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The United States seized a leader of Al Qaeda — Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, better known as Abu Anas al-Libi — outside his three-story house in Tripoli, Libya, on Saturday and is reportedly interrogating him in the brig of the Navy ship the San Antonio, in the Mediterranean Sea. The following covers some basic questions about his interrogation.
Q. Who is conducting it?
A. The interrogation is almost certainly being conducted by a high-value interrogation group, which includes members from various government agencies. The F.B.I. leads the group, with help from specialists from other agencies like the C.I.A., the State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The groups were conceived in 2009 as part of President Obama's revisions to the interrogation policies that he inherited from President George W. Bush. Such panels are made up of regional specialists with expertise in the language, culture and background of the suspect, and they may be assisted by agents and analysts who were already tracking him.
Q. What techniques may they use?
A. Under an executive order issued by Mr. Obama in 2009, they must obey the restrictions of the Army Field Manual, which was written to comply with the Geneva Conventions and forbids torture and lesser forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The manual largely permits a variety of "rapport building" techniques, including direct questioning, the "good cop, bad cop" routine, tricking a detainee into revealing more information, inducing him to brag about his exploits, appealing to his emotions or threatening him with severe legal consequences (though threats of torture are not allowed) and offering incentives for cooperation. It requires that a detainee receive at least four hours of continuous sleep every 24 hours.
Q. Can the information obtained through the interrogation be used in court, if the United States decides to try Mr. Ruqai?
A. Probably not. This is an intelligence interrogation, not a criminal interrogation. Mr. Ruqai almost certainly has not been warned of any Miranda rights to remain silent or to have a lawyer present. Given the inherently coercive context of the interrogation, prosecutors would face a steep challenge in convincing a court that any self-incriminating statements made by the detainee were freely given.
Q. Does the interrogation raise any legal issues?
A. Possibly. Mr. Ruqai is being detained as a combatant under the international laws of war, as triggered by the 2001 Congressional authorization to use force against Al Qaeda and its allies. Article 22 of the Third Geneva Convention, which governs the treatment of prisoners of war, says they "may be interned only on premises located on land and affording every guarantee of hygiene and healthfulness." A 1960 International Committee of the Red Cross "commentary" on this article — a kind of explanatory gloss — suggested that the concern was housing on "boats, rafts, or 'pontoons,' " which it says is "absolutely forbidden." The legal questions include: Does Article 22 apply to Mr. Ruqai, and does the article prohibit a period of several weeks in the brig of a large Navy ship?
Q. Why did the United States put him on a ship?
A. The Obama administration lacks a clear place to house newly captured Qaeda detainees for intelligence interrogations. It still wants to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba; though Congress has blocked it from doing so, the administration has held the line at adding any new detainees there. For a time, the United States brought some detainees to the prison at Bagram Air Base, in Afghanistan, but it has now largely transferred that facility to the control of the Afghan government, which does not want to deal with detainees from elsewhere. Were Mr. Ruqai to be brought to a military base on land somewhere, it could raise legal issues with the host government, and were he to be brought onto United States soil, he could arguably have an immediate right to a lawyer. Holding him — and possibly transporting him — on an American vessel in international waters avoids potential diplomatic and legal headaches.
Q. What will happen next?
A. If the Obama administration follows the model it set in 2011 in the case of a Somali man, Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, after the intelligence interrogation is finished, it will give Mr. Ruqai a break of several days, allow the Red Cross to visit him and send in a "clean team" of fresh F.B.I. interrogators who have not been briefed on what he said to the interrogation group. The new team will read him a Miranda warning, including whether he waives his right to be questioned with a lawyer present, then ask him a new round of questions intended to gather evidence that could more clearly be used against him in court.
Mr. Ruqai is likely to be transferred to the Southern District of New York, where he has been indicted on conspiracy charges stemming from the 1998 embassy bombings in Africa. The same court was used for several other defendants in that conspiracy. Mr. Ruqai's case is part of the same series of indictments on which the government prosecuted Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, the first Guantánamo detainee to be tried in the federal system, and on which two others suspected of being Qaeda operatives were extradited from Britain last year and are now facing trial.
Q. How did the Warsame case play out?
A. Mr. Warsame is described by the government as a former military commander with the Shabab in Somalia, the group that carried out the recent attack on a Nairobi shopping mall. He also acted as a liaison with Al Qaeda's branch in Yemen, the authorities say, and was captured by the United States in the Gulf of Aden in April 2011. The government has said that he was questioned aboard a Navy ship for intelligence purposes for about two months, without being advised of his Miranda rights or given a lawyer. After a break of four days, the authorities say, he was advised of his rights, waived them and then spoke for about seven days to law enforcement agents. Prosecutors have said that he waived his Miranda rights at the start of each day during that questioning.
Q. Was the information he provided useful?
A. There is little question why the authorities see the Warsame case as a model. After his shipboard interrogations, he was brought to Manhattan and arraigned in federal court in July 2011; five months later, he entered a secret guilty plea and became a cooperating witness. He then met weekly, for hours at a time, with the authorities, disclosing what he knew and being available to testify as a prosecution witness against another Shabab defendant charged in Manhattan, a step that became unnecessary when the defendant pleaded guilty. In March, when Mr. Warsame's plea deal was unsealed in court, Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, said the case had provided "an intelligence watershed."
Q. Why was he so cooperative?
A. It is not known what motivated Mr. Warsame to cooperate, but his situation may be similar to those who have cooperated in more classic cases involving organized crime or white-collar crime: they see it as their only route to avoiding a long prison sentence. Although Mr. Warsame pleaded guilty to a nine-count indictment and could be sentenced to life in prison, he will almost certainly be the beneficiary of a letter from prosecutors to the judge recommending leniency when he is sentenced if he continues to cooperate with the government. He could also be recommended for the witness protection program. Prosecutors have also said in court papers that they kept Mr. Warsame's plea secret at first because unveiling it would have made it harder for the government to investigate and prosecute his associates, and it would also "pose a threat to the safety of his family abroad." So, cooperating with the government may also enable him to better protect his family. Someday, Mr. Warsame may be in a position to explain his reasons in court.


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In this era of data allowance revolution, here is a tweak to double your data allowance on MTN.
However, there are afew steps to take beforec achieving such feat as an android user because it requires imei tweaking.
If you wish to opt in, here is what you stand to gain; For instance, the 1.5GB for N1000 doubles to 3GB at same price, the 3.5GB for N2000 doubles to 7GB at same price, the 10GB for N5000 doubles to 20GB at same price. So, it's an instant 100% bonus you get.
Bad News : Only users on MTN Family package are eligible for this offer, so if you're not among the family, then I'm sorry to say, "You're exempted from the offer", which lasts for next 6month.
How to activate this offer on your Android device?
Firstly, you'll need to tweak the imei of your android device to any of the IMEI listed before. Read the guide on how to tweak your iMEI to get the tweaking procedures.
List of IMEI to be tweaked… any can serve, simply change the last 3numbers to yours.
How to validate your IMEI?
1. Simply go to http://imei-number.com/imei-validation-check/
2. After that, input the 12 digit imei tweaked, remember to select any of the above imei, change the last 3numbers to any and input. For instance, I changed the "356602075753 072 " to "356602075753427 "
3. Validate the imei and that's it. If it's valid, the imei would display.
How to double your MTN data plan?
Now that the imei tweaking is successful, simply migrate to MTN beta talk, simply dial *123*2*6# or text BT to 131 .
After that, subscribe to any MTN data plan by dialing *131*1#, immediately you subscribe, your data would be doubled. To check your data balance, simply send 2 to 131 or dial *559*2#.

subset: commoncrawl


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Family-owned and operated since 1921, Follett's Meat Company is your source for custom beef, pork, lamb, and wild game processing. Your meat will be cut to your specifications. We offer both mobile and stationary slaughter.
Wild game
Our updated packaging equipment offers better protection and will give your meat a longer shelf life. Call 541-564-2780 today to schedule your appointment and don't forget to ask about our VETERANS DISCOUNT.


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Please join us in the OpenSim grid Science Sim for a history-making, ground-breaking fashion design conference. 8 globally recognized speakers will share their insights on fashion, the apparel industry, design education, and managing your career and your label in this $1.7 trillion industry.
Registration information is here: http://needlethreading.com/Register_To_Attend.html
|8:30-8:50 am
|Keynote: Shenlei Winkler, Fashion Research Institute
|9:00-9:045 am
|Fiona Jenvey, Mudpie
|Elaine Polvinen, Buffalo State University
|11:00-11:45 am
|Michiel Thissen, Mythos Consultancy
|12:00 noon – 12:45 pm
|Suzie Norris-Reeves, Southampton Solent University
|1:00 – 1:45 pm
|Lynn Furge, Nolcha
|2:00 – 2:45 pm
|Crosby Noricks, PR Couture & Harper Beresford
|3:00-3:45 pm
|Beth Harris, MOMA & Steven Zucker, FIT


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Stylish Events:
Leonard's Palazzo Preferred
Florist & Event Decor Production Company
Stylish Events is the only wedding decor & floral design company that is a in-house vendor apart of their vendor program at Leonard's Palazzo that specializes in event production. We work closing with the staff every single day to service the hundreds of Leonard's couples. If your having an in intimate ceremony on site or a later exchanging of vows at church or synagogue Stylish Events has you covered. We can build and decorate any space to make a unique altar, chuppah or ceremony space. We will would directly with you step by step or design your bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and flower girl's flowers. When it comes time for the centerpieces we have worked in all of Leonard's Palazzo's room from the Tiffany & Crystal to the Grand Ballroom. We will create unique one of a kind centerpieces for you that will be awe-inspiring. We also can build backdrops & sweetheart tables to make your event as unique as your love story!
Interested in our services? Great! Fill out the form below to message us or set up an consultation!


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K.M. Theissen, University of St. Thomas, Pedagogy in Action Collection from SERC
Activity takes two 2-hour class periods.Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
High School: 3 Performance Expectations, 5 Disciplinary Core Ideas, 4 Cross Cutting Concepts, 4 Science and Engineering Practices
Grade Level
Climate Literacy
About Teaching Climate Literacy
Other materials addressing GPg
About Teaching Climate Literacy
Other materials addressing Humans affect climate
Energy Literacy
7.3 Environmental quality.
7.5 Access to energy affects quality of life.
7.6 Vulnerable populations.
5.1 Energy decisions are made at many levels.
5.4 Economic factors.
5.5 Political factors.
5.6 Environmental factors.
5.7 Social Factors.
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
Other materials addressing:
C) Political and economic systems.
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.
Other materials addressing:
A) Human/environment interactions.
Other materials addressing:
A) Identifying and investigating issues.
Other materials addressing:
B) Sorting out the consequences of issues.
Other materials addressing:
C) Identifying and evaluation alternative solutions and courses of action.
Other materials addressing:
D) Working with flexibility, creativity, and openness.
Other materials addressing:
C) Planning and taking action.
Notes From Our Reviewers
The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness.
Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about
how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Activity should be done at the end of a unit on climate change, after students have learned some of the science behind the issue.
- See tips provided by the developer in the activity sheet.
- It might be interesting to collaborate with a politics/government studies class when doing this activity, with each group being a mixture of students from both classes.
- The convention can be made more realistic with a simple PowerPoint described in activity sheet.
- Link for Stern Report referred to in activity is: http://www.ff.org/centers/csspp/pdf/20061104_stern.pdf
About the Science
- Uses Copenhagen Diagnosis 2009 to engage students in role-play discussion of climate change.
- To stay up-to-date on the science, educators can use summaries from the most recent IPCC reports instead of the 2009 report in the activity.
- Comments from expert scientist: The activity's strength is that it does provide a real-world setting for understanding the complexity on climate change mitigation as a policy issue. It's a great choice for K-12 and early undergraduate courses. However, there's a mismatch between the activity and the goals. The IPPC report would be a better choice for the science than the Copenhagen Diagnosis and Stern Report. This is true for content and also for authority, which is especially relevant for this activity.
About the Pedagogy
- Students explore roles that may challenge their personal feelings or beliefs; helps bring into focus the complexity of global energy issues and politics.
- Educators are cautioned to steer away from denial-type debate about the existence of climate change. Strive for discussions that allow perspectives to be aired, while facts and evidence remain as the basis for decision-making.
- A rubric and teaching notes are included for the instructor.
Next Generation Science Standards See how this Activity supports:
High School
Performance Expectations: 3
HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 5
HS-ESS3.A2:All forms of energy production and other resource extraction have associated economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks as well as benefits. New technologies and social regulations can change the balance of these factors.
HS-ESS3.C1:The sustainability of human societies and the biodiversity that supports them requires responsible management of natural resources.
HS-ESS3.D1:Though the magnitudes of human impacts are greater than they have ever been, so too are human abilities to model, predict, and manage current and future impacts.
HS-ETS1.A2:Humanity faces major global challenges today, such as the need for supplies of clean water and food or for energy sources that minimize pollution, which can be addressed through engineering. These global challenges also may have manifestations in local communities
HS-ETS1.B1:When evaluating solutions, it is important to take into account a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, and to consider social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
Cross Cutting Concepts: 4
HS-C2.1:Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.
HS-C2.3:Systems can be designed to cause a desired effect.
HS-C4.4:Models can be used to predict the behavior of a system, but these predictions have limited precision and reliability due to the assumptions and approximations inherent in models.
HS-C7.2:Change and rates of change can be quantified and modeled over very short or very long periods of time. Some system changes are irreversible.
Science and Engineering Practices: 4
HS-P4.6: Analyze data to identify design features or characteristics of the components of a proposed process or system to optimize it relative to criteria for success.
HS-P6.5:Design, evaluate, and/or refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.
HS-P8.2:Compare, integrate and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a scientific question or solve a problem.


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Thanks to the ladies for a wonderful day! Now, if I could just place the names with the ladies...I would be a happy camper.
|Everyone hard at work
|Shirley sewing strip sets
|I'm having a senior moment and can't remember the gal on the left's name...Val? Oh dear, she was so happy, too.
Diane had the brightest fabrics of the group. Real eye poppers!
|I want to say Joyce, but that probably isn't right.
Yikes! I am getting forgetful.
|Bernie at the cutting board. The mural makes me feel like a day at the beach.
|This line-up makes me happy!
|Irma made her blocks with hand dyed fabrics. Cool!
|Diane said she was 'out of her box' with these pretty fabrics
|Betsy has her top almost done!
|Sharlane made a pretty block to match her pretty smile.
|Jan used modern colors in her blocks. Wow!
|I hope her name is Joann or Judy, but whatever it is, I love her fabrics!
|Bernie with two of her blocks.
|Judy made one row! Good job!
|I like how Shirley's orange frame compliments the block colors.
|Chain piecing is alive and well!!
|It is the only way to get the job done faster!
|Maybe I blocked this nice lady's name because I accidentally
picked up her block as mine...and her ruler! I promise I am not
trying to rob you!!
|Another wonderful color combination.
|Bazinga! Those blocks demand attention.
|Ooooh! What a lovely stack of purple happiness!


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Christmas is just around the corner! The most of us tend to gather around with friends and family, which is why you might not want to use all of your time on your makeup, but still, want to look cute. For this reason, I have created this tutorial for you; an easy makeup look which only requires two eyeshadows! You can use whatever colour of eyeshadow and glitter, this was just what I would feel comfortable in. Keep scrolling if you want to see the full makeup pictorial and find out which products I used!
I started out by priming my lids with the MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre. Then I used the Pointed Brush from Coastal Scents to lay down the eyeshadow "Dominatrix" (*) from the Jeffree Star Cosmetics Androgyny Palette (*). To blend out the edges of "Dominatrix" (*) I used a clean Crease Brush from Coastal Scents. For the gold glitter on the lid, I used the shade "Golden Dawn" (*) from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Ultimate Glow – Glow Kit (*). To apply "Golden Dawn" (*) I used my finger to get a more sparse effect as I wanted a more subtle look. I gently swept a clean Crease Brush from Coastal Scents through my crease to distribute any glitter particles there. I did not want them gone, but I wanted a sort of faded effect of the glitter if that makes sense.
As I wanted to apply some lashes, I applied a thin eyeliner across my eyelid with the NYX Cosmetics Matte Liquid Liner (*). If you are not intending on wearing lashes, then you can skip this step. Before I applied my mascara, I curled my lashes with the Eylure Heated Eyelash Curler (*) and then applied some of the MAC Cosmetics In Extreme Dimension Mascara to my lashes. For my false lashes, I went with the Eylure Texture Lashes 117 (*, **). After I had applied the lashes, I used the Lancôme Le Crayon Khol Eye Liner (*) to tight line on my upper waterline.
And voila! How easy is this?! In Denmark, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve where we eat delicious food, sing around the Christmas tree, and open presents. I definitely think that I myself are going to recreate this eyeshadow look on Christmas eve, maybe I will try with a silver glitter this time and a pink nude lipstick! Thank you so much for reading, I wish you all some happy holidays! Let me know what your favourite part is about Christmas! xx
Links marked with (*) are affiliate links. If you click the affiliate links and buy anything from the website, then I will make a small commision which will support my blog. If you are uncomfortable with affiliate links, then just search for the item on google. Links marked with (**) are items I got sent.
Find me at
Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Bloglovin – Pinterest


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View Storyboard
Your Challenge
- Leverage Info-Tech's Develop and Deploy Security Policies blueprint to build a comprehensive policy program, from acquiring buy-in to policy development to communication and maintenance of the program.
- Use this storyboard and associated templates to develop policies for the framework that fits your needs.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
Policies don't make your organization compliant. However, aligning the policy development with a relevant framework and implementing the controls and requirements that have been documented are critical steps in achieving compliance.
Impact and Result
- Understand your policy framework and develop the security policies that align with compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Save time by customizing our policy templates to ensure comprehensive coverage.
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In December 2016, The Joint Commission announced its decision to continues its ban of secure messaging as a means for clinicians to place patient care orders. This ban essentially reverts back to the same standards for patient care orders that were set into place in 2011 – despite the technological advances that have been made in secure messaging applications over the past six years. Also in spite of medical professional's use of less secure means to communicate. The timing of the decision added to the confusion, since the texting ban had previously been lifted in May 2016 and then swiftly put back in place while under further review in July 2016.
Per the most recent December announcement, The Joint Commission, together with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), cited concerns about doctors using secure text messaging for orders, including potential delays and the additional steps required for clinical staff to input messaged data into electronic health records (EHR). The newsletter noted that clinicians should use the preferred method of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) so that providers can input orders into the EHR, or, under extenuating circumstances, orders should be placed verbally.
Though The Joint Commission's concerns are justified, considering the healthcare industry is one of the most targeted sectors for cyberattacks, its latest statement against secure text orders for patient care is unreasonable, based on advances in today's secure messaging platforms. With proper implementation, modern secure messaging platforms not only dispel The Joint Commission's concerns, but go one step further by proactively addressing security threats that weren't included in the recent announcement. Further, they can actually provide significantly greater benefits to efficiency and compliance, both greatly sought after in healthcare today.
In fact, secure messaging platforms can address all three of The Joint Commission's stated concerns, as outlined below:
1) The implementation of an additional mechanism to transmit orders may lead to an increased burden on nurses to manually transcribe text orders into the EHR.
On the contrary, today's secure messaging technology can seamlessly integrate into a hospital or healthcare organization's EHR, which allows for comprehensive documentation to the patient record and full archival. This process improves overall efficiency by eliminating the unnecessary step of having to manually transcribe orders, allowing for clinicians to focus on patient care. As an added benefit, secure messaging platforms offer PHI, PII, and IP protection and ensures the privacy of patient records.
2) The transmission of a verbal order allows for a real-time, synchronous clarification and confirmation of the order as it is given by the ordering practitioner. As the process for texting an order is an asynchronous interaction, an additional step(s) is required to contact the ordering practitioner for any necessary discussion prior to order entry.
By its very nature, verbal dialog is highly susceptible to miscommunication caused by outside factors, misunderstandings or forgetfulness after conversations. Instead, secure messaging platforms provide communication-intensive healthcare organizations with a written transcription delivered in real time that can be easily reviewed by both parties, referred back to after discussions take place, and recorded in an encrypted format that meets compliance standards.
3) In the event that a CDS recommendation or alert is triggered during the order entry process, the individual manually entering the order into the EHR may need to contact the ordering practitioner for additional information. If this occurs during transmission of a verbal order, the conversation is immediate. If this occurs with a text order, the additional step(s) required to contact the ordering practitioner may result in a delay in treatment.
Patient care requires fast-paced, asynchronous collaboration that ensures rapid response for life-saving decisions. In any situation when patient orders or recommendations need further clarifications between two parties, then further dialog – whether written or in person – will be required. Relying on verbal conversations can cause delays due to the steps needed to track someone down by phone or in-person. By having a written record of what was discussed, miscommunication can be quickly identified and errors and alerts can be managed expediently. Also, as time is of the essence in patient care, it should not be understated that text is the most rapidly responded to communication channel that is utilized today with a 98 percent open rate and 45 percent response rate, drastically outpacing both email and voice.
The Joint Commission indicated it will continue to monitor advancements in healthcare to determine "whether future guidance on the use of secure text messaging systems to place orders is necessary." Considering there are platforms already available that offer secure, ephemeral and compliant messaging to healthcare organizations, we expect The Joint Commission will soon catch up with advances in technology and reverse its stance yet again – this time with confidence, knowing that secure messaging platforms are more secure than SMS texting and more expedient than verbal communications.
(Article originally published in Healthcare Innovations and Technology News and Views by Galina Daskovsky March 20, 2017)
M&As Leave Much Room for Data Leaks. Vaporstream's Galina Datskovsky Talks Securing Communications When Closing the Deal.
When it comes to being vulnerable for a breach, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) tend to leave many doors open, creating great potential for highly-confidential information to get in the wrong hands. The leaky-nature of M&As is partially attributable to "human nature," says Galina Datskovsky, CEO of secure messaging app service Vaporstream. In a conversation with Legaltech News, Datskovsky explained that people often email parties they shouldn't be contacting about M&A deals, such as family members that might have investing interests based off a deal's implications or colleagues not involved in the deal but from whom they would like to get feedback. Many companies have turned to enterprise communication tools, such as Slack, which are downloaded by end users, and often they leave information vulnerable. "The only way to limit who actually knows about the M&A is to keep the information about it to the most limited amount of people you can," Datskovsky added. "And generally that is not easy to do with the tools we use today." Yet communication is core to M&As, and thus "lots of chatter" between the multiple parties involved must occur. "You need the chatter; you need to discuss the terms of the deals," such as parameters, people in the organization, etc., Datskovsky explained. Unfortunately, most of this communication occurs over standard office email, and thus the chatter can easily be exposed. "It's just the nature of the beast." So how to secure? Datskovsky has some practical tips for being more secure in your M&A communications:
1. Control Your Content: Sending is Not the End
How often have you sent an email that, moments later, you wished you hadn't? Whether filling the recipient field with the wrong address, clicking "send" too quickly, or suddenly realizing your recipient shouldn't have this information, we've all been there. Wish you had a "retract message" button? Certain enterprise tools allow this, so long as the recipient has yet to open it. This can be particularly handy for M&A communications. Privy parties need to prevent forwarding of messages "so somebody can't say, 'Oh, I think this would be useful to get the opinion of X, Y, Z, and let me just forward this," Datskovsky noted. Additionally, senders "want to be able to control who sees , how they see it, and what they can do with it," which can be done with certain apps, she added.
2. Too Little Too Late: Maintain an Expiration Date for Content
Often, documents can linger in storage, forgotten about once they're no longer immediately useful. However, as many know, that doesn't mean they don't exist. By setting an expiration date for a message, you are "limiting distribution through channels," Datskovsky said. "The more you limit the conversation … the more you are likely to limit leakages and inappropriate distributions."
3. Don't Forward the Master: Copies are Key
It's important to draw a clear distinction between a master document and its copies. This distinction is important to adhere to in emails as well, for in the digital age, sending a master document could lead to unintended edits to a document, hugely problematic for M&As. While you'll need to keep a master copy for record keeping, sending copies in PDF format for review limits security risks. In the event of a breach, "it's one thing to have a copy and another to have the content walking around across the board on devices that belong to your organization and any outside entities," Datskovsky explained. Overall, Datskovsky says that while many rely on the encryption of an enterprise messaging app for protection, that alone isn't enough. "You're not going to get that benefit of expiration and forward prevention. You need a greater sense of control."
(Article originally published on Legaltech News by Ian Lopez, August 15, 2016.)
Beyond encryption, mobile e-discovery faces challenges with data retention, inaccessible custodians and ineffective BYOD policies
For all the ways technology has revolutionized discovery, the advancement of mobile devices has almost stopped it dead in its tracks. Though the FBI's legal battle with Apple is a pivotal moment for mobile e-discovery, the challenges of this practice go beyond recalcitrant manufacturers and encryption. For mobile devices are never used in a vacuum, and during discovery requests, attorneys have to consider everything from privacy regulations and organizations' "bring your own device" (BYOD) policies to each single data custodian's specific station."
On a very simple, basic level, if you have to discover information, and that information happens to be on mobile devices around the organization," said Galina Datskovsky, CEO of Vaporstream, "one of the challenges you clearly face is getting the device to come back into the organization to begin with. And that can be quite a challenge."
Given corporate servers and cloud infrastructure, however, there are inevitably times when "discovery doesn't have to go back to your device, because I'm creating a record and putting it in my secure archive, and that's where I'm going to go to pick up the data," Datskovsky added.
But the reality is far more complex, for not all mobile e-discovery data and apps are made to sync up to external servers. "The devices are unique," Datskovsky explained, because "there are things that only reside as mobile apps, like, for instance, text and chat or certain apps that may be apps that only reside on the device," and save data locally.
This in turn makes discovery a uniquely manual experience, where much depends on the data custodian's ability or desire to give up the device. This can make for a difficult situation, "especially if it happens to be an employee who left or quit or is not cooperative. And, yes, there are subpoenas and things you can issue but it just makes the processes fairly difficult," Datskovsky said.
"What's interesting is that to actually collect the device one literally just has to ask the person for its password," said Adi Eliott, vice president of market planning at Epiq Systems. He added that the discovery process largely relies on custodian interviews, such as those "asking them what do you use to talk about business, what apps you discuss this matter or this situation on, and then you have to physically get their device, and that container has all the corporate data. Then on which apps to use to talk about business, primarily like email. If there's an internal instant messenger app that's officially sanctioned, use that, etc. The problem is that it's not necessarily how humans work. The friction that is required to record and communicate is almost nonexistent," Eliott explained.
"Even anecdotally if you think about it, if you and another person you know have WhatsApp, whether you're talking about personal or business, you're highly likely to fall into WhatsApp, if that just happens to be something you use because, there's no friction to it and you both have the app," he said.
Additionally, "We don't compartmentalize our communications anymore between business and personal," Eliott said. "Socially, I'm more likely to be doing something personal at work and I'm definitely more likely to be doing work on my personal time and asking us to compartmentalize by app is largely a human and a social challenge more than it is an e-discovery challenge."
Privacy, By Any Other Name
The blurred lines between private and business data create situations where "if there is discovery done on a device that is owned by to the corporate network and you sign something that said generally that the corporation has access to it, people don't question that largely.
"And part of this is just social and the way Americans think, they are very likely to give up their password when asked and let their device be collected from. And in Europe it very much has to be contemplated deeply because and there are some cases that have been decided about who has the right to the phone and the privacy rights… but it's still an emerging set of cases that we are seeing."
Eliott added that with privacy issues, "in the U.S., things are evolving… It's being talked about more," especially after the Apple and FBI legal battle.
"The conversations are being raised in a way in which they before, and my opinion is that when you see conversations raised like this, there are generally downstream consequences from the consciousness shifting on an issue. And we don't yet know what that is going to be," he said.(Article originally published in Legaltech News by Ricci Dipshan on June 9, 2016)
Cyberthreats Abound, Lawyers are Increasingly Called Upon to Improve Mobile Security and Secure Their Clients' Information. Vaporstream's Galina Datskovsky Talks Taking Security Mobile.
As mobile continues to repurpose the way we communicate in our daily lives, it also changes the ways we share our business information. This had led to a number of challenges, touching upon everything from the conflation of the professional and the personal to leaving valuable and sensitive data accessible to those who seek to exploit it. Vaporstream's CEO Galina Datskovsky is no stranger to this reality. Having worked in information governance and compliance for over two decades, her experience has versed her in the nuances of law firm data security as well as attorneys' perceptions to these technology-fueled changes. She told Legaltech News that the mobile market is currently, in many ways, "where email used to be twelve years ago." "Law firms are usually slow adapters of new technology," she said. "I distinctly remember when emails sort of first started taking hold everywhere else." Attorneys would say "I don't get this whole email and Blackberry thing." Nevertheless, she explained that "the mobility practice of the mobile lawyer" is "really important" in the modern Big Data environment, a place where law firms, overseeing sensitive client information, are more vulnerable than ever before. With mobile, the stakes are elevated. In demonstrating how law firms may react to mobile security, Datskovsky discussed an experience in which she provided data governance and policy consulting for a law firm, where the topic of texting was an issue. "I said, 'Well what about text and chat? What do your attorneys do? And none of the people in the firm said, 'Wait a minute, our policy strictly says right here that that's not allowed.' I said, 'How's your compliance with that policy,' and they said, 'Well, everybody texts.'" When asking about the company policy, "the answer I got that kind of blew my mind, although what's very typical of law firms again, is that, 'If it's in the policy that we can't, then we can defend ourselves by saying it's not sanctioned," she noted. "Really, it's in your policy but everybody does it, and you know everybody does it, you think it's going to be secured?" "In particular, with the kinds of breaches that we saw in law firms I think this is going to become a front and center issue because it's mobile security," she added. "And coupled with device governance and compliance," mobile policies "make the firm safer in general." Here are some of Datskovsky's tips for law firms to improve their mobile security:
1. Accept it – Everyone is Mobile. Enact Policies That Reflect This Reality.
In Datskovsky's view, mobile security is something that comes "in various shapes in forms," and when considering this, it's important to differentiate securing the device from the lawyer using it. A first step in getting the firm more secure is accepting that "lawyers clearly have mobile phones." Thus, "there should be very, very clear guidelines and policies on how a device should be secured. And this could be some very simple things, like everybody has to have a pin and a password, to everybody must encrypt all data on the device, to making sure that there is a mobile device management application in place where the policies are actually pushed to the device by the IT department, so it's not optional. It's not up to the lawyer. It's up to the firm." Getting the firm to observe the policies, she explained, is "very realistic, but only if the people who are in charge of policies – IT, general counsel – really take the time to think it through to make it almost seamless for the attorney. Otherwise, I don't think you can get compliance." "I don't think it's realistic to have a policy in place that says, 'do not touch.' Because people will do it anyway. I think is frankly a naïve to approach things," she added.
2. Take Back Control – in the Form of Mobile Device Management.
While there are a number of ways to theoretically secure a lawyer's device, sometimes it's advisable to place the task in IT's hands. As previously noted, one route comes in the form of mobile device management applications. Datskovsky said in using this, "'I could push my security practices and policies then in general manner to everybody." Additionally, "I feel more comfortable with having a bring your own device (BYOD) policy if such a play is in place because in that case, I could separate the partition the personal and the business, and I don't have to worry about the personal being unlocked and somebody seeing the personal." This is important, she added, "because a lot of the breaches happen not because somebody hacks … but because somebody is careless."
3. Keep the Personal Personal – Know What's SFW
Given that many lawyers can now work from any location at any time, it's fairly easy to enmesh the personal with the professional. However, some methods of communication are more suitable for work than others. To demonstrate this, Datskovsky pointed to text messaging. "I would never think that texting in my normal native form of text is appropriate for business," she said. This is partially because, often, it isn't necessary for a task you're undergoing, and furthermore, it's not always encrypted in transit. Also, upon sending, the sender has no control of the text. "If I send you a text, you could forward that to anybody, you could put it on Facebook. Whatever you do, I have no control over it." "If you look to secure text, especially a text that can be ephemeral in the sense of control and disappear from devices, we can secure those types of communications much better," she said. This means that some communications may be better for email, and by using it, there is "a single source of truth, a single copy of records of which you could search, you can go for e-discovery to and for completeness of records to without sacrificing privacy and security." However, Datskovsky also warned, "Not everything belongs in a mail box in a system where I don't know how readily available for available for the mobile worker to get to what they need without having to permanently store at the device level." "I think with mobility, you have to think in those terms. You have to think about governance and compliance, you have to think about convenience, but you also have to think about the fact that not everything belongs on your mobile device, not everything belongs there forever," she added.
(This article was originally published by Legaltech News by Ian Lopez on May 27, 2016)
Why are there so few women in tech leadership roles?
According to a recent Reuters study, 30% of 450 technology executives stated that their groups had no women in leadership positions. Only 25% of the IT jobs in the US were filled by women and considering the fact that 56% of women leave IT in the highlight of their career, it's no surprise that there's so few women leading the tech industry.
30% of 450 technology executives stated that their groups had no women in leadership positions
The value of having women in leadership is common sense – women make up half of the purchasing demographic so having limited or no representation of women leading companies can make them miss out on valuable insight. This common sense is backed by a study by a DDI consulting firm that found the top 20% of top-performing companies had 27% or more women in key leadership positions while the bottom 20% of companies had less than 19% of women in these roles.
I asked women in leadership roles to share their experience in the tech space, everything from why they chose a career in tech to perks/challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry to advice for young women considering tech as a career. Thank you to Becca Stucky, Director of Demand Generation at tech company Thycotic; Katie McCroskey, Senior Manager Channel Operations at Thycotic; Karen Nowicki, director of engineering for a Chicago-based software company called kCura; Diane Merrick, VP of Marketing at Teradici; Robbie Hardy, tech sector veteran, and author of the new book UPSETTING THE TABLE: Women Mentoring Women; and Dr.Galina Datskovsky, CEO of Vaporstream for contributing to this episode.
Advice to young women considering tech
Brush up on your math.
Becca Stucky, Director of Demand Generation at tech company Thycotic, says that math skills are critical. "Tech companies move fast, and to know you're making the right choices, you need to be able to read trends and metrics for how your initiatives perform – this is true not only for marketing, but also for making choices for product features or UX, running tech support and client happiness teams, and even working across teams and explaining to other managers why your team is making certain choices."
Diane Merrick, VP of Marketing at Teradici agrees with Stucky, adding "Don't be intimidated by math and science. Ask questions. Sometimes the problem is the teacher, not the subject. You may need to explore other sources of learning." Merrick also recommends young women check out the option of a co-op degree where you're guaranteed work after graduation. "It is a fantastic way to help you discover what you like and maybe more importantly what you don't like," she says.
Know your worth
For Katie McCroskey, Senior Manager Channel Operations at Thycotic, it's important for young women to know their value. "Women bring a lot to a tech company – different perspectives and skill sets, tech companies with more women are more successful and it's a hot industry to be in, good paying jobs with lots of diversity in focus (dev, cybersecurity, ops, etc.) and opportunity. Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by a room full of men."
Become a life-long learner
Karen Nowicki, director of engineering for a Chicago-based software company called kCura, says that women in tech need to become life-long learners. "Make learning part of your commitment to yourself and keep looking for new ways to grow. Technology is an especially fast-paced career. Not only will you find the domain changing quickly, but career growth also demands being proficient in each new role. Joining user groups in your industry and national societies to keep current are just a couple ways to stay sharp."
Go for it
"There are so many options open to you when you go into a tech career," says Dr. Galina Datskovsky, CEO of Vaporstream. "It is not just programming or coding – the options are unlimited. You should never be afraid and never think that the guys are better at it then you. You are capable of the same and more. So, just go for it."
Standing Out
Robbie Hardy, tech sector veteran, and author of the new book UPSETTING THE TABLE: Women Mentoring Women, says that young women should consider tech because they'll stand out. "Technology is a great career for smart women who like a challenge and lots of opportunity. While it has been a male-dominated Wild Wild West for years, it is changing. An increasing number of women are embracing STEM, which is the basis of most technology careers. These women "stand out" and therefore their talents and integrity are more exposed than a man. This has both pluses and minuses, but if you understand that you must not take no for an answer and take your rightful seat at the table of technology (upsetting the table, as I like to say), you will succeed."
Choosing a career in tech
Solving real-world problems
For Stucky, she enjoyed the idea of working for a company making lives better was a big motivation for her to enter the tech space. "In tech — and software specifically — if you can imagine it then you can make it. There are very few limits to what people can do when given a computer and the knowledge to code. I find that very inspiring. Software can make people's lives easier, it can make work more productive, companies more secure, and it can connect people all over the world. Productivity is something I get especially excited about. I absolutely hate doing something if I know it can be done faster, with less steps, or if I can automate it. Even though my own coding skills are mediocre at best, I get to be part of an industry of problem solvers, idea-dreamers, and of virtual builders, who are creating entirely new markets and tools that the world never considered before now, but once made, could not imagine living without."
Happy accident
Not everyone starts out with a desire to join a tech company. "My tech career began by accident," McCroskey said. "I joined Thycotic seven years ago with a background in marketing and grew my technical knowledge and background as the company grew; now I love the challenge of constant change and teaching myself new technical topics, this constant quest for knowledge keeps me driven and engaged."
Hardy also stumbled into tech on accident. "The technology world chose me. I was a research assistant at UNC Chapel Hill, putting my husband through his PhD program, and in order to do my job I had to learn to use technology to analyze the data we had collected. It was certainly challenging, because I am not a math and science person by nature, but once I unlocked the door to all that was possible with those 1s and 0s, I was hooked for life," she said. "I found my sweet spot in technology management. My experience in those days as a research analyst and beyond, gave me the technology foundation I needed to be successful in managing it."
Creating a shared vision
For Nowicki, knowing how to earn respect from an early age is a critical part of a tech career. "In high school, I became president of a rifle club and it was my first foray into leadership. I had to earn respect to get the role and incorporate everyone's feedback to shape the program in a positive way. In college, I picked up computer science and led a national mathematics honor society where I put on a national math convention. Throughout the process, I got the hang of how to collaborate effectively and make decisions that were best for the group," she said. "I'm also a volunteer coach for an Olympic-style junior air rifle club and there are very few female coaches. When I take the students to tournaments, the other coaches and attendees are sometimes surprised to see me. They perceive the sport to be male-dominated and have to shift how they think, so we can work together effectively. From a leadership standpoint, volunteering has taught me that you have to appreciate and maximize the unique passions and talents that everyone brings to the table and work with people of all different skill levels and backgrounds to create a shared vision."
Ground breaking field
For Datskovsky, the opportunity to be in a revolutionary space like tech was too attractive to resist. "I always liked exact sciences and found that computer science gave the right mix of science, technology and human interaction, as well as the ability to work in a ground breaking field that is constantly changing and evolving."
Being in an innovative space is what drew Merrick to a career in tech. "I began my career as a civil structural engineer in Ontario, Canada – a technical career but not in the "tech space". There are several things that intrigued me about the tech space: The pace of innovation. The openness to do things differently. A lesser degree of prejudice – good ideas seemed welcome from anyone regardless of age or sex.
The tech space is also a very global industry and it afforded me the opportunity to not only move to California but to travel the world."
The challenges facing women in tech
Finding the right company
Not all women have faced challenges in their tech career. For Stucky, she says that a good company culture can make all the difference. "I give most of the credit for my personal experience to Thycotic, and our founder Jonathan Cogley's focus on hiring good people and giving them the opportunity to succeed. Because of Thycotic's culture, I've never been treated differently because I am a woman, and I have been given incredible opportunities to grow."
Be thick-skinned and dance it off
For McCroskey, it's important to remember that the tech industry is still a male-dominated space and women need to be confident and thick-skinned. "It is very challenging to walk into a room of ALL men knowing they are going to drill you with tech questions until you prove yourself – but this is common," she commented. "All I can do is come as correct as possible through preparation and constantly retrospect, self-analyze, improve and sometimes just dance it off."
Confidence to be yourself
According to Nowicki, women work and see things differently than men and add a different perspective that's highly valuable. "When an environment doesn't have prior experience with women in the workplace, it's initially difficult for all involved to adjust to changing dynamics. The most important change that can be made is for women to feel confident enough to be themselves. If you're in a workplace with a small female population, partner up with one another to build up confidence, discuss resources, and lean on one another for support.
Being the only one at the table
"Often I am the only one in the room. Frequently, I would go to a conference, and there would be a long line for the men's room and none for the ladies' room – although that's a welcome change," says Datskovsky. "It was occasionally more difficult to be taken seriously, as the men would be assumed to be the ones in charge. I always felt that I had to perform at my maximum at all times being a woman."
Merrick admits it can get lonely as a woman in tech due to their being so few women in tech leadership. "My move to tech also involved moving from engineering to marketing, albeit marketing of very technical products. In the early years my engineering degree definitely bought me credibility. I am also told that my physical stature helped; I am quite tall. It is definitely sometimes harder to be heard as a woman. I also think we are less self-promoting. We let the work speak for itself and sometimes the work needs a voice to get noticed. As I moved up the ladder, the number of woman in my ranks definitely decreased. It can be a bit lonely. You may need to find a peer set outside of your company through associations and special interest groups. You do have to get used to being the only woman in the room on many occasions."
Gender bias
Although Hardy admits there is a gender bias, she sees it as an opportunity. "There are always challenges but I like to look at challenges as opportunities.
The gender bias is alive and well in technology, but not any more than any other sector. I was always the only woman in the room, but I learned early on to not own that or see it as a problem, but as a fact. I had to stand a little taller, work a little harder, be a bit more agile … but as long as I could maintain mutual trust and respect (T&R) with my colleagues, it always worked out. Once that trust and respect was gone, it was time to move on."
The perks of being a woman in tech
Flex Hours
According to Stucky, there are perks for anyone, not just women, to find a career in tech. "Compared to the other industries I've worked in, tech companies give more time off, seem to have better family leave policies, and they provide food to bring people together and so those working late have snacks. At Thycotic, we have men and women who come in early so they can pick their kids up from school, and night owls who work well into the evening."
Other women
The best perk for McCroskey is being surrounded by other women in tech. "The women tech community is unique because we seem to all admire each other and promote empowerment in each other – as it's often us against them. There is very little backstabbing or pettiness – in my experience tech women easily feel a bond and want to learn from each other and help other women be successful."
Finding a passion
For Nowicki, the opportunity to create and learn in different spaces is most exciting. "In my first role at a defense company, I wasn't just coding—I got the opportunity to write the newsletter, conceptualize and apply processes, and develop tools that were first-to-market. I even had access to the internet before it was available to the public. I couldn't have asked for a better first job because I got to work on so many different projects and was hungry to learn. That passion sticks with me today."
Being a pioneer
Datskovsky enjoys being a pioneer in a new space. "You are still a pioneer in the tech world, and sometimes get to cover new ground, which is exciting. It is also nice to be the one to provide that diversity in the work place."
Great pay and career advancement
Along with the opportunity to contribute to a new and innovative field, Merrick also lists perks of being in tech as good pay and career advancement. "I think there are a lot of perks to being in tech for men or women. The pace of change in tech is exciting. Tech is competitive and for that reason it is a very innovative space. Tech is very broad and there is a lot of opportunity for job changes and career advancement.
Tech is still a well-paid field with a lot of job perks unheard of in other industries. I do believe women think differently and problem solve differently. With the right attitude you can make those differences work for you by bringing new and different ideas to the table."
Never boring
Hardy is never bored with her career choice in tech. "With T&R in full gear, a woman is often rewarded/ sought after for her unique skills and intuition (yes I said intuition), however, I don't think that this is unique to technology," she says. "Since technology is still a male dominated field, being a woman in tech gives you an opportunity to stand out from others and be recognized and rewarded for your talent and work ethic. For me, the perks are also the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of new products, techniques, and technologies. It is certainly never boring."
Although women are still lagging in numbers in the tech space, it's important for girls and young women to know they have the opportunity to change the tech scene and become positive influencers. Want to jump into the tech space and learn to code for free? Here's a great list of free places to learn coding basics.
(Article originally published in the ProTech blog by Elizabeth Becker on May 18, 2016)


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Doctor Who thing of the day: the Angels have the DeLorean!
And the obvious corollary to yesterday's "Biff has the phone box!" (and by the same artist, kal5000, at Teefury):
(If you stumble across a cool Doctor Who thing, feel free to email me with a link.)
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Tagged with "natural history"
Results 1-9 of 9
Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
by J Campbell Published February 16 2010
The Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals is located off the rotunda at the National Museum of Natural History. This exhibit, completed in the early 2003, showcases traditional taxidermy in a non-traditional exhibition style for this subject...
Lehi Sugar Factory, Wild West Room, Native American Room
by Joanna Fisher Published June 23 2010
A group of Exhibit people from different museums within about an hour of Salt Lake City (Joanna Fisher, Mark Ellis, David Stroud, Sandy Inman, and Tammy Spicer) have decided to improve our professional practice by using the Judging Exhibitions...
Tour of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
by Jim Spadaccini on February 03, 2010
A 10 minute well-produced video tour of the dinosaurs at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Toward the end of the video you can go behind the scenes and see how they prepare some...
Farmers, Warriors, Builders: The Hidden Life of Ants
Case Study
by Angela Roberts Published June 17 2009
The "Hidden Life of Ants" is a temporary exhibition on view through October 2009 that asks: What if we could see into the world of ants on their level? What would we learn? What parallels could we draw between them and us? We wanted to reveal their...
Les survivants de l'extrême - Extreme survival
by Agnes RUIZ Published April 27 2011
This traveling exhibition is currently presented at Palais de la découverte (Universcience) in Paris, France. I am not a specialist regarding animals, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed this exhibition! I visited it with two others adults...
The Horse
by Beverly Serrell Published April 22 2011
Review of The Horse by Beverly Serrell (BS), Barbara Becker (BB) and Dianne Hanau-Strain (DH-S) (The Horse is one in a series of exhibitions created as collaborations between the Field Museum and the American Museum of Natural History; others...
The World's Largest Dinosaurs
by Debi Linton Published May 26 2011
When I first realised that the latest exhibition at the American Museum of Natural history was going to feature a video in the centre of an open space, my heart sank. I envisioned a room of noise, with exhibits competing with each other, and the video...
A Walk in the Wild: Continuing John Muir's Journey
by Katherine Whitney Published November 30 2011
On a recent day off from school I lured my 10-year-old son to Oakland Museum of California's exhibit A Walk in the Wild: Continuing John Muir's Journey. This ambitious exhibition sets out to cover a lot of bases, but my interest was how well it...
Natural Histories: 400 Years of Scientific Illustration from the Museum's Library
by Luned Palmer Published April 07 2014
This exhibition is a great example of how The American Museum of Natural History has really amazing stuff- an incredible collection- but their building could use some work. Scientific drawings culled from backstage are hung on (could it really still...


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Steam Vaporizer
Created by Updated on Nov 14, 2012
Hi, Is that safe to use Steam Vaporizer for 8 month old baby? Please let me know the brand also so that i can buy it. Thanks in advance.
| Mar 30, 2016
Hi, You can go to any near by hospital for the same, it works . We did it once or twice when my son was having cold.
| Nov 16, 2012
Hi, you could also explore Dr. Morepen and Vicks. (http://www.babyoye.com/vicks-vaporizer-v188.html)
| Nov 14, 2012
Also, in case you have already seen a few in the stores, you could tell me the brands and I can look them up online and get back to you on whether they are similar to the one we have been using, if that is ok with you.
| Nov 14, 2012
Hi Usha, the humidifier we use is not an Indian brand. I am not aware of the brands which have vaporizers or humidifiers available in India. Tried to look up on the Internet and found Kent and Phillips. Maybe you could check at a home appliance store and see which is selling the most. Definitely go for a good branded one :)
| Nov 14, 2012
Hi Anurima, Also tell me which brand to buy.. Bcz im confused on which to buy. Thanks.
| Nov 14, 2012
Thanks Anurima.
| Nov 14, 2012
Hi Usha. We have been using a humidifier for my son since birth. He is also 8 months old. He used to have a stuffy nose every night. We started putting the humidifier on for a few hours when he went to bed and it seemed to help him. The steam from a vaporizer/humidifier moistens the air and it is beneficial especially during winter and when the child has a cold. Please make sure to change the water and clean the vaporizer everyday as the warm water could become a breeding ground for germs. I would not recommend any menthol based liquid or vicks be added to the water.


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Lindsay Lohan wants to know why America hates her so much but still Loves Charlie Sheen.
"Charlie Sheen has talent," America replied. "Now lose our phone number."
The media is right. Charlie Sheen has hit rock bottom. He has nothing now, but money, fame and p--sy. How can he continue to live like this?


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Florida Online Contracts Attorney
Skilled Representation for Online Contracts in Tampa, Florida and Throughout the Country
Contracts are a centerpiece of online commerce. Just about every time that you do business with another person or entity in the digital world, a contract is in play. These days, online contracts and agreements have become so common that very few people ever read through them. However, when there is a dispute over a contract or agreement in cyberspace, it is important to have strong legal counsel by your side to aggressively advocate for your best interests.
At Nelson Cyber Law, we have extensive knowledge of online contracts and all other areas of Internet law. Attorney John Nelson has both a legal and technological background, along with an in-depth understanding of the ever-evolving world of cyber law. He has drafted, prepared, reviewed, and been involved in litigation involving many Web-based contract cases. He works tirelessly to put his clients in the best possible position to secure a favorable outcome.
Online Contract Services
We represent clients for all types of online contracts, including, but not limited to:
Terms of Service and Privacy Policies: These are standard contracts that should be on all websites. The terms of service contract describes the general purpose and nature of the site, how visitors can register and use the site, how they can obtain updates, what they are allowed to do on the site, forbidden practices, and other policies and procedures. The privacy policy explains the policies of the website regarding the collection, retention, and distribution of personal information.
Master Services Agreements: This is a contract between two (or more) parties describing most of the general terms and conditions of future transactions or future agreements. The master agreement allows the parties to more quickly negotiate future agreements, since the major terms and conditions have already been covered. In the online world, master service agreements are commonly used in transactions involving digital products and services.
Affiliate/Reseller Agreements: Many digital products or services are sold by affiliates or resold (a.k.a. white labeled) by a third party without the end user knowing the name of the original provider. During such arrangements, online contracts are necessary to govern the terms and conditions by which affiliates and resellers are allowed to market the provider's products/services.
Digital contracts are essential for all organizations that conduct business of any kind on the Internet. It is also important that any contracts that you enter into fully protect your interests. For example, web developers who produce websites for clients need to ensure that the online contracts for their clients are not just templates that are copied and pasted from another source. These documents should be customized to address the specific needs of the organization for which they are being developed.
Speak to a Florida Online Contracts Lawyer
Attorney John Nelson has made it his career to stay on the cutting edge of the latest developments in online law. He knows what specific language should be in your Web-based contracts to thoroughly account for potential future legal issues. He also offers affordable rates, and provides a free, initial 30-minute consultation. If you need any type of assistance with online contracts, contact us today at 1-800-440-5536 for a personalized consultation.


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Are you engaging customers with your Facebook page? Do you Tweet about offers, sales and new products? Are you LinkedIn to others within your industry and reaching out to potential customers?
How effective are you at communicating your brand? If your interaction with your customers is merely offer-based, you may be missing out on the opportunity to engage and retain your customers by driving them to your website. Focusing on reach and awareness instead of offer redemption will engage more prospects that aren't in the funnel, and encourage them to buy from you when they are ready.
Creating compelling ads that encourage prospects to interact with you and follow or "like" your brand increases awareness of your company and keeps you "top of mind". Leveraging your content for social sharing will increase the likelihood of gaining followers and reinforces your position as the go-to company for your product or service. Attentive monitoring of what is being said about your brand is also important. Creating a dialogue with social media users includes consistently relevant comments that apply to current events or consumer trends. Relevant content is more likely to be shared – driving more users to your website.
Abandoning offers and incentives completely isn't wise either, but the offer should be compelling enough to catch the eye of a prospect. For example, if you sell closet organization systems, offering "50% Off All Hangers" is not that eye-catching. A headline that connects with your brand, such as "End Closet Clutter, FOREVER – With 50% Off!" will get the attention of more people than just those in need of a few extra hangers. Running a contest is also a great fan and follower generator. If your company is in the pet industry, a contest to win free dog food for one year WILL get shared, liked and/or tweeted – potentially putting your brand in front of thousands of users.
Remember – it costs more to get a customer than to keep one. Have you heard that one? I hope so! It's still true, YEARS after I heard it for the first time, and yet it still is a challenge for many businesses to embrace. How many offers do you see on a regular basis with disclaimers that the offer is for new customers ONLY! Think of the monthly specials from satellite or cable providers ready to give a house full of free electronics – to NEW customers only! That is a fantastic offer but every month I sit with last years' model I feel slighted, and so will your customers if your ads only reward new customers. If you are engaging prospects with more than just offers, you're creating brand recognition, creating interest, shares and visits to your website – as well as conversions.
Try it. The results will astound you. Even if you have a relatively small following you can generate interest quickly with the right messages and content. Once you start a campaign, monitor the analytics on your website for a clear picture of the effectiveness of your campaign.
Talk to Holland TODAY and get started on a social media campaign that spreads your brand message. We can plan a social media strategy that can generate new customers, leads, referrals, and best of all, loyal customers that love your brand. Visit HollandAdvertising.com or call Bryan Holland at 513.744.3001.


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Earlier this week New York City based book retailer Barnes & Noble and Microsoft announced the spinoff of the Private Brand Nook ereader into a "strategic partnership" on e-reading, focused on the creation of a new B&N subsidiary that will spin off that company's digital and College businesses. The move sets a new bar for retailers and their Private Brands who have continually focused the conversation on "me too" or "I am the same – really and I am cheaper." The conversation then moves begins to focus on brand as differentiator and brand as asset. If you are not sure whether you are building your brands as asset you can now ask the simple question, "Is anyone willing to invest in my brand?"
The final name of the new business has not yet been determined, but it has been revealed that Microsoft is investing $300 million for a 17.6 percent stake. Among the first benefits of that cash injection will be a Windows 8 Nook application.
Provisionally referred to as "Newco," the co-owned subsidiary will continue to have a close relationship with Barnes & Noble's. B&N's educational operations are said to be "an important component" of the makeup of Newco, with the parent companies keen to spread and popularize Nook Study software. Microsoft's Andy Lees welcomed the news by pointing out that the two companies' "complementary assets will accelerate e-reading innovation across a broad range of Windows devices." As far he's concerned, "we're at the cusp of a revolution in reading," and Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are taking the steps to move us forward.
The move comes as new data from ComScore shows that Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet is now the leading Android tablet, with 54% market share as of February 2012.
This partnership is a direct shot at both Amazon and Apple for the consumption and dissemination of digital content. Both the Private Brand Kindle Fire from Amazon and the line of iPads from Apple have seen increasing sales – 15.43 million iPads sold in 1st fiscal quarter 2012.


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Decentraland Prediction MANA Forecast and Price Charts – Is it a good time to buy Decentraland? What is the Decentraland price today? Decentraland Forecast Short term and Long term Price Predictions for Next Months and Year: 2018, 2019 and 2020.
What is Decentraland (MANA)?
Decentraland is the very first virtual platform that is decentralized, built on the blockchain and owned by its users, making it stand out from the crowd. Decentraland offers users a virtual reality platform that is powered by the reliable Ethereum blockchain. With the platform, users can create content and applications, as well as experience and monetize them.
Decentraland (MANA): History
The team behind Decentraland already has experience creating both Bitcore and Streamium. The project lead is Ari Meilich, while the technical lead is Esteban Ordano. The Advisory Board includes INBlockchain founder Xiaolai Li, CoinFund founder Jake Brukhman, Aragon project lead Luis Cuende, and ex-CTO of Ning, Diego Doval. Decentraland partners with district0x, Aragon, and imToken. Decentraland began in June 2015 at what they call the "Stone Age," when the land was modeled in the form of a simple grid and pixels were allocated to users via a proof-of-work algorithm similar to Bitcoin. The Mana Contribution Period took place between August 17 and 26, 2017.
How does Decentraland (MANA) work?
Decentraland will create a virtual reality platform, where users will be the main owners, creators, and players. They create a Second Life-like world which will be decentralized and owned by users. Different platforms ask for high fees to enter the market; they also have strict policies which don't give a chance to many applications to enter the market. Decentraland wants to change this situation and invite everybody to their platform. The main currency of the ecosystem will be MANA. There will be multiple ways to spend it inside the world, but the first thing you can do is to buy LAND parcel for 1000 MANA. This LAND inside Decentraland will belong only to you, and you will be able to build whatever you want on it. Including casinos, social clubs, cinemas, and your little crib.
How to buy Decentraland (MANA)?
You can buy MANA using Bitcoin in an exchange. The user should get a wallet for that. The most convenient wallet option for storing your Decentraland coins- provided by MyEtherWallet which can store any coin on the Ethereum blockchain, including Decentraland. Then the popular coin like Ethereum will help you to purchase the MANA using it. In an exchange like Binance, Bittrex, HitBTC etc… the users will be able to purchase the coin.
Decentraland (MANA) Price prediction 2018
MANA can be a profitable investment option. Decentraland price equal to 0.138 USD at 2018-02-17. If you buy Decentraland for 100 dollars today, you will get a total of 723.639 MANA. Based on our forecasts, a long-term increase is expected, the price prognosis for 2023-02-11 is 2.456 US Dollars. With a 5-year investment, the revenue is expected to be around +1677.07%. Your current $100 investment may be up to $1777.07 in 2022. MANA price today is $0.136225 and the market cap value is $143,055,527. The volume is $10,433,000 and the current circulating supply is 1,050,141,509 MANA. MANA price chart, MANA price prediction, MANA wallets, MANA exchanges, MANA history, MANA price today, where to buy MANA, how to buy MANA.


text: J. Warren Lunne is an award-winning filmmaker. He has been employed as a lifeguard, dishwasher, playback operator, dude ranch chore man, post production supervisor, associate producer, artist-in-residence at an alternative high school, public access manager, and public information officer. He enjoys reading and watching movies. His wife is gorgeous, and he loves her madly!


text: Hi, all, I'm reading the source code of IronPython 2.0 beta 4. I found some flags like "/*!*/" in source code. Who can tell me what is mean of this flag? I'm not sure that there is right place to ask this question. But I cannot find the answer from Google & Baidu J Thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Do ONE thing, and do it WELL. Colin Han @ GrapeCity -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://mail.python.org/pipermail/ironpython-users/attachments/20080726/4a0feb92/attachment.html>


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My Mother Demanded Gratitude
Josephine Yu
Bone-ache signaled growth,
height a sure thing.
Hiccups? The lungs' desire
to fulfill their contract with the body.
Stubbed toe, throbbing funny bone,
leg of pins and needles --
even a toothache, a blessing:
"If it hurts, it's not dead."
Any pain better than none, better
than the nerves' apathy.
And so she bubbled with laughter
when the car window closed
on my fingers or a camera swinging
from her chest clocked my forehead
as she picked me up, her joy boiling
over my pained but breathing body.


text:
sometimes it happens when dialling the wrong telephone number. And check if the handshake is OK.
And also check your modem. If the modem is ok, try uninstalling and reinstalling it and reboot your PC. Make sure to install the correct modem.
Also check your connectoid properties and the network settings. and try increase the connection timeout periods.
Otherwise, try contact your ISP and ask for the DNS1&2 and use these to connect.
Good luck
Register Hereor login if you are already a member


text:
How to Create a Layout
of Multiple Images in Photoshop
In this Photoshop tutorial we will explore:
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- Working with multiple images in the same Photoshop documents
- Working with the Layers panel to control the display of the images
- How to change the size of the thumbnail preview in the layers panel
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Police Recruitment: Despite terror threat, Kashmiri youth turn out in large numbers
| Updated: Aug 23, 2017 11:20 IST
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 14 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday started their two day recruitment process, as around three thousand Kashmiri youth were seen taking part in the exercise. Despite local militant threats warning the youngsters of the Valley against joining Indian security forces, young men were seen stepping up to enroll. Since unemployment is the biggest problem in Kashmir valley, the Jammu and Kashmir police is coming forward to help these youth in securing jobs. "Unemployment is a big issue here that's why inspite of threats people are turning up, everyone here wants to secure a job somewhere. I'm very happy with this initiative there should be many more such rallies in the future," participant Parvez Ahemad told ANI. "67,218 candidates from various districts of the state have applied for the posts of 698 sub-inspectors in the executive, armed and telecommunication wings of the state police. While 31,496 of these candidates are from Jammu province, as many as 35,722 are from Kashmir," said Deputy Inspector general Rafiq-ul Hasan. The candidates are required to undergo Physical Endurance Tests (PET) and Physical Standard Tests (PST) in the first phase in Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar. He added that the whole process is computerized and transparency is being observed. Earlier on May 10 the Jammu and Kashmir police had also conducted recruitment drive for the posts of constable in Anantang and Bandipora districts of the state also saw overwhelming response. "People sideline everything, be it threats or unrest in the state and look for job opportunities. I want to protect the common people of the state if selected," said Shahnawaz Hanif a participating candidate. The turnout is significant as it happens right after militants killed a young Kashmiri Army officer Ummer Fayaz in an attempt to deter the locals from joining government forces. The killing has caused rage among locals who demanded that the men responsible be identified and punished. In the light of growing confrontation between Kashmiri youth and security forces across the valley since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's encounter in July last year, this overwhelming turnout is unique. (ANI)


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Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging offers a delightful combination of beautiful vacation rentals, oceanfront location and Southern hospitality, all within a short distance of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Located on the oceanside in the village of Buxton, their beachfront campus offers incredible views and spacious beaches. Many of their guests make this spot their retreat of choice year after year. Lighthouse View's selection of Buxton vacation rentals ranges from Outer Banks hotel rooms to suites to larger cottages. You can browse their selection online and let them help you find your perfect vacation spot.
Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging
46677 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton
(800) 225-7651


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This week, our Welsh Key Artist Charlotte Savoury shows us how to achieve this sassy, pink pout look.
Eyes –
Highlight directly under the brow bone with a Concealer a couple of shades lighter than your skin tone and blend downwards with an Eye Shadow Brush.
Use Eyebrow Cake in your chosen shade and push upwards and outwards into the brow to define, using an Angled Brush.
Begin with a sheer wash of Cream Pigment in Hollow over the lid focusing more towards the lash line and blend upwards using Blending Brush 1. Apply Eye Shadow in Justify towards the inner corners of the eye and blend upwards and through the crease with Blending Brush 1. Press Powder Eyeshadow in Obsidian over the remainder of the lid blending outwards and upwards to the crease. To highlight, apply Pure Pigment in Furore to the inner corners of the eye using an Eye Shadow Brush.
Line the waterline with Medium Pencil in Sophie and blend Gel Liner in Infinity below the lash line and set with Eye Shadow in Obsidian using a Lip Brush which is perfect to get under those lashes.
Masquara in Raven is a must for your lashes as it is big and bold, so two coats will be more than enough. For added drama apply a pair of your favourite false eyelashes. I used False Lashes Number 14.
Skin –
Here I used Hydra Veil to prep the skin ensuring the skin is well hydrated before foundation application. Apply your preferred Skin Base Foundation shade using a Highlighter Brush, in small circular buffing motions for a polished finish. You can highlight key areas with a Skin Base that is a few shades lighter than your Skin Base shade and a few shades darker to contour.
Cheeks –
Apply Cream Blusher in Rude to the cheekbones and sweep through to the temples blending out the colour to a sheer wash using a Highlighter Brush. Using Blusher Brush 1 softly apply a small amount of Powder Blusher in Nymph to the apples of the cheeks. Apply Loose Powder 010 to set if requires and add a small amount of Pure Pigment in Furore to the top of the cheekbones for a flawless radiant glow.
Line the Lips with Medium Pencil in Manic. Apply Lipstick in Corrupt over the lip with a Lip Brush.
Want to know more about how to make this look work for you? Tweet Charlotte @IllamasquaCharl or follow her on Instagram @CharlotteGabriellaX.


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He Was Given A Injection To Be Put To Sleep, But What Happened Next Gave Me Goosebumps.
This poor sweet pooch had a series of unfortunate events. One day he was hit by a car and his paw injured badly, bloody, and in pain, he was immediately dropped at the animal shelter by his owners. They gave him up and said they simply couldn't care for him.
No one wanted the poor dog. Sadly, he was scheduled to be put to sleep.
AP Photo/Jay Reeves
The animal control officer, Wanda Snell, was there for the dog's last minutes when he was given a lethal injection. In an uncommon way, she noticed he moved a little. It was as though the dog knew what was happening and was fighting the injection. But by the time the staff left work, the dog was quiet and still.
AP Photo/Jay Reeves
The next day Wanda arrived to work, and what she saw left her in complete shock. There the dog was, standing, alive, and drinking water, as if nothing had happened! They decided to name him Lazarus, alluding to the biblical story of the man Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead
Lazarus's miraculous story was posted on Facebook and a caring family 160 miles away decided to adopt him! Lazarus now has a loving family and a friend named Tucker he likes to play tug-of-war with.
It's beautiful that Lazarus has another chance of life! Share his miracle story with your friends and family.
Source: examiner


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The skiing season in Špičák starts already this Friday, on 6 December. We will start this winter season by launching operation of the cableway to the Špičák peak and by opening the Slalom Piste no. 3 covered with technical snow. There is 30 to 50 cm of snow on this piste. We are starting at lower out-of-season prices. Daily skiing for an adult person will thus cost CZK 440. Our ski rental facility and ski service station will be open as well and you will have a possibility of ordering professional installation of ski binding or ski servicing on a real-time basis.
Although weather in December has already got the right winter characteristics this year, we have not registered any generous snowing or optimum conditions for technical snowing yet. This means that presentation of some innovations of this year's winter season will have to wait still for a while. As soon as there is enough snow, we will launch operation of the new ski tow on the family piste known as Spodní Šance, where those who like competing can try a measured slalom as well. Preparatory work already started also in the snow park, which is newly established on the Lubák hill and can use technical snow in full.
So, already this Friday we can say our first "SKOL" in Špičák!


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By: Sarah LeBlanc
In the bitter cold, a hardy group of Iowans zipped up their long coats and jackets, wrapped their scarves around their faces, pulled their hats over their ears…and felt for the Texans wearing sweaters and rocking heels.
Just a few days after the Drake group landed in Washington D.C., we were formally introduced to the city's iconic sights and tales of glory with a bus tour of the monuments. We viewed the statue of the marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the World War II memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial and several other monuments marking times of loss and triumph in our nation's history.
For Isabelle Barrett, a sophomore Drake student and a Minnesota native, viewing the monuments was especially poignant in light of the transition of power that will occur in just over 24 hours. The symbolism held in each monument calls visitors back to the nation's founding and the hope for a strong and unified nation – something Barrett's not sure still exists today.
"I did absolutely feel more pride in America, maybe not the America we are now but the America we have been and the America that we can be," Barrett said. "The America that I know and love but is just kind of hiding right now."
Though her feelings of patriotism were less pronounced leading up to president-elect Donald Trump's impending inauguration, she still viewed the monuments as symbols of American dedication to its values of freedom and liberty and the will to preserve these rights even when it may mean sacrificing one life for the lives of many.
Weaving through crowds and scaffolding, the group largely walked in hushed silence between memorials, the hushing of conversation instinctive and immediate in the face of so much loss, represented in the etching of names and faces on stone. For Barrett, one of the most powerful moments was standing on a square tile on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that read "I have a dream" – the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. stood and proclaimed his dreams for racial equality and civil rights to thousands during the March on Washington in 1963.
"I was standing there where the leader of civil rights in this country, one of the finest leaders that we've ever had (stood)," Barrett said. "I just suddenly kind of felt like all of this stuff that I'm working for is possible."
The fight for civil rights is not over in the United States, and while the country hasn't collapsed into another Civil War, people are more divided along party lines. In the 2016 presidential race, the desire for a change from career politicians and for someone who listened and understood the plight of rural Americans drove many to vote for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton.Yet many, including Barrett, agree on one point: They don't want him to fail.


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Alright, ladies. Did that photo get your attention? This article was about to outline the benefits of a Russian Squat Program for women, but this picture speaks directly to issue.
Your butt.
The second most popular plastic surgery procedure these days? Butt implants! Why are women (and men) doing this to themselves when they can squat (into plastic surgery? better start with Botox ). A Russian Squat Program will tighten and lift your glutes, strengthen your quads and hamstrings, and slim your hips. What woman doesn't want that?
Some particularly wonderful side effects having nothing to do with vanity include better, more confident posture and a new way of moving while doing everything from walking to chores.
There is – literally – no downside to a Russian Squat Program. Let's begin.
Proper squats should not hurt your back. If you already have back pain or if you are new to weight training, you should definitely be smart and proactively protect your back. Try "Prevent Back Pain with 5 Steps" as a foundation to your Russian Squat Program.
Saying that a core or pilates program is a great supplement to any endeavor is not an overstatement. A strong core is a foundation for life and is a big part of preventing back pain as outlined above. There are a lot of exercises out there to strengthen the core and abdominals, but pilates is the system that was built from the core out. To see if pilates is right for you (and it is), take "Pilates: Strength & Stamina Transformation."
Technically a Russian Squat involves a squat with weights, whether with dumbbells or racked on a bar placed across your shoulders or with a kettlebell. All of these will produce results and once you've established your squat, you should experiment with which technique you will like to practice.
How to establish your squat? It doesn't look tough, but air squatting (aka body-weight squats) is the best way to get your squat down, and the best way to correct form flaws if you ever slide into any.
Performing a Bodyweight Squat
1. Stand with integrity. If your standing posture is out-of-whack, your squat will be as well. And with repetition, what's called the "kinetic chain" will be disrupted and cause injury and pain. Correct standing posture is as follows:
- feet hip-width apart (common mistake is thinking your hips are wider than they are and having too wide a stance)
- calves are slightly, slightly rotated in while thighs are slightly, slightly rotated out. This is subtle.
- pelvis/hips are neutral – no "duck butt" or exaggerated tuck
- spine reaches straight up
- shoulders are slightly pinned back (inhale shoulders up to ears and exhale quickly, dropping them down the back. Keep them there)
- chest slightly out
- neck in line with the spine
- move chin back so it doesn't jut forward (a common postural misalignment
Lost with these cues? Time to go back to the basics. It will be time well-spent! "Improve Your Posture NOW".
2. Widen feet by about an inch. Turn toes out
3. Breathe – start your inhale. Wait, breathing is important – let's talk about it! Deep, easy breathing calms your parasympathetic nervous system. This is the system responsible for your "fight or flight" response. Deep breathing calms the parasympathetic nervous system, a calm parasympathetic nervous system signals to the body that it's ok to relax and stick with what you're asking it to do, a body that's relaxed and focused will perform and perform well!
4. Bend at the knees, sticking bum out like you're going to sit in a chair that's a bit behind you
5. Keeping 75% of your weight in your heels, continue to bend at the knees which brings your bum down
6. Hands can stay on hips or extend straight out in front of you level with the shoulders
7. Knees press outward as you lower down. In other words, do not allow your knees to collapse inward. Your chest will naturally come forward but it's important to keep your back ramrod straight and your shoulders down (keeping your shoulders up by the ears overuses the relatively small muscles of the upper trapezoids and will drastically limit your capacity once you add weight).
8. When you've squatted down to your max, you should be at the end of your inhale. Hold squatting position for a beat with full lungs.
9. Press again through your heels and exhale as you straighten your legs and come back up to standing. A reminder to be aware of keeping your knees pressing outward.
A note that it is this part of the squatting action – the return to standing – that will give you that butt. So when you're all the way down with your knees bent for a second, think, "glutes!!" and engage those bad boys as you "explode" up.
Let's talk about this term "explode", as trainers will use it often. It doesn't mean, "to combust", it means to move confidently with a very strong intention. Frequently the action that you're being asked to do "explosively" is the most important part for results.
Congratulations – you've completed a Russian Squat and are on your way to a stronger butt!
To make it a full program, those complimentary exercises are key. We've already talked about a strong core. Core exercises should be done throughout your workout but especially in the beginning to make sure you're activating your core through the entire workout. If you're not going the pilates route, you should carefully put together your core-strengthening routine. Although dynamic, something like "Hoop Core Fitness" probably won't cut it. Also, crunches are out due to their proven ineffectiveness and proclivity for causing neck injuries. Many core exercises used in yoga classes are a great idea. They are done slowly so that you activate many core muscles at once. And there's nothing wrong with having yoga abs and a squat butt.
Deadlifts are the next step for that incredible bum and the amazing benefits. Keeping in mind what you've learned here, look at "How To Deadlift: The Ultimate Strength Exercise".
Supplementing these strength workouts with cardio bursts will burn fat. Since you are most likely in a gym to have all the Russian Squat Program tools, you can use other common equipment for cardio bursts. Examples include: picking up a slam ball and doing 25 wall throws or a tabata round on the treadmill. 50 split squats or mountain climbers take no extra equipment but are very challenging!
Taking a full 10 minutes to stretch after your program should be built in – every time without exception. Of course, stretches that target lengthening the hamstrings will be particularly effective. The best stretch after a Russian Squat workout involves a partner: laying on a table or the floor, extend both legs and flex both feet. Have your partner pick up your right leg and bring it toward your nose. Alert them when you feel a good stretch in the hamstrings. Hold here for at least 30 seconds, then slightly bend your knee and have your partner move your leg just a little bit farther for a few seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Make sure you also do some glute and hip stretches such as "Thread the Needle" or "Pigeon Pose".
All of this is moot, however, if you're sabotaging yourself in other areas like nutrition and lifestyle. Check out "Healthy Living For A Busy Life" to make some easy, quick changes.