Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a swab sample is analyzed, for example, to test for disease. In some examples, a swab head of a swab sample is inserted through an opening into an internal reservoir of a sampling device. The sampling device includes the opening, an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and the internal reservoir. The internal reservoir is in fluid communication with the inlet channel, the outlet channel, and the opening. A liquid solvent is supplied to the swab head in the internal reservoir via the inlet channel of the sampling device. The swab head is held in the liquid solvent for a period of time to form an analyte in the internal reservoir. The analyte is extracted from the internal reservoir via the outlet channel of the sampling device. The analyte is transferred to and processed by a mass spectrometer to obtain mass spectrometry data.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a sample is collected using a biological sampling apparatus. The biological sampling apparatus includes a shell having a closed end and an open end. The biological sampling apparatus also includes a harvesting tool comprising a shaft and a head. The shaft terminates in the head. The biological sampling apparatus additionally includes a translator configured to move the harvesting tool through the open end between a retracted position, where the head resides in the shell, and an extended position, where the head and at least a portion of the shaft reside outside the shell. A sealing member resides at the open end. The sealing member is configured to contact a subject surface and to create an enclosed sampling volume when collecting a specimen.

Abstract: Method for tracking and analysis of a mobile entity. In some embodiments a multi-dimensional geophysical area is divided into a first layer of zones each encompassing a contiguous portion of the geophysical area and having at least one rule. Geoposition values from a sensor associated with a mobile entity are accumulated in a memory. The accumulated geoposition values are used to identify an associated zone from the first layer of zones in which the mobile entity is located and the at least one rule assigned to the associated zone is applied. A second layer zone is subsequently generated in response to an input signal. The second layer zone overlays at least a portion of one zone in the first layer and expands over time. An alarm limit is output in response to a subsequently accumulated geoposition value from the sensor indicating the mobile entity is in the second layer zone.

Abstract: Method for tracking and analysis of a mobile entity. In some embodiments a multi-dimensional geophysical area is divided into a first layer of zones each encompassing a contiguous portion of the geophysical area and having at least one rule. Geoposition values from a sensor associated with a mobile entity are accumulated in a memory. The accumulated geoposition values are used to identify an associated zone from the first layer of zones in which the mobile entity is located and the at least one rule assigned to the associated zone is applied. A second layer zone is subsequently generated in response to an input signal. The second layer zone overlays at least a portion of one zone in the first layer and expands over time. An alarm limit is output in response to a subsequently accumulated geoposition value from the sensor indicating the mobile entity is in the second layer zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mobile entity tracking and analysis. In some embodiments, a multi-dimensional geophysical area is divided into a first layer of zones. Each zone encompasses a contiguous portion of the geophysical area and has at least one rule assigned thereto. Geoposition values from a sensor attached to a mobile entity are accumulated in a memory, the geoposition values indicative of successive geopositions of the mobile entity. For each accumulated geoposition value, the associated zone in which the geoposition of the mobile entity is located is identified, and the at least one rule assigned to the zone is applied. A second layer zone is subsequently generated responsive to an input signal, and an alarm limit is output based on a subsequently accumulated geoposition value indicating the geoposition of the mobile entity is located within the second layer zone.