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This study examined the evolution of physical and technical soccer performance across a 7-season period in the English Premier League. Match performance observations (n = 14 700) were analysed for emergent trends. Total distance covered during a match was ~2 % lower in 2006–07 compared to 2012–13. Across 7 seasons, high-intensity running distance and actions increased by ~30 % (890 ± 299 vs. 1 151 ± 337 m, p < 0.001; ES: 0.82) and ~50 % (118 ± 36 vs. 176 ± 46, p < 0.001; ES: 1.41), respectively. Sprint distance and number of sprints increased by ~35 % (232 ± 114 vs. 350 ± 139 m, p < 0.001; ES: 0.93) and ~85 % (31 ± 14 vs. 57 ± 20, p < 0.001; ES: 1.46), respectively. Mean sprint distance was shorter in 2012–13 compared to 2006–07 (5.9 ± 0.8 vs. 6.9 ± 1.3 m, p < 0.001; ES: 0.91), with the proportion of explosive sprints increasing (34 ± 11 vs. 47 ± 9 %, p < 0.001; ES: 1.31). Players performed more passes (35 ± 17 vs. 25 ± 13, p < 0.001; ES: 0.66) and successful passes (83 ± 10 % vs. 76 ± 13 %, p < 0.001; ES: 0.60) in 2012–13 compared to 2006–07. Whereas the number of short and medium passes increased across time (p < 0.001; ES > 0.6), the number of long passes varied little (p < 0.001; ES: 0.11). This data demonstrates evolution of physical and technical parameters in the English Premier League, and could be used to aid talent identification, training and conditioning preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the field of telemetry techniques during the last few decades have greatly expanded our knowledge on migratory behaviour and provided the opportunity to obtain practically useful data for the conservation and management of salmonid populations. However, applying this information to the development of much needed population-based migration models has been limited. Furthermore, this research has generally been restricted to assessing the role of river flow on fish movement. Models derived from a 6-year telemetry study on the movements of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and sea trout, Salmo trutta L., in the River Tyne are presented together with an assessment of counter data from the same river to highlight the importance of additional environmental and physiological parameters in regulating fish movement. The data are discussed in relation to the advantages of telemetry data, the need to develop predictive models, the statistical methods used and the potential direction of future work in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow variability analysis based on the annual number and duration of pulses above flow thresholds has been used to identify potential impacts of agricultural land-use change on the River Axe catchment (288.5 km²). The analysis shows significant trend and step changes in runoff response which coincide both with changes in land use and management and with changes in rainfall amount and intensity. The effects of climatic variability are taken into account by regression analysis; residuals from regression continue to show a trend which is ascribed to land-use change. Seasonal analysis indicates that the winter season has the greatest change in runoff response but little change in rainfall. In contrast, the summer season shows little change in runoff response but altered rainfall frequency. The success of flow variability methods in identifying trends and the sources of trends in the runoff response on the Axe catchment indicates the potential of the methods for more general application for the development of flood risk management policies based on land-use and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is limited information about bacterial isolates that are present on the equine midline incision during and following exploratory laparotomy., Objectives: To investigate the bacterial species cultured from the ventral midline pre-, intra- and post- laparotomy, whether particular bacterial isolates are associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) and to report the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of these isolates., Study Design: Prospective cohort study., Methods: The ventral midline of 31 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy was sampled for bacterial culture at set time-points pre, intra and post-operatively. Inclusion criteria were that horses must have undergone exploratory laparotomy within 90 min of the initial colic examination upon hospital admission and must not have been placed in a stable prior to surgery. SSI was defined as any purulent or serous discharge from the laparotomy incision of >24 h duration., Results: Seven horses (22.6%) developed a SSI. None of the variables tested were associated with the altered risk of SSI. The prevalence of a positive bacterial culture from the incision increased progressively over time and a variety of bacteria were isolated. A positive intra-operative culture was not a predictor of SSI; and when a SSI did occur, it was due to a different bacterial isolate. MRSA and ESBL-producers were identified in the post-operative period in one and four different horses respectively, but none of these developed a SSI., Main Limitations: Sampling was limited to hospitalisation and no culture results were available for horses developing SSI following hospital discharge., Conclusions: A variety of bacterial species may be isolated from equine laparotomy incisions peri-operatively without development of SSI. SSI does not appear to be solely related to bacterial contamination of the incision peri-operatively and other mechanisms such as bacteraemia merit further investigation., (© 2018 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system (n = 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P < 0.05) between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations (50%, s = 7 vs. 49%, s = 8 vs. 44%, s = 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. Compared with 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations, players in a 4-5-1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s = 196 vs. 433 m, s = 261 vs. 410 m, s = 270; P 5 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s = 217 vs. 461 m, s = 156 vs. 459 m, s = 169; P < 0.05). Attackers in a 4-3-3 performed ~30% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4-4-2 (P < 0.05) compared with 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.

Genital irritation and user acceptability was compared after seven nightly bedtime exposures to 1.2% C31G hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), 2% nonoxynol-9 (N-9) (Gynol II) or HEC vehicle alone. Sixty healthy women over 18 years old at low risk for sexually transmitted disease with normal menses were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Entrance and exit pelvic exams documented vaginal pH and Gram stain. Genital irritation was assessed by patient diaries, a telephone call 24 to 48 h after first use, colposcopy done the day after last product use, and an acceptability questionnaire at exit. Eighty percent of the women using C31G HEC experienced symptoms of vaginal burning or heat compared to 25% of the N-9 users and 5% of the vehicle users. Colposcopic findings were similar for the active treatments of C31G HEC and N-9: 50% vs. 60% developed new lesions, 25% vs. 20% had lesions that disrupted epithelial integrity, and 50% vs. 45% had minor lesions, respectively. Findings with the HEC vehicle were half as frequent. Twelve percent of women had epithelial disruption that was assessed by the colposcopist as applicator-related. Gram stains were half as likely to show bacterial vaginosis after N-9 use (6 --> 3) and one fourth as likely after vehicle or C31G HEC use (4 --> 1). When asked if they would use the product if it were an effective contraceptive, 55% of the vehicle users, 35% of the N-9 users, and 25% of the C31G HEC users agreed. Product acceptability of C31G HEC was limited by the sensation of heat or burning. The C31G HEC product had a similar safety profile to N-9 in this comparative trial.