Abstract: A novel handgun support includes a vertically adjustable stand and horizontally adjustable shoulder support that are pivotally mounted together with a handgun holder fixedly mounted on the top end. The assistance in holding a handgun from two directions greatly increases the steadiness in aiming a handgun in target shooting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic genes, processes for designing said synthetic genes and their uses in gene therapy and improved DNA vaccination. The novel synthetic genes and processes are codon shuffled so that they have reduced homology relative to a naturally occurring gene encoding the same protein without altering the overall codon usage frequency of the gene. In particular the present invention relates to improved polynucleotides and methods for the treatment or prevention of disease comprising codon-shuffled GM-CSF nucleic acid sequences. Nucleic acid vaccines of the present invention may comprise a combination of a nucleotide sequence encoding codon-shuffled GM-CSF, a nucleotide encoding an antigen against which it is desired to raise an immune response and a toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist.

Abstract: A system reduces the number of blocked and abandoned calls in a wireless communication system. A cell site receives a call from a wireless station and determines that no available resources exist. In response thereto, the blocked cell site sends a retry message to the wireless station to redirect the call back to the originally blocking face of the cell site.

Abstract: A method for controlling the admission of a call into a service area. The method includes the steps of selecting a non-negative integer N; selecting a real number p, lying between 0 and 1 inclusive; admitting a call when N−2 or fewer channels are occupied; blocking the call with a probability p when N−1 channels are occupied; and blocking the call when N or more channels are occupied.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data acquisition system is disclosed for use in hazardous locations. The system includes a driller's console that itself is intrinsically safe and includes a large LCD monitor, keypad and local CPU. The system further includes satellite data acquisition and processing boxes that are also intrinsically safe and that are located within the hazardous area. Each satellite box includes its own CPU and acquires and locally processes signals received from a number of field sensors. The satellite box converts the signals into digital form, and transmits the data via a fiber optic communication channel to a master CPU box located in an unclassified area. A high current intrinsically safe barrier distributes power from the master CPU box to the satellite box for powering all the sensors supported by that satellite box. Another such barrier distributes all the power required by the driller's console.