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City Animals
Manipur hog deer species different from the rest in India
Posted on March 15, 2019 March 15, 2019 by Garima Prasher
Researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, had been, for long, puzzled by the features of hog deer at the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) in Manipur. Although larger, with no speckling, and sporting a brighter ochre coat and bulkier antlers compared to the rest of their species India, these had hitherto assumed to be the western hog deer species. However, a genetic intervention has now revealed that the KLNP population of hog deer is the eastern hog deer species – earlier believed to be confined to southeast Asia.
"The large bodies and antler size of the hog deer at KLNP always bewildered us but no one could explain the reason. It was only after we conducted a genetic sampling of the population that we realised that the KLNP hog deer population is the endangered sub-species of hog deer which, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species list, is not found in India," said Sandeep Kumar Gupta, one of the researchers at WII, Dehradun.
The western hog deer (Axis porcinus porcinus) and the eastern hog deer (Axis porcinus annamiticus) are two sub-species of the hog deer, scientifically known as A. porcinus. According to the IUCN Red List, the former is found across Pakistan along the Himalayan foothills and throughout Nepal, India and Myanmar, while the eastern hog deer's habitat is in Thailand, Indo-China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, with its western limits in central Thailand.
Funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change and published in the journal, Scientific Reports, the study was conducted by a group of researchers from WII, Dehradun, between 2010 and 2018. The researchers collected 77 hog deer samples from Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh), Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Kaziranga National Park (Assam) and KLNP. Samples, comprising shed antlers, fresh faecal pellets and tissues from dead animals, were analysed to access the genetic diversity of the KLNP deer population. It was established that the hog deer species of KLNP is genetically similar to the eastern sub-species of hog deer and not the western sub-species.
The WII study was done using mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and the Microsatellite Marker technique to explain the genetic diversity and population structure of the hog deer species at KLNP. "We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) technique because of its advantages over other similar techniques. mtDNA sequences, in all higher vertebrate progenies, come from the mothers. It carries certain unique features that help understand the genetic evolutionary process. It also survives the biological clock and this makes it very useful in checking the speciation process and time of diversion of a population or individual from the parent population. For phylogenetic and phylogeographic study, mtDNA marker is the most appropriate marker used across the globe," said Gupta.
In order to compare the genetic sequence of the sample, the researchers downloaded the mtDNA sequence of the eastern hog deer from GenBank, an open-access annotated collection of all publicly available DNA sequences under the National Institute of Health, U.S.A.
"After the analysis, we found out that the genetic distance between the KLNP population and the recognised A. p. annamiticus of southeast Asia was very low. Moreover, the Indian hog deer population of Dudhwa National Park, Corbett National Park and Kaziranga National Park exhibits a high level of genetic diversity, whereas the KLNP hog deer population has a relatively low level of genetic diversity. This can be attributed to the loss of connectivity with the source population after the glacial period," Gupta explained.
Video by Kartik Chandramouli
The study not only revealed significant genetic divergence between the major Indian populations of hog deer and the KLNP population but also has estimated the divergence time of the KLNP deer population. According to the study, the major population of the hog deer in India split from the KLNP population around 0.22 million years ago. The main factor leading to the separation of the KLNP deer from the rest of the Indian population could be the geographical barrier in the form of the major Purvanchal (northeast) mountain ridges that consist of the Garo, Khasi, Jalatia, Naga, Barail, and Mizo hills, the study said.
Need for upgrade in conservation status
The hog deer population in India is threatened by habitat alteration, fragmentation, and poaching, all of which have led to a drastic decline in its population. The western sub-species of hog deer is listed in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty signed by 21 countries to protect endangered plants and animals. The eastern hog deer sub-species population from southeast Asia is listed in Appendix I. The population found in Manipur however, is still under Appendix III.
"Appendix I of the CITES lists the eastern sub-species of hog deer, present only in southeast Asia. Now that our study has established that the KLNP population is the same as the one present in southeast Asia, the KLNP population should also get included in Appendix I, keeping in mind the low genetic diversity and population size of this sub-species. Moreover, since the eastern hog deer population will soon make it into the Critically Endangered Category of the IUCN Red List, the KLNP population should get included too. There are hardly 100 deer of this sub-species in India and the number is dwindling further due to poaching," said Gupta, adding that the WII study advocates more robust conservation practices for both Indian sub-species of hog deer.
Meanwhile, according to a population estimate by the forest department at the KLNP, the population of hog deer in 2018 was 288.
Though there is some variation in the population estimates by the forest department and researchers, the importance of conservation of the animal is highlighted by both. The status of the Indian hog deer was upgraded under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, from Schedule III to Schedule I, which forbids hunting by more stringent rules.
Roughly 5,800 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants are protected by CITES against over-exploitation through international trade. They are listed in the three appendices, according to the level of threat by international trade. They include some whole groups, such as primates, cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), sea turtles, parrots, corals, cacti and orchids. But in some cases, only a subspecies or geographically separate population of a species (for example the population of just one country) is listed.
Alternate homes, breeding programs for saving populations
Researchers believe that the hog deer population should be conserved with more focused effort, with a special focus on the KLNP population. "We should think on the lines of creating alternate homes for the eastern hog deer of KLNP. The population size can be increased with effective breeding programs under captive condition and re-populating the species later. While a lot of attention is being given to the sangai, another deer species at KLNP, the hog deer species has been neglected. Saving the hog deer will help in conservation of sangai deer as well because both the species are sympatric," said Gupta. Two related species that once interbred and no longer do but continue to exist in the same geographic area and thus frequently encounter one another, are considered to be sympatric.
The WII researchers plan to extend the scope of their study to include the genetic analysis of the hog deer population of Tripura and other areas bordering Bangladesh.
This article first appeared on Mongabay.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Common
Author: Garima Prasher
Garima Prasher is an environment and animal welfare journalist based in Bengaluru, India. Garima worked as a journalist with The Times of India and The New Indian Express. She received her Master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham. She has also worked as environment researcher with Ashoka Trust for Research in Environment and Ecology (ATREE). Garima is an animal buff and likes being around her two dogs (Yogi & Maya).
New pet shop rules? Seriously?
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Trump Vows To 'Destroy' Law Keeping Churches Out Of Politics
Donald Trump made a promise today to "destroy" the six-decade-old Johnson Amendment, which divides church and politics. It prevents churches from engaging in political activities.
During a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning, Donald Trump quoted Thomas Jefferson:
"It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said, 'The God who gave us life gave us liberty.' Jefferson asked, 'Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?' Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs."
Trump went on to say, "That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution."
The Johnson Amendment, which was enacted in 1954, is a "provision in the U.S. tax code that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. 501(c)(3) organizations are the most common type of nonprofit organization the United States, ranging from charitable foundations to universities and churches."
Trump said during his campaign trail that he was going to get rid of the amendment.
During a campaign even in Virginia Trump said:
"I think it's very unfair, and one of the things I will do very early in my administration is to get rid of the Johnson Amendment so that our great pastors and ministers, rabbis and everybody and priests and everybody can go and tell and can participate in the process."
Trump drew criticism from Reverend James Martin who tweeted that even if made legal, churches should not speak out on overtly political matters or endorse political candidates."
Followed by another tweet stating that "another reason churches should not endorse: to avoid becoming too allied with one political part, thus alienating many of their congregants."
The American Humanist Association and American Atheists also slammed Trump's move.
In this article:chruch, donald trump, news, politics

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Peater is the owner of the Clean-Cut game on Bamboo Island, and the father of Peatrice. During the day, he can be found on Bamboo Island, and at night he can be found in his house below the Bazaar.
During the day, if you come talk to him inside of the tree on Bamboo Island, you can play the Clean-Cut game. It costs ten Ruppees to play, and you can play as many times as you like. Depending on your score, you will get a reward from him after the tree falls down.


Some may call it a facelift. Others may call it foodservice operators' responses to growing consumer trends. Tomato, tomahto.
So, let's look under the knife.
Technomic's Top 500 Burger Report examined operators that focus on burgers within the limited-service space. It found that, from 2009 – 2014, QSRs have seen 2.2 percent growth, LSRs have seen 2.5 percent growth and fast-casual burger chains have experienced 15.4 percent growth. There's a clear opportunity in the fast-casual space for suppliers when it comes to burger offerings.
What's on the menu at these fast-casual places? MenuMonitor finds that premium, specialty burgers have a larger menu presence than other burger offerings and are growing in menu mentions at more than eight percent.
But what makes a burger premium? Technomic reports that 46 percent of consumers (62 percent of millennials) agree that specialty toppings make a burger premium, and 44 percent of consumers (56 percent of millennials) agree that a large quantity of toppings makes a burger premium.
Popular specialty toppings include avocado, fried egg, pulled pork and beef brisket, and consumers are willing to pay extra for them: $1.10, $1.20, $1.50 and $1.80, respectively (Technomic).
Further, with a nod to increasingly popular ethnic tastes and flavors, Sriracha sauce is one of the fastest-growing ingredients mentioned in burger offerings. It experienced a 59 percent YOY growth in Q1 2016. Other unique ingredients on Technomic's YOY fastest-growing burger offerings list include: remoulade (+41 percent), short ribs (+25 percent), chorizo (+22 percent) and brioche (+22 percent).
This much is true: the burger's appearance, in many instances, has changed quite a bit from the way it looked not so many years ago (just make sure you compliment the chef the next time you see one).


What a weekend! Cubs from Oxclose had the time of their lives and enjoyed their first nights away of 2012.
The weekend was filled with adventure from the start to the end. Friday night was spent blowing away any post school blues at the beach, followed by an awesome action film.
Friday night was good fun, but Saturday was the biggest adventure as cubs spent a busy activities filled day at Beamish Wild. Split into two groups, cubs rotated around 5 exciting activities through the day.
Crate stacking challenged everyone to work together, from the cubs belaying, to the cubs building the stack, to the brave pair who trusted the stackers ability to make a stable tower. Of the morning group, James can safely say he showed bravery as he stood the highest on the wobbly pillar.
trees, and got caught in the spider's web - huge fun!
After a slightly earlier film and an earlier night to bed, Sunday was a much calmer affair. A hearty sausage sandwich set cubs up for the morning activity, making Mother's Day gifts. As cubs arrived back at Oxclose, they presented their mams with some beautiful glass candles, hand decorated of course.
We've had an amazing response to the photos going online already, but if haven't checked them out yet, members of the group can visit the photos zone for more images from the event.


We have introduced ourselves as one of the foremost manufacturers of superior quality Brass Nut. We are one of the leading manufacturers of Brass Nut from our factory in Jamnagar India and we export to 28 countries of the world. These are developed from high graded raw materials using modern technology. Our range is perfect to fulfill the needs of our clients. The silent features and quality of our products has made us most demanded company.


Hi, my name is Sam and I handle the social media channels for the museum. As we prepare for Mallard 75 celebrations, I've started to look at the many ways Mallard, the world's fastest steam loco, has inspired people; from appearing on pub signs to having new scientific discoveries named after it. Then, through a fan's tweet, I came across English Prog Rock band Big Big Train. They were so inspired by this beautiful loco, on a visit to our museum no less!, that they wrote a song titled 'East Coast Racer'. I contacted them to find out more and band-member Greg kindly offered to write a guest blog. So without further ado please find below 'Big Big Train' telling you how 'Mallard inspired a rock band'.
Big Big Train have released eight albums including the critically acclaimed The Underfall Yard (2009) and the two part double album English Electric (2012/2013).
"I play bass and write songs for a progressive rock band called Big Big Train. We have recently released an album which features a track about Mallard. The song is called East Coast Racer and tells the story of Mallard and of the people who designed, made, fired and drove her.
We like to tell true-life stories with our songs and we look for interesting historical tales which we can set to music. A few years ago I paid my first visit to the National Railway Museum. The sight of Mallard stopped me in my tracks and I knew that I wanted to write a song about her. Whilst Mallard was made for speed the designers created something of extraordinary beauty and, in the song, I wanted to capture the connection between the company of people who worked on the engine and the extraordinary machine they created.
It is a tale with a wonderful list of main characters; designer Sir Nigel Gresley, his assistant Oliver Bulleid, fireman Tommy Bray and driver Joe Duddington. Alongside those with starring roles was a community of engineers and railwaymen who all played a part.
This entry was posted in Museum news and tagged Big Big Train, mallard, national railway museum, ProgRock, railway. Bookmark the permalink.
This is truly excellent music.
Fantastic song and a great story from history.
Fantastic song and brilliantly captures the emotion of the achievement. In a word Triumphant!


Bigfoot Systems Footing Forms saves the day!
"The biggest satisfaction of the whole thing was just seeing it in stores and seeing it being used. If you feel in your gut and your heart that it's a good idea, keep plugging away at it."
In the USA - Big barn rescue!
It was a troublesome site - the kind Kirk Swinimer had seen many times in his years as a construction contractor.
Swinimer was building a swimming pool with a deck for a client. Tree stumps and roots lay buried in the uneven ground on which he had to pour the concrete footings that would support the deck.
First he had to build the wooden footing forms that would serve as the base for the footings and a place to attach the fiberboard construction tubes in which concrete is poured to create the footings.
Since the time of the ancient Romans, construction workers have built footing forms essentially the same way. They make a wooden box form, about two feet square by eight inches deep, for each footing. Each wooden form is then placed in the excavation and leveled.
It is a painstaking task to do alone. Usually, one worker has to clamber in the hole to level each wooden box and attach each construction tube. At the same time, another worker up top has to make sure all the construction tubes are aligned and level.
That day in 1996, Swinimer found himself in a hole - struggling with a wooden footing form. "I still remember the moment," he recalls. "I was lying over in the hole and it was just like a lightning bolt came over me: 'By God, there's got to be a better way than this!'"
That night, Swinimer sketched out an idea for making the footing form and the construction tube as one unit. It wasn't his first invention. Previously, he'd made a collapsible, eight-sided cedar picnic table that anyone could easily sit down at without climbing awkwardly over a bench seat. He'd also started making fence post caps in the 1980s, long before they became a mass-market item.
Construction tubes, however, were already an established, widely marketed technology. He realized he needed something that would complement the tubes - a stable footing form that could be attached onsite to the end of a standard construction tube and be adapted for various-sized tubes.
Swinimer tested his concept using an inverted large plastic flowerpot. It worked!
But then he discovered that making a footing form out of injection-molded plastic would require building a special mold, at a cost of $150,000 to $250,000.
Swinimer put together a business plan and convinced his friend, Jack Fickes, to come onboard with investment funding.
The partners learned from George Nemeskeri who owned GN Plastics Company Limited, a local plastics manufacturer, that vacuum forming - where plastic is sucked over a wooden mold - is less expensive than injecting plastic under high pressure into a heavy and expensive steel mold.
Swinimer initially planned to call his product "Apollo." The squat cone-shaped form did resemble NASA's Apollo space capsule.
He was still trying out names when he arrived early one day for a meeting. "I was sitting in my truck in the parking lot and 'Bang! Bigfoot! Wow, that's catchy!'" Because the form is used along with a standard construction tube, he dubbed his product Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form.
Swinimer built a mahogany wood form to create the prototype for his Bigfoot footing. He chose a recycled, food-grade plastic that would be environmentally safe for use underground. He also decided to use high-density polyethylene, so the footing form would weather deep frost and repeated freeze-thaw cycles without turning brittle and shattering.
In the early fall of 1996, with advice from Nova Scotia Business Development, Swinimer launched into defining the claims for his invention so he could obtain a U.S. patent.
U.S. Patent #5,785,459 gets a toehold!
By November 1996, he had samples of his Bigfoot Systems ready for a building materials trade show in Ontario. Two months later, at the Northeast Lumbermen's Association show in Boston, the Bigfoot got a warm reception. Bigfoot now had a toehold in the market, so to speak!
In fact, people liked the Bigfoot system so much that the initial vacuum-forming process proved to be too slow and expensive, in terms of materials, to keep up with market demand.
In January 1997, the business partners decided to go with the injection-molding process. "That was probably the hardest part - getting the mold manufacturer and then going to market," Swinimer says.
And Swinimer located Ropak, an injection-molding company in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Ropak now manufactures and inventories the Bigfoot Systems, using what would otherwise be downtime in its shop to produce and stockpile the product in advance of the next construction season.
On July 28, 1998, Swinimer received U.S. Patent No. 5,785,459 for his invention.
Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms carries the four vital certifications that professionals require for applications in Canada and the U.S. Bigfoot has also received building code approval in Australia, Japan and European Union countries.
Bigfoot Systems won the Best New Product Award in both U.S. Homeowner magazine and at the Western Region Canadian Lumbermen's Show. The product has been featured in several magazines, including This Old House, Fine Home Building, Popular Mechanics, Homes & Cottages and Extreme How-to. Bigfoot's also been featured on TV by This Old House, Holmes on Homes and Cottage Life.
J. Marc LaPlante, of Waweig, New Brunswick, says Bigfoot Systems allows him to do a proper foundation design for a building. "The product and the system enhance the construction industry."
The Bigfoot is sold by most major building supply stores, including Home Hardware, Castle Building Centre, Timber Mart, Lowes, Kent and Central Building Supplies. The product comes in four models, each with adapter rings that can be trimmed off to fit small, medium and large construction tubes.
Swinimer, 44, says that in addition to his business partners and the funding agencies that helped him, his wife and children stood by him as he worked to turn his idea into a successful commercial product. A lot of other people told him early on that his idea was too different to work, he notes.
"The biggest satisfaction of the whole thing was just seeing it in stores and seeing it being used," Swinimer says. "If you feel in your gut and your heart that it's a good idea, keep plugging away at it."


You're ready to make a meaningful, lasting difference in Washington State.
Your biblical worldview sparks a passion for truth and the culture.
You want to learn how to equip, inform and edify others in your community and church family, biblically.
You want to learn how to effectively navigate your State Government and the people who serve there.
This is NOT a political training.
This training combines key components from three of the Family Policy Institute of Washington signature trainings, Olympia 101, Olympia 301, and Church Liaison, all rooted in discipleship and, in the purest sense, "equipping the saints for every good work." Everything that's taught can be applied to any spiritual gift or calling administered in any arena; whether you find yourself in the church, grocery store, community park or the public square.
Like FPIW's other citizen trainings, the intent of this training is to foster a lifestyle of citizen stewardship and Jesus-style servant leadership that is motivated for the long term by ones love for God and neighbor, and not the dictates of a civic calendar or the cares of this world.
What will participants gain from the FPIW Citizen Stewardship Training?
Affirmation and encouragement for one's calling and service to Our Lord.
Discipleship in how to fruitfully follow Jesus into the public square.
Effective tools, information and strategies for good stewardship of the national freedoms God has gifted and entrusted to us for His eternal purposes and glory.
Connection and fellowship with like-minded believers who share a passion for traditional biblical values, the culture, and preserving a heritage of faith for future generations.
It's critical to keep the momentum going year round!
Our ability to have a lasting influence in the culture depends on our careful vigilance and awareness of what is happening in our State Government. The reality is, most of the intense policy work is hammered out and scripted during the interim. We need to continue to show up, make calls, write letters, meet with legislators, pray, and get trained.
Click here to register for a scheduled or pending Citizen Stewardship Training near you, or to request one if your area isn't listed. For more information or to request a training in your area, email grassroots@fpiw.org or call (425) 608-6893.
All FPIW citizen trainings are provided FREE of charge.
The FPIW Citizen Stewardship Trainings are generally offered during the Legislative Interim, between June and October. The interim is the optimal time for citizen trainings because we don't have to contend with the urgency and time-constraints of the Session calendar.
The more relaxed pace allows us all to step back a little to effectively reassess, regroup, refine, refortify, and revisit our core issues, all with the intention of equipping ourselves and others for doing even more to protect our families and freedoms in Washington State.


Slim, petite, fit Vegetarian preferred (Vegan adored!). Financially stable with a sense of humor. Loves animals, children and environment (animal-rights activist, a definite A+). Prefer non-smoker, non- to social drinker, any religion, age range 30-60. Would love to find the right soulmate to share life's adventure.


Connect is gives people a chance to see what the Bible says about Jesus.
Come to 3 sessions each of which goes for an hour.
A copy of Mark's gospel will be provided.
We can run this in your living room, favourite cafe, or anywhere you desire.


A handover ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Ministry of the Displaced between outgoing Minister Talal Arslan and the newly appointed Minister Ghassan Atallah.
The handover ceremony took place in the presence of the Ministry's Director General Ahmad Mahmoud, Head of the Displaced Fund Nichola Haber, as well as heads of Ministry's various departments.
Arslan said, on this occasion, that the issue of the displaced is linked to the civil and national peace in Lebanon, placing himself at the disposal of his successor, as affiliated to the same parliamentary bloc.
The new minister vowed to work relentlessly to conclude all standing dossiers as soon as possible, with all citizens attaining their full rights in this regard.
He also brought to attention that that the President of the Republic has already taken the decision to close the Ministry of the Displaced and "we will work in this perspective".


Transfreight defines logistics as the planning, execution, and control of the movement / placement of goods and / or people, and the related supporting activities, all within a system designed to achieve specific objectives.
Logistics means having the right thing, at the right place, at the right time.
"Logistics refers to activities within a single organization and supply chains refer to networks of companies that work together. Also, traditional logistics focuses on activities such as procurement, distribution and inventory management. Supply chain management also includes marketing, new product development, finance, and customer service" - from Essential of Supply Chain Management by Michael Hugos.
Workers in the logistics and supply chain management field ensure that goods and services get into the hands of consumers. The logistics industry is an important driver of economic growth and development. The demand for product and services is what keeps the industry afloat. From the manufacturing of products to manufacturing and distribution of the products, this process on its own creates opportunities for employment.
There are also opportunities to work as a consultant. You can work with a variety of companies, both nationally and internationally, offering strategies and processes. As a consultant, your working hours are flexible and you are not limited.
If you are looking to explore careers in the logistics and supply chain industry apply here!


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Darah-ye Kakrak är ett vattendrag i Afghanistan.   Det ligger i provinsen Bamiyan, i den centrala delen av landet,  kilometer väster om huvudstaden Kabul.

Trakten runt Darah-ye Kakrak består i huvudsak av gräsmarker. Runt Darah-ye Kakrak är det ganska glesbefolkat, med  invånare per kvadratkilometer.  I trakten råder ett kallt ökenklimat. Årsmedeltemperaturen i trakten är  °C. Den varmaste månaden är juli, då medeltemperaturen är  °C, och den kallaste är januari, med  °C. Genomsnittlig årsnederbörd är  millimeter. Den regnigaste månaden är april, med i genomsnitt  mm nederbörd, och den torraste är juli, med  mm nederbörd.

Källor

Vattendrag i Bamiyan (provins)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Aluminium timber finishes provide a durable alternative to timber that can be used in many applications such as windows and doors. Woodgrain aluminium finishes are low in maintenance and offer high durability in addition to the natural beauty and warm textured feel of timber. This surface finish never needs regular painting or sealing, making it ideal for tropical locations such as Asia.
Please note woodgrain colours of Mahogany, Walnut and Natural Oak are no longer available.
In addition to the above, we are also happy to announce we are now offering more glass varieties to our product offer.
Below is the range of glass Breezway has available.
Alternatively you can visit our Colours Page or download a copy of our Blade Benefits Summary for assistance with your louvre designs.


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Why SU
Annual Integrated Report
SU Policies
AgriSciences
University Yearbooks/Calendars
My.Sun
Welcome Maties 2020
Tests and Exams Information
Test and Exam Results
2020 Parking Applications
Rector & Vice-Chancellor
Operations and Finance
Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies
Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel
Strategy and Internationalisation
Dual Events
TestList
News - Start Approval Process_New Tasks
SU highlights 2019 video – Prof Wim takes the two-minute challenge
Author: Korporatiewe Kommunikasie / Corporate Communication
"A big thank you to everybody who helped take Stellenbosch University (SU) forward in 2019, another year of highlights for us," Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim De Villiers tells staff, students, alumni, donors, partners and friends of the institution in an end-of-year video message.
And then he takes the two-minute challenge set last month by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, trying to beat the clock as he runs through the year's highlights at SU. Watch his video to see if he makes it! (Full text below).
"We've received 45 000 first-year applications for 2020 … 6 000 more than last year. And the main reason provided by applicants is our academic reputation.
Our students' module success rate remains above 86%, one of the highest in the country.
Funds raised for bursaries increased by 82% the past five years. Thank you very much to everyone who opens doors for our students.
We awarded more than 9 000 qualifications the past academic year, 52% at postgraduate level, including a record 308 doctorates.
Our African Doctoral Academy turned 10 this year, and we now have 20 agreements for Joint PhDs with top universities around the world.
We're the only university on our continent invited to join the prestigious Global Alliance of Universities on Climate.
We're well on our way to becoming Africa's leading research-intensive university, with our new Vision and Strategic Framework, which came into effect this year.
We've gone up in world rankings again, placing us in the top 1% of universities globally. Our Business School's MBA is now No. 1 in Africa.
473 of our academics now have a National Research Foundation rating, an increase of 92% the past decade.
We've lodged 127 patents the past 10 years, the most in the country.
Our LaunchLab was named the top business incubator at a university in Africa.
A Matie student in her second year won a big prize by inventing an edible straw!
Our electricity consumption has dropped to 2008 levels, water use is down 51%, and we recycle 55% of our waste.
We launched a School for Data Science and Computational Thinking.
We established seven new alumni hubs around the world, which brings our total to 22.
Retired Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron has been elected our new Chancellor from next year. He will succeed Dr Johann Rupert, who has provided exceptional service the past decade.
More than 400 of our staff members and 500 students together devoted 138 000 hours of service to communities the past year.
We're setting up joint working groups to combat gender-based violence.
We received a large grant to develop better treatment for children with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Campus renewal is going well, with 147 capital projects underway and various initiatives to make everyone feel welcome.
We're investing substantially in ICT for blended and hybrid learning and teaching.
Maties Rugby once again won the Varsity Cup and our world-champion Choir will defend their title in Belgium next year."
Having caught his breath, Prof De Villiers concludes: "It's really an honour for me to lead Stellenbosch University, and I'm looking forward to my second term, starting in April. Good luck with your final duties for 2019, wherever you may find yourself in the world. Enjoy the break, and everything of the best for 2020."


The hot weather in June and July coupled with the late spring could have been the reason that this years breeding wader season was longer than every.
Young chicks were still being spotted on farmland well into the month. The weather however also meant that vegetation began to grow rapidly and grass and rush soon were smothering the edges of wetland scrapes. While this didn't seem to cause problems for birds like redshank it did mean that it was doubly hard to accurately count chicks.
Spotting cryptically coloured balls of fluff programmed to lay still at a warning call from the adults is hard enough at the best of the times and when these chicks have long have long grass to hide in the result is that it is almost impossible to accurately count sites.
Even with this difficulty I can report that numbers of fledged lapwing chicks from North Kent Farms were up again with redshank and yellow wagtail also doing better.
One pair of chicks in particular caught everyone's attention. This year a pair of black winged stilts successfully raised two chicks on one of the farms I work on. This is the first time a pair of chicks has fledged outside of a reserve in Britain.
For now we intend to keep the name of the farm and farmers a secret as there is a high chance that the birds will return again and there is a need to keep the site (which is on private land) undisturbed. This lack of disturbance throughout the breeding season was well managed by the farmers and, along with the creation of excellent wetland habitat, was the reason these birds did so well.
The pair of stilts were tireless in their attempts to drive off potential threats, throwing themselves at buzzards, gulls and the RSPB Senior Conservation Advisor who came to see them. Even with this effort I knew the odds off them successfully fledging both young were slim but as each visit went by and the chicks grew I rooted for the birds to succeed and almost began to feel sick at the thought of them loosing them after watching them work so hard.
Finally on the 4th July the birds vanished from the site and the next day adults and chicks were spotted at Oare Marshes. This success is the cherry on the cake of a great breeding season and is a testimony to the excellent work the farmers in North Kent are doing for our waders.
Also in July I took Martin Thomas of Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership out for a days training in wetland survey work. Martin is now all set to do this years round of surveys for the River Stour Internal Drainage Board. The day revealed both good and bad news.
I was saddened to find that one of the most botanically important channels in the drainage district was suffering from phosphate pollution for the first time. This input could cause rapid growth in some species of waterweed to the detriment of others and put some of our rarest wetland plants at risk.
Better news was the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly spotted at Elmstone Stream. This proved to be the first record for this species in this area.getation to hide in the result is that it is almost impossible to accurately count sites.
Some days it seems there is not much good news in the world but today I learnt for definite that two black winged stilt chicks, one of the rarest birds in Britain, have successfully fledged from farmland on Sheppey.
The adults have patrolled tirelessly throughout the year to drive off marsh harriers, buzzards and even the RSPB expert who came to see them.
They and the farmers deserve every bit of this success. These are the first birds ever to fledge outside of a reserve in Britain and, for today, that is enough to make me happy.


text:
After Empire
Using and Not Using the Past in the Crisis of the Carolingian World, c. 900-1050
Prof. Dr Stefan Esders
Priv.-Doz. Dr Maximilian Diesenberger
Professor Sarah Hamilton
Professor Simon MacLean
Prof. Dr Matthias M. Tischler
Dr Alice Hicklin
Dr Sarah Greer
Jelle Wassenaar
Lenneke van Raaij
Ekaterina Novokhatko
Maps – 931-981-1031
Listen, Watch & Read
Bibliography of Translated Sources (Alphabetic)
Bibliography of Translated Sources (Regional)
Carolingian Text Culture in Catalonia and Septimania: Manuscripts
Enamelwork
Ivory Carving
Manuscript Decoration
Monumental Sculpture and Tombs
- Project Timeline
- Project Team
- - Prof. Dr Stefan Esders
- - Priv.-Doz. Dr Maximilian Diesenberger
- - Professor Sarah Hamilton
- - Professor Simon MacLean
- - Prof. Dr Matthias M. Tischler
- - Dr Alice Hicklin
- - Dr Sarah Greer
- - Jelle Wassenaar
- - Lenneke van Raaij
- - Ekaterina Novokhatko
- Associated Partners
- Maps – 931-981-1031
- Listen, Watch & Read
- - Podcasts
- - Articles
- Glossary
- Primary sources
- - Bibliography of Translated Sources (Alphabetic)
- - Bibliography of Translated Sources (Regional)
- - Carolingian Text Culture in Catalonia and Septimania: Manuscripts
- Material Culture
- - Coins
- - Enamelwork
- - Goldwork
- - Ivory Carving
- - Manuscript Decoration
- - Monumental Sculpture and Tombs
- - Rock crystal
- - Textiles
Liturgical innovation in tenth-century hagiography
September 11, 2018 Lenneke van RaaijResearch BlogChant, Hagiography, Liturgy, Mass, Miracles, Music, Office, Reform, Relics, Trier
In the Carolingian period, many attempts were made to consolidate the practice of liturgy in order to prevent Mass and the offices from being celebrated incorrectly: the Admonitio Generalis and the bulk of liturgical commentaries testify to this. Nevertheless, variety and innovation remained the norm through the ninth and tenth centuries, and manuscript material from this period shows that prayers, hymns, processions and other liturgical performances took many forms and shapes.
Not only prayer books and liturgical manuscripts provide evidence for the variation and innovation of liturgical practises in the tenth century: in hagiographical texts we find traces of liturgical innovations and variations in liturgical compositions.
Dedicatory page of the Codex Egberti, Trier Stadtbibliothek Cod. 24, f.2. Image credit Wikimedia Commons, image in Public Domain.
Examples of innovations are found in two hagiographical accounts written in the second half of the tenth century in Trier. The Historia Miraculorum (962-3) is a collection of miracles dedicated to the fourth-century archbishop of Trier St Maximinus. This miracle collection describes miracles performed by the saint from his grave. The second text is an account of the inventio of St Celsus, concerning the relics of a holy man who was discovered by Archbishop Egbert of Trier (975-993) during the renovation of the monastery of St Eucharius.
In two of the miracles in the Historia Miraculorum, recent liturgical innovations played a prominent role. In one chapter, a monk managed to expel demons from a boy by singing the Alleluia. In another miracle, a woman's feet are healed the moment that modulated chant is sung during the nocturnes. Using these two types of chant so prominently in the miracles is not coincidental. These musical forms were not fixed in the tenth century. In fact, new versions of the Alleluia verse were composed in this period. Possibly, Sigehard, the author of the Historia Miraculorum, was actively promoting the implementation of newly-composed liturgical music.
Liturgy also featured significantly in the account of the invention of St Celsus. During the Mass Egbert celebrated for the newly-discovered saint, he exposed the bones of Celsus to the ordeal of fire. It is the earliest-known recorded instance in which a saint's legitimacy is tested in this way and may be seen as a liturgical innovation. Thomas Head argued that it was an innovation instigated by Archbishop Egbert himself, inspired by the survival of saints' bones elsewhere and the Biblical story of the three boys who were saved in the fire.
Considering that both the Historia Miraculorum and the Inventio St Celsi show clear examples of liturgical innovation, and as they were both written in the second half of the tenth century, one can conclude they were products of their time. Indeed, it was a period of monastic reform and cultural and liturgical blossoming. Archbishop Egbert not only found relics of a new saint, he also commissioned lavish liturgical books, including the famous Egbert psalter, and richly decorated reliquaries for the staff of St Peter and the sandal of St Andrew. Meanwhile, the monastery of St Maximinus was one of the major royal monasteries involved in a reform movement during the abbacy of Ogo (934-45).
In this time of reform and liturgical innovation hagiographical works start to write about the correct celebration of Mass. In the inventio of St Celsus, the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Egbert for the invention of Celsus' relics is elaborately described. A second Mass is celebrated by Egbert in the Miracula Celsi, after the first miracle performed by Celsus. Apparently, it was deemed useful to describe how the Mass was celebrated. The importance of a correct celebration of liturgy is emphasised in several chapters of the Historia Miraculorum. Quiriacus was prohibited from celebrating Mass when accusations were made of him reading the wrong literature during the matins office. Later in the text, an acolyte's alb (vestment) caught fire during Mass when it became clear that he had sinned.
Thus, the theme of celebrating the Mass correctly was apparently revived in the hagiography of the late tenth century, though it was not unfamiliar to Trier's earlier hagiography. In the sixth century, Gregory of Tours had already written about Nicetius' refusal to celebrate Mass while excommunicated people attended. Hence, it is interesting to note that only in the second half of the tenth century, this theme made a come-back in Trier hagiography. Moreover, in the early eleventh-century vita Symeonis the Holy Mass occurred multiple times: the sight of a woman was restored during the service, and a paralysed man started walking again when Mass was celebrated.
Including Mass in hagiography to communicate the importance of its (correct) celebration was common across Trier from the second half of the tenth century, without being confined to any particular monastery. In fact, as it occurred in hagiography from the royal abbey of St Maximinus, the Benedictine monastery of St Eucharius and the canonical community of St Symeon, one could say that it was a concern shared across the religious communities of Trier in the late tenth century.
The End of After Empire
Preaching Christ in a Transcultural Society: The Homiliary of Luculentius from Early Medieval Catalonia (ca. 900)*
Henry the Wrangler and The Decrees of Ranshofen
Conference report: Uses of the Past in Times of Transition. Forgetting, Using, and Discrediting the Past
Canonica capitularique auctoritate fultus: King Conrad II, the Carolingian legal past and the censuales of Speyer (1025)
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For children who feel anxiety during dental procedures, customized sedation dentistry — such as nitrous oxide/laughing gas, and general anesthesia — is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and discomfort. At Kids Klub Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Sara Bukhari and her skilled dental team work hard to make your child's experience as positive and comfortable as possible and relieve anxiety by safely administering the appropriate sedation dentistry option when necessary. Call or book your child's dental appointment online today.
Sedation dentistry involves using different methods to manage anxiety and pain that some children feel regarding necessary dental procedures. There are different types of sedation dentistry, and Dr. Bukhari helps you determine the appropriate method of sedation for your child. The right type of sedation effectively puts your child at ease, so they can stay in the dental chair for important dental care.
What are the different types of pediatric sedation dentistry?
The most common types of pediatric sedation dentistry include nitrous oxide, conscious sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation.
In some cases, IV sedation may be used for more invasive dental procedures such as extractions, gum surgery, and root canals.
Why would my child need sedation dentistry?
If your child is anxious about their upcoming dental procedure, you might want to discuss sedation dentistry with Dr. Bukhari to reduce their anxiety.
What is laughing gas or nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a colorless gas typically used for anxiety and pain relief to help patients of all ages have minor dental procedures.
Nitrous oxide is a dissociative anesthetic since it induces disassociation of the mind from the body or a floating sensation. It's usually administered through a small mask that also carries oxygen with the medication. The medication takes effect when your child breathes through their nose.
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Laughing gas affects children differently, depending on their health, weight, and size, and the amount of laughing gas administered.
Learn more about sedation dentistry when you visit Dr. Bukhari. Call or click to book online.


text:
Migration News
Ansbach drinking water safe, but chemical cleanup continues
Michael S. Darnell
• June 24, 2016
This photo, provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Directorate of Public Works, shows a temporary pumping and treatment station set up to eliminate off-post contamination of ground water found to contain perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS. PFOS is a compound that was once widely-used in firefighting foam that can pose a health risk to humans. (U.S. Army)
This photo, provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Directorate of Public Works, shows installation of a temporary pumping and treatment station set up to eliminate off-post contamination of ground water found to contain perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS. PFOS is a compound that was once widely-used in firefighting foam that can pose a health risk to humans. (U.S. Army)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Cleanup is underway after a high level of a discontinued chemical compound was found in the soil and groundwater near the Ansbach military community.
The chemical, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, was widely used in firefighting foam until it was phased out about a decade ago. PFOS is in the perfluorochemical, or PFC, family of chemicals. They do not break down in the environment, and their effect on human health is not fully known, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prompted in part by high-profile contamination cases near Nuremberg and Dusseldorf, the Ansbach city government requested a sampling of soil and water near the American military air field at Katterbach Kaserne.
Base officials then commissioned independent, non-U.S.-military testing of the base groundwater and soil from an off-site laboratory certified by the German government.
Mathias Brenner, a member of the Ansbach environmental agency, said that the concentration of PFCs in soil around certain "hot spots" was at 245 micrograms per liter. The same location showed 207 micrograms per liter in ground water.
That is 800 times the level deemed acceptable by the Bavarian government, according to a January 2015 state environmental office report.
Karl Weighmann, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Army's Directorate of Public Works for Ansbach, would not comment on the level of contamination, saying that it would be "premature to provide current lab results," as site investigations are continuing.
"It should be noted, however, that drinking water sources within the city of Ansbach, to include Katterbach Kaserne, are not affected by the contamination," Weighmann said in a statement.
The public works directorate set up a temporary pumping and treatment system in May to clean up one source of contamination. Since then, Brenner said, the chemicals' concentration in water flowing from the base dropped to below detectable levels.
USAG Ansbach's environmental team, working with the Army Environmental Command and Installation Management Command Europe, determined the likely source of the chemical was an old burn pit on the west side of the air field that was used to train military firefighters, said Walter Mattil, director of the Army public works directorate for Ansbach.
"At some point around 2008, it was determined that this stuff probably isn't so good, so we discontinued using it," Mattil said of the firefighting foam, which at one time was widely used at airports worldwide. "And I think most people did. But as a result, the damage had already been done."
It was determined that contaminated water was leaving the base through basements, down storm sewers and leeching into nearby ponds, he said.
"Right now, we are physically treating the water before it leaves the campus and it's PFC-free," Mattil said. Construction on a more permanent pumping and treatment system is to begin later this year, he said.
Mattil said the base is committed to fixing the contamination issue in its backyard.
"We live here; we're partners with the city of Ansbach. We wanted to not hide behind some legality," Mattil said.
Ansbach joins military bases across the world in the cleanup efforts of this once-ubiquitous chemical. In 2015, Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska began a similar effort after PFOS was discovered in the drinking water there. Wright-Patterson Air Base in Ohio and Kadena Air Base in Japan, among others, have had similar issues with PFOS contamination.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies indicate that exposure to the chemicals above certain levels may cause low birth weight and skeletal variations in unborn and breast-fed babies, as well as cancer and liver damage.
Mattil said the cleanup efforts would go on for years. Because PFCs don't naturally degrade over time, constant testing and treatment of water on and leaving the base will continue for the foreseeable future.
"I think we've done a lot of work trying to make sure the Stadt Ansbach here knows we're transparent," he said. "We're doing everything we can to help."
Reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
darnell.michael@stripes.com


Feeling Bad about Being Single?
Having been a San Diego therapist for over 10 years now, I have encountered many people who are single and simultaneously feeling very bad about themselves. Typical questions and beliefs include, "What is wrong with me?", "Why are my friends with someone and I'm not?", "I must be bad at relationships.", "I'm not with someone because I'm not attractive enough.", etc, etc. While there is always the possibility that a person may have some behaviors that make relationship difficult and push people away, more often the reasons of why someone is single lie elsewhere. Below are, in my opinion, the two biggest reasons people find themselves single longer than they want to be.
Many clients I've seen continue to be single and in and out of relationships because they are unknowingly repeating unhealthy relationship patterns. Until you come to understand what that pattern is and take steps to correct it, you will be quickly drawn to people that help foster the unhealthy dynamic and fill in the other half of the eqation. Ask yourself, "Is it a different person, but essentially the same relationship"? Do you find yourself in similar situations, upset about the same things or playing out the same pattern in different relationships?. If so, you're probably not in the relationship you want because you haven't come to understand and correct your contribution to the unhealthy relationship pattern. Once you do that, you'll then be drawn to people who will match you and your relationships will be different. I always say we are drawn to people on the same level of emotional development as we are. Two people may seem like very different in many ways, but complement each other very well creating the unhealthy pattern that leaves you feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. So, if you grow emotionally, you will attract different people in your life. Remember, this "pattern" you contribute to is a very different explanation than you being the "cause" of you being single. Yes, you contribute to the unhealthy pattern, but the other person contributes equally. And, once you work on your half, different types of people will begin showing up in your life. Your boundaries, insight and self care will all change accordingly!
How many divorced or separated people do you know? How many people do you know who met and then married very quickly only not to have it last? Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Knowing who you want as a partner and holding out what is best for you is another reason why I see some of my clients single. And, that's a good thing! I just wish more of my clients in this situation saw it as such. Instead, so many keep looking towards themselves for the "flaw" that is rendering them relationshipless. If you're a person with a strong sense of who you are, your values and who you want as a partner and haven't met that person yet, don't give up! Your day will come and your boundaries and self care will only contribute positively to a healthy relationship.
If you are single and feeling bad about yourself, I strongly encourage you to consider the above two explanation. If it's the second, keep at it! If it's the first, it might be a good time to do some reflection and pattern changing. Remember, they are just patterns… not fixed parts of who you are!!


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The Burns Harbor resident looked surprised when he reeled a 25.5 inch, 6 pound fish into the boat. When he harvested the animal, he had no idea that he might have broken a record. He simply believed he had had a great fishing day. Meeter may have never known he had broken a record if a friend had not told him he should look the record up.
Instead of checking the record right away, the now record-holding fisherman simply took the fish home and put it in his refrigerator. The fish might have stayed in the refrigerator. What does the angler plan to do with it? Despite being happy with the breaking the state record, Meeeter expressed some disappointment. He believes a fish he caught last year might have broken a record as well.
What about the whitefish? It will not head to the frying pan or to the oven. Meeter plans to have it mounted and hand it on his wall. He will need to use another whitefish to feed his family wild game.


Thai Massage. Craniosacral Therapy. Personal Yoga.
After a serious car accident in 2001, I felt an overwhelming sensation of healing and I let it guide me back to a life of balance, clarity and touch.
I completed several Yoga and Thai Massage trainings in the following years and focused primarily on one-on-one sessions with people in physical therapist and in mental health facilities in Boulder, Colorado and Wilmington, NC. I eventually moved East where I was met with cultures that had already integrated the Mind-Body connection into their therapies and I spent the next 7 years, all my time and resources learning from them.
With more experience came more intuition and I learned how to coach people into awareness of their mind-body connection through questions and insight. People with severe physical traumas, emotional traumas and lifestyle stress were seeing changes after our sessions and I was learning A LOT from my clients, and still do.
Copyright © 2018 Mind Heart Bodywork and Yoga. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Virginia agencies
Virginia Deputy, 2 Store Employees Wounded in Walmart Shooting
A Loudon County, VA, sheriff's deputy and two store security officers were shot Saturday night during a confrontation with a shoplifting suspect.
DC Chief Steps Down to Lead Prince William County Police
Washington, DC, Police Chief Peter Newsham is leaving the force to take over the police department in Prince William County, Va., ending a three-decade career in law enforcement in the nation's capital.
VA Chief Fired After Charges Against State Senator Dropped in Vandalism of Confederate Statue
The former chief, Angela Greene, said she had been fired by the city's interim manager. Greene, 46, joined the department in August 2016 and became chief in June 2019. She is African-American.
Virginia Officer Wounded in Shooting, Suspect Killed
An officer with the Alexandria (VA) Police Department is listed in fair and stable condition after exchanging gunfire with an assailant early Monday morning.
Virginia Police Agency Sets Plans for New Headquarters Facility
Officers with the Vienna Police Department will have a new headquarters facility upon completion of construction of a new building that the city's planning commission approved earlier this week.
Virginia Officers Arrest Man for Attempted Arson at Police Department
Officers with the Fredericksburg (VA) Police Department have arrested a man suspected to have lit at least two fires outside of local police departments last May.
Virginia Agency Mourns Loss of Beloved K-9
Officers with the Poquoson (VA) Police Department are now mourning the passing of K-9 Rena, who died on Sunday afternoon. The department said Rena's cause of death was "unexpected, but due to natural circumstances."
Coastal Community Conducting "Thank an Officer" Events Despite Pandemic
Citizens in DelMarVa—the peninsula that is shared by the states of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia—will continue with plans to show appreciation for local law enforcement officers this week despite concerns about COVID-19.
Good Samaritans Aid Virginia Officer Attacked at Traffic Stop
Two civilians in Virginia are receiving praise and thanks from the Virginia State Police Department for coming to the aid of a trooper who came under attack during a recent traffic stop.
Virginia Officer Reunites with Family of Woman Whose Life He Saved
An officer with the Lynchburg (VA) Police Department who helped save the life of a woman was reunited with her family over the weekend.


Pre-K Open House is Monday, August 5th. The classrooms will be open from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. to meet the teachers. This coincides with Sequoya's Open House. Open House is a very important time for you and your child to become acquainted with the teachers and the classroom plus meet their new classmates. Looking forward to meeting our new Pre-K students!
Register Now for the 2018-2019 School Year!!!
Register Now for 2017-2018 school year!
New for 2016-2017 School Year!!!
Join us for the SUSD Showcase! September 26th, 2015 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Cocopah Middle School. Cocopah is located at 6615 E. Cholla Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
Beat the clock…and avoid the waitlist!


text:
Q: Correct way of using FlatList I was recently advised to use flat list instead of map
In Map, I was doing something like this in render  (this works)
let CryptoData = this.props.cryptoLoaded;
let displaySearchCrypto = []
      displayCrypto = CryptoData.map(el => {
          return (<CoinCard
            no={i++}
            key={el["short"]}
            coinShortName = {el["short"]}
            coinName = {el["long"]}
            coinPrice = {el["price"].toFixed(2)}
            marketCap = {(el["mktcap"]/1000000000).toFixed(4)}
            percentChange = {el["perc"].toFixed(2)}
            vwapData={el["vwapData"].toFixed(2)}
            coinImage={"https://coincap.io/images/coins/" + el["long"] + ".png"}
            />
          )
        })
      }

Following the very minimal example for  FlatList in the React Native Website, I did something like this in my return
   <FlatList
               data={this.props.cryptoLoaded}
               renderItem={({ el }) => (
               <CoinCard
                key={el["short"]}
                coinShortName = {el["short"]}
                coinName = {el["long"]}
                coinPrice = {el["price"].toFixed(2)}
                marketCap = {(el["mktcap"]/1000000000).toFixed(4)}
                percentChange = {el["perc"].toFixed(2)}
                vwapData={el["vwapData"].toFixed(2)}
                coinImage={"https://coincap.io/images/coins/" + el["long"] + ".png"}
                />
        )}
      />

But this is throwing an error saying that short is not defined. Can someone tell me what am I doing wrong here? How do we properly use FlatList?

A: renderItem callback gets an object with the item property, so you need to change your destructuring to renderItem={({item}) => <Cmp prop={item["short"]}/>}.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
EPO – G 1/21 – Videoconference
EBoA of the EPO, decision of July 2021, published on October 28, 2021, case no. G 1/21, reported by Dr. Georg Anetsberger and Dr.-Ing. Felix Grödl, BARDEHLE PAGENBERG
In the case G 1/21, the question was referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBoA) of the EPO, whether conducting oral proceedings in the form of a videoconference is compatible with the right to oral proceedings as enshrined in Article 116(1) EPC if not all of the parties to the
proceedings have given their consent to the conduct of oral proceedings in the form of a videoconference.
With its long-awaited decision, the EBoA did not give a full answer to this question. Instead, it limited its scope to the circumstances of the present COVID-19 pandemic and to proceedings before the Boards of Appeal, BoA (s. reasons, ref. 16). In one aspect, however, it broadened the referral: besides the compatibility with Art. 116 EPC, the general combability with the EPC and particularly with Art. 113 EPC, i.e. the parties' right to be heard, was assessed.
In its headnote, the EBoA decided as follows:
"During a general emergency impairing the parties' possibilities to attend in-person oral proceedings at the EPO premises, the conduct of oral proceedings before the boards of appeal in the form of a videoconference is compatible with the EPC even if not all of the parties to the proceedings have given their consent to the conduct of oral proceedings in the form of a videoconference."
The EBoA thus rejected (for the time being) the wish of the President of the EPO to leave the choice of the format of oral proceedings to the EPO or the BoA (EPO President comments on referral G 1/21, dated April 27, 2021), respectively. Instead, it followed the opinion expressed in a majority of over 50 amicus curiae briefs that in general a negative answer to the referred question would be favorable, however in the circumstances of the present COVID-19 pandemic holding oral proceedings by video conference without the consent of the parties might be justified. While not expressly addressed by the EBoA, the reasoning of G 1/21 also allows conclusions to be drawn for post-pandemic times as well as for first instance proceedings before the EPO.
The reasoning is based on four pillars, including the interpretation of Art. 116 EPC, the (non-)equivalence of videoconferences and in-person hearings, the role of the parties' consent and finally a comparison with developments in the EPC Contracting States:
First pillar
The EBoA expressed that Art. 116 EPC does not require in-person oral proceedings but merely oral proceedings, i.e. proceedings based on the spoken word. Even though the legislator back in 1973 most certainly considered oral proceedings to be proceedings that take place in-person, oral proceedings should not be limited to this format. Instead, they should include formats that are or will become available due to technical progress. Thus, the EBoA concluded that oral proceedings in the form of a videoconference are oral proceedings within the meaning of Art. 116 EPC (reasons, ref. 30), with the effect that all provisions and practices that are known from common in-person oral proceedings apply to a videoconference. The EBoA highlighted the importance of visual elements in the interaction in oral proceedings indirectly by considering telephone conferences as clearly unsuitable given the absence of visual communication in this format (reasons, ref. 41).
Second pillar
The EBoA found that videoconferences and in-person hearings are – at least for the time being – not equivalent and hence videoconferences are in principle not the optimal format, particularly, as the communication is less direct and suffers from technical constraints. Further, the EBoA highlighted that in-person oral proceedings – at least for final decision making – are preferred as they enhance transparency of the justice system and its function in society (reasons, ref. 39). However, the EBoA outlined that written submission form the basis of proceedings before the EPO and are complemented by oral proceedings only. Even if held as videoconference, this format of oral proceedings allows to present a case orally. This also fulfills the purpose of oral proceedings defined in R 3/10, i.e., that they should inter alia allow the BoA and the parties to discuss issues, so that matters can be clarified (reasons, ref. 34). Therefore, although they may be suboptimal (reasons, ref. 43), videoconferences are generally sufficient to respect the parties' right to be heard and the right to fair proceedings (reasons, ref. 40).
Third pillar
However, the EBoA found that in-person hearings should be the default option – or: the gold standard –, as they definitely fulfill the requirements of Art. 113 EPC and Art. 6 ECHR (reasons, ref. 45). Parties can only be denied this option for good reasons. Regarding those reasons, the EBoA defined three hurdles. Firstly, there must be a suitable, even if not equivalent, alternative to in-person proceedings, which may usually be provided by a videoconference. But if, in a particular case, a videoconference is not suitable, in-person oral proceedings will need to be held (reasons, ref. 48). Secondly, there must also be circumstances specific to the case that justify the decision not to hold the oral proceedings in-person, such as limitations and impairments affecting the parties' ability to attend oral proceedings in-person (e.g. pandemic-induced travel restrictions). Administrative issues such as the availability of conference rooms, interpretation facilities or intended efficiency gains are not enough (reasons, ref. 49). Thirdly, there must be a discretionary decision of the BoA summoning to the oral proceedings (reasons, ref. 50). In other words, the decision whether or not oral proceedings can be held as a video conference before a BoA without the parties' consent requires an assessment on a case-by-case basis.
Fourth pillar
The EBoA concluded that Contracting States have different regulations regarding oral proceedings to be held as videoconference and the requirements regarding the parties' consent. Thus, it finds itself unable to derive any recommendations for action from the practice of the Contracting States. Apart from that, the EBoA outlined that, in contrast to the national courts, the parties and their representatives before the BoA often come from various countries. In that sense, the BoA resemble the European Court of Human Rights or other international courts, which do allow hearings by videoconference in the present exceptional pandemic situation. However, the EBoA also pointed to "considerable reticence" to extending this practice beyond the present pandemic and correspondingly expressly limits the scope of its answer to a period of general emergency (reasons, ref. 56).
Summarizing, even though the EBoA limited the referral to a period of general emergency and proceedings before the BoA, the reasons of the decision allow an outlook for the post-pandemic era as well as for first instance proceedings before the EPO:
Primarily, it seems that holding oral proceedings by videoconference without the consent of the parties, cannot be considered as being the "new normal". Instead, the EBoA required good reasons to deny a party's request to in-person oral proceedings. Circumstances specific to the case must be at hand that justify depriving the parties of the gold standard of in-person oral proceedings. Only considerable further technical progress, enabling video conferences that can be considered (nearly) equivalent to in-person oral proceedings, could be a game-changer, but such technical progress does not seem to be on the horizon.
Secondarily, as the decision references to Art. 113 and 116 EPC, which are part of the common provisions of the EPC (Part VII, chapter I) and are hence not specifically directed to appeal cases but to all proceedings before the EPO, it must be assumed that the answer provided by G 1/21 should similarly also be applicable for first instance proceedings. Thus, for the time being, only in case of general emergency should oral proceedings by videoconference be imposed on the parties by the EPO, and this would require a case-by-case decision. A general order would then not be sufficient in this regard.
Going forward, as long as the present pandemic continues, video conferences may thus be avoided by arguing that an individual case is per se unsuitable to be decided in a videoconference. No examples are given by the EBoA when this would be the case. Certainly, in view of G 1/21, amended Rules 117 and 118 that entered into force on January 1, 2021, and that allow hearing witnesses and inspecting evidence via videoconference will have to be applied carefully.
Another aspect to consider is that, according to the requirement of a discretionary decision in G 1/21, it would likely be in the discretion of the deciding body to determine whether or how long the present pandemic can still be considered as a case of general emergency. Hence, arguments along these lines may be worthwhile for the parties concerned to avoid a video conference.


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Basketball Has Brought Me Fame
To many people in Nigeria, playing basketball in the country is not a lucrative venture but for the fun of it. But for Kayode Balogun, a graduate of Sathyabama University in Channai, India, playing the 'slam and dunk' game has brought him money, education and fame.In this interview, Balogun talks about how he fell in love with the sport and his experience in the Nigerian league.
How are you looking forward to the upcoming season?
Well, just like other players in the domestic league, all I could do is to wait for the new season to commence.
You mean there is no pre-season games for you to keep yourself busy before the league starts in January?
Unfortunately, there is none except the just concluded Lagos City league. It has been like that since I started playing in the league about six years ago. After the end of every regular season, we would have to wait for the next league season without any tourney organised for the off-season period, which many atimes last for months.
How does this affect you during the season?
It affects us a lot in terms of fitness level and form. But in order to avoid that, many of us would go to Dubai and other North African countries to play for couples of months during the off season. And many players have had offers through such opportunities.
How was it like when you started playing basketball?
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Actually, it was my brother Lanre Balogun who made fell in love with basketball. Though he is now a coach in the United Kingdon but I always fell in love with his mode of dressing back then, that really motivated me to want to play basketball. It was coach Alabi Adelanwa who actually taught me how to play the game when I used to come to the stadium to play football and to help my mother to sell food in the stadium back then.
Do you have any regrets dumping football for basketball?
Not at all! Basketball has brought me everything I have today. I never thought I would be able to go to school abroad, but it was through basketball that I was able to attend the Sathyabama University in Channai, India for my university education.
Through basketball, I have also been a household name in this country
What is your future ambition?
My ambition is to play for the senior national team, having represented Nigeria at the junior level. Also, I hope to play abroad in the nearest future having played for the Lagos Islanders, Dodan Warriors and Union Bank clubs in the domestic league.
You were part of the Union Bank team that finished third in the just concluded Lagos City league. Is that an indication you would play for them next season?
Hopefully, I would be playing for them when the season starts in January. They have indicated to me that they like how I play and presently, is not likely I would be playing for Dodan Warriors next season because my contract with them has expired and they have not shown any interest that they still need me to play for them next season. My fingers are crossed.
Tags: Basketball Kayode Balogun Lagos City league Nigerian league


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Jordan Stanger-Ross
Jordan Stanger-Ross is associate professor of history at the University of Victoria. He is a former Chair of the Canadian Committee on Migration, Ethnicity, and Transnationalism, which is affiliated with the Canadian Historical Association, and founded UVIC's Committee for Urban Studies, which initiated the interdisciplinary lecture series, The City Talks. Since founding Landscapes of Injustice, Stanger-Ross has edited a book, Witness to Loss: Race, Culpability, and Memory in the Dispossession of Japanese Canadians (McGill Queens University Press, 2017), with Pamela Sugiman, and written a number of articles, including, "Promises of Law: The Unlawful Dispossession of Japanese Canadians," Osgoode Hall Law Journal 54, 3 (2017), with Eric Adams, and "'My Land is worth a million dollars': How Japanese Canadians contested their dispossession in the 1940s" Law and History Review 35, 3 (2017), with Nicholas Blomley. He has also written on the topic in popular media, including, "Remembering promises – lessons from 75th anniversary of dispossession of Japanese Canadians" Vancouver Sun, 26 March 2017, with Eric Adams (also carried in the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal, and the Montreal Gazette) and "Lessons from the Japanese Canadian Internments: Policies built on fear won't make us safer," Globe and Mail, 19 January, 2016, with Eric Adams and Laura Madokoro. In addition to directing the project, Stanger-Ross chairs both the Land Title & Government Records and Public History Website clusters.
Website: uvic.ca Profile
Email: jstross@uvic.ca
Michael Abe
Michael Abe, a Nikkei Sansei (third generation) has been involved in the Japanese Canadian community in both Ontario and Victoria, maintaining close ties with Japan. He is past president of the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society, serving as president for 8 terms over the last 13 years. He has been involved with the National Association of Japanese Canadians Victoria chapter and was the editor of the Victoria Nikkei Forum from 2001-16. Mike was instrumental in forming Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon, which brought the Japanese Canadian community and greater community in Victoria together to raise funds for the earthquake and tsunami victims. He worked in the tourism industry for over 20 years, marketing and promoting Victoria and British Columbia as a world class tourist destination and holds a B.Sc. degree from McMaster University.
Website: http://www.vncs.ca
Email: mkabe@uvic.ca