The origin and the purpose of the vow made by the Vootrekkers in 1838 The vow made by the Voortrekkers in 1838, and its continued celebration by the descendants of the Voortrekkers - and Afrikaners in general - is often the subject of severe criticism from theologians, historians and politicians alike. By investigating the circumstances (historical and theological) leading to the taking of this solemn oath, an attempt is made to demonstrate that the vow was undertaken in good faith by simple believers, stating their dependence on God, and bringing praise to Him. Since it was their intention to include their descendants in the honouring of this vow, the modem Afrikaner should also take pleasure in praising God in this way.

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During bursts in KO, the rate was comparable to WT (4.150.3Hz). WT SANs (n=5) showed a 70.556.1% increase in rate after exposure to the b-adrenergic agonist ISO (10mM), while KO showed no increase in average rate. However, when considering only rate during burst activity in KO, 6 out of 10 KO SANs responded significantly to ISO 10mM (52516% increase). The specific I f inhibitor ivabradine (IVA, 9mM) reduced the spontaneous pacemaker rate in both WT (n=6) and KO (n=8) SANs (4459% and 58.956.8% decrease, respectively), and even during the bursts in the KO (36517.9% decrease). Thus, NCX1 KO SANs can generate bursts of pacemaker activity similar to WT. These bursts are responsive to both ISO and IVA, consistent with I f -mediated pacemaker activity despite the absence of NCX.

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