Port: a futuristic living laboratory to improve the quality of life in the city (with video)

Until 2016, the city of Porto will be transformed into a kind of laboratory for improving urban mobility, security and quality of life of its citizens. The project is called Future Cities, has the support of several entities, including the Câmara Municipal do Porto, and the unbeaten city is among the most innovative in Europe within two years.

"The project uses the city as a living laboratory to install a network of sensors to capture a series of information in terms of mobility, environmental data or noise. This allows us to have a monitoring several parameters online almost the quality of life, "explained to the green economy Filipe Araújo, innovation and environment Alderman of the Câmara Municipal do Porto.

Today there are more than 900 sensors that measure the quality of life of portuenses. "[This project] is important to the city because it will allow us to have a more efficient," explains Filipe Araújo. "To feel the city, we have more detailed information about parameters such as noise or other type of pollution, and that allows us to make choices in a more sustained. Neighbours summer harbour a camera more efficient and more concerned with streamline environmental everywhere, "continued Filipe Araújo.

According to the charge, the project also wants to draw more companies, especially multinationals, to the borders of invicta. Companies that want to come try their products and see how a smartcity if can position. "We are also supporting the economy," concluded the Mayor.

The Future Cities will cost almost € 2 million, divided between the European Union and the NSRF. One of the novelties is a social network of buses, whose performance can be monitored at the time.

"We can collect data as the quality of the floor, the air and the driver's driving style. Are very different but are georeferenced, "explained John Barros, of the Faculty of engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP).

According to researchers at FEUP, this monitoring of all data related to the well-being of citizens in their city will be common to all large and medium-sized cities in the future. To this end, the city of Porto will be the Guinea pig and, in the short term, will receive direct and indirect credit of this bet.

Read More

More than 4,300 prisoners will fight California fires

More than 4,300 low-risk prisoners will help combat the fires in California, in what will be one of the most threatening fires seasons in the history of the u.s. State. These prisoners are part of Conservation Camp Program, which allows some of these men and women can fight the fires instead of spending your time in the cell.

The prisoners are now living in about 40 places, designed specifically for this purpose. The program is not new, in fact: he dates from 1946 and is the largest and oldest of its kind in the United States, resulting from a partnership between the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)

According to the Huffington Post explains, these inmates will represent one-third of the force of Californian firefighters. The American State is going through one of the most violent droughts in its history and, to complicate the situation, the number of fires of 2014 already tripled in relation to 2013.

"These teams are vital for us, especially this year, which will be the most difficult ever. Are a very important part of our Department and a great resource. We constantly use them ", explained Lynne Tolmachoff, firefighters ' spokesman Californians.

This program is only open to prisoners who do not have a history of violent crimes, murder or arson. Are mainly attached to fulfill the final part of his sentence-are feathers of up to two years and eight months are passed in the fields of conservation.

All inmates undergo a rigorous training of a month, with physical challenges and notions about the fire and how to fight the fires. Are paid in cash and in reduction of the sentence â€" two days for each day's work. And an opportunity to pay their debt to society.

"There is a great camaraderie when these teams work together. It is a privilege and is something which many of them learn lessons. Some of the prisoners, in fact, end up coming to work with us, "concluded Tolmachoff.

According to the CDCR, this initiative saves taxpayers every year, about €57,6 million ($ 177 million). It is recalled that this is a controversial topic in Portugal, although often mentioned by politicians and mayors. And the reader, agree with him?

Read More

Syria: more well-preserved medieval castle of developing world destruction

For 900 years, the Crac des Chevaliers was one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world, a historic site listed by Unesco and by where they spent some of the most important figures of that region, in the last millennium.

However, Crac des Chevaliers has already been hit by the chaos that lives in Syria, as the population of Hosn by there refuge. In March, a military offensive damaged some of the walls of the Castle, while an air strike destroyed part of the roof and some religious items.

The Crac des Chevaliers, in fact, is one of the historical monuments Syrians who is about to be destroyed by the civil war in the country, which is jeopardizing the lives of thousands of people, and some of its greatest riches.

The photographs published by the Daily Mail allow you to view mattresses and rugs inside the Castle, as well as clothes, shoes and stoves.

Located 65 kilometers from the city of Homs, North of the border with Lebanon, the local Castle was inhabited for the first time during the 11th century, by the Kurds. The castle was built between 1142 and 1271. See some of the pictures of the current Castle, and from the ninth Photo 10, file photos of the Castle.

. fancybox-wrap {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; }. fancybox-skin {position: relative; /* margin-top: 20px! important; */background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; }. fancybox-opened {z-index: 8030;} . fancybox-opened. fancybox-skin {-webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); }. fancybox-outer,. fancybox-inner {position: relative;} . fancybox-inner {overflow: hidden;} . fancybox-type-iframe. fancybox-inner {-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;} . fancybox-close {background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width: 25px; height: 25px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 5px; }/*. ng-gallery-image img {width: 565px; height: 393px;}*/Crac des Chevaliers, castello ameaçado1of 17jQuery (document). ready (function ($) {var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array (), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail-box '). each (function () {thumbs.push($(this)); }); /* thumbnail navigation */$ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-next '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex< == (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left:-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex]). position (). left}); thumbIndex + +; } }); $ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-prev '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex >1) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left: $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). position (). left + ($ (thumbs [thumbIndex-1]). position (). left-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex-2]). position (). left)}); thumbIndex--; } }); $ (window). load (function () {/* set thumbnail container width */$ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail '). each (function () {thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $ (this). width () + 10; }); $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). width (thumbContainerWidth); }); });

Read More

Who declares international emergency for increased cases of polio

The increase of cases of polio in the last six months, in more than 10 countries, led the World Health Organization to enact this morning a global health emergency. The decision was taken after a week of discussions on the who's Emergency Committee, composed of experts.

According to Bruce Aylward, Deputy director-general of the who, these expert recommended decree a State of emergency because the cases pose a threat to other countries in the world.

The who is recommending to all citizens of countries where the virus is prevalent, including Pakistan and Syria, the new men before you travel. "All the conditions for an international public health emergency were hit," explained Bruce Aylward.

This measure was considered by Bruce as an "extraordinary event". Read 10 important facts about polio.

Polio resurfaced in Syria in 2013, for the first time in 14 years, generating fears of an international proliferation and leading to a vast regional emergency vaccination campaign.

The virus invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours. The who has warned repeatedly that while a child remain infected with polio anywhere, all children are at risk.

There is no cure for the disease, but it can be prevented by vaccination. The polio vaccine, administered several times, can protect a child for life.

Between January and April 2014, in what is usually a low season for polio transmission, three new cases of the virus occurred â€" from Pakistan to Afghanistan, from Syria to Iraq and Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea.

Foto: RIBI Image Library/Creative Commons

Read More

Did you know that dogs also donate blood?

Every two months, Roxi, a dog, makes a trip to the vet. However, it is not for routine visits. Roxi will help other dogs in need. This bitch from the State of Illinois, in the United States, is one of several animals that go to the Animal Emergency Center, the city of Bettendorf, donate blood for other dogs.

Also dogs may need blood transfusions and, in case of accident or illness, it is necessary that there is a blood bank and other healthy dogs that they can donate blood.

"The Roxi is a good patient to us," says Bruce Benge, the veterinarian in charge by the Centre. "She is very calm and typically stay down, very quiet, during the donation process," cites the Dodo.

However, in the likeness of human blood banks, the problems are the same. "It's important to have a consistent range of donors, because the canine blood has a short duration, between 30 to 35 days, and the stock needs to be replaced regularly," said the Human Society. "Many veterinary clinics do not require blood regularly and, as such, do not have reservations. It is in these cases that the canine blood banks at regional and national levels suppress the faults ".

A 45-minute visit to the vet every five to seven weeks may help save the lives of other four-legged companions.

Foto: Robert Nyman/Creative Commons

Read More

The new generation of wind turbines

Urban Green Energy, one of the leading companies in the renewable energy segment, recently revealed the new generation of vertical-axis wind turbines, the VisionAIR3, whose design differs from the traditional wind turbines.

The new turbine, which has been developed during more than a year, offers more durability and more efficiently than previous models. The main novelty is that the turbine blades are not arranged longitudinally, but vertically in a spiral. Additionally, the paddles are built with the vacuum infusion process, which makes them more efficient, says oInhabitat.

"Energy security and changes are critical issues that increasingly concern the world. The areas that have a weak power grid often turn to expensive and inefficient generators to bridge the network failures, "said business development manager from Urban Green Design, Jamie Myers. "As we continue to respond to the challenges of energy all over the world, the VisionAIR3 will be a vital piece in the puzzle that will make it possible to create better energy supply systems to our customers", indicates.

. fancybox-wrap {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; }. fancybox-skin {position: relative; /* margin-top: 20px! important; */background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; }. fancybox-opened {z-index: 8030;} . fancybox-opened. fancybox-skin {-webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); }. fancybox-outer,. fancybox-inner {position: relative;} . fancybox-inner {overflow: hidden;} . fancybox-type-iframe. fancybox-inner {-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;} . fancybox-close {background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width: 25px; height: 25px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 5px; }/*. ng-gallery-image img {width: 565px; height: 393px;}*/Nova geração de turbinas1of 2jQuery (document). ready (function ($) {var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array (), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail-box '). each (function () {thumbs.push($(this)); }); /* thumbnail navigation */$ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-next '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex< == (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left:-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex]). position (). left}); thumbIndex + +; } }); $ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-prev '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex >1) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left: $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). position (). left + ($ (thumbs [thumbIndex-1]). position (). left-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex-2]). position (). left)}); thumbIndex--; } }); $ (window). load (function () {/* set thumbnail container width */$ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail '). each (function () {thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $ (this). width () + 10; }); $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). width (thumbContainerWidth); }); });

Read More

Heron uses bread as bait to attract fish

If you ask the more Avid fishermen how best to attract the fish, this answer you will need to use the right bait to attract the biggest and best fish.

If a gull can be happy with bread found, stolen or offered, this Heron knows exactly how to monetize the bread and multiply the food. This video reveals fishing tricks of a bird of this species, which uses a piece of bread to attract the fish.

Attracting the fish to nearer, without ever losing the bait, deftly Heron hunting their prey. In little more than two minutes this bird got hunt a fish almost his size.

Despite the fairly impressive fishing method, this behavior is not typical of the species. The Heron is known for waiting in shallow waters by fish, who hunts with the long beak. However, often the species also use decoys to attract food. If there is no bread around, the herons may use insects, tree branches or their feathers to attract the fish. Only seven of the 12 species of herons that exist using baits for fishing and Heron is one of them.

. fancybox-wrap {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; }. fancybox-skin {position: relative; /* margin-top: 20px! important; */background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; }. fancybox-opened {z-index: 8030;} . fancybox-opened. fancybox-skin {-webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); }. fancybox-outer,. fancybox-inner {position: relative;} . fancybox-inner {overflow: hidden;} . fancybox-type-iframe. fancybox-inner {-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;} . fancybox-close {background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width: 25px; height: 25px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 5px; }/*. ng-gallery-image img {width: 565px; height: 393px;}*/A garça pescadora1of 6jQuery (document). ready (function ($) {var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array (), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail-box '). each (function () {thumbs.push($(this)); }); /* thumbnail navigation */$ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-next '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex< == (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left:-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex]). position (). left}); thumbIndex + +; } }); $ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-prev '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex >1) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left: $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). position (). left + ($ (thumbs [thumbIndex-1]). position (). left-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex-2]). position (). left)}); thumbIndex--; } }); $ (window). load (function () {/* set thumbnail container width */$ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail '). each (function () {thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $ (this). width () + 10; }); $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). width (thumbContainerWidth); }); });

Read More