TC
Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson (born May 16, 1969) is an American conservative political commentator, journalist, and media personality known for his critique of elite institutions, immigration policies, and mainstream media narratives.[1][2] Carlson began his career in print journalism after graduating from Trinity College in 1991, contributing to publications such as The Weekly Standard and National Review, before transitioning to television with roles at CNN's Crossfire and MSNBC's Tucker.[3] In 2009, he joined Fox News, launching Tucker Carlson Tonight in 2016, which became the highest-rated primetime cable news program, drawing millions of viewers nightly through its focus on populist issues and skepticism toward official accounts of events.[3] His tenure at Fox ended abruptly in April 2023, shortly after the network's $787.5 million settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit, though Carlson has asserted his firing stemmed from internal conflicts rather than the litigation itself.[4][5] Post-Fox, Carlson founded the Tucker Carlson Network and expanded his reach via platforms like X (formerly Twitter), conducting high-profile interviews with figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and producing content challenging prevailing orthodoxies on topics including government overreach and cultural shifts.[6] Throughout his career, Carlson has been a polarizing figure, praised by supporters for amplifying dissenting voices and empirical scrutiny of power structures, while facing accusations from left-leaning outlets of promoting division—claims often amplified amid broader institutional biases against conservative viewpoints.[7][8] His work has influenced Republican discourse, notably on trade, foreign policy, and election integrity, positioning him as a key independent voice in American media as of 2025.[9]Science and technology
Biology and medicine
In medicine, TC most frequently denotes total cholesterol, a blood test measuring the sum of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels, typically reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Levels above 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, as established by guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association, though optimal thresholds vary by individual factors such as age and comorbidities.[10] This metric serves as a screening tool for hypercholesterolemia, with evidence from longitudinal studies linking sustained elevations to atherosclerosis progression via lipid deposition in arterial walls.[11] TC also refers to a chemotherapy regimen combining docetaxel (Taxotere) and cyclophosphamide, primarily used for adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in patients with node-positive or high-risk node-negative disease. Administered every 3 weeks for 4-6 cycles, this non-anthracycline protocol yields pathologic complete response rates of approximately 15-20% in neoadjuvant settings, with common adverse effects including neutropenia (up to 80% of patients) and fatigue. Clinical trials, such as the US Oncology Trial 9735 published in 2006, demonstrated TC's efficacy comparable to anthracycline-based regimens like doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide, but with reduced cardiotoxicity.[12] Limitations include higher rates of peripheral neuropathy from docetaxel, necessitating dose adjustments in elderly patients. In immunology, TC designates cytotoxic T cells (also known as Tc or CD8+ T cells), a subset of T lymphocytes that recognize and destroy virus-infected or malignant cells through perforin-granzyme mediated apoptosis or Fas ligand signaling. These cells express the CD8 co-receptor and TCR (T cell receptor) specific to MHC class I-presented antigens, playing a critical role in adaptive immunity; deficiencies, as in certain immunodeficiencies, correlate with increased susceptibility to intracellular pathogens.[13] Empirical data from mouse models and human studies underscore their causal role in tumor surveillance, though exhaustion in chronic infections reduces efficacy.[14] In hematology, TC stands for total count of white blood cells (leukocytes), part of a complete blood count (CBC) quantifying cells per microliter of blood, with normal ranges of 4,000-11,000 cells/μL in adults. Elevations (leukocytosis >11,000/μL) signal infection, inflammation, or leukemia, while reductions (leukopenia <4,000/μL) indicate bone marrow suppression or viral suppression; automated analyzers provide this metric with <5% variability in clinical labs.[15] This measure, often paired with differential counts (DC), aids diagnosis but requires correlation with clinical context due to non-specificity.[16]Chemistry and physics
In chemistry, TC denotes the symbol for technetium, a transition metal element with atomic number 43.[17] Technetium was the first element artificially produced, synthesized in 1937 by bombarding molybdenum with deuterons, and it exists only in trace amounts naturally due to the instability of its isotopes.[18] All isotopes of technetium are radioactive, with the most stable being technetium-98, which has a half-life of 4.2 million years, making it the lightest element without stable isotopes.[17] In physics and materials science, Tc represents the Curie temperature, the point above which ferromagnetic materials transition to paramagnetism and lose their permanent magnetic properties.[19] For example, iron has a Curie temperature of 1043 K, cobalt 1388 K, and nickel 627 K, values determined experimentally through measurements of magnetic susceptibility versus temperature.[20] Tc also denotes the critical temperature in superconductivity, below which certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and the Meissner effect, as observed in mercury at 4.2 K since its discovery in 1911.[21] Additionally, TC refers to the temperature coefficient, quantifying the relative change in a physical property, such as electrical resistance, per unit change in temperature.[22] For metals like copper, the positive temperature coefficient is approximately 0.00393 per °C at 20°C, meaning resistance increases linearly with temperature due to increased phonon scattering of electrons.[22] Semiconductors may exhibit negative coefficients under certain conditions, reflecting band gap variations with thermal energy.[23]Computing
Trusted Computing (TC) refers to a suite of hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the security of computing platforms by establishing a root of trust, typically through components like the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The Trusted Computing Group (TCG), a not-for-profit organization founded in 2003, develops open specifications for TC, including standards for secure boot and attestation to verify system integrity against tampering.[24] These mechanisms aim to protect against malware, unauthorized modifications, and supply chain attacks by enforcing cryptographic verification at hardware levels, though implementations have raised concerns over potential vendor lock-in and privacy implications due to remote attestation features.[25] In computational complexity theory, TC denotes the complexity class encompassing decision problems solvable by families of threshold circuits, which extend Boolean circuits by incorporating threshold gates that output 1 if the weighted sum of inputs exceeds a threshold. Threshold circuits model computations involving majority functions and arithmetic operations more efficiently than AC^0 circuits, with subclasses like TC^0 capturing constant-depth, polynomial-size variants capable of basic arithmetic such as addition and multiplication in logarithmic time.[26] Research has established that NC ⊆ TC, linking TC to parallel computation models, and it contains classes like ACC^0 while being contained in NC^1.[27] Turbo C was an integrated development environment (IDE) and compiler for the C programming language, released by Borland in 1987 as a fast, DOS-based tool featuring an integrated editor, debugger, and compiler optimized for MS-DOS systems. It gained popularity for its speed and simplicity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, supporting Turbo Pascal heritage with features like inline assembly and graphics libraries, but was discontinued after version 2.0 in 1990 as Borland shifted to Turbo C++.[28] Modern emulations and installers allow its use on contemporary Windows for legacy code maintenance, though it lacks compliance with current C standards like ANSI C beyond basic implementations.[29] In Linux kernel networking, tc (traffic control) is a command-line utility for configuring the packet scheduler to manage bandwidth, delay, and packet loss through queuing disciplines (qdiscs), classifiers, and shapers. Introduced as part of the Linux Advanced Routing and Traffic Control (LARTC) framework, tc enables quality-of-service (QoS) implementations by attaching filters to interfaces, such as prioritizing traffic classes or simulating network conditions for testing.[30] Common uses include classful qdiscs like HTB for hierarchical token bucket shaping, with syntax liketc qdisc add dev eth0 root handle 1: htb default 10 to establish rate-limiting structures.[31]
Transportation
In automotive engineering, TC refers to traction control, an active vehicle safety feature that monitors wheel speeds to detect and mitigate loss of traction during acceleration, particularly on slippery surfaces. The system uses sensors to identify differential wheel rotation exceeding a threshold, then intervenes by selectively applying brakes to the slipping wheel(s) or modulating engine throttle via electronic throttle control or ignition timing retardation. Introduced commercially in passenger cars by Mercedes-Benz in the 1980 BMW 635 CSi Winter Edition (as ASR), traction control became federally mandated in the United States for new light vehicles starting in 2012 model year, reducing single-vehicle crash rates by an estimated 6-10% according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.[32] In aviation, TC denotes a type certificate, a formal approval granted by regulatory authorities like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Transport Canada to an aircraft design after verifying compliance with airworthiness standards under regulations such as 14 CFR Part 21. The certification process requires submission of design data, prototype testing (including ground, flight, and environmental trials), and issuance of a Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) outlining limitations, specifications, and approved configurations; as of 2023, the FAA maintains over 20,000 active TCDS entries for aircraft types. Type certificates enable production and operation, with supplemental type certificates (STCs) issued for major modifications to existing designs.[33][34]Other uses in science and technology
In instrumentation and engineering, TC designates a thermocouple, a temperature-measuring device composed of two dissimilar metal wires joined at one end, which generates a voltage proportional to the temperature difference via the Seebeck effect.[35] Thermocouples are valued for their ruggedness, wide temperature range (up to 2300°C for certain types like Type B), and self-powering capability without external excitation, finding applications in industrial processes, furnaces, and aerospace systems.[36] Common types include Type K (chromel-alumel, -200°C to 1350°C) and Type J (iron-constantan, up to 760°C), selected based on the required accuracy and environmental conditions.[37] In electrical engineering, Type TC refers to tray cable as specified in Article 336 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), a factory-assembled cable with two or more insulated conductors (typically THHN/THWN) under a sunlight- and moisture-resistant PVC jacket, rated for 600V and suitable for control, signal, or power circuits in industrial settings.[38] Type TC-ER variant extends usability for exposed runs up to 6 feet beyond trays without conduit, provided installation adheres to NEC requirements for wet locations and Class I/II Division 2 hazardous areas.[39] These cables must include an equipment grounding conductor and are tested per UL 1277 for flame retardance and mechanical integrity.[40] In civil engineering documentation, TC denotes "top of curb," the elevation reference at the upper edge of a curb separating roadway from sidewalk, used in grading plans, profiles, and construction drawings to ensure precise alignment and drainage.[41] This benchmark facilitates accurate earthwork calculations and compliance with municipal standards, such as maintaining minimum curb heights of 6 inches per AASHTO guidelines.[42] In electronics, TC stands for temperature coefficient, quantifying the relative change in a component's electrical parameter (e.g., resistance or capacitance) per degree Celsius change, typically expressed in ppm/°C.[43] Low-TC materials, like those in precision resistors (e.g., <5 ppm/°C), are essential for stable circuits in telecommunications and instrumentation to minimize drift over temperature variations from -55°C to 150°C.[44]Organizations
Governmental and international organizations
Transport Canada (TC), the federal department of the Government of Canada responsible for safe, secure, and efficient transportation across aviation, marine, rail, and road sectors, was established in 1936 and oversees regulatory enforcement, policy development, and infrastructure programs. The United States Tax Court (TC), an Article I federal trial court created by the Revenue Act of 1942 (now codified at 26 U.S.C. §§ 7441–7475), adjudicates disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service over deficiencies, overpayments, and certain declaratory judgments in income, estate, gift, and personal holding company taxes; it consists of 16 judges appointed by the President with Senate confirmation for 15-year terms. The William J. Hughes Technical Center (TC), operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since 1998 and located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, serves as the FAA's national airspace system's research, engineering, development, and testing facility, focusing on aviation safety, security, and efficiency through simulation, prototyping, and data analysis for over 1,400 employees.[45] The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TC, ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code), a British Overseas Territory since 1976, operates under a constitution providing for a governor appointed by the UK monarch, a premier elected by the House of Assembly, and ministries handling finance, tourism, education, and border control for its population of approximately 45,000 across 40 islands.[46]Commercial and non-profit organizations
TC Energy Corporation operates as a major North American energy infrastructure company, managing pipelines for natural gas, oil, and power generation assets across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.[47] With approximately 8,700 employees as of 2020, it transports energy essential for residential, industrial, and commercial use, including a portfolio generating about 4,650 megawatts of power capacity.[48] [49] TC Transcontinental Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, functions as Canada's largest printer and a leader in flexible packaging and publishing services.[50] Founded in 1976, the company provides solutions for retail marketing, book publishing, and custom packaging, operating plants in Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the United Kingdom.[51] [52] TC Group, a Danish multinational, specialized in professional audio equipment until its acquisition by Music Group in 2015 for an estimated £150 million.[53] [54] It encompassed brands such as TC Electronic—established in 1976 for guitar effects and signal processing—and Tannoy for loudspeakers.[55] Teachers College, Columbia University (TC), serves as a non-profit graduate institution focused on education, psychology, and health, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization.[56] Founded in 1887, it ranks as the largest U.S. graduate school of education and supports community initiatives in mental health, digital equity, and global education projects.[57] [58]People
Historical and contemporary figures
- Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), Scottish historian, essayist, and philosopher whose works, including The French Revolution: A History (1837), emphasized heroic individualism and critiqued industrial society.[59]
- Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556), Archbishop of Canterbury who played a pivotal role in the English Reformation, authoring the Book of Common Prayer (1549) and supporting Henry VIII's break from the Roman Catholic Church before his execution under Mary I.[59]
- Ty Cobb (1886–1961), American Major League Baseball player renowned for his batting prowess, holding the record for highest career batting average (.366) until 1986, though noted for his aggressive temperament.[59]
- Truman Capote (1924–1984), American novelist and journalist famous for Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1966), pioneering the "nonfiction novel" genre through detailed true-crime reportage.[60]
- Tom Clancy (1947–2013), American author of military techno-thrillers such as The Hunt for Red October (1984), which inspired a film franchise and emphasized geopolitical realism in Cold War-era narratives.[60]
- Tim Curry (born 1946), British actor and singer recognized for voicing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and roles in Clue (1985) and The IT Crowd.[61]
- Tom Cruise (born 1962), American actor and producer starring in action films like Top Gun (1986) and the Mission: Impossible series, achieving commercial success with over $11 billion in global box office earnings as of 2023.[62]