Choice-of-Law Rules in Bankruptcy: An Opportunity for Congress to Resolve Conflicting Approaches

In In re Jafari, the Seventh Circuit had the opportunity to take a position on whether state or federal choice-of-law rules should be applied in bankruptcy cases. Instead, the court chose not to resolve the question because the outcome was the same under application of Wisconsin\u27s choice-of-law rules and the federal common law choice-of-law rule used by the First and Ninth Circuits in bankruptcy and other federal question cases. The United States Supreme Court has never directly addressed whether state choice-of-law rules must be applied in bankruptcy. Furthermore, the Court has not extended its holding from Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Manufacturing Co., that federal courts exercising diversity jurisdiction must apply the forum state\u27s choice-of-law rules to federal question cases. Without any clear direction from the Supreme Court, the federal courts have been divided over the correct approach. This Note explores the consequences of application of state choice-of-law rules in bankruptcy cases and how they are at odds with the uniform nature of the federal bankruptcy system. Specifically, this Note proposes that creating federal choice-of-law rules for bankruptcy cases would ensure uniformity and fairness in the bankruptcy context and that Congress is the institution best suited to develop federal choice-of-law rules for bankruptcy cases

Remote access for NAS: Supercomputing in a university environment

The experiment was designed to assist the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) Project Office in the testing and evaluation of long haul communications for remote users. The objectives of this work were to: (1) use foreign workstations to remotely access the NAS system; (2) provide NAS with a link to a large university-based computing facility which can serve as a model for a regional node of the Long-Haul Communications Subsystem (LHCS); and (3) provide a tail circuit to the University of Colorado a Boulder thereby simulating the complete communications path from NAS through a regional node to an end-user

Optical Filtering Element

Optical filtering elements having two opposed surfaces and including at least one thin layer of stable non-reflective fluorescent material provide transparent articles which, when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation at one surface of the fluorescent layer, absorb certain wavelengths within the fluorescent layer and emit other wavelengths at the opposed surface of the fluorescent layer. In preferred embodiments, when radiation (light) in the visible range (about 400 nm to about 700 nm) is incident on the element from one side, certain wavelengths of radiation which transverse the element are absorbed in the fluorescent layer and other radiation of greater, but also visible wavelengths are emitted from the opposed side without fluorescent light being reflected by the fluorescent layer at the incident side. Methods of forming such optical filtering elements include providing a thin coating or layer including stable fluorescent material on an optical element by means of a solution or coating composition including stable fluorescent material, forming transparent sheets or films containing stable fluorescent material and utilizing them as optical filtering elements or incorporating them in an optical structure, or in other ways incorporating thin layers of stable fluorescent material within an optical element. In order to avoid glare and reflection of fluorescent light at the incident side, preferred embodiments require layers of stable fluorescent material which are about 1 mil (0.0254 mm) or less in thickness

Dependence of the Critical Adsorption Point on Surface and Sequence Disorders for Self-Avoiding Walks Interacting with a Planar Surface

The critical adsorption point (CAP) of self-avoiding walks (SAW) interacting with a planar surface with surface disorder or sequence disorder has been studied. We present theoretical equations, based on ones previously developed by Soteros and Whittington (J. Phys. A.: Math. Gen. 2004, 37, R279-R325), that describe the dependence of CAP on the disorders along with Monte Carlo simulation data that are in agreement with the equations. We also show simulation results that deviate from the equations when the approximations used in the theory break down. Such knowledge is the first step toward understanding the correlation of surface disorder and sequence disorder during polymer adsorption.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figure

Assessment of femoral retroversion on preoperative hip magnetic resonance imaging in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis: Theoretical implications for hip impingement risk estimation.

PURPOSE Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a common pediatric hip disease and was associated with femoral retroversion, but femoral version was rarely measured. Therefore, mean femoral version, mean femoral neck version, and prevalence of femoral retroversion were analyzed for slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients. METHODS A retrospective observational study evaluating preoperative hip magnetic resonance imaging of 27 patients (49 hips) was performed. Twenty-seven untreated slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients (28 slipped capital femoral epiphysis hips and 21 contralateral hips, age 10-16 years) were evaluated (79% stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis, 22 patients; 43% severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis, 12 patients). Femoral version was measured using Murphy method on magnetic resonance imaging (January 2014-December 2021, rapid bilateral 3-dimensional T1 water-only Dixon-based images of pelvis and knee). All slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients underwent surgery after magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Mean femoral version of slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients (-1° ± 15°) was significantly (p < 0.001) lower compared to contralateral side (15° ± 14°). Femoral version of slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients had significantly (p < 0.001) wider range from -42° to 35° (range 77°) compared to contralateral side (-5° to 44°, range 49°). Mean femoral neck version of slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients (6° ± 15°) was lower compared to contralateral side (11° ± 12°). Fifteen slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients (54%) had absolute femoral retroversion (femoral version < 0°). Six of the 12 hips (50%) with severe slips and 4 of the 8 hips (50%) with mild slips had absolute femoral retroversion (femoral version < 0°). Ten slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients (40%) had absolute femoral neck retroversion (femoral neck version < 0°). CONCLUSION Although slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients showed asymmetrically lower femoral version compared to contralateral side, there was a wide range of femoral version, underlining the importance of patient-specific femoral version analysis on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Absolute femoral retroversion was prevalent in half of slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients, in half of severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients, and in half of mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients. This has implications for anterior hip impingement and for surgical treatment with in situ pinning or femoral osteotomy (e.g. proximal femoral derotation osteotomy) or other hip preservation surgery

Minimal Out-Toeing and Good Hip Scores of Severe SCFE Patients Treated With Modified Dunn Procedure and Contralateral Prophylactic Pinning at Minimal 5-year Follow up

Background: Slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE) is associated with out-toeing of the foot and external rotation gait. But it is unknown if SCFE patients treated with the modified Dunn procedure have out-toeing at follow up.Therefore, we used instrumented gait analysis and questioned (1) do severe SCFE patients treated with a modified Dunn procedure have symmetrical foot progression angle (FPA) compared with contralateral side and compared with asymptomatic volunteers (2) what is the prevalence of out-toeing gait and what are the outcome socres at follow up. Methods: Gait analysis of 22 patients (22 hips) treated with an unilateral modified Dunn procedure for severe SCFE (slip angle >60 degrees, 2002 to 2011) was retrospectively evaluated. Of 38 patients with minimal 5-year follow up, 2 hips (4%) had avascular necrosis of the femoral head and were excluded for gait analysis. Twenty-two patients were available for gait analysis at follow up (mean follow up of 9±2 y). Mean age at follow up was 22±3 years. Mean preoperative slip angle was 64±8 degrees (33% unstable slips) and decreased postoperatively (slip angle of 8±4 degrees). Gait analysis was performed with computer-based instrumented walkway system (GAITRite) to measure FPA with embedded pressure sensors. Patients were compared with control group of 18 healthy asymptomatic volunteers (36 feet, mean age 29±6 y). Results: (1) Mean FPA of SCFE patients (3.6±6.4 degrees) at follow up was not significantly different compared with their contralateral side (5.6±5.5 degrees) and compared with FPA of controls (4.0±4.5 degrees). (2) Of the 22 SCFE patients, most of them (19 hips, 86%) had normal FPA (-5 to 15 degrees), 2 patients had in-toeing (FPA15 degrees) and was not significantly different compared with control group. (3) Mean modified Harris hip score (mHHS) was 93±11 points, mean Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) score was 91±10 points. Three patients (14%) had mHHS 95 points. Conclusions: Patients with severe SCFE treated with modified Dunn procedure had mostly symmetrical FPA and good hip scores at long term follow up. This is in contrast to previous studies. Although 1 patient had out-toeing and 2 patients had in-toeing at follow up, they had good hip scores. Level of evidence: Level III-retrospective comparative study

Adsorption of Multi-block and Random Copolymer on a Solid Surface: Critical Behavior and Phase Diagram

The adsorption of a single multi-block $AB$-copolymer on a solid planar substrate is investigated by means of computer simulations and scaling analysis. It is shown that the problem can be mapped onto an effective homopolymer adsorption problem. In particular we discuss how the critical adsorption energy and the fraction of adsorbed monomers depend on the block length $M$ of sticking monomers $A$, and on the total length $N$ of the polymer chains. Also the adsorption of the random copolymers is considered and found to be well described within the framework of the annealed approximation. For a better test of our theoretical prediction, two different Monte Carlo (MC) simulation methods were employed: a) off-lattice dynamic bead-spring model, based on the standard Metropolis algorithm (MA), and b) coarse-grained lattice model using the Pruned-enriched Rosenbluth method (PERM) which enables tests for very long chains. The findings of both methods are fully consistent and in good agreement with theoretical predictions.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figure

Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Embedded in Poly(lactic‐ co ‐glycolic acid) Nanofiber Scaffolds Deliver Neurotrophic Payloads to Enhance Neuronal Growth

Scaffolds made from biocompatible polymers provide physical cues to direct the extension of neurites and to encourage repair of damaged nerves. The inclusion of neurotrophic payloads in these scaffolds can substantially enhance regrowth and repair processes. However, many promising neurotrophic candidates are excluded from this approach due to incompatibilities with the polymer or with the polymer processing conditions. This work provides one solution to this problem by incorporating porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) that are pre-loaded with the therapeutic into a polymer scaffold during fabrication. The nanoparticle-drug-polymer hybrids are prepared in the form of oriented poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofiber scaffolds. We test three different therapeutic payloads: bpV(HOpic), a small molecule inhibitor of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN); an RNA aptamer specific to tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB); and the protein nerve growth factor (NGF). Each therapeutic is loaded using a loading chemistry that is optimized to slow the rate of release of these water-soluble payloads. The drug-loaded pSiNP-nanofiber hybrids release approximately half of their TrkB aptamer, bpV(HOpic), or NGF payload in 2, 10, and >40 days, respectively. The nanofiber hybrids increase neurite extension relative to drug-free control nanofibers in a dorsal root ganglion explant assay

PolymiRTS Database 2.0: linking polymorphisms in microRNA target sites with human diseases and complex traits

The polymorphism in microRNA target site (PolymiRTS) database aims to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect miRNA targeting in human and mouse. These polymorphisms can disrupt the regulation of gene expression by miRNAs and are candidate genetic variants responsible for transcriptional and phenotypic variation. The database is therefore organized to provide links between SNPs in miRNA target sites, cis-acting expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), and the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human diseases. Here, we describe new features that have been integrated in the PolymiRTS database, including: (i) polymiRTSs in genes associated with human diseases and traits in GWAS, (ii) polymorphisms in target sites that have been supported by a variety of experimental methods and (iii) polymorphisms in miRNA seed regions. A large number of newly identified microRNAs and SNPs, recently published mouse phenotypes, and human and mouse eQTLs have also been integrated into the database. The PolymiRTS database is available at http://compbio.uthsc.edu/miRSNP/