Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

Abstract: A gas turbine propulsion system includes a system which utilizes a cryogenic liquid fuel for a non-combustion function.

Abstract: A term-by-document (or part-by-collection) matrix can be used to index documents (or collections) for information retrieval applications. Reducing the rank of the indexing matrix can further reduce the complexity of information retrieval. A method for index matrix rank reduction can involve computing a singular value decomposition and then retaining singular values based on the singular values corresponding to singular values of multiple topics. The expected singular values corresponding to a topic can be determined using the roots of a specially formed characteristic polynomial. The coefficients of the special characteristic polynomial can be based on computing the determinants of a Gram matrix of term (or part) probabilities, a method of recursion, or a method of recursion further weighted by the probability of document (or collection) lengths.

Abstract: A term-by-document (or part-by-collection) matrix can be used to index documents (or collections) for information retrieval applications. Reducing the rank of the indexing matrix can further reduce the complexity of information retrieval. A method for index matrix rank reduction can involve computing a singular value decomposition and then retaining singular values based on the singular values corresponding to singular values of multiple topics. The expected singular values corresponding to a topic can be determined using the roots of a specially formed characteristic polynomial. The coefficients of the special characteristic polynomial can be based on computing the determinants of a Gram matrix of term (or part) probabilities, a method of recursion, or a method of recursion further weighted by the probability of document (or collection) lengths.

Abstract: A control strategy and method for controlling friction element engagement and disengagement time for an automatic transmission when the transmission is operating at cold ambient temperatures. During drive-to-reverse or reverse-to-drive friction element engagements with power on, the strategy compensates for a tendency of an oncoming friction element to gain capacity before an off-going clutch loses capacity, thereby avoiding a potential friction element tie-up condition when the transmission is operated with intermediate or high levels of engine torque as the friction elements are sequentially engaged and disengaged during cold rock cycling.

Abstract: A control strategy and method for controlling friction element engagement and disengagement time for an automatic transmission when the transmission is operating at cold ambient temperatures. During drive-to-reverse or reverse-to-drive friction element engagements with power on, the strategy compensates for a tendency of an oncoming friction element to gain capacity before an off-going clutch loses capacity, thereby avoiding a potential friction element tie-up condition when the transmission is operated with intermediate or high levels of engine torque as the friction elements are sequentially engaged and disengaged during cold rock cycling.

Abstract: A combination conductive and convective heatsink for use in an electronic module including a heatsink member having first and second major planar surfaces; each surface adapted for thermally engaging with an adjacent electronic circuit element. The heatsink member also includes a plurality of flow-through channels disposed between the first and second major planar surfaces. The flow-through channels engage with flow-through passages in an electronic module mounting rack, for allowing the flow of a fluid medium through the passages and the channels for convectively cooling the electronic module. The heatsink also includes a plurality of thermally conductive members disposed between the first and second major planar surfaces of the heatsink member, for thermally conductively engaging the heatsink member with the electronic module mounting rack for conducting heat from the electronic module to the mounting rack.

Abstract: A protection and packaging system for a semiconductor circuit having a first planar surface and an active region on at least a portion of the planar surface. An adhesive securely bonds a protective member directly to the first planar surface for generally protecting and hermetically sealing at least the active region of the semiconductor circuit. The protective member has a coefficient of thermal expansion which matches or closely matches that of the semiconductor device. The protective member may include an electrically conductive member and may have one or more openings. Individual electrically conductive members distribute power and ground to the active region of the circuit through bonding wires and contact pads located within the openings.