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On 10 May 2024, a severe geomagnetic storm coinciding with Mother's Day in Mexico lasted over 40 hr and produced polar auroras observable at low latitudes. This storm, the most intense since 2003, resulted from a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from active region 3664. The event was significant for space weather studies in Mexico, marking a milestone by enabling comprehensive measurements of its effects. The Mexico Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX) and the National Space Weather Laboratory (LANCE) had prepared for such an event since their inception. LANCE's instrument networks recorded solar chromospheric images, solar radio bursts, geomagnetic variations, Schumann resonances, ionospheric disturbances, and energetic particle flows. They also monitored Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in three strategic substations of the national electrical system. This provided unprecedented insights into the dynamics of severe space weather events at the North‐American low‐latitude environment. Citizen science efforts documented auroras and regional responses, capturing variations in geomagnetic indices, ionospheric disturbances, cosmic ray fluxes, GICs, and technological impacts. SCIESMEX worked with the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) to issue warnings, ensuring public awareness and preparedness. This coordination underscores the importance of effective communication and collaboration in mitigating impacts. The May 2024 geomagnetic storm demonstrated the critical role of preparedness, research, and public education in reducing the effects of future space weather events in Mexico. Plain Language Summary: On 10 May 2024, during the celebration of Mother's Day in Mexico, a powerful geomagnetic storm occurred, lasting over 40 hr and creating polar auroras visible in low‐latitude areas. The Mother's Day geomagnetic storm, the strongest since 2003, was triggered by a series of solar flares and eruptions from the sun. For researchers in Mexico, this event was significant. The storm produced northern lights that were seen in 20 of the 32 states in Mexico, and it gave us the chance to measure the storm's effects with our instruments for the first time. Over the past 10 years, the Mexico Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX) and the National Space Weather Laboratory (LANCE) have been preparing for such an event. During the storm, LANCE's network of instruments recorded various solar and space phenomena, such as solar images, radio bursts, geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances, energetic particles, and currents in the national electrical system. This comprehensive data collection helps us understand the impact of severe space weather in Mexico. We also gathered observations from the public about the aurora and measured the regional effects on geomagnetic and ionospheric conditions, cosmic rays, and technological systems. Key Points: The May 2024 geomagnetic storm offered insights into space weather effects at low latitudes, impacting North AmericaObservations showed geomagnetic storm impacts on Mexico's power grid and atmospheric conditions, highlighting vulnerabilitiesPolar auroras in Mexico reveal solar weather's reach, stressing the need for awareness in areas rarely affected by such events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first observations of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in the Mexican power grid and an improved model to calculate them. The new model comprises ca. 250 substations working at various voltage levels, a methodology to estimate geomagnetic disturbances (δB) at different points throughout the Mexican territory, and a 1D piecewise model that considers lateral variations in the ground conductivity. This is an improvement of a former uniform conductivity model presented previously to calculate our first GIC estimates (Caraballo et al., 2020). We compared the observed and calculated GIC between August and November 2021 at a coastal 400 kV substation. During this interval, five geomagnetic storms occurred (G1 and G2). The observed GIC exceeded 10 A during the most strong event; this shows a clear grid response even under weak geomagnetic perturbations that occurred during the solar minimum. Further comparison with the results of the former model suggests that the new 1D piecewise model yields better GIC estimates for the Mexican power grid. Plain Language Summary: We present observations of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in the Mexican power grid and an improved model to calculate them. The new model considers multiple operational voltages as well as lateral and vertical variations in ground conductivity. Additionally, we analyzed GIC observations at a given substation from August to November 2021 and the grid response during five geomagnetic storms that occurred during this period. The observed GIC shows a clear grid response even during weak geomagnetic perturbations. Regarding calculated GIC, comparisons with the former model output suggest that the 1D piecewise model can be a valuable tool for providing GIC estimates for the Mexican power grid. Key Points: We compared geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) observations and estimates for the Mexican power grid during 2021 (near solar cycle minimum)An improved model to calculate GIC yields better estimates for the Mexican 400/230 kV gridMeasured GIC at a coastal substation exceeded 10 A during a G2 geomagnetic storm that occurred on November 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution addresses the first assessment of the impact of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) on the 400‐kV power grid of Mexico. As an initial approach, we modeled GIC using a uniform conductivity for the entire Mexican territory and spatially uniform geomagnetic disturbance. Power grid data were provided by the electric operator of Mexico; the geophysical data were inferred from the main features of Mexican geology. We calculate the power grid response during four geomagnetic storms from Solar Cycles 23 and 24 (i.e., 15 July 2000, 20 October 2003, 17 March 2015, and 7 September 2017), as well as during an extreme scenario (a Carrington‐like event). The results show that the Mexican power grid can be affected by three‐phase GIC ranging from 20 to 75 A during geomagnetic disturbances. According to the model, sites located in coastal areas or close to the edges of the network can experience large GIC during time intervals between 3 and 10 hr, depending on the intensity of the geomagnetic disturbance. It is an interesting result that these sites are of the major economic and strategic significance for the country. In the case of a Carrington‐like event, the power grid could be affected by GIC ranging between 25 and 150 A under a uniform 1 V/km EW geoelectric field. Such an event might produce significant distortions in the grid hardware (i.e., transformers and static VAR compensators), potentially leading to widespread damage. Key Points: An exploratory model to assess the impact of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC), on the 400‐kV Mexican power grid, is presentedEstimated GIC values are higher at the edges of the Mexican gridModel results are used to plan the installation of GIC sensors along the power grid [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) have been long recognized as a ground effect arising from a chain of space weather events. GICs have been measured and modeled in many countries, resulting in a considerable amount of data. Previous statistical analyses have proposed various types of distribution functions to fit long-term GICs data sets. However, these extensive statistical approaches have been only partially successful in fitting the data sets. Here we use modeled GICs data sets calculated in four countries (Brazil, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Finland) using data from solar cycle 23 to show a plausible function based on a nonextensive statistical model of the q-exponential Tsallis function. The fitted q-exponential parameter is approximately the same for all locations, and the Lilliefors test shows good agreement with the q-exponential fits. From this fit, we compute that the likely numbers of extreme GICs events over the next ten solar cycles are 1-2 for both Finland and United Kingdom, at least one for Brazil and less than one event for South Africa. Our results indicate that the nonextensive statistics are a general characteristic of GICs, suggesting that the ground current intensity has a strong temporal correlation and long-range interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: To determine what factors predict cotinine levels in US children.Design: Cross-sectional study.Subjects: Nationally representative sample of 5,653 US children, both with and without reported tobacco smoke exposure in their homes.Methods: We stratified the children into those with reported passive smoke exposure at home and those without this exposure. We used regression models to predict the log of the cotinine level of the participants with the following independent covariates: age; race/ethnicity; number of rooms in the home; sex; parental education; family poverty index; family size; region; and, among children with reported passive smoke exposure, the number of cigarettes smoked in the home.Results: Children exposed to passive smoke had a mean cotinine level of 1.66 ng/mL, and children not exposed to passive smoke had a mean level of 0.31 ng/mL. Among children with reported smoke exposure, non-Mexican-American race/ethnicity, young age, low number of rooms in the home, low parental education, and an increasing number of cigarettes smoked in the home were predictors of increased serum cotinine levels. Among children with no reported smoke exposure, significant predictors of increased cotinine levels included black race, young age, Midwest region of the United States, low number of rooms in the home, low parental education, large family size, and low family poverty index.Conclusion: While the reported number of cigarettes smoked in the home is the most important predictor of cotinine levels in children exposed to smoke and may provide an opportunity for clinical intervention, other demographic factors are important among children both with and without reported smoke exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a debilitating condition of unknown aetiology affecting > 50% of women over 40 years of age. In POP patients, the vaginal walls are weakened allowing descent of pelvic organs through the vagina. We sought to determine if sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signalling, which regulates smooth muscle contractility and apoptosis via the RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROK) pathway, is altered in the vagina of women with POP. Utilising anterior vaginal wall specimens, we provide novel demonstration of the S1P pathway in this organ. Additionally, comparing specimens from women having pelvic reconstructive surgery for POP and control subjects, we reveal increases in mRNA expression of the three major mammalian S1P receptors (S1P1–S1P3), and RhoA and the ROK isoforms: ROKα and ROKβ in POP patients, which correlates with a decrease in elastic fibre assembly pathway constituents. Taken together, our data suggest the S1P/ROK pathway as a novel area for future POP research and potential therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A review is given of our last advances on Raman spectroscopy characterization of irradiated and/or leached UO2, PuO2 and (U,Pu)O_2 samples. For this purpose, three original Raman setups dedicated to the study of nuclear materials were involved. In every case, irradiation-induced Raman defect bands in the 500 - 750~\cm^-1 range was observed. For UO2, an annealing temperature experiment suggests that these defect bands could be the signatures of medium-range structured defects. Besides, the leaching experiments show different behavior between the irradiated in situ probed UO2 ceramic and post mortem probed [UO2 + (U,Pu){O_2}] sample: The growth of an altered layer made of studtite and schoepite phases was monitored at the surface of UO2 ceramic, while post-mortem studies reveal the presence of U_3O_8 and studtite phases at the surface of the UO2 grains of the binary sample. No alteration layer was observed at the surface of the leached (U,Pu)O_2 grains. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reviews the main results on the long-term behavior of SON68 nuclear glass towards alpha decay accumulation. The effects of the radiation damage induced by alpha decay were investigated by doping a glass with a short-lived actinide 244 Cm, by using ionic irradiations and by molecular dynamic simulations. The analysis of the behavior of the glass structure subjected to ballistic effects with various spectroscopic studies has identified some local order changes around born and silicon atoms. Moreover a modification of the medium-range order has also been demonstrated through changes in the bond angles between network formers and broadening of the ring size distributions, indicating increasing disorder of the glass structure. This structural evolution induced by alpha decays would be driven by the reconstruction of the glass disorganized by displacement cascades of the recoil nuclei, freezing a glass structure with a higher fictive temperature. This “ballistic disordering (BD) fast quenching” event induce a new glassy state characterized by a higher enthalpy state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper's focus is the failure and hardness properties of pure amorphous silica (Corning 7980 ® ) after β-irradiation at different doses (0-2 GGy). Crack propagation takes place in the SCC regime (10 -7 -10 -10 m.s -1 ) and Vickers indentation techniques probe the hardness properties of the samples. Irradiation is found to create point defects which mainly include E’ centers, Non-Bridging Oxygen Hole Centers and Peroxy Radicals. β-irradiation herein invokes minor changes in the structure. A small effect of β-irradiation on SCC and hardness variations cannot be eliminated, despite minute variations in the SCC and the hardness properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate the influence of the geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) on the Uruguayan electrical distribution grid. The GIC are related to time variations in the geomagnetic field caused by the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. These currents may cause several problems in power grids, pipelines, among others. South America is close to the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAA). Particle precipitation in the anomaly region could lead to pulsations in the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field, that may contribute to the GIC production. Scarce research has been done to assess the space weather impact on this area.Due to the lack of magnetic field data at the Uruguayan territory, spherical elementary currents system (SECS) was used to interpolate field values with data available from three magnetic observatories located at Vassouras, Trelew and São Martinho da Serra. The simple topology of the Uruguayan power grid provides some advantages in the calculation of GIC. To calculate these currents, a plane wave method combined with a ground conductivity model was used. Estimated GIC suggest peak currents ca. 15 A, at the earthing points of some substations in a 770 km power line during the Halloween Magnetic Storm on 2003 October 29. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman measurements were carried out to probe the spectroscopic signatures of the ion beam irradiation-induced damage and their in-depth profiles on a Uranium dioxide sample previously cut and polished prior to performing a 25 MeV He2+ cyclotron beam irradiation. Raman spectra clearly show the creation of three defects bands (U1 ≈ 530, U2 ≈ 575, and U3 ≈ 635 cm-1) resulting from the ion irradiation and also some changes in the T2g peak of UO2. Their in-depth distribution inside the sample exhibits a clear increase of the damage from the surface up to the position of the implanted He. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, exacerbated asthma, respiratory symptoms, and decreased lung function in children. Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1999-2008 were analyzed to determine the proportion of the nonsmoking population with serum cotinine (the primary nicotine metabolite) levels =0.05 ng/mL, by age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income level, and to determine whether the household included a person who smoked inside the home. Results: During 2007-2008, approximately 88 million nonsmokers aged =3 years in the United States were exposed to secondhand smoke. he prevalence of serum cotinine levels =0.05 ng/mL in the nonsmoking population declined signiicantly from 52.5% (95% CI = 47.1%-57.9%) during 1999-2000 to 40.1% (95% CI = 35.0%-45.3%) during 2007-2008. he decline was signiicant for each sex, age, race/ethnicity, and income group studied except non-Hispanic whites. he change was greatest from 1999-2000 to 2001-2002. For every period throughout the study, prevalence was highest among males, non-Hispanic blacks, children (aged 3-11 years) and youths (aged 12-19 years), and those in households below the federal poverty level. Conclusions: Secondhand smoke exposure has declined in the United States, but 88 mil- lion nonsmokers aged =3 years are still exposed, progress in reducing exposure has slowed, and disparities in exposure persist, with children being among the most exposed. Nearly all nonsmokers who live with someone who smokes inside their home are exposed to secondhand smoke. Implications for public health practice: he only way to protect nonsmokers fully is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces. Continued eforts at smoking cessation and comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting smoking in workplaces and public places are needed to ensure that all nonsmokers are protected from this serious health hazard. Health-care providers should educate patients and parents about the dangers of secondhand smoke and follow clinical care guidelines to help smokers quit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, causing approximately 443,000 premature deaths annually. Methods: he 2009 National Health Interview Survey and the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate national and state adult smoking prevalence, respectively. Cigarette smokers were deined as adults aged =18 years who reported having smoked =100 cigarettes in their lifetime and now smoke every day or some days. Results: In 2009, 20.6% of U.S. adults aged =18 years were current cigarette smokers. Men (23.5%) were more likely than women (17.9%) to be current smokers. he prevalence of smoking was 31.1% among persons below the federal poverty level. For adults aged =25 years, the prevalence of smoking was 28.5% among persons with less than a high school diploma, compared with 5.6% among those with a graduate degree. Regional diferences were observed, with the West having the lowest prevalence (16.4%) and higher prevalences being observed in the South (21.8%) and Midwest (23.1%). From 2005 to 2009, the proportion of U.S. adults who were current cigarette smokers did not change (20.9% in 2005 and 20.6% in 2009). Conclusions: Previous declines in smoking prevalence in the United States have stalled during the past 5 years; the burden of cigarette smoking continues to be high, especially in persons living below the federal poverty level and with low educational attainment. Sustained, adequately funded, comprehensive tobacco control programs could reduce adult smoking. Implications for Public Health Practice: To further reduce disease and death from cigarette smoking, declines in cigarette smoking among adults must accelerate. he Patient Protection and Afordable Care Act is expected to expand access to evidence-based smoking-cessation services and treatments; this likely will result in additional use of these services and reductions of current smoking and its adverse efects among U.S. adults. Population-based prevention strategies such as tobacco taxes, media campaigns, and smoke-free policies, in concert with clinical cessation interventions, can help adults quit and prevent the uptake of tobacco use, furthering the reduction in the current prevalence of tobacco use in the United States across age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 2000-2009 data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) in a bid to monitor trends in terms of tobacco use among middle and high school students. Data show that 8.2% of middle school students and 23.9% of high school students admitted using tobacco products. It adds that prevalence of tobacco use did not pose a decline in both groups from 2006 to 2009. It recommends the implementation of tobacco control policies to control tobacco use among the youth.

Abstract: The mechanisms of oxidizing dissolution of spent MOX fuel (MIMAS TU2®) subjected to water radiolysis were investigated experimentally by leaching spent MOX47 fuel samples in pure water at 25°C under different oxidizing conditions (with and without external gamma irradiation); the leached surfaces were characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The highly oxidizing conditions resulting from external gamma irradiation significantly increased the concentration of plutonium (Pu(V)) and uranium (U(VI)) compared with a benchmark experiment (without external irradiation). The oxidation behavior of the plutonium-enriched aggregates differed significantly from that of the UO2 matrix after several months of leaching in water under gamma irradiation. The plutonium in the aggregates appears to limit fuel oxidation. The only secondary phases formed and identified to date by Raman spectroscopy are uranium peroxides that generally precipitate on the surface of the UO2 grains. Concerning the behavior of plutonium, solution analysis results appear to be compatible with a conventional explanation based on an equilibrium with a Pu(OH)4(am) phase. The fission product release – considered as a general indicator of matrix alteration – from MOX47 fuel also increases under external gamma irradiation and a change in the leaching mode is observed. Diffusive leaching was clearly identified, coinciding with the rapid onset of steady-state actinide concentrations in the bulk solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Research indicates that forgiveness of interpersonal transgressions relates to better sleep quality, whereas maintaining feelings of anger and hostility relates to poorer sleep quality. However, the mechanisms explaining these relationships have yet to be determined. We examined whether negative affect and anger rumination mediate the relationship between forgiveness of others and sleep quality using a sample of 277 undergraduates from a medium-sized Midwestern Catholic university. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing forgiveness of others (situational and dispositional), sleep quality (nocturnal sleep and daytime fatigue), negative affect (depression and anxiety), and anger rumination. Using structural equation modeling, we found that negative affect and anger rumination mediated the relationship between forgiveness and sleep quality through two indirect pathways. In one pathway, negative affect mediated between forgiveness and sleep quality. In the second pathway, both negative affect and anger rumination functioned as mediators. Implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the findings from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analysis of data regarding smoking prevalence among adults in the U.S. The findings indicate that in 2006 about 20.8% of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers which remained unchanged since 2004. Also noted is the higher prevalence rate of current smoking among those diagnosed with a smoking-related chronic disease than those who are without chronic diseases.

The aim of this paper is to promote the correct classification of, and provide guidelines on, the diagnosis and management of Panayiotopoulos syndrome (PS). An international consortium of established researchers in the field collaborated to produce a consensus document. The resulting document defines PS, characterizes its electro-clinical features, considers its likely pathogenesis, and provides guidance on appropriate management. We conclude that PS is a common idiopathic, benign seizure disorder of childhood, which should be classified as an autonomic epilepsy, rather than an occipital epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of self-reported data on cigarette smoking from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. Percentage of U.S. adults who were current smokers; Variation in the prevalence of cigarette smoking; Increase in the prevalence of smoking among persons aged 18-24 during 1983-2003.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP) can be accurately identified from the paravaginal space (PVS) without entering the retropubic space (RPS). STUDY DESIGN: Eight patients undergoing vaginal paravaginal repair were enrolled. The paravaginal dissection was completed to the most cephalad portion of the PVS without entering the RPS. The apex of each PVS was stained with methylene blue. The RPS was entered, the ATFP visualized, and 4 sutures were placed along its length to be used for the repair. The perpendicular distance between each suture and the most cephalad area of stain was measured. RESULTS: The mean distance from the perceived to actual ATFP at each suture point (1-4) was 3.5 cm, 2.75 cm, 2.0 cm, and 0.91 cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: In these 8 cases, the RPS had to be entered to accurately identify the ATFP. The degree of error increases as the ischial spine is approached (P < .001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of the National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2002 to 2004. Data on the percentage of middle school students and their tobacco habit; Decline in the prevalence of youth smoking; Limitations of the study.

Discusses the prevalence of cigarette use among racial/ethnic populations in the U.S. during 1999-2001. Primary racial/ethnic minority populations in the country; Data used for the "Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups" report of the U.S. Surgeon General; Prevalence of cigarette use among youths.

OBJECTIVES: The Women Physicians' Health Study (WPHS) offers a unique opportunity to examine the counseling and screening practices of women physicians. The objectives of this study were to: describe the prevalence of self-reported smoking cessation counseling among primary care women physicians and determine the association between physician demographic, professional, and personal characteristics and smoking cessation counseling. METHODS: Conducted in 1993-1994, WPHS is a nationally representative cross-sectional mailed survey of U.S. women physicians and included 4,501 respondents representing all major specialties. Primary care physicians included 5 specialty areas and were grouped into 3 categories: (1) general primary care; (2) obstetrics/gynecology (ob/gyn); and (3) pediatrics. Frequent counseling was defined as having counseled patients who were known smokers at every visit or at least once a year. RESULTS: Women physicians in general primary care (84%) and ob/gyn (83%) were more likely to frequently counsel their patients about cessation than were pediatricians (41%). Perceived relevance of counseling to a physician's practice was significantly associated with frequent counseling. Personal characteristics (current smoking status, personal or family history of a smoking-related disease, or living with a smoker as an adult or child) were not significantly correlated with counseling. CONCLUSION: The majority (71%) of physicians reported frequently counseling their patients. However, there was significant variation by physician specialty. In addition, perceived relevance of counseling was strongly associated with counseling behavior. Physician counseling on cessation can reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Increasing perceived relevance, implementing system changes, and creating accountability can facilitate cessation counseling by physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, is a marker of exposure to tobacco smoke. Previous studies suggest that non-Hispanic blacks have higher levels of serum cotinine than non-Hispanic whites who report similar levels of cigarette smoking.Objective: To investigate differences in levels of serum cotinine in black, white, and Mexican American cigarette smokers in the US adult population.Design: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1991.Participants: A nationally representative sample of persons aged 17 years or older who participated in the survey.Outcome Measures: Serum cotinine levels by reported number of cigarettes smoked per day and by race and ethnicity.Results: A total of 7182 subjects were involved in the study; 2136 subjects reported smoking at least 1 cigarette in the last 5 days. Black smokers had cotinine concentrations substantially higher at all levels of cigarette smoking than did white or Mexican American smokers (P<.001). Serum cotinine levels for blacks were 125 nmol/L (22 ng/mL) (95% confidence interval [CI], 79-176 nmol/L [14-31 ng/mL]) to 539 nmol/L (95 ng/mL) (95% CI, 289-630 nmol/L [51-111 ng/mL]) higher than for whites and 136 nmol/L (24 ng/mL) (95% CI, 85-182 nmol/L [15-32 ng/mL]) to 641 nmol/L (113 ng/mL) (95% CI, 386-897 nmol/L [68-158 ng/mL]) higher than for Mexican Americans. These differences do not appear to be attributable to differences in environmental tobacco smoke exposure or in number of cigarettes smoked.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence from a national study that serum cotinine levels are higher among black smokers than among white or Mexican American smokers. If higher cotinine levels among blacks indicate higher nicotine intake or differential pharmacokinetics and possibly serve as a marker of higher exposure to cigarette carcinogenic components, they may help explain why blacks find it harder to quit and are more likely to experience higher rates of lung cancer than white smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a report which provides the most recent national estimates in the U.S. of smoking prevalence among adults aged 18 years old and above, based on data from the 2009 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). It also provides state-level estimates based on the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. The report shows that an estimate 20.6% or 46.6 million of adults in the country were current cigarette smokers. It also found that smoking prevalence varies based on education level. The results of the report indicate that the national estimates for the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among adults aged 18 years old and above did not decrease from 2008 to 2009 and during 2005-2009.

The article presents the results of an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that assessed progress in reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults for 2007. The National Health Interview Survey questionnaire contained questions on cigarette smoking and cessation attempts. Smoking prevalence was found to be higher among men than women. Smoking prevalence for various education levels is presented. Smoking prevalence among adults and subgroups including African Americans and adults over 65 years old is also included.

The article focuses on the assessment of the prevalence of cigarette smoking among youths aged 12-17 years in six major racial/ethnic populations and nine Asian or Hispanic subpopulations in the United States by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analysis indicate that the estimated prevalence of cigarette smoking in the age group ranged from 23.1% for American Indians/Alaska Natives to 2.2% for Vietnamese.

Presents information on the clean indoor air law implemented in the state of New York requiring indoor workplaces and public places to be smoke-free effective July 24, 2003. Assessment of changes in indoor air quality in hospitality venues before and after the implementation of the law; Information on the number of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure- related deaths in the U.S.; Impact of the implementation of the law on the level of SHS exposure in hospitality venues.