[OLPC library] 'OLPC-Health' takes off !!- MATLAB for OLPC?

Mon Jan 28 19:03:18 EST 2008

On Jan 28, 2008 7:34 AM, Brown, Henry, DoIT <Henry.Brown at state.nm.us> wrote:
>
>
>
> OLPC + MATLAB - Tricorder for developing world
>
> Could Matlab create Greene Chip DNA microarray software to run on OLPC?
> http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu/news/Lipkin_GreeneChip.html
> http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/loadFile.do?objectId=2573
> http://laptop.org/
> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121100909.htm
>
> If the MATLAB software could run on OLPC it could be used to monitor disease
> in the field.

We can use APL for the same purpose. I have the rights to a full
ISO/ANSI standard APL system, I-APL, that fits into 29K. There is an
even more powerful version called J that is no-cost but not Free (not
GPLed). I plan to talk to the owners about letting out an earlier
version.

> I worked with AIDS patients and child nutrition programs while in the Peace
> Corps.

We didn't have AIDS to worry about when I was in the Peace Corps in
Korea. Just TB, malaria, plague, lung and liver flukes, smallpox,
amoebas, encephalitis, and rarely yellow fever. %-[

> We saw kids die every week from RSV and dehydration caused by diarrhea.
> We did not know what antibiotic to give.
> OLPC could use MATLAB software to integrate DNA array results to diagnosis.
> An expert system similar to Mycin could then be used to diagnose disease in
> the field via the web.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycin
>
>
>
> Henry Brown
> henry.brown at state.nm.us
> cell 795-3680
> office 505 827-2509
>
>  ________________________________
>  From: arjunsarwal at gmail.com on behalf of Arjun Sarwal
> Sent: Fri 1/25/2008 4:23 PM
> To: library at lists.laptop.org; devel at lists.laptop.org
> Subject: 'OLPC-Health' takes off !!
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> There has been a lot of interest from various groups to develop/explore
> medical applications around the XO laptop. While a number of people/groups
> have already undertaken efforts in a number of areas, there are also many
> more people interested in volunteering and helping out.
>
> While people have put in great efforts into many projects, our efforts would
> be much more effective once we get a little organized amongst ourselves so
> that we can co-ordinate on our projects, avoid duplication of efforts, and
> discuss with people with field experience to comment and feedback on our
> efforts.
>
>
> The reach of our efforts and projects is promising and the potential to
> impact kids and communities around the world is huge --  all this is
> possible due to the scale and reach of XO deployments.
>
>
>
> One can broadly break down efforts into the following three areas -
>
>
> (1) "Content"
> Creating a Library/repository of information that would be shipped on the XO
> laptop as part of the default software on it. This would be a ready
> reference for preliminary diagnosis of diseases and a reference for
> symptoms. This would also include general information on an array of topics
> such as hygiene, nutrition, balanced diets, etc.
>
> (2) "Hardware"
> Developing and using hardware peripherals that connect to the XO laptop.
> These include, but are not limited to the build-in camera (with the
> possibility of add-on optical elements; an EKG; and a pulse oxymeter.

Not so fast. We need to start with pulse, blood pressure, temperature,
digital stethoscope, and digital video for eye, ear, nose, throat, and
skin. Yes, the other stuff is good when we have the basics covered.

I was in a study a few years ago testing a device for reading blood
sugar levels using a single-chip laser. It was a prototype for
diabetic blood sugar meters that don't require a finger stick each
time to get a drop of blood. The same principle should apply to
devices for measuring the blood concentration of any molecule with a
sufficiently distinctive spectrum.

> (3) "Software"
> Developing software that asks the user a series of questions and helps in a
> preliminary diagnosis. Links to useful websites and online portals.
>
>
> David Greisen, Seth Woodworth, Pascal Scheffers, Benjamin Schwartz are some
> of the people that have been working on "Content"
>
> Ian Daniher, Rafael Ortiz, IMSA OLPC chapter participants (Scott Swanson,
> Kevin, April Hope) are some of the people working on "Hardware"
>
> Please add onto this list and let everyone know what you've been working
> upon.
>
>
>
> David Greisen and Mika Matsuzaki are co-ordinating efforts on the "content"
> related projects.
> Ian Daniher and Kevin(IMSA) are co-ordinating efforts on "hardware" projects
> We still need volunteers to co-ordinate efforts on the "software" projects

Ed Cherlin

> Apart from that, we need to setup an advisory board comprising of Doctors,
> field workers, medical professionals etc. to guide the efforts in all three
> areas.
>
>
>
> How you can start participating in the "OLPC Health" efforts --
>
> (1) Send an email to library mailing list[1] with a short introduction of
> yourself.
>
> If you'd like to head/undertake projects, please put up project proposals
> and let all know that you're looking for participants/volunteers/developers
>
> If you'd like to volunteer in projects, please mention your area of
> experience and/or what areas you'd be interested to volunteer in.
>
> (2) Categorize the list of volunteers on the wiki page
> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Health and add your name into the appropriate
> category. Please create other categories if content, hardware, software
> don't seem to represent the efforts very well.
>
> (3) Help the "OLPC Health" team connect with field workers, MDs , Doctors,
> Physicians towards the formation of an advisory group
>
> (4)  There is a conference call that we have on the 10th of February. Please
> propose agenda items!
> For people in Boston/Cambridge area -- please help  me organize the
> call/meeting !
>
>
>
> That was a long email! Thank you for your patience in reading through it.
>
> best,
> Arjun Sarwal
>
> ps - please avoid ccing the devel mailing list further. Let's continue this
> discussion only on the library mailing list[1].
> pps - join library mailing list[1]
>
> [1] Library mailing list - http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/library
>
>
> ---
> Arjun Sarwal
> <arjun at laptop.org>
>
>
>
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-- 
Edward Cherlin
End Poverty at a Profit by teaching children business
http://www.EarthTreasury.org/
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."--Alan Kay