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Great news for those who want to accurately monitor their cardiovascular health status! The “e-Home Healthcare” system, which has been developed with the technical support from the University of Macau (UM), will spare users the trouble of going to the hospitals. With this system, users can monitor their cardiovascular health status in the comfort of their homes. Moreover, users can get monitoring results and early warning messages through various telecommunication equipment such as computers, smart phones and PDAs, thus preventing cardiovascular diseases and the resulting pathological conditions. Cardiovascular diseases are complicated. The severity and symptoms vary from patient to patient. External factors such as seasonal and temperature changes and air pollution also play an important role. Therefore, accurate monitoring of the cardiovascular health status is of extreme importance. The “e-Home Healthcare” system, which was developed by the research team from The Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering of Macau (INESC-Macau), with the funding from the Macao Science & Technology Development Foundation (FDCT) and the Research Committee of UM and the technical support from UM, allows users to monitor their cardiovascular health status at home and take more relevant healthcare measures based on the monitoring results. The project took more than three years to complete. Yesterday (9 April 2010) the INESC-Macau, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of UM, and the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of UM, jointly held a presentation to update the audience on the operation method, technical features, hospital testing results and future R&D direction of the system. Through a combination of software and hardware, the “e-Home Healthcare” system allows users to monitor their cardiovascular health status at home through personal computers or the Internet. It noninvasively samples the sphygmorgram i.e. the wrist pulse waveform; utilizes various techniques such as wavelet analysis, support vector machines, and dynamic study of intracranial arterial blood flow to process and analyze the collected pulse waveform; and then uses artificial intelligence and computer-aided cardiovascular expert diagnostic techniques to process, analyze and diagnose the collected data. Through such a process it can quickly diagnose the users’ cardiovascular health status and give early warning messages. Moreover, the health index curve obtained through the long-term monitoring enables users to know their cardiovascular health trends and take more relevant healthcare measures. The “e-Home Healthcare” system adopts innovative, state-of-the-art technologies such as 2-dimension physiological signal feature characterization technique, multi-dimension mapping relationship model between pathophysiological symptoms and diseases, hybrid biomedical signals intelligent processing and medical decision-making support technique, intelligent analysis concerning uncertainty cases and pattern recognition based on fuzzy inference and prognosis etc. . Novel functions and features of the system include: 1）User-friendly interface with powerful functions, easy to use. 2）obtain stable and reliable pulse waveform via real-time signal auto-adjustment;
3) Intelligently extract and process the feature points from waveform and derive 32 hemodynamic-related cardiovascular health indices through designed model, which reflect the health status of the heart, blood vessels, blood and microcirculation; 4) Adopt a cardiovascular parameter indicating system similar to the traffic lighting system, with pink meaning beyond normal range, green meaning within normal range, and yellow meaning critical value. 5) An analysis model based on medical knowledge to enable fast analysis results and early warning messages.
6) Provide early warning messages in case the cardiovascular parameter is beyond the normal range; offer further explanation and useful information for reference at the click of the warning messages.
7) Automatically generate the long-term health indices curve to enable users to know the health status of their cardiovascular systems. 8) Store historical pulse waveform data, analysis results and early warning messages in the users’ individual files, thus more reliably predicting the potential pathological changes of the cardiovascular system;
9) Remote online intelligent analysis and system updating: by uploading the sampled physiological data to the backyard health center through the Internet, the feedback of in-time analysis results, which are obtained through the server’s more precise and reliable computing and reasoning based on his mass clinical records, medical knowledge and historical data, will be displayed on the front client’s displayer, and the client’s medical knowledge base will be simultaneously and automatically updated.
10) Suitable for family use, user-friendly design to enable independent operation by an adult user. Samples of this system have been tested by two registered hospitals in Guangxi Province and Beijing, one nursing home in Zhejiang Province, and an insurance company in Macao, which shows that its precision and stability both meet expectations. So far the research team has published seven high-level international and domestic journal papers and 19 conference papers. Another six papers have been included as the book chapters individually. In addition, application for the contrivance patent of China has passed the preliminary inspection and is now in the public announcement phase.
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The Seminar for International Green Industry Exchanges (the Seminar) of the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2010 MIECF) had been successfully held in the afternoon of 9 April. The Seminar aimed at promoting green industry exchanges and co-operation in various regions such as the Mainland (particularly the Pan-PRD (PPRD) region), EU and Macao and the event has further highlighted Macao’s role as a green industry co-operation service platform for the Mainland, EU and overseas regions. The moderator of the Seminar is Prof. Hao Yufan, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Macau. Representatives from government departments, enterprises and green organisations in the Mainland (particularly the PPRD region), EU and Macao have conducted discussions on the development trend of environmental technology and green business opportunities. The Seminar was attended by Mr. Jian Xingchao, Deputy Director-General of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Zhou Zihua, Deputy Inspector of Department of Industry & Information Technology of Hainan Province, Mr. Ou Jun, Deputy Secretary of Guangdong Association of Environment Protection Industry, Ms. Fu Yeqiu, Director of Climate Change Division, Guizhou Development and Reform Commission, Mr. Liu Guoping, Deputy Chairman of Fujian Association of Environmental Protection Industry, Mr. Colin Hygate, Chairman of Green Fuels Ltd, Mr. Jaime Domingos Ferreira Silva, Director of MagPower Group, Mr. Xie Guangwu, Deputy Director of Chengdu Hydroelectric Investigation and Design Institute of HydroChina Chengdu Engineering Corporation, Mr. Zhang Wudi, Professor of Yunnan Normal University, Mr. Tang Zhimin, Director of Engineering Department of Jiangxi Association of Environmental Protection Industry, Mr. Massimo Bagnasco, Chair of Beijing Construction Working Group, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Dr. Wang Kaixuan, General Manager of Zhuhai Boka Cool Source Equipment Co Ltd, Mr. Liu Xiaojing, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen GreenWheel Electric Vehicle Co Ltd, Mr. Pedro Pestana de Aguiar, Director of Mobizero Group Co Ltd and Dr. Steve T Chen, Managing Director of Halo Motor Co Ltd. The Seminar was attended by nearly 100 guests including representatives from Mainland, EU and local environmental industries, enterprises as well as academics in the field.
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To enhance public environmental awareness and to educate the public on how to enjoy green living, 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2010MIECF) will hold the “Green Public Day” and open this event to members of the public tomorrow (April 10). The green event, held at Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, will be opened to the public from 10:00 to 17:00 tomorrow. Members of the public are invited to tour the exhibition and visit a dedicated green education area, which will display models of Macao’s environmental protection facilities and equipments, and panels introducing Macao’s natural environment and ways to enjoy a green life. Members of the public may also ride on an electric car and experience such zero-emission transportation means at Exhibition Hall B from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00. Interested visitors may register at the “Green Public Day” booth at Exhibition Hall A. Due to the limited opening hours, only 80 visitors will be served on a first-come first-served basis. Highlights of the “Green Public Day” include a green fashion show by students of Institute For Tourism Studies (at 10:30 and 13:30), Living Green Q & A (at 10:45 and 14:45), environmental music and dance show (at 11:45 and 14:30), and a green workshop introducing the making of recycled bags and other green products (at 12:00 and 15:00). Representatives from Establishing a Water Conservation Society Working Group, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Environment Protection Bureau will hold a 15-minute presentations on Macao’s water, green environment and low-carbon living at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00. Free shuttle buses will take visitors to the exhibition tomorrow. The shuttle buses connect Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from Av. Dr. Mario Soares (The Macau Square), Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida and Estr. Marginal do Hipodromo. They run every 30 minutes, from 09:00 to 18:30. Visitors may also get a four-hour free parking coupon for Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel at the exhibition venue. For inquiries, please contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat in telephone (853) 7898-9675, fax (853) 2872-7123, email miecf2010@ipim.gov.mo, or visit the 2010 MIECF official website: www.macaomiecf.com. Release Date: April 9, 2010
Source: 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2010MIECF)
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To promote the awareness of environmental protection and drive Macao as a platform for green industries, the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition provides the opportunities for professionals and experts from the business, academic and public sectors to share their expertise. Two different forums were held at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel this morning, namely “Low-Carbon Building and Eco City” and “Clean Technology and Circular Economy”. The first forum focused on green issues such as urban ecology, low-carbon transportation, green intelligent buildings and green low-carbon technologies. The second focused on the co-operation among international industrial enterprises in promoting green economy, especially the interaction between China and the European Union. At the “Low-Carbon Building and Eco City” Forum, the Sub-Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Zhongshan and representative of Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, Mr Guo Weihua, delivered a thesis entitled “Exploring the Development of Eco City in Zhongshan”. The Dean of the Department of Architecture at the School of Design and Environment of the National University of Singapore, Prof. Heng Chye Kiang, delivered a thesis entitled “Planning for Sustainable Growth: Singapore and its Overseas Developments”. The Vice Rector of the University of Macau, Dr. Alex Lai Iat Long, delivered a presentation entitled “University of Macau - Hengqin New Campus Green Development Planning”. Prof. Leonardo Marques Monteiro from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the University of Sao Paulo delivered a thesis entitled “The Brazilian Experience in Energy and Environmental Issues: from Architecture to Urban Design”. The Associate Director of Scott Wilson Group PLC, Mr Gary Foster, delivered a presentation entitled “Green Buildings and Industrial Symbiosis – Experience from the UK”. Managing Partner of Baumschlager Eberle Hong Kong Ltd., Mr Ulrich Geissler, delivered a presentation entitled “Sustainable Design and Architecture”. PhD Candidate of the School of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ms Ren Chao, delivered a thesis entitled “An Initial Investigation to Create Urban Climatic Map for Macau”. Moderators of the “Low-Carbon Building and Eco City” Forum were Ms Yvonne Leong In Leng of Macao Architect Association and Prof. Hendrik Tieben, Assistant Professor of the School of Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the “Clean Technology and Circular Economy” Forum, which run concurrently with “Low-Carbon Building and Eco City” Forum, Counsellor of World Trade Organization (WTO), Ms Liu-Chan Wai Chun Vivien, delivered a presentation entitled “The Linkages Between Trade, Climate Change and Green Economy and WTO”. (Acting) Senior Environmental Protection Officer of the Environmental Protection Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Gary Pun Chi Wai, delivered a presentation entitled “Landfill Gas - the Green Energy”. The Deputy Director of the Portuguese Environmental Agency, Ms Luisa Pinheiro, delivered a thesis entitled “The Implementation of 3Rs Politics in Portugal: Challenges and Opportunities”. The representative of Guangdong Environmental Industry Association, Mr Ou Yuezhou, delivered a presentation entitled “A/A/O Waste Water Treatment”. The President of Directorate of Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN), Dr. António Sá da Costa, delivered a thesis entitled “Renewable Energy in Portugal: Past, Present and Future”. The Chief Strategy Officer of Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, Mr Ma Xuelu, delivered a thesis entitled “Developing the Green Energy Industry is the Best Measure of Revitalizing the Economy”. Moderators of the “Clean Technology and Circular Economy” Forum are Prof. Milan Konečný of Masaryk University of the Czech Republic and Prof. Wang Zhishi of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Macau.
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The Macao Historical Archives operates under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and is responsible for the preservation of records of historic value. Given Macao’s geographical location in a sub-tropical zone, it is essential to actively protect paper records in order to avoid deterioration and ensure their correct preservation. Such measures include regular pest control. The next scheduled pest control in the Macao Historical Archives will take place on 16th and 17th of April. The Reading Room will be closed to the public from 2.30pm on Friday 16th April, and throughout the day on Saturday 17th April. It will re-open to the public on Monday 19th April.
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Up to 6:00 p.m. of the first day (8 April) of the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Exhibition and Forum (2010 MIECF) was visited by a total of 1,949 visitors. The Organisers have arranged 151 business matching and negotiation sessions, which resulted in the signing of 15 co-operation projects. Projects signed included the construction of China ASEAN Environmental-Friendly Products International Trade City, in Nanning, Guangxi; general agency of environmental electric vehicles, power system and battery in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan; general agency of energy-saving LED lighting products; co-operation in the development of Macao´s first environmental-friendly integrated cultural and education community centre; general agency of energy-saving lighting system project; development of environmentally-friendly green plants project; development of solar energy and energy-saving lighting projects; agreement to promote projects of low-carbon energy and resource recycles; co-operation contract of investing in the manufacturing of environmental protection electric vehicles; agreement of renewable energy cooperation; electric vehicle recharging and billing system solution; electric vehicle environment impact test project, and technology transfer and research & development of 3rd generation solar energy. Projects signed originated from Macao (56.25%), Mainland China (28.13%%), Hong Kong (6.25%), Brazil (3.13%), Portugal (3.13%) and South Korea (3.13%). Two forums are planned for tomorrow morning, namely “Low-Carbon Building and Eco Building” and “Clean Technology and Circular Economy”. In the afternoon, the “Low-Carbon Economy Forum” and “Seminar for International Green Industry Exchanges” will be held. As far as the exhibition venue is concerned, the total area has been increased by 10% as compared with last year, to 13.465 square metres. New exhibits at this year’s MIECF included 3R Green Management, clean development mechanism, low-carbon technologies and project finance and certification.
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At the opening ceremony of 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation and Forum and Exhibition (2010MIECF), keynotes speakers from the Mainland and Czech Republic emphasised the urgency to cut emissions. Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Xie Zhenhua, the Commission’s Deputy Counsel of the Department of Climate Change, Mr Sun Zhen, said China would continue to make real effort in addressing climate change. “It will be one of our important strategic issues, and we have established working systems to tackle this problem. We have formulated the ‘National Climate Change Program’ and adopted a series of policy measures to restructure our economy, enhance energy efficiency, develop clean energy and optimize our energy structure,” he said. “China has always attached great importance to the development of new energy industries. Facing new challenges, we need to further innovate on and develop renewable energy technologies, energy saving and emission reduction technologies, clean coal technology and nuclear power technology. We need to push forward with circular economy, speed up the establishment of green low-carbon industries, architecture and transportation systems.” Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment Protection, Mr Zhou Shengxian, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Human Resources Management and Institutional Affaris of the Ministry of Environment Protection, Mr Ren Yong, said that shift of economic growth mode presented new tasks and requirements for the exploration of new path to environmental protection. Mr Ren said, “We will do well the following activities: 1. study and address environmental problems from national macro strategic perspective; 2. speed up economic restructuring and foster emerging green industry; 3. strengthen innovation in green technologies; 4. advocate green consumption and facilitate environment-friendly public life style. The Advisor to the Prime Minister of Czech Republic and Former Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic, Mr Peter J. Kalas, said that obviously we must change the current unsustainable energy path we are now on, due to climate change concerns. To achieve international climate change goals, we had to introduce new policy frameworks that would promote adoption of decisive measures towards the low carbon energy path, said Mr Kalas. “To this end, we will need: 1. to develop technologies to ensure decoupling the economic growth from the energy growth, and the energy growth from the emission growth; 2. to increase the transfer of such technologies to emerging economies and developing countries where the major future increase in energy consumption and GHG emissions will occur; 3. to mobilize adequate financial capacity to enable such technology transfers,” he said. Speaking about the future of environmental protection, Mr Kalas said that since the Copenhagen climate change conference failed to adopt a post-Kyoto regime, further intensive negotiating effort would be needed during 2010 that should involve all parties including USA, China and India. For inquiries, please contact the 2010MIECF Secretariat in telephone (853) 7898-9675, fax (853) 2872-7123, email miecf2010@ipim.gov.mo, or visit the 2010 MIECF official website: www.macaomiecf.com.
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The Institute For Tourism Studies’ Bachelor Degree Programme design emphasise the balance between theory and practice. Students are required to complete certain hours of practical tasks related to their majors every year. One of the tasks given to the Tourism Business Management students is to provide free guided tour to tourists and local residents. The activity, with the theme of “Tour around Macao with IFT students”, is organised by year two students of Tourism Business Management Degree Programme. With the assistance from the instructors, five different itineraries have been designed and each lasts about one hour and thirty minutes. This free guided tour service will be provided to all tourists and local residents on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 April to 2 May. The main objectives of the activity: I. It allows the students to put what they have learnt about tourism into practice. The whole project, from itinerary design to time control to the actual tour guiding, is planned by the students themselves with assistance from instructors. By coordinating the activity, their communication skills can also be enhanced. II. To promote Macao to the visitors by offering the free guiding service at the city centre and tourist attractions. Residents will also be made aware of the importance of tourism to Macao. The Institute For Tourism Studies is the only public higher education institution in Macao that provides training for tourism and service industry. It endeavours to promote Macao through various activities and to leave a good image to everyone who visits the place.
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IFT Student Union organized a green fashion design contest earlier this month to raise awareness in environmental protection. The competition aimed to bring out more “green ideas” to fellow students through creative design. A “Green Fashion Show” was held on 26 March at the Amphitheatre of IFT for the contestants to demonstrate their work. During the show, the 10 contestants and their models presented the work to the audience and introduced their design concepts. All entries will be judged according to the creativity, material used, practicability and theme application. To demonstrate the theme of the design contest – “Green”, some contestants have produce their work by re-tailoring old clothing and adding handmade accessories made from rags and colour papers. Other creative designs were also seen using CDs, nylon and canvas bags and drink cartons. The audiences were astonished by these creative and yet, fashionable designs! Aside from the catwalk, there were other performances by local magician, the Crossline Band, the newly founded IFT Choir, which made the atmosphere fantastic. After demonstrations from the 10 groups, the judges consisted of IFT staff and representatives from Environmental Protection Bureau and event sponsors, awarded first prize to Group 3 – “The Green Girls”. Their two winning pieces will be displayed at the Macau International Co-operation Exhibition & Forum. The fashion is a second wave to the IFT Student Union’s Haiti Fund Raising Campaign. All revenue generated from ticket sales to the Green Fashion Show and Valentine’s Chocolate Sale last month, a total of MOP9967 will be donated to Macau Red Cross to help the re-building of Haiti.
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(Macao – 8 April 2010) The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today at the opening of the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition that the Macao SAR Government was aware and concerned of our environment as well as enforce our capability in protecting the environment. Mr Chui said that with the concept to build a Low Carbon Macao, to enjoy green living together, the SAR Government will strengthen its commitments in protecting the environment, improving the infrastructures accordingly as well as upgrading the quality of the environment in order to turn Macao into a sustainable city and global leisure centre for tourism. “The Kyoto Protocol is applicable to Macao Special Administrative Region at the beginning of 2008. The Government of Macao Special Administrative Region will continue to cope with our policies to reduce the emission, under the common but differentiated responsibility in combating the climate change. “With no doubts, the development of low carbon economy and the promotion of clean production are driving forces for the recovery and sustainability of the world economy.” Mr Chui also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the SAR Government, to the National Development and Reform Commission as well as the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China for being MIECF’s Special Supporting Organizations, and the co-organising of provincial and regional governments in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region in this meaningful event.
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