensity, resting intensity and duration, and MVUs at all epochs at the .05 alpha level. Compared with Nulliparous women, multiparous women had significantly lower contraction intensity and longer contraction duration. Based on multilevel modeling (MLM), neither Pitocin dose nor type of epidural intervention revealed significant differences on any contraction parameters. ConclusionsWhen parity, other demographic variables and Pitocin dose were statistically controlled, no uterine contraction parameter changed from baseline through 90 min following either epidural or combined spinal-epidural analgesia. Obstetrical care providers should consider the preciseness their contraction monitoring instrumentation and their clinical management preferences as well parity as before prescribing Pitocin after neuraxial analgesia intervention.