Deploying wireless networks can be a really complicated and time consuming procedure. The choice of the access point locations, the selection of a frequency band with minimal interference, and the operation of multiple sensors using a single platform are few of the key factors which will determine the efficiency of the deployment. The Gizmo truck invention proposes an effective and robust solution to the problem. Gizmo has taken the Calmesh Network project developed at Calit2 (California Institute of Telecommunication and Information Technology) together with the "always best connected approach" in mind and joined them in a mobile platform which is built using solely off-the-shelf components. The Gizmo project has led to a versatile mobile platform capable to create instantaneous mesh networks using a variety of different radios and technology (i.e. 802.11 a, b or g, 900Mhz radios, Zigbee, ) or act as a client to any preexisting network, stream audio and video feeds, collect important data using an array of different sensors which can be swapped depending on the needs, and navigate through areas using GPS way points and distance sensors for object avoidance. The main characteristic of Gizmo is its high versatility and re-programmability. Gizmo presents a great platform for research and development. The applications in which Gizmo can be used are numerous (medical, military, educational, outreach, self guided tours, surveillance ), all it is needed to do is to swap the new sensors and download the desired scripts on the single board computer (SBC) and/or microcontroller board

Due to chronic exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water, thousands of Californians have increased risk for internal cancers and other adverse health effects. The mortality risk of cancer is 1 in 400 people exposed to above 10 μg/L of arsenic in their drinking water. The purpose of this community assessment was to understand the perceptions and awareness of the residents and public water representatives in rural, unincorporated farming communities of color in San Joaquin Valley, California. In our research, we asked 27 community informants about their (1) available water sources, (2) knowledge about the health impacts of arsenic, and (3) preferences for risk communication and education regarding the health impacts of arsenic-contaminated drinking water. Through our qualitative coding and analysis, we found that most community informants indicated that there was limited community awareness about the health effects of drinking water with elevated arsenic levels. Preferences for risk communication included using in-language, culturally relevant, and health literate health promotion strategies and teaching these topics through the local K-8 schools' science curriculum with a language brokerage approach to transfer student knowledge to family members. Key recommendations include implementing these communication preferences to increase community-wide knowledge about safe drinking water.