Specific heat of nearly-one-dimensional tetramethyl ammonium manganese trichloride (TMMC) and tetramethyl ammonium cadmium trichloride (TMCC)

The specific heat of tetramethyl ammonium manganese trichloride and its cadmium isomorph is measured for 2&lt;T&lt;52 K. The temperature dependence of the lattice specific heat of the cadmium compound could be fitted with an expression based upon a pseudoelastic approach of the lattice vibrations in this low-dimensional system. Application of this approach to the manganese compound yields a magnetic contribution which fits the overall behavior of a one-dimensional Heisenberg model with an intrachain interaction of Jk=-6.70.5 K. Inspection of the low-temperature region yields a satisfactory agreement with the expression Cm=1.1|kTJ|+0.5|kTJ|2-0.13|kTJ|3, predicted by recent calculations.</p

Specific heat of nearly-one-dimensional tetramethyl ammonium manganese trichloride (TMMC) and tetramethyl ammonium cadmium trichloride (TMCC)

The specific heat of tetramethyl ammonium manganese trichloride and its cadmium isomorph is measured for 2&lt;T&lt;52 K. The temperature dependence of the lattice specific heat of the cadmium compound could be fitted with an expression based upon a pseudoelastic approach of the lattice vibrations in this low-dimensional system. Application of this approach to the manganese compound yields a magnetic contribution which fits the overall behavior of a one-dimensional Heisenberg model with an intrachain interaction of Jk=-6.70.5 K. Inspection of the low-temperature region yields a satisfactory agreement with the expression Cm=1.1|kTJ|+0.5|kTJ|2-0.13|kTJ|3, predicted by recent calculations.</p

Magnetic anisotropy in Pb_{1-x-y}Sn_{y}Mn_{x}Te studied by ferromagnetic resonance

Proceedings of the XXII International School of Semiconducting Compounds, Jaszowiec 1993 We will report on the anisotropy in (Pb)SnMnTe, studied by ferromagnetic resonance. We have found a cubic anisotropy with a = 73 × 10-4 cm-1 for Sn1-xMnxTe and a = 200 × 10-4 cm-1 for Pb0.28-xSn0.72MnxTe. We will indicate some possible explanations for this anomalously large anisotropy

Electron paramagnetic resonance knight shift in semimagnetic (diluted magnetic) semiconductors

The effect of the carrier concentration induced shift of the g factor (the Knight shift) of the Mn2+ magnetic moment in PbTe and SnTe semiconducting matrices is experimentally observed and is of different sign for n- and for p-type crystals. The analysis of this effect allows for a straightforward determination of both the sign and the magnitude of the free carrier–local moment exchange integrals for holes and electrons in PbTe, as well as for light and heavy holes in SnTe

Prevalence and Determinants of Pain in Spinal Cord Injury During Initial Inpatient Rehabilitation:Data From the Dutch Spinal Cord Injury Database

Objective: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of spinal cord injury (SCI)-related pain during initial inpatient rehabilitation and to investigate relationships with demographic and lesion characteristics. Design: Cohort during inpatient rehabilitation. Setting: Eight specialized SCI rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands. Participants: Patients with newly acquired SCI admitted for inpatient rehabilitation between November 2013 and August 2019 (N=1432). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Presence of pain at admission and discharge. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the prevalence of pain related to sex, age, etiology, completeness, and level of injury. Results: Data from 1432 patients were available. Of these patients 64.6% were male, mean age was 56.8 years, 59.9% had a nontraumatic SCI, 63.9% were classified as American Spinal Cord Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) D and 56.5% had paraplegia. Prevalence of pain was 61.2% at admission (40.6% nociceptive pain [NocP], 30.2% neuropathic pain [NeuP], 5.4% other pain) and 51.5% at discharge (26.0% NocP, 31.4% NeuP, 5.7% other pain). Having NocP at admission was associated with traumatic SCI. AIS B had a lower risk of NocP than AIS D at admission. Having NocP at discharge was associated with female sex and traumatic SCI. AIS C had a lower risk of NocP at discharge than AIS D. Having NeuP at admission was associated with female sex. Having NeuP at discharge was associated with female sex, age younger than 65 years vs age older than 75 years and tetraplegia. Conclusions: SCI-related pain is highly prevalent during inpatient rehabilitation. Prevalence of NocP decreased during inpatient rehabilitation, and prevalence of NeuP stayed the same. Different patient and lesion characteristics were related to the presence of SCI-related pain. Healthcare professionals should be aware of these differences in screening patients on presence and development of pain during inpatient rehabilitation

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and pain intensity in persons with spinal cord injury

Study design Cross-sectional. Objectives To examine the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and pain intensity, taking symptoms of anxiety and depression into account within persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting Persons with SCI, who visited a Dutch rehabilitation centre between 2005 and 2010, were invited to complete a survey. Methods PTSD symptoms were measured with the Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ), pain intensity with an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and symptoms of anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). To determine associations between PTSD symptoms and pain intensity, linear regression analyses were performed. Confounding variables representing anxiety and depression were added to the final model. Results In total, 175 participants (55.8% traumatic, 29.1% complete) were included (response rate of 31.7%). Of them, 11.4% had clinically relevant symptoms of probable PTSD (TSQ score >= 6) 69.8% experienced moderate to severe pain levels (NRS >= 4), 14.9% had symptoms of anxiety and 20.8% symptoms of depression (HADS scores >= 11). Levels of PTSD symptoms were strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety (0.54) and depression (0.49). Bivariate analyses showed a moderate significant association (0.30) between PTSD symptoms and pain intensity. This association became small (0.10) when anxiety and depression comorbidity were factored into the final regression model. Conclusions No independent association between PTSD symptoms and pain intensity was shown when adjusted for anxiety and depression. Results of this study suggest the usefulness of screening for PTSD in persons with SCI (regardless of injury cause or type/level) who score high on symptoms of anxiety/depression

Spinal cord injuries and bowel stomas:timing and satisfaction with stoma formation and alterations in quality of life

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.OBJECTIVES: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) is frequent among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and is often difficult to treat. A bowel stoma is considered the last-resort treatment option for individuals with SCI and severe NBD. This study aims to explore whether individuals are satisfied with their bowel stoma and how they feel about the timing of stoma formation. Furthermore, we want to explore side effects addressing diversion colitis and changes in quality of life (QOL) after stoma formation.SETTING: Netherlands, community.METHODS: We included participants aged at least 18 years with a traumatic or non-traumatic SCI and bowel stoma. Questions regarding timing of stoma formation, alterations in QOL after stoma formation and experienced side effects of the bowel stoma were addressed in an online questionnaire.RESULTS: In total 23 participants filled out the online survey. Twenty-two participants (96%) were satisfied with their bowel stoma and 83% felt their stoma was placed too late or far too late. The large majority (&gt;80%) reported improvements in the four QOL domains after the procedure. Nine participants reported stoma-related problems in the last month. In the last three months, seven participants (30%) reported to have diversion colitis. Four of these seven participants experienced this at least once a week or more. Two participants stated this had moderate influence on daily activities.CONCLUSIONS: Most participants with SCI experienced improvement in QOL and in retrospect wanted their bowel stoma earlier. Early, extensive conversations to inform individuals about bowel stoma as a treatment option is recommended.</p

Neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury:topical analgesics as a possible treatment

STUDY DESIGN: Review of the literature and semi-structured interviews. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible use of topical analgesics for the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) in spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Institute for Neuropathic Pain, Soest, The Netherlands. METHODS: A review was performed of studies on topical analgesics for SCI-related NP published up to May 2019. In addition, eight persons with SCI-related NP who were treated with topical analgesics were interviewed in a semi-structured interview on their experience with topical analgesics. RESULTS: Seven studies (five case reports and two case series) were found that evaluated the use of topical analgesics for SCI-related NP. None of the studies used a control treatment. Topical analgesics included baclofen, ketamine, lidocaine, capsaicin, and isosorbide dinitrate. All studies reported a decrease in NP over time. Persons interviewed were 49-72 years of age and all but one had an incomplete SCI. They used topical agents containing phenytoin, amitriptyline, baclofen, ketamine or loperamide. All showed a decrease in pain of at least 3 points on the 11-point numeric rating scale during this treatment. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on the use of topical analgesics in SCI is scarce. Case reports, case series and interviews suggest that the use of topical analgesics can be beneficial in treating SCI-related NP. Placebo-controlled studies are required to investigate the effect of topical analgesics on SCI-related NP

Influence of severity and level of injury on the occurrence of complications during the subacute and chronic stage of traumatic spinal cord injury:a systematic review

Objective: Secondary health conditions (SHCs) are long-term complications that frequently occur due to traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and can negatively affect quality of life in this patient population. This study provides an overview of the associations between the severity and level of injury and the occurrence of SHCs in tSCI. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase that retrieved 44 studies on the influence of severity and/or level of injury on the occurrence of SHCs in the subacute and chronic phase of tSCI (from 3 months after trauma). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results: In the majority of studies, patients with motor-complete tSCI (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] Impairment Scale [AIS] grade A or B) had a significantly increased occurrence of SHCs in comparison to patients with motor-incomplete tSCI (AIS grade C or D), such as respiratory and urogenital complications, musculoskeletal disorders, pressure ulcers, and autonomic dysreflexia. In contrast, an increased prevalence of pain was seen in patients with motor-incomplete injuries. In addition, higher rates of pulmonary infections, spasticity, and autonomic dysreflexia were observed in patients with tetraplegia. Patients with paraplegia more commonly suffered from hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and pain. Conclusions: This review suggests that patients with a motor-complete tSCI have an increased risk of developing SHCs during the subacute and chronic stage of tSCI in comparison with patients with motor-incomplete tSCI. Future studies should examine whether systematic monitoring during rehabilitation and the subacute and chronic phase in patients with motor-complete tSCI could lead to early detection and potential prevention of SHCs in this population