All About Snow Fleas, a Wingless Insect

At the end of a long, cold, nearly bug-free winter, its always a thrill for the insect enthusiasts among us to spy a group of snow fleas hopping merrily in the melting snow. While few may be fans of the common flea, snow fleas arent really fleas at all. Like spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, and katydids, snow fleas are actually arthropods—specifically of the  springtail variety. What Do Snow Fleas Look Like? In North America, most snow fleas youre likely to come across belong to the genus  Hypogastrura and are usually blue in color. Snow fleas tend to aggregate around the trunks of trees. Theyve been known to gather in such great numbers that sometimes they make snow appear black or blue. At first glance, snow fleas may look like motes of black pepper sprinkled on the surface of the snow but upon closer inspection, the pepper looks as if its moving. While theyre tiny (reaching only two to three millimeters in length) and jump around as fleas do, a closer look will reveal that snow fleas have a similar appearance to other springtails. Why and How Do Snow Fleas Jump? Snow fleas are wingless insects, incapable of flying. They move by walking and jumping. Unlike other famous jumping arthropods like  grasshoppers  or  jumping spiders, snow fleas dont use their legs to jump. Instead, they catapult themselves into the air by releasing a spring-like mechanism called a  furcula, which is a tail-like structure thats folded underneath the body (hence the name springtail). When the furcula releases, a snow flea is launched several inches in the air—a considerable distance for such a tiny bug. Although they have no way to steer, its an effective way to flee potential predators quickly. Why Do Snow Fleas Gather on the Snow? Springtails are actually quite common and abundant, but theyre so tiny that they tend to blend in and go unnoticed. Snow fleas live in the soil and leaf litter where they munch away on decaying vegetation and other organic matter, even during the winter months. Remarkably, snow fleas dont freeze in the winter thanks to a special kind of protein in their bodies thats rich in  glycine, an  amino acid that enables the protein to bind to ice crystals and inhibit them from growing. The glycine (which works much in the same way as the antifreeze you put in your car) allows snow fleas to remain alive and active even in subzero temperatures. On warm and sunny winter days, particularly as spring approaches, snow fleas make their way up through the snow, likely in search of food. Its when they gather in numbers on the surface, flinging themselves from place to place, that they attract our attention. Should You Get Rid of Snow Fleas? Theres no reason to eradicate snow fleas. Theyre perfectly harmless. They dont bite, they cant make you sick, and they wont injure your plants. In fact, they help improve the soil by breaking down organic material. Leave them be. Once the snow melts and spring arrives, youll probably forget theyre even there. Sources Cranshaw, Whitney. Springtails. Colorado State University.Springtails and Snow fleas. Insect Diagnostic Laboratory, Cornell University.Kline, Katie. Snow fleas: helpful winter critters. Ecological Society of America. January 28, 2011.Lin, Feng-Hsu; Graham, Laurie A.; Campbell,  Robert L.; Davies, Peter L. Structural Modeling of Snow Flea Antifreeze Protein.  Biophysical Journal, March 1, 2007.Hahn, Jeff. Snow fleas are conspicuous but harmless. University of Minnesota Extension, March 26, 2014.

Analysis Of Angela Carter s Post Modern Rendition, Tiger...

When you think of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, what do you remember? In the typical plot of Beauty and the Beast, Beauty aids the Beast in his transformation from beast to man. The focus of the typical storyline is the battle between innate traits and characteristics accepted by society. However, in Angela Carter’s post-modern rendition, Tiger’s Bride, not only does she shift the focus to explore the relationship between love and self-acceptance, but she also changes the plot in efforts to make Beauty undergo a transformation. Through Carter’s tone, exploration of power dynamics, and use of imagery, the story follows the progression of the love and self-acceptance that influences Beauty’s metamorphosis. Within the story,†¦show more content†¦As the moment between Beauty and the Beast continues, she feels as if â€Å"[she is] within the field of force of his golden eyes† (81). This line signifies how much attraction lies between the two characters as Beauty feels that she’s in the â€Å"field of force†, keeping her entranced with him. Consequently, â€Å"each stroke of his tongue rip[s] off skin after successive skin† (81), releasing Beauty from any remaining ties to society and allowing her to have freedom. By removing each layer of â€Å"skin†, the Beast ultimately unleashes Beauty’s true identity, giving her the opportunity to fully accept herself without the pressure to conform by society. With Carter’s use of tone, the audience gains the ability to explore how the love of the Beast causes Beauty to not only discover who she truly is, but also learn how to accept herself. Similarly, Carter explores the power dynamics between the Beast and Beauty, drawing attention to how outside forces allow a person to develop self-acceptance. In the beginning, Carter introduces the audience to Beauty who has autonomy, yet still complies to societal norms. When she encounters the Beast after she’s left in the castle alone, she decides that she â€Å"will not smile† (69) at him, simply because she does not want to. By choosing to not smile at the Beast, she defies the typical role of a female in a fairy tale. However, the influence of society still has an impact on her because when she

Information Technology and Communication Ethics

Question: Discuss about the Information Technology and Communication Ethics. Answer: Introduction Information and Communication Technology introduces various ethical dilemmas within the technological scenarios. In contrast with these dilemmas, this essay is analyzing the impact of technology on the personal relationships of human. Discussion of the Scenario: Technology and Dating This article is collected from The Sydney Morning Herald. This article is elaborating about the lack of emotions among human due to extensive use of technology (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2017). Technology is used in terms of social networking that is making human capable of collecting personal data through internet. This article shows that one boy getting involved into more one relation within a month that is ethically not correct with respect to morality. Previously the partners get to know each other very well within a long relationship and that was the astonishing fact about relations. They used to like each other or love each other with their unknown facts. In the contemporary times, people are involving themselves in an elusive relationship that is making them bored within a short range of period, which is ethically not correct (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2017). Dating has really become an online meat market. Evaluation of the story by Utilitarianism ethical theory According to Utilitarianism, this can be stated that every set of actions involved within a scenario will be ethically correct if that particular set of actions bring ultimate happiness or willingness to each of members of that incident. In consideration with the case study of the Technology and Dating it is clear that people are involving themselves into an elusive relationship which is not making them ultimately happy. Therefore, from the perspective of Utilitarianism, these actions are not ethically correct. Any boy of girl involves themselves into vague relations that is making them happy for a certain time and after a few days they are losing interest from each other as nothing new was found by them with respect to their demands and willingness (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2017). These consequences are making their life stressful as well as making them unhappy with their relationships. Evaluation of story by Deontology ethical theory The Deontological Ethical theory states that every set of actions done by human should be measured with respect to the moral values. Moral values play a great role in establishing ethical concern for the developed society. According to the Deontological theory, modern days relationships are also not based on the moral values or ethical concern. In contemporary times, people are finding partners for passing their time and they are not concerned for a long-term relationship. Moral values and ethical concern are neglected in this case. Therefore, according to the deontological theory of ethics, these actions for dating with the help of internet are not ethically correct (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2017). The human are losing their morality in case of choosing their partners, they are imposing themselves into a relationship that is not providing them ultimate happiness, as a result of which examples of unsuccessful relationships are increasing. Deontological theory proves this action wrong. Evaluation of story by Virtue and Contract ethical theory According to the theory, a group of rules are established by mutual acceptance from the both the end parties and then these rules are considered as the backbone of agreements. Virtue and Contract theory of ethics are important for knowing the ethical concern with respect to some fixed set of rules or regulations among both parties. In accordance with the case study, provided in the Technology and Dating, it is clear that the dates are arranged with the help of some set of rules though these rules are not legal but these are considered to be. In addition to this, whenever one partner is disconnecting themselves from the relations it is clear that they neither are nor further interested in it (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2017). These aspect is showing that both are partners are following some set of rules an there is cooperation between them. This aspect makes this right according to Virtue and Contract theory of ethics. However, these results are not morally correct with respect to ethical conduct. Recommendations In accordance with the ethical evaluation, this is found that human underestimating the emotions and feeling, as they are getting closer with their partners by using technology (social media, internet etc.). This aspect has involves concern for relationships. Following recommendation can be followed in order to stop these kind of unethical issues: Avoidance of Internet for dating: Avoiding internet activities and other social networking activities will reduce the illusive effect of human mind that will save relationships. Confidentiality of Personal Information: This action can also reduce the chances leaking personal information. Implementation of new privacy policies: Policy building will be helpful in identifying the fake people in the social media and these will be people in being aware of their situation. Conclusion This can be concluded that technology has invented so many options for human that provided benefits to them but technology has also taken away the understanding of human emotions and has made human just a puppet of it. Deontological and Utilitarianism theory of ethics are helping to recognize the moral actions involved in any situation. Evaluation of the story is showing the application of theory. References Birnbaum, R., Lach, L. (2014). Teaching About What Ethical Social Work Practice Means: Responsibility Starts With Schools of Social Work.Lencadrement juridique de la pratique professionnelle, 37. Bowie, N. E. (2015). Richard De George and the Use of Ethical Theory in Applied Ethics.Journal of Business Ethics,127(4), 699. Broad, C. D. (2014).Five types of ethical theory(Vol. 2). Routledge. Dubnick, M. (2013). Blameworthiness, trustworthiness, and the second-personal standpoint: Foundations for an ethical theory of accountability.Available at SSRN 2324724. Lewin, D. (2014). Whats the use of ethical philosophy? The role of ethical theory in special educational needs.European Journal of Special Needs Education,29(4), 536-547. The Sydney Morning Herald. (2017).Technology and dating. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/technology-and-dating-20090520-besc [Accessed 10 Jan. 2017].

My Fair Lady Review free essay sample

â€Å"My Fair Lady† is a classic 1964 film produced by Jack Warner and James Katz and Directed by George Cukor. The film’s protagonist, an ambitious Phonetician, Professor Higgins, promises to transform the life and socio-economic status of a poor flower girl, the female protagonist, Eliza, by teaching her to speak Standard English and the ‘proper’ way to behave. He aspires to â€Å"change her into a different human being by creating a new speech for her. † By doing this he suggests he â€Å"fill the deepest gap that separates class from class and soul from soul†. His attitude is an indication of the contempt with which speakers of ‘prestigious’ varieties of language treat other speakers of varieties considered to be ‘low’ or ‘bad’. The film addresses linguistic and cultural issues such as language change, regional and social variation and prescriptivists’ and descriptivists’ attitudes toward such variations of language and issues of language and identity and socio-economic status associated with these phenomena. We will write a custom essay sample on My Fair Lady Review or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It brings to the fore attitudes towards linguistic variation in England and around the world and highlights prescriptivists’ perspectives about using the English language. Standard English is presented as a superior model of language. Professor Higgins believes that â€Å"the majesty and grandeur of the English language is the greatest possession we have. † He demonstrates attitudes of traditional linguists’ about the proper use of English by asserting that the Bible, Milton and Shakespeare are models of English that should be emulated. Professor Higgins believes that Eliza (or all humans) possess the â€Å"divine gift of articulate speech† but is â€Å"condemned by every syllable she utters† and should be â€Å"hung for her cold- blooded murder of the English tongue. † Further, he criticises the lower classes of H dropping and incorrect pronunciations of vowels. An Englishman’s way of speaking† he states, classifies him†. His speech may cause others to â€Å"despise him. † This shows how Language can have an effect on any society or how society or groups of people can be defined by it. Professor explains that if Colonel Pickering spoke the way Eliza does, he may be doing the same job as she, indicating that there is a relationship between our use of language and our socio-economic status. Social variation or what he calls â€Å"verbal class distinctions† should be â€Å"antique†. He uses this point also to question the quality of the system of education and points out that certain jobs require â€Å"better English. † Deckert Vickers endorses this notion; different varieties of English are not â€Å"held in equal social standing† because of our history and â€Å"effects of colonialism†. â€Å"Standard and non-standard language labels† are not linguistic but they are â€Å"social labels† (33, 38). Attitudes toward regional variations of language are also highlighted in the film. Professor Higgins expresses outrage at the way people from other nations and from various locations in England use English â€Å"as they like. † He advocates for one language rather than variation in language use; he despises the Scottish and Irish for the way they use English and expresses disappointment that there are â€Å"places where English completely disappears or varieties have developed (language change or loss). † Deckert and Vickers explain that several varieties of World English have developed. There are differences between the Englishes of Great Britain, Canada, the United States, and any number of other major varieties of the language in other English speaking countries. Even within a given country, there are different varieties of English† (33). Colonel Pickering has a different attitude however; he seems to represents a different kind of linguist, a descriptivist, one who recognises and appreciates a person’s culture, language and differences and respects and treats them fairly. This is marked in how he is respectful of Eliza and the fact that he is portrayed as the â€Å"author of spoken Sanskrit, a record of how people use language as against a prescription of its use. He also seems to have an appreciation for the many dialects and languages spoken in India. This is the way descriptive linguistics treat the study of language. They don’t reject the varieties of language use; they record and commemorate them. The film does not only show how people can be identified by their speech but also how speech can mask us as well. Eliza is treated with disdain and disrespect by Professor Higgins but in the end, her refined behaviour and speech cause her to gain his approval and honour; she is now masked as a member of the elite, a royal and genteel lady and even an expert linguist is unable to determine her origin.