Sympathetic vasomotor fibres carried by the median nerve and ulnar nerve innervate their respective sensory territories. The sympathetic vasomotor fibres of the median nerve were evaluated in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and in healthy volunteers using continuous wave Doppler ultrasonography. The pulsatility index of the radialis indicis artery and the radial palmar digital artery of the little finger were measured at baseline and after stimulation. The maximal increase in the pulsatility index of each artery was measured. This was significantly lower for the radialis indicis artery in the CTS group than in the healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference in the maximal increase in pulsatility index of the radial palmar digital artery of the little finger between both groups. Sympathetic vasomotor fibres of the median nerve are affected in carpal tunnel syndrome. Continuous wave Doppler ultrasonography is easy to use and should be investigated further as a possible diagnostic tool for the confirmation of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Given that goal scoring is the ultimate performance objective in football, thepresent case study aimed at a thorough dissection of a census of goals scored duringthe BOV Premier League 2018/19 season in Malta. A quantitative methodology was used,incorporating a range of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for the analysis ofthe large pool of data collected. From a total of 495 goals scored in the 182 matches playedthroughout season 2018/19, 491 goals were considered in this study. Video recordings weredownloaded from InStat, and the relevant data operationalised according to pre-set criteriausing notational analysis. The paper presents spatio-temporal descriptive statistics aboutthe goal-scoring patterns and trends, as well as results from several post hoc hypothesistests. Findings indicated that while a majority of the time the first team to score went onto win the match, this trend tapered off towards the end of the season, with the outcomeof matches rendered increasingly unstable as the season progressed. The majority of goalsresulted from possession play, followed closely by direct play. Most goals materialised inthe second half of play, with the final 15-minute phase of the match, specifically, producingthe highest proportion of goals overall. Through spatial analysis this study looks at thepitch location where goal actions started and ended, as well as the goal net location inwhich the goals were finally scored. The paper ultimately presents these empirical findingswith a view to informing match analysts, coaches and other stakeholders wishing togeneralise the patterns and trends identified, to substantive strategic considerations forthe continuing enhancement of performance standards in local football.

Purpose: Although thenar atrophy is caused by a variety of clinical conditions, it is commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Thenar atrophy has been mostly assessed subjectively. The purposes of the study are to test a simple, novel, objective and quantitative test for the assessment of thenar atrophy; and to correlate this test with subjective evaluation of thenar atrophy. Methods: The apparatus consisted of a box with a clear glass sheet on the top uncovered surface, with a digital camera placed in the base of the box. Group 1 included 106 healthy volunteers with a total of 212 hands. Group 2 was formed from 36 patients with a total of 72 hands with carpal tunnel syndrome. Thenar atrophy was classified subjectively as none, mild, moderate and severe. Patients and subjects were asked to press their hands facing down on the glass sheet and digital photos were taken. The technique relies on the fact that the area where pressure is exerted on the palm blanches. Photos were transferred to photo processing software. After enhancement the photos were transferred to an image analysis software. The thenar area (A) and the rest of the palm area (B) were measured. The thenar ratio was calculated as A divided by A plus B multiplied by hundred. Results: Hands with thenar atrophy had a statistically significant lower thenar ratio than healthy hands (19.9±6.7 vs 35.6±8.0; P value <0.0001). Subjective assessment of atrophy correlated with the thenar ratio. Conclusions: This method can be used as a simple objective test for the assessment and follow-up of thenar atrophy.