Collaboration Between Corn And Maize

Collaboration Between Corn And Maize

By KAS   11:59   1 comment:

The word “corn” has various meanings depending upon different geographical regions. It stands for any local grains that are safe to eat and harvested in large areas. In British English, the word corn pertains to any cereal crop or grain. Etymologically, the Latinate word “grain” and Germanic word “corn” represent any edible plant-seed like millet, barley, rye, wheat, maize, oats etc. For the British people, corn is the chief grains that are available in their county as food crop; so they interpreted corn as wheat.   When the English and German speakers entered the New World, they attributed the term corn to the local grain namely, “Zea mays”.  At the same time they distinguished Zea mays as Indian corn, to keep the word “corn” separate so as to apply it for the grains in total.

Corn

In many countries, corn is the name given to the leading crop grown in certain districts. In England it is wheat, while in Scotland and Ireland, it relates to oats. In the Bible, corn is nothing but wheat and barley.  In USA and Canada corn and maize are one and the same, and is meant for the plant that produces kernels used for cooking.  However, the term corn is preferred over maize for food products that are made from it, such as corn flour, corn starch, cornmeal etc. However, with regard to commodity trading, corn is only maize, and does not include any other grains.  In culinary, the corn is generally mentioned as sweet corn, popcorn, cornflakes, baby corn, dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, and waxy corn. It is the main component of canned corn, baby food, mush, puddings, and many other human foods.

Maize

In 1492 AD, when Columbus reached the northern Antilles near San Salvador, it was inhabited by the indigenous Tahino people who called their staple crop as mahiz.  The Spaniards took enough of these giant grains for distribution on their voyage and propagated the name mahiz throughout. Thus, etymologically, the word has become today’s “maize” in English, and “maiz” in Spanish.  For the English settlers in the New World, maize was a new crop and they lacked a proper word to call maize.  So they called it Indian corn, which later became corn.  Many scholars hold that maize was entirely a different plant than the present genetically altered crop we harvest. The name, Maize is accepted for scientific as well as international applications, because it refers only to this particular grain, whereas corn suggests different meanings by context and geographical locations.

Maize was originated from its Mexican variant called teosinte.  It has a single erect solid stem with long and narrow leaves that grow alternately, whereas teosinte is small and bushy.   The difference in their appearance is due to the variation in their two genes. Teosinte and maize can be subjected to cross breeding to make fertile offspring. The maize is now considered to be one of the main grain crops in the world.

Ancient farmers in Mexico are known to be the first to domesticate maize.  They noticed that the plants were not at all the same in appearance. Some grew larger than others, and some kernels were tastier.  So they selected the best ones that got desired characteristics and cultivated them for the next harvest season.  This process was called selective breeding, from which the modern maize originated.

Uses of Maize or Corn

The maize, which is one of the major staple foods in the world, is used as filler for plastics, insulation and adhesives.  It is also utilized for making chemicals, explosives, paint, dyes, pharmaceuticals, solvents etc.   Maize plants constitute the main subject material for the study of genetics and biochemistry.  It is rich in carbohydrates and vitamins A, B & C.  Consumption of maize reduces diabetes and hypertension.  The   antioxidants contained in it improve eye health too.

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Diversity Between ‘Whoever’ And ‘Whomever’

Diversity Between ‘Whoever’ And ‘Whomever’

By KAS   11:51   1 comment:

Both words are very similar in meaning and usage. However, the words, although both pronouns, cannot be used interchangeably because of grammar. Which word is correctly used in a sentence requires some understanding of the complexity of English grammar rules.

‘Whoever’ is a pronoun that is a compound word made up of ‘who’ and ‘ever’. It indicates which person or persons. For example: Whoever is going will have to ride the bus. It is used as the subject of a sentence, such as in this example, and it can be used when asking questions. This is especially the case when expressing surprise. For example: Whoever could be at our door this late at night! ‘Whoever’ can also be used when it is part of the predicate of a linking verb. For example: He realized whoever was not already there wasn't coming. These usage rules are the same ones that apply to the pronoun ‘who’.

‘Whomever’ is also a pronoun, made up of ‘whom’ and ‘ever’, but it is the objective form of ‘whoever’. It is used when it is the object of a verb. For example: He gave the mail to whomever lived at the house. Just like ‘whoever’ it follows the same grammatical rules as ‘whom’. While this is the grammatically correct way to use ‘whom’ and ‘whomever’, it should be noted that many English speakers avoid using ‘whom’ and ‘whomever’ in everyday conversation. This is because ‘whom’ has a formal or pretentious sound to many native English speakers. For example, this sentence is correct but sounds overly formal: The winners whom won the race are celebrating. A more natural way to say the sentence in casual conversation is to use ‘that’ instead: The winners that won the race are celebrating. Some speakers may simply use ‘who’ instead of ‘whom’, and although technically incorrect, it is widely accepted in informal conversation. For example: Whom did you meet? Although correct, it is likely ‘who’ would be used instead of ‘whom’ by many native English speakers.

So deciding which word to use in a sentence primarily has to do with its placement in the sentence. Either word can be used with a dependent clause, or a group of words with both a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought like a sentence. Whether ‘whoever’ or ‘whomever’ is used depends on agreement with the verb in the dependent clause, not the rest of the sentence. For example: I will give it to whomever needs it the most. ‘Whomever’ agrees with the verb in the dependent clause ‘needs it the most.’ However, if the entire clause that contains either ‘whoever’ or ‘whomever’ is the subject of the verb that follows the clause, then it must agree with that verb. For example: Whoever left the door open must shut it. ‘Whoever left the door open’ is the subject, and ‘must’ is the verb it agrees with.

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The Misuse Between Prediction And Inference

The Misuse Between Prediction And Inference

By KAS   04:32   2 comments:

Both words refer to a conclusion based on some sort of fact, experience or observation. However, the difference lies in the slight variance of usage in one word over another in certain circumstances.

‘Inference’ is a noun and its meaning is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions about something from known facts or assumed to be true. An ‘inference’ can be a verbal statement, but more commonly it refers to a thought process. For example: It seems like a reasonable inference that it is cold outside, because everyone I see is wearing a coat. An inference is usually made about something with a degree of certainty, based on facts like statistics, calculations, observations or generalizations. ‘Infer’ is the verb form of ‘inference’, having the same meaning, to form an opinion or reach a conclusion based on known facts. For example: We can infer that it is cold outside based on what we see people wearing. Synonyms include words like ‘surmise’, ‘deduce’, ‘reason’ and ‘conclude’.

‘Prediction’ is also a noun. It means a statement about the way things will or might happen in the future, often but not always based on experience or knowledge. A ‘prediction’ generally is a verbal statement, but it can mean just a mental thought. For example: I made a prediction that it will snow tomorrow. There is also a commonly used verb form of ‘prediction’, ‘predict’. ‘To predict’ means to say that something might or definitely will happen in the future. For example: I predict it will snow tomorrow. While ‘prediction’ and ‘predict’ are usually based on some sort of fact, observation, experience or scientific reason, these meaning behind these words does not have definite certainty of occurring. Something that someone predicts may or may not actually happen. A good example of an everyday prediction is the weather forecast. What is forecasted, or predicted, is based on scientific evidence, but it is not a known certainty, just a probability.

The difference in usage with these words depends mostly on time. ‘Inference’ is used when a conclusion is reached from known evidence, and an ‘interference’ does not necessarily have to be about future events, just a conclusion about something that is not currently known or understood that can be reached by some means of reasoning. Usually when future events are involved, ‘prediction’ rather than ‘inference’ is used, because the future is always unknown, even with evidence and reason. For example, one could make an inference that the boy with untied shoes will trip and fall, and this technically would be a correct usage. There is logical evidence and reason tells us that this is likely, however, the word ‘prediction’ is more likely to be used because it is still in the future. We might say in this situation: I predicted that the boy with the untied shoes would fall, and since I see him crying, I can infer that he did in fact fall down and hurt himself. In this example, ‘prediction’ is used for the future event, and ‘inference’ for the conclusion based on observable facts.

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The Rivalry Between Await And Wait

The Rivalry Between Await And Wait

By KAS   13:02   1 comment:

The words are very similar, only the addition of a single letter ‘a’ differentiates them. Clearly the meanings are related, however, the words have different usages. ‘Wait’ and ‘Await’ cannot be used interchangeably.

‘Wait’ has a broad usage and meaning. It is most often used as a verb. It means to stay somewhere until an expected event happens, until someone arrives, something happens, something is ready or it is one’s turn. For example: We had to wait a long time in line at the store to buy our groceries. It also has the significance of stopping what one is doing and staying in one place and not doing something until something else happens. For example: Wait here, until I come back. It can also simply mean to delay doing something. For example: I will wait until summer before I take a vacation. Along with that meaning, ‘wait’ can mean to remain in a state of readiness in which you expect or hope that something will happen soon. For example: She waits for the bus every morning. As a noun, ‘wait’, means a period of time when you must wait or be in a state or attitude of watchfulness and expectancy. For example: There is a long wait to get into the movie.

‘Wait’ also has another side to its meaning and usage. When it is used as a verb, ‘wait’ has a meaning and usage associated with restaurant service or attendance as a servant. It can mean to serve a meal or beverage. For example: I wait on tables at work as a waiter. When referring to a servant, it means to be ready to do what is asked. For example: The butler waited upon the old man for years. It also has an old-fashioned, or seldom used meaning that is close to this which means to formally call upon someone in a social visit. For example: The lady waited upon the countess in the Victorian novel.

‘Await’ is only ever used as a verb to mean to wait for something or someone or to be in a state of readiness. For example: We were awaiting the arrival of friends.  It implies anticipation, expectation, hope and watchfulness. It is not used indicate a delay in doing something, but it can be used in place of the verb phrase expressions ‘to wait for’ or ‘to wait on’ and as a synonym for ‘wait’ when used to mean to stay in a place and be ready until something happens. ‘Await’ also does not have a usage as concerns restaurant or service usage. So while using ‘await’ may be correct in some usages of ‘wait’, it cannot always be used in place of ‘wait’.

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The Difference between Social Anxiety and Shy

The Difference between Social Anxiety and Shy

By KAS   03:21   4 comments:

Maybe you are or someone you know is extremely shy and you might be asking yourself whether this behavior is comparable to social anxiety. It is difficult for most people to understand these conditions since they usually assume they are same. Well, people need to understand that these two are very different from each other. However, a person who is immensely shy may or may not have social anxiety disorder. Confusing? Read along to better understand the difference between these two.

According to Dr. Thomas Richards, a Psychologist and director of Social Anxiety Institute – Social Anxiety is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring feelings of self-consciousness, judgment, evaluation and inferiority. A person having this anxiety, fear social circumstances and avoid it as much as possible because they are afraid that they might do something embarrassing or humiliating leading to scrutiny and criticism from others. Most of the time, they are aware of this behavior and regards the fear as excessive and unreasonable.

Social anxiety is a specific form of anxiety. It is an emotion characterized by a discomfort or a fear when a person is in a social interaction that involves a concern of being judged or evaluated by others. Social anxiety significantly affects the person’s normal routine, especially when it comes to work and relationships with other people. It is all-consuming and greatly affects how a person thinks, talks and behaves.  This condition becomes a vicious cycle disrupting their whole being and more often than not, it leads to severe depression.

Shy is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is in proximity to other people. In most cases, a person who is extremely shy may manifest physical symptoms, feelings of inferiority and worried how people judge them in general. They have the tendency to withdraw from situations that require social interactions.  However, this behavior does not necessarily affect a person’s life choices compared to people who have social anxiety.

Social Anxiety

In some studies, some people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder do not define them self as shy, some of them are friendly and talkative. In fact, some of them are sociable, but they feel suffocated and stuck with anxious thoughts, feelings and negative habits. Thus, shyness is not a pre-requisite for social anxiety disorder.

Shyness can advance to social anxiety, depending on an individual’s coping mechanism. Extreme shyness can lead to a vicious feedback loop causing severe fear of social interactions. When it comes to this point, no matter how friends and family try to say encouraging words, it will be ineffective not unless the person gets help from a professional who can give cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of therapy can help an individual recognize the core of social anxiety and assist him how to face fears and overcome it.

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