SET based experiments for HTSC materials: II

The cuprates seem to exhibit statistics, dimensionality and phase transitions in novel ways. The nature of excitations [i.e. quasiparticle or collective], spin-charge separation, stripes [static and dynamics], inhomogeneities, psuedogap, effect of impurity dopings [e.g. Zn, Ni] and any other phenomenon in these materials must be consistently understood. In this note we further discuss our original suggestion of using Single Electron Tunneling Transistor [SET] based experiments to understand the role of charge dynamics in these systems. Assuming that SET operates as an efficient charge detection system we can expect to understand the underlying physics of charge transport and charge fluctuations in these materials for a range of doping. Experiments such as these can be classed in a general sense as mesoscopic and nano characterization of cuprates and related materials. In principle such experiments can show if electron is fractionalized in cuprates as indicated by ARPES data. In contrast to flux trapping experiments SET based experiments are more direct in providing evidence about spin-charge separation. In addition a detailed picture of nano charge dynamics in cuprates may be obtained.Comment: 10 pages revtex plus four figures; ICMAT 2001 Conference Symposium P: P10-0

Parameters for Systems Exhibiting Local Lattice Distortions, Charge and Spin Ordering

Keeping in mind the experimental results that indicate local lattice distortions, charge and spin orderings, we have developed a phenomenological approach which allows us to describe the electronic phase diagram of cuprates and related systems in terms of few parameters.In the present work we consider a third-order parameter theory which characterize charge, spin and superconductivity orderings. We are thus led to a theory of three scalar fields. By coupling these scalars to gauge fields we are naturally led to string-like solutions, which we interpret as stripes. This ties nicely with our quantum group conjecture that 1d systems play an important role in the physics of cuprates and related materials. We show that this simple approach can give rough values for two-order parameters which can be naively be interpreted as charge and spin orderings. We also report our attempt to understand how local lattice distortions are involved and what role they play in terms of these two order parameters.Comment: 8 pages revtex, Published in AIP Conference Proceedings 554: Int. Sym. on Physics in Local Lattice Distortions, July 23-26, 200

To Prescribe or not Prescribe that is the Question!

To prescribe or not prescribed that is the question. If William Shakespeare was a pharmacist and living today he could probably ask his fellow pharmacists this question. To put it another way, should pharmacists be allowed to extend number of refills without prior authorization from the prescriber or even initiate new prescription?  In Ontario, Canada, a new bill was proposed to allow pharmacists to extend refills on prescriptions without first checking it with the original prescriber of the prescription. In New Brunswick, Canada, they were moving in the direction of allowing pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe for minor illnesses. In the last five years, seven out of ten Canadian provinces now allow pharmacists to prescribe in some fashion that include extending refills on an existing prescription or allowing them to initiate a new prescription. As one can see that the precedent has already set where pharmacists are allowed to extend refills on prescriptions without first checking it with prescribers. As one can imagine, this is rather controversial as some of the medical associations fear that this would set a wrong precedent while some physicians, albeit at individual level, are welcoming it both in Canada and the United States. The US Department of Veterans Affairs and some of the other Public Health Agencies’ pharmacists have long been extending refills on prescriptions. As a matter of fact, the VA pharmacists were recently authorized to initiate new prescriptions as mid-level practitioners. In Florida, the pharmacists have been prescribing from a limited formulary list of medications for many years now

Ethyl Glucuronide: A biomarker for Acute Alcohol Ingestion

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) along with ethyl sulfate (EtS) test validity are commented on. Sensitivity, specificity and reference threshold levels for urine screen are outlined. The accidental ingestion and absorption of ethanol from household products are also discussed. Ethyl glucuronide, a biochemical marker for ethanol, is a useful screen after acute alcohol ingestion, whether intentional or accidental. Keywords: Ethyl Glucuronide, Biomarkers, Ethanol, Alcohol ingestio