Petronas Twin Towers

PETRONAS Twin Towers, pair of skyscraper office buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that are among the world’s tallest buildings. The Twin Towers, built to house the headquarters of PETRONAS, the national petroleum company of Malaysia, were designed by the Argentine-born American architect Cesar Pelly; they were completed in 1998. The plan for each tower is identical: an eight-lobed circular structure that contains 88 stories of occupiable space and a pyramid-shaped pinnacle surmounted by a slender steel spire. Both rise to a height of 1,483 feet (451.9 meters), which includes 242 feet (73.6 meters) for pinnacle and spire. Each building is supported by 16 large columns around its perimeter, which, along with the rest of the frame, are made of high-strength, steel-reinforced concrete rather than of structural steel; the exterior sheathing consists of stainless steel and glass. A sky bridge two stories tall links the two towers between the 41st and 42nd stories.

In 1996, after the spires had been attached to the buildings (and each had thus reached its full height), the PETRONAS Twin Towers were declared the world’s tallest buildings, eclipsing the former record holder, the 110-story Sears (now Willis) Tower in Chicago. The roof of the Sears Tower was actually more than 200 feet (60 meters) higher than those of the Twin Towers, but the spires on the towers’ pinnacles were regarded as integral parts of the overall architectural structure (see Researcher’s Note: Heights of buildings). The Twin Towers, in turn, lost their preeminent status in 2003 after a spire was put in place atop the Taipei 101 (Taipei Financial Center) building, in Taipei, Taiwan, and that structure reached a height of 1,667 feet (508 meters).

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Willis Tower ( Sears Tower )

Willis Tower, formerly (1973–2009) Sears Tower, skyscraper office building in Chicago, Illinois, that is one of the world’s tallest buildings. The Sears Tower opened to tenants in 1973, though construction was not actually completed until 1974. Built for Sears, Roebuck and Company, the structure reaches 110 floors and a height of 1,450 feet (442 meters), excluding broadcast antennas and their supports. (See Researcher’s Note: Height of the Willis [Sears] Tower) The architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill was responsible for the design and construction of the tower; Bruce Graham served as architect and Fazlur Khanas structural engineer.

Welded steel frames form vertical tubes that provide the rigidity needed to limit the lateral sway from wind forces. This system minimizes the amount of structural steel required for a building of its great height. The steel was prefabricated, with nearly all welding done off the erection site and bolt connections made at the site.

The building is modular in plan, with nine 75-foot-square, column-free units. These nine square units compose a 225-foot-square base. At the 50th floor two diagonally opposite units stop, forming the first step back. The second step back is at the 66th floor with the other two diagonal units stopping and the last at the 90th floor with three units stopping, leaving an upper tower of 20 stories.

The exterior is sheathed in black aluminum and bronze-tinted glass. Black bands appear around the building at the 30th–31st, 48th–49th, 64th–65th, and 106th–108th floors, at which point's louvers clad the areas devoted to mechanical operations of the building. In the lobby is a major work by the American sculptor Alexander Calder, an enormous motorized mural named Universe, which he called a “wall mobile.” The tower’s observation deck, the Sky deck, is located on the 103rd floor. In the early 21st century the Sky deck underwent a major renovation that included addition of The Ledge, four glass boxes that extend 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) from the building; The Ledge opened in 2009, offering unobstructed views of Chicago and the outlying area.

The Sears Tower was the world’s tallest building until 1996, when it was surpassed by the PETRONAS Twin Towers (1,483 feet [451.9 meters) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (See Researcher’s Note: Heights of Buildings.) In 2009 incoming tenant Willis Group Holdings, an insurance brokerage firm based in London, changed the building’s name to Willis Tower.

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Health Benefits Of Grapefruit

1. Strengthens Immune System

It is well known any fruit rich in vitamin C will strengthen and support our immune system. Vitamin C works with other micronutrients that provide good and regular nourishment for the body. Micronutrient deficiencies of vitamins A, B6, C, and E have been found to alter immune responses in animals and are thought to have a similar effect on the human immune response.  

Maintaining good levels of vitamin C in the body can reduce the severity of cold symptoms, acting as a natural antihistamine. This makes it helpful in controlling allergies, since it reduces histamine levels. "Grapefruit is abundant in vitamin C which help supports the immune system,” Blake said. “Half of a grapefruit provides about 78 percent of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C."

2. Boosts Metabolism

Grapefruit is a popular diet staple among those looking to lose weight. A high metabolism can continue to burn fat in the body even when it is resting. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found people who ate half a grapefruit before each meal, without making any other dietary changes, lost an average of 3 and a half pounds over 12 weeks.

The copious amount of enzymes, high-water content, and less sodium helps burn fat easily. Blake said: “While grapefruit does not have any magical fat-burning properties, it is low in calories and is a good source of fiber, which helps keep us full for longer by taking longer to digest. ... Grapefruit also has a high water content which can help you feel full and stay hydrated.”

3. Reduces Kidney Stones Risk

Naringenin — known for its bitter taste of grapefruit — has been found to successfully prevent the formation of kidney cysts. According to a report by AlphaGalileo.org, the naturally occurring compound regulates the PKD2 protein that is responsible for the condition. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects not only help prevent the formation of cysts, but also reduce swelling in the kidneys that is caused by fluid retention. Drinking up to a liter of grapefruit juice daily will help reap the greatest benefits in effectively blocking the formation of kidney cysts.

4. Fights Gum Disease

Simply eating two grapefruits a day can prevent and even reverse damage caused by gum disease. A 2005 study published in the British Dental Journal found the daily consumption of grapefruit can reduce gum bleeding for those who suffer from gum disease. The participants in the study also showed an increase in their vitamin C levels, which aids in the repair of gums. Vitamin C, according to Blake, is essential for healthy gums, which helps keep our teeth firmly in place.

5. Protects Against Cancer

The antioxidant vitamin C has been linked to decrease the risk of certain cancers. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found grapefruits help repair damaged DNA in human prostate cancer cells. Naringenin stimulates DNA repair in these cancer cells and protects the body from developing cancer.

"Diets high in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables such as grapefruit, had been linked to a reduced risk of cancers of the stomach, colon, bladder, breast, and esophagus,” said Blake. She cautions these results are specific to vitamin C rich foods, rather than supplements.

6. Reduces Stress

You don’t necessarily have to ingest grapefruit to reap its benefits. The smell of citrus fruit can make a difference on curbing our stress and anxiety levels, and depression. A 1995 study published in the Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology found citrus fragrance restored stress-induced immunosuppression, and induced calm behavior in mice.

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Apple

·         Apples are the fruit of apple trees and are one of the most widely grown tree fruit. ·         Millions of tonnes of apples are grown every year. ·         There are thousands of different varieties of apples including Fuji, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady and Granny Smith. ·         Granny Smith apples originated in Australia in 1868 accidentally after a chance seedling by a woman named Maria Ann Smith. ·         While most apples are eaten fresh, they have other uses including juice making and cooking. ·         The apple tree originated in Central Asia. ·         China is the leading producer of apples. ·         Apples were taken to North America by European settlers. ·         Apple trees can be vulnerable to a number of different diseases and pests. Chemical sprays are often used to limit the damage but organic methods are also popular. ·         Honey bees are commonly used to pollinate apple trees. ·         Apple trees typically blossom in spring with fruit maturing in autumn. ·         Apple seeds contain a cyanide compound. Our body can handle small doses of this naturally occurring poison so you'd have to eat a huge number of seeds for it to have an effect, and even then the seeds are covered in a protective coating which keeps the cyanide compound safe inside. ·         An average apple contains around 130 calories. ·         It is believed that the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" originated inWales in the 19th century. Sadly eating apples doesn't guarantee good health but they do have nutritional value and potential health benefits. ·         The apple genome was decoded in 2010

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Carrot

·         The carrot is a root vegetable with the most commonly eaten part being the taproot. ·         The carrot is usually orange in colour although purple, red, white, and yellow varieties also exist. ·         The domesticated carrot that we know today originated from the wild carrot called Daucus carota which was native to Europe and south western Asia. ·         The actual plant of a carrot (greens above ground) can grow up to 1 m (3.2 ft) tall and flowers around June to August (northern hemisphere summer) with a bright white flower. ·         Cultivated carrots are usually made up of about 88% water, 7% sugar, 1% protein, 1% fibre, 1% ash, and 0.2% fat. ·         Carrots are cooked and eaten in various different ways. The vegetable is often pulped, mashed, boiled, puréed, grated, fried, steamed, stewed, baked, juiced or eaten raw. Carrots are typically used in stir-fries and salads but also in soups and added to baby foods or pet foods. They can be dehydrated or deep-fried to make chips, flakes, and powder. ·         The natural sugars and sweetness of carrots allow them to be used in carrot cakes of western countries, in India they are used as desserts, while countries such asPortugal use carrots in jam. Carrot juice is widely consumed, especially as a health drink, with or without other fruits and vegetables. ·         In fact even the greens are edible as a leaf vegetable although this is rare. ·         Ancient Greeks and Romans ate carrots but not the orange varieties we know today, they ate the less cultivated wild varieties of various other colors. ·         In the 17th century western carrots first appeared in the Netherlands. Dutch carrot growers invented the orange carrot in honor of the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family. ·         The orange colour results from abundant carotenes  in these cultivars, mainly the beta-carotene which is a strongly colored red-orange pigment found in some plants and fruits. ·         The human body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A and carrots are one of the best sources for beta-carotene. Vitamin A is important for the health of our vision (including our night vision) as well as our bones, teeth and skin. ·         The urban legend that 'eating large quantities of carrots helps us to see in the dark' was developed from stories started in World War II. British gunners were shooting down German planes at night and to cover up the fact that it was the effective use of radar technologies that was achieving this, the RAF circulated a story about their pilots' high level of carrot consumption. ·         The world's largest carrot producer is China, which in 2011, accounted for over 45% of the global output. China was a long way ahead of Russia and the United States who are the second and third highest producers respectively.  ·         The carrot is in the top 10 of most economically important global vegetable crops. ·         It is true that eating massive amounts of carrots can sometimes cause a person's skin to turn yellowish orange. This is most noticeable on the palms or soles of feet and is called carotenemia. But don't worry it requires a high amount of carrot consumption and is completely fixable just by reducing carrot intake.

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Uranus

·         Uranus spins lying on its side (like a barrel), this is perhaps due to a large collision early in its formation. ·         Uranus was the first planet discovered by telescope. ·         Since Uranus takes 84 Earth years to go around the sun, this means that each of its poles is in daylight for 42 years and in darkness for the next 42. ·         Uranus’s atmosphere is mostly hydrogen but it also contains large amounts of a gas called methane. Methane absorbs red light and scatters blue light so a blue-green methane haze hides the interior of the planet from view. ·         Uranus hides its interior but scientists guess that under the hydrogen-methane atmosphere is a hot, slushy ocean of water, ammonia and methane thousands of miles deep wrapped around a rocky core.

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Mercury

·         The surface of Mercury is very similar to our moon. It has a very barren, rocky surface covered with many craters. ·         Being so close to the Sun, the daytime temperature on Mercury is scorching - reaching over 400 Degrees Celsius. ·         At night however, without an atmosphere to hold the heat in, the temperatures plummet, dropping to -180 Degrees Celsius. ·         Mercury has a very low surface gravity. ·         Mercury has no atmosphere which means there is no wind or weather to speak of. ·         There is also no water on the surface of Mercury, it is possible however that there could be water underneath the surface. ·         Likewise, there is no air on the surface but it could be trapped underneath.

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