Intramuscular electrical stimulation for upper limb recovery in chronic hemiparesis: an exploratory randomized clinical trial.

Background: Surface electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to improve the motor impairment of stroke survivors. However, surface ES can be painful and motor activation can be inconsistent from session to session. Percutaneous intramuscular ES may be an effective alternative.

Validity of functional stability limits as a measure of balance in adults aged 23-73 years.

Functional stability limits (FSLs) are the percentage of the base of support that individuals are willing to extend their centre of pressure. The objective of this study was to provide construct validation of FSLs as a measure of balance by comparing FSLs across ages and with clinical balance measures. A total of 52 participants volunteered.

Longevity of acid discharges from underground mines located above the regional water table.

The duration of acid mine drainage flowing out of underground mines is important in the design of watershed restoration and abandoned mine land reclamation projects. Past studies have reported that acid water flows from underground mines for hundreds of years with little change, while others state that poor drainage quality may last only 20 to 40 years. More than 150 above-drainage (those not flooded after abandonment) underground mine discharges from Pittsburgh and Upper Freeport coal seams were located and sampled during 1968 in northern West Virginia, and we revisited 44 of those sites in 1999-2000 and measured water flow, pH, acidity, Fe, sulfate, and conductivity.

Thermographic evaluation of rats with complete sciatic nerve transection.

Although numerous clinical thermographic studies are available, few basic science studies using thermography have been performed. As such, evidence suggesting the diagnostic use of thermography is often mired in the complexity of human ailments. This study thermographically evaluated the hind paws of rats.