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ICAIC 2011: Applied Informatics and Communication pp 215–220 Cite as

Research on the Application of ZigBee Technology in Positioning System

• Ge Xiao-Yu 2 ,
• Wang Qing-Hui 2 &
• Feng An-Song 2  
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Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 226))

ZigBee is a new global standard for wireless connectivity, focusing on standardizing and enabling interoperability of products within home control, building automation and industrial control and monitoring. It is now widely recognized that ZigBee is suitable for short distance, low complexity, low power, consumption and low rate applications. One of the most important applications is embedded system. First of all, the paper introduces the application of ZigBee wireless communication network (WSN). Then the emphases are to provide a range-based method that can be used to realize personnel positioning. It includes building ZigBee wireless communication network and taking advantage of Visual Basic and MathCAD to realize RSSI collection.

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Zang, C., Yu, H.: Target tracking based on multi-agent theory in wireless sensor network. High Technology Letters 16(3), 257–261 (2006)

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Department of Information Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China

Ge Xiao-Yu, Wang Qing-Hui & Feng An-Song

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Xiao-Yu, G., Qing-Hui, W., An-Song, F. (2011). Research on the Application of ZigBee Technology in Positioning System. In: Zhang, J. (eds) Applied Informatics and Communication. ICAIC 2011. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 226. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23235-0_28

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In our study, we first illustrated information fusion technology and Internet of Things (IoT), and then we built farmland IoT information collection platform on the basis of ZigBee technology and agricultural sensors to collect climate data including air pressure, temperature, soil water content, light intensity, and relative humidity. Finally, prediction model was used to evaluate crop growth condition. Results show that temperature increases with time and reaches the maximum at 13:00 PM. But relative humidity decreases with time and reaches the maximum at 3:30 AM. Light intensity presents a straight trend with time and reaches the maximum at 13:30 PM. CO2 concentration presents a fluctuation trend with time and reaches high point at 7:00 AM. Prediction model presented a high accuracy outcome with 99% accuracy in training data and 100% in testing set. Therefore, we can conclude that big data fusion technology on the basis of IoT has a good future in many fields excepting agriculture crop, which is also an irreversible trend.

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<p>Wireless sensor networks (WSN), referring to groups of technologies wirelessly controlled, are widely used in many different fields, agriculture, medical, military, etc. These technologies are mainly used for monitoring physical or environmental conditions, such as temperatures, sound, pressure, and so on. In WSN fields, there are technologies as Wi-Fi, radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and so on. Furthermore, there is one of this technology that offers more outstanding futures to provide more energy-saving and long distances of transmissions compared to other technologies, and that is Zigbee technology, and this had become for many applications, the first high-quality to use and consequently the most used in WSNs. In Zigbee aided WSNs, are included three main devices used to communicate data, that is a Zig-Bee coordinator (network coordinator), ZigBee router, and ZigBee end-devices. The data sensed is transmitted from sensor nodes through coordinators to a base-station (BS), this device (coordinator), collects the data, stores it in a memory, processes, and finally forward to the next suitable nodes or the BS. This research presents the concepts and discussions of Zigbee technologies used in WSNs. Utmost ZigBee communication technologies are revised and analyzed, as well as simulation results with different scenarios are addressed comprehensively. Proposals for advance applications in WSNs are presented. Suggestions for future developments are provided</p>

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This paper is in the following e-collection/theme issue:

Published on 19.4.2024 in Vol 8 (2024)

A Health Information Technology Protocol to Enhance Colorectal Cancer Screening

Authors of this article:

Research Letter

• Adam Baus 1 * , MA, MPH, PhD   ; 
• Dannell D Boatman 2 * , MS, EdD   ; 
• Andrea Calkins 1 * , MPH   ; 
• Cecil Pollard 1 * , MA   ; 
• Mary Ellen Conn 2 * , MS   ; 
• Sujha Subramanian 3 * , MA, PhD   ; 
• Stephenie Kennedy-Rea 2 * , MA, EdD  

1 Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States

2 Cancer Prevention and Control, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, United States

3 Implenomics, Dover, DE, United States

*all authors contributed equally

Corresponding Author:

Adam Baus, MA, MPH, PhD

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

School of Public Health

West Virginia University

64 Medical Center Drive

PO Box 9190

Morgantown, WV, 26506

United States

Phone: 1 304 293 1083

Fax:1 304 293 6685

Email: [email protected]

This study addresses barriers to electronic health records–based colorectal cancer screening and follow-up in primary care through the development and implementation of a health information technology protocol.

Introduction

Cancer is a pressing global public health problem and the second leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 1670 deaths daily [ 1 ]. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide [ 2 ], and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States [ 3 ]. More effective use of health information technology (HIT), including electronic health records (EHRs), can aid in improving CRC screening and care [ 4 ]. Studies from as early as the 1990s have shown that EHRs and associated clinical decision support tools have promise in helping with patient care and population health needs [ 5 ]. However, barriers like clinician readiness [ 6 ] and clinical workflow integration [ 7 ] hinder EHRs’ full benefits. This study aims to address barriers to EHR-based CRC screening and follow-up through the development and implementation of a universally applicable EHR protocol tailored to identify and overcome practice workflow and EHR challenges.

This study used a mixed methods approach, involving quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, conducted across 3 diverse health systems in West Virginia to develop and implement an EHR protocol for CRC screening and follow-up. These health systems were purposefully chosen to encompass diverse sizes, organizational structures, geographic locations, patient demographics, and EHR preferences, thereby supporting the generalizability of the study’s findings. These included a free and charitable clinic, a larger, urban, federally qualified health center, and a smaller, rural, federally qualified health center. Key stakeholders, including health care administrators, clinicians, and information technology personnel, were identified as potential participants. This study was conducted from April 2021 through April 2022. Implementation mapping methodology guided the assessment of current CRC screening practices and the development, implementation, and evaluation of the EHR protocol. Data collection tools were pilot tested in Health System A to assess their reliability, validity, and feasibility, then refined prior to full implementation in Health Systems B and C to ensure quality and effectiveness in data collection. Evaluation of the protocol’s acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility was conducted using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Technical issues during the study were resolved collaboratively by the research team and technical staff through troubleshooting, protocol adjustments, and ongoing support.

Ethical Considerations

This study received ethics approval from the West Virginia University Institutional Review Board (protocol number 2107363377).

The development of the EHR protocol involved a collaborative process between the research team and key stakeholders from participating health systems. Initial assessments revealed common challenges in CRC screening and follow-up across the diverse settings, including issues related to data quality, workflow inefficiencies, and underutilization of EHR functionalities. Based on these findings, a draft protocol was formulated, emphasizing strategies to enhance EHR data quality and optimization specifically tailored to address the identified barriers. The protocol comprised three key components: (1) Quality Improvement Activities , guiding clinic staff through a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to identify and mitigate data entry errors; (2) EHR Optimization Factors , highlighting specific EHR features supporting CRC screening and follow-up when effectively used; and (3) Health Information Technology Assessment , facilitating structured discussions on EHR use roles, office workflows, knowledge, skills, abilities, challenges, and improvement opportunities.

The developed protocol was implemented in Health Systems B and C following its refinement based on feedback from the development site (Health System A). Implementation involved training sessions for clinic staff on protocol utilization and ongoing support from the research team. Eight staff members from the participating health systems completed the AIM, IAM, and FIM assessments, providing valuable insights into their perceptions of the protocol. The mean scores from AIM (mean 16.00, SD 4.24), IAM (mean 15.80, SD 4.54), and FIM (mean 16.80, SD 4.66) indicate favorable perceptions of protocol feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness. Qualitative feedback from participants further supported the positive reception of the protocol, with respondents expressing satisfaction with its efficacy and intentions to integrate it into their clinical practices. All respondents indicated that they would use or would consider using the protocol within their clinics again. Open-ended responses included “very pleased with the protocol and leveraging EHR/staff/outreach” and “plan to now identify and track to completion of CRC testing.”

The results demonstrate the successful development and initial implementation of an EHR protocol aimed at enhancing CRC screening in primary care settings. The protocol’s favorable reception by clinic staff, as indicated by high scores on acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures, suggests its potential effectiveness in addressing identified barriers. The diverse representation of health systems and EHR platforms involved in the study enhances the generalizability of findings. Limitations include the small sample size and the focus on a specific geographic region. Future research will assess the protocol’s performance across additional EHR systems and health care settings for enhanced scalability and further evaluate the protocol’s impact on CRC screening outcomes.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the funding and support from the Research Triangle Institute (grant 1-312-0216648-66244L).

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

• Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2022. CA Cancer J Clin. Jan 2022;72(1):7-33. [ FREE Full text ] [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]
• Morgan E, Arnold M, Gini A, Lorenzoni V, Cabasag CJ, Laversanne M, et al. Global burden of colorectal cancer in 2020 and 2040: incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN. Gut. Feb 2023;72(2):338-344. [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]
• Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. Colorectal cancer statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. URL: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/index.htm [accessed 2023-12-04]
• Baus A, Wright L, Kennedy-Rea S, Conn ME, Eason S, Boatman D, et al. Leveraging electronic health records data for enhanced colorectal cancer screening efforts. J Appalach Health. 2020;2(4):53-63. [ FREE Full text ] [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]
• Atasoy H, Greenwood BN, McCullough JS. The digitization of patient care: a review of the effects of electronic health records on health care quality and utilization. Annu Rev Public Health. Apr 01, 2019;40(1):487-500. [ FREE Full text ] [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]
• Bates DW. Physicians and ambulatory electronic health records. Health Aff (Millwood). Sep 2005;24(5):1180-1189. [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]
• Hersh W, Weiner M, Embi P, Logan JR, Payne PRO, Bernstam EV, et al. Caveats for the use of operational electronic health record data in comparative effectiveness research. Med Care. Aug 2013;51(8 Suppl 3):S30-S37. [ FREE Full text ] [ CrossRef ] [ Medline ]

Abbreviations

Edited by A Mavragani; submitted 08.12.23; peer-reviewed by Y Chu, A Banerjee; comments to author 05.02.24; revised version received 12.02.24; accepted 04.04.24; published 19.04.24.

©Adam Baus, Dannell D Boatman, Andrea Calkins, Cecil Pollard, Mary Ellen Conn, Sujha Subramanian, Stephenie Kennedy-Rea. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 19.04.2024.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Formative Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://formative.jmir.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

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A new way to detect radiation involving cheap ceramics

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The radiation detectors used today for applications like inspecting cargo ships for smuggled nuclear materials are expensive and cannot operate in harsh environments, among other disadvantages. Now, in work funded largely by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with early support from the U.S. Department of Energy, MIT engineers have demonstrated a fundamentally new way to detect radiation that could allow much cheaper detectors and a plethora of new applications.

They are working with Radiation Monitoring Devices , a company in Watertown, Massachusetts, to transfer the research as quickly as possible into detector products.

In a 2022 paper in Nature Materials , many of the same engineers reported for the first time how ultraviolet light can significantly improve the performance of fuel cells and other devices based on the movement of charged atoms, rather than those atoms’ constituent electrons.

In the current work, published recently in Advanced Materials , the team shows that the same concept can be extended to a new application: the detection of gamma rays emitted by the radioactive decay of nuclear materials.

“Our approach involves materials and mechanisms very different than those in presently used detectors, with potentially enormous benefits in terms of reduced cost, ability to operate under harsh conditions, and simplified processing,” says Harry L. Tuller, the R.P. Simmons Professor of Ceramics and Electronic Materials in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE).

Tuller leads the work with key collaborators Jennifer L. M. Rupp, a former associate professor of materials science and engineering at MIT who is now a professor of electrochemical materials at Technical University Munich in Germany, and Ju Li, the Battelle Energy Alliance Professor in Nuclear Engineering and a professor of materials science and engineering. All are also affiliated with MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory

“After learning the Nature Materials work, I realized the same underlying principle should work for gamma-ray detection — in fact, may work even better than [UV] light because gamma rays are more penetrating — and proposed some experiments to Harry and Jennifer,” says Li.

Says Rupp, “Employing shorter-range gamma rays enable [us] to extend the opto-ionic to a radio-ionic effect by modulating ionic carriers and defects at material interfaces by photogenerated electronic ones.”

Other authors of the Advanced Materials paper are first author Thomas Defferriere, a DMSE postdoc, and Ahmed Sami Helal, a postdoc in MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Modifying barriers

Charge can be carried through a material in different ways. We are most familiar with the charge that is carried by the electrons that help make up an atom. Common applications include solar cells. But there are many devices — like fuel cells and lithium batteries — that depend on the motion of the charged atoms, or ions, themselves rather than just their electrons.

The materials behind applications based on the movement of ions, known as solid electrolytes, are ceramics. Ceramics, in turn, are composed of tiny crystallite grains that are compacted and fired at high temperatures to form a dense structure. The problem is that ions traveling through the material are often stymied at the boundaries between the grains.

In their 2022 paper, the MIT team showed that ultraviolet (UV) light shone on a solid electrolyte essentially causes electronic perturbations at the grain boundaries that ultimately lower the barrier that ions encounter at those boundaries. The result: “We were able to enhance the flow of the ions by a factor of three,” says Tuller, making for a much more efficient system.

Vast potential

At the time, the team was excited about the potential of applying what they’d found to different systems. In the 2022 work, the team used UV light, which is quickly absorbed very near the surface of a material. As a result, that specific technique is only effective in thin films of materials. (Fortunately, many applications of solid electrolytes involve thin films.)

Light can be thought of as particles — photons — with different wavelengths and energies. These range from very low-energy radio waves to the very high-energy gamma rays emitted by the radioactive decay of nuclear materials. Visible light — and UV light — are of intermediate energies, and fit between the two extremes.

The MIT technique reported in 2022 worked with UV light. Would it work with other wavelengths of light, potentially opening up new applications? Yes, the team found. In the current paper they show that gamma rays also modify the grain boundaries resulting in a faster flow of ions that, in turn, can be easily detected. And because the high-energy gamma rays penetrate much more deeply than UV light, “this extends the work to inexpensive bulk ceramics in addition to thin films,” says Tuller. It also allows a new application: an alternative approach to detecting nuclear materials.

Today’s state-of-the-art radiation detectors depend on a completely different mechanism than the one identified in the MIT work. They rely on signals derived from electrons and their counterparts, holes, rather than ions. But these electronic charge carriers must move comparatively great distances to the electrodes that “capture” them to create a signal. And along the way, they can be easily lost as they, for example, hit imperfections in a material. That’s why today’s detectors are made with extremely pure single crystals of material that allow an unimpeded path. They can be made with only certain materials and are difficult to process, making them expensive and hard to scale into large devices.

Using imperfections

In contrast, the new technique works because of the imperfections — grains — in the material. “The difference is that we rely on ionic currents being modulated at grain boundaries versus the state-of-the-art that relies on collecting electronic carriers from long distances,” Defferriere says.

Says Rupp, “It is remarkable that the bulk ‘grains’ of the ceramic materials tested revealed high stabilities of the chemistry and structure towards gamma rays, and solely the grain boundary regions reacted in charge redistribution of majority and minority carriers and defects.”

Comments Li, “This radiation-ionic effect is distinct from the conventional mechanisms for radiation detection where electrons or photons are collected. Here, the ionic current is being collected.”

Igor Lubomirsky, a professor in the Department of Materials and Interfaces at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, who was not involved in the current work, says, “I found the approach followed by the MIT group in utilizing polycrystalline oxygen ion conductors very fruitful given the [materials’] promise for providing reliable operation under irradiation under the harsh conditions expected in nuclear reactors where such detectors often suffer from fatigue and aging. [They also] benefit from much-reduced fabrication costs.”

As a result, the MIT engineers are hopeful that their work could result in new, less expensive detectors. For example, they envision trucks loaded with cargo from container ships driving through a structure that has detectors on both sides as they leave a port. “Ideally, you’d have either an array of detectors or a very large detector, and that’s where [today’s detectors] really don’t scale very well,” Tuller says.

Another potential application involves accessing geothermal energy, or the extreme heat below our feet that is being explored as a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels. Ceramic sensors at the ends of drill bits could detect pockets of heat — radiation — to drill toward. Ceramics can easily withstand extreme temperatures of more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit and the extreme pressures found deep below the Earth’s surface.

The team is excited about additional applications for their work. “This was a demonstration of principle with just one material,” says Tuller, “but there are thousands of other materials good at conducting ions.”

Concludes Defferriere: “It’s the start of a journey on the development of the technology, so there’s a lot to do and a lot to discover.”

This work is currently supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the government. It was also funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

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