Recommended practice for calibrating vacuum gauges of the ionization type.

This article represents a recommended practice for the calibration of ionization gauges using the comparison method. In this method, ionization gauges are compared to a working standard that has an SI traceable calibration. The ionization gauge is either of the hot-cathode ionization type or the cold-cathode ionization type.

Progress on vacuum-to-air mass calibration system using magnetic suspension to disseminate the Planck-constant realized kilogram.

The kilogram is the unit of mass in the International System of units (SI) and has been defined as the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK) since 1889. In the future, a new definition of the kilogram will be realized by fixing the value of the Planck constant. The new definition of the unit of mass will occur in a vacuum environment by necessity, so the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a mass calibration system in which a kilogram artefact in air can be directly compared with a kilogram realized in a vacuum environment.

The Dissemination of Mass in the United States: Results and Implications of Recent BIPM Calibrations of US National Prototype Kilograms.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for the dissemination of the unit of mass within the United States of America through the national prototype kilogram K20 and its check standard K4. These platinum-iridium artifacts have been in use since 1889 and are periodically sent to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) for recalibration. The following is a brief description of the roles of the national prototype kilograms in the dissemination of mass in the United States of America, and the implications for NIST mass calibration customers of the most recent recalibrations of K20 and K4.

The New Kilogram Definition and its Implications for High-Precision Mass Tolerance Classes.

The SI unit of mass, the kilogram, is the only remaining artifact definition in the seven fundamental units of the SI system. It will be redefined in terms of the Planck constant as soon as certain experimental conditions, based on recommendations of the Consultative Committee for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM) are met. To better reflect reality, the redefinition will likely be accompanied by an increase in the uncertainties that National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) pass on to customers via artifact dissemination, which could have an impact on the reference standards that are used by secondary calibration laboratories if certain weight tolerances are adopted for use.

Screening American Indian/Alaska natives for alcohol abuse and dependence in medical settings.

As a result of the lethal effect that alcohol has had on the American Indian and Alaska Native population, it is vital to aggressively screen for hazardous/harmful use, alcohol abuse and dependence among American Indian/Alaska Natives entering medical settings. This is especially true in primary care settings where individuals may come in for a host of medical problems and may not be directly seeking help in reducing their use of alcohol. There are a number of strategies to screen for hazardous/harmful use and abuse of alcohol in primary care settings.

Vacuum Technology Considerations For Mass Metrology.

Vacuum weighing of mass artifacts eliminates the necessity of air buoyancy correction and its contribution to the measurement uncertainty. Vacuum weighing is also an important process in the experiments currently underway for the redefinition of the SI mass unit, the kilogram. Creating the optimum vacuum environment for mass metrology requires careful design and selection of construction materials, plumbing components, pumping, and pressure gauging technologies.

Effects of buprenorphine and hepatitis C on liver enzymes in adolescents and young adults.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in transaminase values associated with buprenorphine treatment and hepatitis C status among opioid dependent subjects aged 15-21.

Methods: 152 subjects seeking treatment for opioid dependence were randomized to 2-week detoxification with buprenorphine/naloxone (DETOX) or 12 weeks buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP). Liver chemistries including transaminases were obtained baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Case management: ongoing evaluation of patients' needs in an opioid treatment program.

Purpose/objective: Case management has been widely used in mental health and substance abuse services. There have been only a few studies that have examined the use of case management in opioid-treatment programs. In a project funded by the Centers of Substance Abuse Treatment, we looked at the use of case managers and specifically at the treatment needs of this unique population.

A review of the community reinforcement approach in the treatment of opioid dependence.

This article reviews the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) in the treatment of opioid dependence. It covers the use of CRA with both methadone maintenance patients and patients withdrawing from opioids. The data reviewed in the use of CRA in combination with methadone maintenance shows improvement in a number of areas.