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Abstract The use of genetically diverse mouse models offers a more accurate reflection of human genetic variability, improving the translatability of findings to heterogeneous human populations. This approach is particularly valuable in understanding diverse immune responses to disease by environmental exposures. This study investigates the inflammatory responses to acute exposures to mainstream cigarette smoke (CS) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in two genetically diverse mouse strains, CC002/UncJ (UNC) & Diversity Outbred (J:DO). The UM‐HET3 (HET3) mouse strain, typically used in aging intervention studies, has also been used to evaluate the translatability of this model for age‐associated pathologies. The study involves a comprehensive approach, including BALF cytokine analysis, evaluation of lung tissue architecture, assessment of macrophages and its associated proteins (MMP9 & MMP12) abundance. Several cytokines/chemokines were found to be upregulated across three strains. Notably, the UNC strain exclusively showed upregulation of TNF‐α, IL‐17A, and IL‐13, whereas the J:DO showed an upregulation in KC. The number of alveolar macrophages in the lungs of UNC mice was very low at baseline compared to other strains studied in this study, which is indicative of some inherent shift in the pulmonary immune profiles of these inbred mice. In contrast, the J:DO strain, characterized by genetic outbreeding, showed a much more robust lung macrophage response comparable to C57BL/6J. The findings provide valuable insight into how genetic diversity affects immune responses in response to acute CS/ETS exposure, with implications for understanding diverse human responses to environmental stressors in studying lung pathophysiology.

Quality is determined by machines, materials, equipment, and lead times. The quality of aircraft materials such as aluminum and its alloys could greatly improve their applications. The difficulty of efficiently and reasonably machining certain materials limits their applicability. The purpose of this paper is to increase the quality of the vibration responses. Specifically, we examine the effects of the machining parameters on vibration (Time and Frequency domains). The end milling process is used to machine the AA6082T6 workpiece material. Speed (S), feed (F), depth of cut (DoC), and coated cutting inserts are the machining parameters. Tungsten carbide inserts (UNC), tungsten carbide inserts coated with Aluminum Chromium Nitride (AP3), and tungsten carbide inserts coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) were employed in this study. The minimum amplitude of 0.1173 g (m/s2) is seen at 710 rpm, 40 mm/min, and 0.5 mm of the DLC coated tool at a frequency of 930 Hz, according to the data. By comparing it to other cutting inserts, the DLC coated tool is given the smallest amplitude and minimum time domain. According to the findings, if the DLC coated insert is used in the machining process, the material's surface finish will be much enhanced, and the material had good mechanical qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students and community members forcefully tore down a confederate monument known as Silent Sam at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. This action unleashed brutal retaliation and ongoing strife. The toppling of Silent Sam should be celebrated as an antiracist milestone that can inspire deeper reflection, racial reckoning, and institutional accountability locally and in other North American higher education institutions. While the Jim Crow era monument's massive concrete plinth held aloft an armed confederate soldier, a brass plaque on its base vividly depicted white women's moral authority in encouraging militarism. I argue that white supremacy is deeply rooted at UNC, the oldest public university in the country, and is reinforced by layers of official lies such as the invented historical narrative of the Lost Cause, celebrating an idyllic slaveholding past that never existed. In order to build on this moment of rupture, scholars must begin to think of themselves as cultural and intellectual workers and endeavor to build collective power through labor unions, creative activities, American Association of University Professors chapters, professional and antiracist organizations. Only in this way, can scholars protect themselves, their colleagues, and students. Signing petitions is not enough! In this paper, I discuss a few ways antiracists built collective power on our campus in recent years. I also analyze the visual lessons of the confederate monument that was erected at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill more than a century ago during an earlier period of brutal white supremacist backlash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Which is needed more: sovereignty or security? The autonomy–security trade-off model sees this as a trade-off between a client and a patron. A client surrenders some measure of autonomy to a patron and, in turn, receives security. This paper explores whether the underlying logic is applicable to quasi-alliances between a state and a multinational regime, such as the United Nations Command (UNC). South Korea has maintained a quasi-alliance with the UNC since the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. The level of trade-off between South Korea and the UNC, however, has been changing over time, particularly while being affected by the power growth of South Korea, a client, and the preference changes of the US, the most important actor of the UNC, a patron. This paper attempts to explain why South Korea is much more enthusiastic in seeking full sovereignty and more autonomy in the 2018–2019 détente era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does the US-led UNC (United Nations Command) have enough clout to misapply its original function, thereby making those assets available to hegemonic rivalry? Is this clout likely to be seen as equally important by all members? The UNC was established as an integrated warfighting organization during the Korean War and continues to this day as the peace driver on the Korean Peninsula. In the meantime, the UNC helps the US hegemony sustain the region, functioning as the two-for-one entity for both peace and hegemony. Seen in this light, the UNC serves as a rare case in international politics. The UNC allows the US to be armed with four types of leverage-political, military, economic and institutional-which contribute to hegemony maintenance. The institutionally given legal nature of the UNC with a large international audience makes the four types of leverage more viable. The effectiveness of the UNC could possibly encourage the US to use it to further US interest in its hegemonic competition with China. If the US were to maximize its function as a hegemony keeper, however, the UNC is likely to lose its convergent ground gradually because it is seen as a far-fetched intention by the UNC members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few data describing prehospital pediatric substance misuse exist. The objective of this study was to characterize substance misuse in North Carolina pediatric patients receiving emergency medical services (EMS) care., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients aged < 16 years transported by EMS for substance misuse. Data were obtained from a statewide repository including patients treated for confirmed or suspected misuse of marijuana, alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, acetaminophen, antidepressants, or other drugs., Results: Of 45,855 EMS encounters, 448 patients misused drugs. Most patients were female (56.7%), White (50.9%), adolescent (73.8%), and resided in Central North Carolina (54.0%). A plurality of cases was rural (46.2%), followed by urban (27.9%) and regional city/suburban counties (25.7%). Calls most often originated in residential locations (68.5%). Drugs identified during EMS calls included alcohol (24.2%), marijuana (24.2%), benzodiazepines (8.8%), antidepressants (8.8%), stimulants (6.8%), opioids (5.9%), and other medications (17.6%). Motivations for drug use were recreational (58.4%), self-harm (24.6%), and accidental (17.0%)., Limitations: Due to insufficient data documentation, one EMS system was removed from analysis. Additionally, misclassification of type of drug or intention of drug use is possible due to the use of free-text patient narratives., Conclusions: EMS responded to a vast variety of drug misuse among pediatric patients including prescription medications, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drugs. Accidental ingestions occurred exclusively in infant/preschool ages and intent for recreation or self-harm primarily occurred in adolescents. By increasing awareness of the more common pediatric patient characteristics associated with the type and reason for drug use, EMS agencies can improve pediatric readiness among prehospital clinicians., Competing Interests: Acknowledgments: The research team would like to acknowledge the contributions of Rawaa Al-Rifaie to the data acquisition process. Declaration of interests: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare., (Copyright ©2024 by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and The Duke Endowment. All rights reserved.)

Background: Every county in North Carolina must include a board of health (BOH) with specific prescribed duties and powers. It is unclear how BOHs in North Carolina are currently exercising their governance ability. In 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly provided coun-ties with additional flexibility to select among different configurations for their local health department (LHD). The impact of this flexibility on the governance and service delivery of LHDs is yet to be explored., Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with LHD directors and BOH members to assess the strengths and weaknesses of BOHs within different local public health configurations across North Carolina. We employed conventional content analysis to derive themes from the interview transcripts., Results: BOHs were largely described as an underutilized institution, with few BOHs noted to be active beyond satisfying their required legal duties. Strong BOHs were noted to fulfill three identities on behalf of the LHD: an advocate, a bridge, and an advisor. The majority of interviewees desired to work in a standalone county health department (as opposed to a consolidated human services agency) with an appointed (versus elected) board of health. This configuration was preferred because, according to participants, it is more likely to enable a structural focus on public health initiatives., Limitations: Our sample frame did not control for the length of time an interviewee had been in the office nor the professional background of each BOH member., Conclusions: Wide variations exist in the exercise of BOHs across the state, partially due to how different LHD configurations structurally focus resources and attention on public health., Competing Interests: Acknowledgments: We wish to acknowledge Kristi Nickodem (Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) for her assistance in helping us understand the options and requirements for public health organization and governance models under North Carolina law, as well as her assistance in helping us con­textualize interviewee commentary. Declaration of interests: All authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright ©2024 by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and The Duke Endowment. All rights reserved.)

En esta edición número 18, en la cual celebramos los diez años de RECIAL, a modo de homenaje, convocamos a los investigadores que conforman el Área Letras del CIFFyH - UNC, a sumarse a la celebración con un artículo que diera cuenta del recorrido de sus investigaciones durante estos diez años, sus objetivos, alcances y logros. La amplia respuesta recibida por parte de la comunidad académica del CIFFyH, que festejamos y agradecemos, nos permite desplegar en el grupo de trabajos reunidos bajo el título Dossier Aniversario, los diversos cursos que siguen los estudios que se desarrollan en el Área Letras del CIFFyH. Las investigaciones se concentran en problemas sobre estética, poética, crítica literaria, teoría del arte, filosofía, lingüística. Los trabajos en curso problematizan la diversidad sexual, lo autobiográfico, las identidades y variadas prácticas discursivas: producciones musicales y otras representaciones de la cultura popular. Los estudios literarios atienden a la literatura argentina, latinoamericana y europea; la literatura clásica o bien, contemporánea; la literatura infantil y juvenil. Otros trabajos acreditan investigaciones sobre poesía, sobre dramaturgia, estudios sobre teoría literaria, lingüística y su didáctica. Los artículos del Dossier Aniversario registran las prácticas en investigación durante el decenio acoplada a las que los equipos desarrollan en la actualidad en el CIFFyH y, en este recorrido de la memoria, emerge con justicia la vigorosa impronta dejada por algunos profesores ya retirados de la docencia-investigación que abrieron caminos en los modos de construir conocimiento y formaron equipos de investigadores que hoy se conducen marcados por su formación.

Neutrality is intended to guarantee national security, promote peace, and maximize national interest. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) was established in 1953 after the Korean War and was intended to maintain armistice and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. The NNSC contributed to making the Peninsula more stable. The neutral powers of Switzerland and Sweden, two members designated by one side of the two opposing sides, however, became much weaker over time due to the one-sided structure and its lack of independence from the United Nations Command (UNC). In particular, five preconditions to make neutrality credibly work rarely existed. This examination generates crucial conclusions in terms of the inherent purposes of neutrality, its sustainability, and policy options taken for future consideration. This finding can also be applicable to other neutral states or neutrality-seeking candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations collective security was organized and deployed as a coalition force within a unified command system under the overall command of the United States under UN mandate. The US assumed most of the military and economic burdens of UN intervention in Korea, and sought comparable authority and leadership in return. However, this caused conflicts over Korean aid operations and the logistical support of participating UN member states. Such conflicts, however, did not necessarily debilitate the US. With its overwhelming productivity and military strength, the US led the United Nations Command and provided the logistical reservoirs for participating UN states. In addition, participating UN member states that experienced the magnitude of America's logistical support systems, military supplies, services, and equipment, became potential clients of the American military-industrial complex, just as countries that received American military aid. In a sense, the Korean War experience consolidated the contradictions of a Cold War peace that saw increasing reliance on the powerful economic and military prowess of the United States rather than on collective military action by an international organization. Consequently, the United States neglected the prospect for peace attainable through civil activities by the UN and UN organizations on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El siguiente ensayo aloja dos textos: por un lado, una historia posible de la cátedra de Teoría literaria de la Escuela de Letras de la UNC, desde su creación en 1986 hasta la actualidad; por otro lado, una reflexión, guiada por esta singular historia narrada, que permita ofrecer una respuesta al siguiente interrogante: ¿qué enseñar en una materia llamada Teoría literaria? El primero de estos textos nos permitirá recorrer las transformaciones que se han operado en la cátedra y la importancia que tuvo el problema de la delimitación del objeto en su configuración. El segundo nos llevará a pensar –a partir del recorrido ya transitado por la asignatura en Córdoba– la Teoría literaria no como un espacio de adquisición de competencias demostrativas al servicio del análisis metodológico de objetos socioculturales sino como un lugar de cuestionamiento de los presupuestos científicos de la disciplina. En otras palabras, no un lugar al servicio de la metodología sino de una epistemología de la lectura como experiencia irreductible, incesante y singular cuyo avatar crítico se asienta en la persuasión más que en la demostración.

A comprehensive, collective approach to navigating the challenges of bias, privacy, and ethical considerations presented by the use of artificial intelligence in health care will require robust frameworks, continuous learning, and a commitment to equity. The insights and discussions presented in this issue are a testament to the ongoing efforts in North Carolina and beyond to find a balance between innovation with responsibility, ensuring that AI can deliver on its promise to enhance outcomes., Competing Interests: Acknowledgments: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright ©2024 by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and The Duke Endowment. All rights reserved.)

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Background: Little is known about the differing impacts of food insecurity on HbA1c by race in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Predictions around increased food insecurity from COVID-19 exacerbating racial disparities led us to estimate its prevalence and associations with HbA1c by race during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Data came from medical records and surveys among a clinic-based sample of T2D patients. Linear regression models estimated associations between food insecurity and HbA1c and between change in food insecurity and change in HbA1c. Likelihood ratio tests and examination of stratum-specific estimates assessed effect modification by race., Results: Our sample was 59% White, 59% female, and mean age was 60.8 ± 12.6. During the pandemic, food insecurity prevalence and HbA1c were significantly (p < .05) higher among non-Whites (39%, 8.4% ± 2.1) compared to Whites (15%, 7.8% ±1.6). HbA1c among those who were very food insecure was 1.00% (95% CI: 0.222, 1.762, p = .01) higher than those who were food secure. Those with increased food insecurity had a 0.58% (95% CI: 0.024, 1.128, p = .04) higher HbA1c increase than among those experiencing no change. No effect modification was detected., Limitations: Convenience sampling in an endocrinology clinic, recall bias, and inadequate power may underlie null effect modification results., Conclusion: Although effect modification was not detected, racial disparities in HbA1c and food insecurity warrant further investigation. These disparities, combined with the significant impact of food insecurity on HbA1c, suggest that prioritization of resources to high-risk populations should be considered early during public emergencies to minimize short- and long-term health consequences., Competing Interests: Acknowledgments: This project was supported by Dr. Elizabeth Mayer-Davis’s Cary C. Boshamer professorship funds and the Honors Thesis Research Award from Honors Carolina. Disclosure of interests: Authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright ©2023 by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and The Duke Endowment. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Disclosure of interests: The author has no potential conflicts of interest to report.