Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Parliment Buildings Arround The World

 






Classical themes also inspired the design of this portico on the Palais Bourbon, which has been the seat of the French National Assembly or lower legislative chamber of the French government since 1798. The portico was added to the palace in 1806 to honour Napoleon, but the emperor was reportedly unimpressed. "He regretted he was no longer an artillery officer who could target his canons against this ridiculous screen," future minister for fine arts Antonin Proust said in 1891.

South Africa's Parliament, which was completed in 1884, displays similar neoclassical design principles alongside bold terracotta-coloured brickwork. It also takes the principle of separation of powers unusually literally: based in Cape Town, it is over 900 miles (1,450km) away from the government departments it scrutinises, which are based in Pretoria.
The Reichstag, home to Germany's Parliament, boasts a glass dome designed by British architect Norman Foster and added amid significant restoration after the country's reunification. The original building opened in 1894, but was severely damaged by a 1933 fire blamed by Hitler on communist rabble-rousers, a threat that - real or otherwise - helped him to strengthen his grip on power.

Canada's parliamentary buildings, like the UK Houses of Parliament, drew inspiration from the gothic architectural tradition. The main buildings were constructed between 1859 and 1866, and the tower, which bears a striking resemblance to the clocktower in Westminster housing Big Ben, was added in 1927. Inside the building there are other echoes of Westminster: Canadian MPs also face their political adversaries across a House of Commons decked out with green leather seats.

But the neogothic and neoclassical motifs espoused by many western legislatures were eschewed when the Diet National Parliament Building was constructed between January 1920 and November 1936 in Tokyo.

Russia's lower house, the State Duma, has met in an imposingly brutalistic building since 1994, after the previous year's constitutional crisis left the White House, the home of Russia's predecessor legislature, badly damaged by troops loyal to President Yeltsin.

The designers of Australia's Parliament drew inspiration from the shape of boomerangs as they planned an extensive renovation of the dilapidated home of Australian legislators, completed in 1988. Much of the building's office space is concealed underground to provide some respite from Canberra's summer sun.

In Brasilia, as in Canberra, architects and town planners were given the chance to realise radical design ideas. This building hosts Brazil's bicameral legislature.

India's Parliament House meanwhile emphasises continuity with its circular structure, overseen by a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, with features that are designed to evoke ancient Indian monuments. The building was opened in 1927 after a construction project lasting nearly six years. The transfer of power from the UK to its former colony took place on the 15 August 1947 in the Central Hall, a circular, domed building within Parliament House.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Most common Health mistakes

    All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs


Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush

How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.


Eating out often

There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting served light and healthy food.



Skipping breakfast

Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"s been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.


High heels

High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.


Sleeping on a soft bed

You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.


Pillows

No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support


Not exercising

So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.




Wednesday, June 15, 2011

THE FIRST COMPUTER

   Pictured here is one of the first "portable" 

computers.      

              It could be considered the first laptop.

                This is the Osborne 1, which came out in 1981.
             
 The computer cost $1,800,

         weighed 25 pounds, and had a 5 inch screen.
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

very informative and interactive health education sites

This site is very informative, which ever diseases you click-upon (I wish you don’t have one),.... it gives you the video explanation !!!! 
Interactive Sites on Medical Information 

The tutorials listed below are interactive health education resources from the 
Patient Education Institute . Using animated graphics, each tutorial explains the procedure or condition in easy-to-read and  understand language. You can also listen to the tutorial. 

JUST CLICK ON YOUR AILMENT 

These tutorials require a special Flash plug-in, version 6 or above... If you do not have this in your PC, you will be prompted to obtain a free download of the software before you start the tutorial. 

Diseases and Conditions
·         Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
·         Acne
·         AIDS
·         Allergies to Dust Mites
·         Alopecia
·         Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
·         Angina
·         Anthrax
·         Arrhythmias
·         Arthritis
·         Asthma
·         Atrial Fibrillation
·         Avian Influenza
·         Back Pain - How to Prevent
·         Bell's Palsy
·         Brain Cancer
·         Breast Cancer
·         Burns
·         Cataracts
·         Cerebral Palsy
·         Cold Sores (Herpes)
·         Colon Cancer
·         Congestive Heart Failure
·         COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
·         Crohn's Disease
·         Cystic Fibrosis
·         Depression
·         Diabetes - Eye Complications
·         Diabetes - Foot Care
·         Diabetes - Introduction
·         Diabetes - Meal Planning
·         Diverticulosis
·         Endometriosis
·         Epstein Barr (Mononucleosis)
·         Erectile Dysfunction
·         Fibromyalgia
·         Flashes and Floaters
·         Fractures and Sprains
·         Ganglion Cysts
·         Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
·         Glaucoma
·         Gout
·         Hearing Loss
·         Heart Attack
·         Hepatitis B
·         Hepatitis C
·         Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
·         Hypoglycemia
·         Incisional Hernia
·         Influenza
·         Inguinal Hernia
·         Irritable Bowel Syndrome
·         Kidney Failure
·         Kidney Stones
·         Leishmaniasis
·         Leukemia
·         Low Testosterone
·         Lung Cancer
·         Lupus
·         Lyme Disease
·         Macular Degeneration
·         Malaria
·         Melanoma
·         Meningitis
·         Menopause
·         Migraine Headache
·         Mitral Valve Prolapse
·         Multiple Myeloma
·         Multiple Sclerosis
·         Myasthenia Gravis
·         Osteoarthritis
·         Osteoporosis
·         Otitis Media
·         Ovarian Cancer
·         Ovarian Cysts
·         Pancreatitis
·         Parkinson's Disease
·         Pneumonia
·         Prostate Cancer - What is it?
·         Psoriasis
·         Retinal Tear and Detachment
·         Rheumatoid Arthritis
·         Rotator Cuff Injuries
·         Sarcoidosis
·         Scabies
·         Seizures and Epilepsy
·         Sexually Transmitted Diseases
·         Shingles
·         Skin Cancer
·         Sleep Disorders
·         Smallpox
·         Spinal Cord Injury
·         Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) 
·         Tennis Elbow
·         Tinnitus
·         Trigeminal Neuralgia
·         Tuberculosis
·         Ulcerative Colitis
·         Umbilical Hernia
·         Uterine Fibroids
·         Varicose Veins
·         Vasculitis
·         Warts
·         Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
o    Amniocentesis
o    Barium Enema
o    Bronchoscopy
o    Colonoscopy
o    Colposcopy
o    CT Scan (CAT Scan)
o    IVP (Intra Venous Pyelogram)
o    Laparoscopy
o    Mammogram
o    MRI
o    Myelogram
o    Pap Smear
o    Sigmoidoscopy
o    Ultrasound
o    Surgery and Treatment Procedures
§  Cholecystectomy - Open Laparoscopic (Gallbladder Removal Surgery)
§  Colostomy
§  C-Section
§  LASIK
§