text:
As they approached the 'safe place', Bolverk noticed a light coming from the tunnel ahead, which grew larger and the stone smoother and more regular. The light was cold and tinted blue, and reminded him of the glow worms of Einartoft. There was some kind of gateway up ahead, the stone cut to form a perfectly round opening. As Bolverk walked through it, he gawped in wonder. The claustrophobic tunnel now opened up to an immense spherical room, the walls swimming in blue light which emanated from some kind of lake which occupied most of the cave. In the centre the ceiling came down in a formation similar to a stalactite, but perfectly cut and engraved with alien markings which appeared to glow as they reflected the water's light in different colours. A stalagmite rose from the ground to meet the formation, joined in the middle by a large red gem. On the far side of the room were three pools, each set higher than the last. The walls were lined with markings, and in some places small rectangular holes which could have been doors or windows.
"What is this place?" Nikels asked, his eyes roaming the ceiling.
"We think it is a sanctuary of sorts." Zefr explained. "This structure in the middle may be equivalent to a godstone. We have deciphered some of the markings based on repeated patterns, and we believe it may be in commemoration of a god named Vez'nan. Of course, Vez'nan may simply be the name of the place, or something else entirely. It's all still speculation. We know nothing about this people's culture. We will rest here."
Camp was set up, although people did not get too close to the glowing water, except for Bersi, the enigmatic Varl who had acted as the human Prince's bodyguard, who used the light of the lake to read. After dinner, Bolverk wandered up to the three pools. Valka Zefr was there already, explaining something to Nikels, Folka and Ekkill. She looked at him as he approached, and continued talking to the apprentice.
"Valka Irenmund studied these pools for most of his life on the council. He came to the conclusion that each pool offers an insight, if you drink from it. However, he learnt you can only do it for one pool. If you try again with a different pool nothing will happen. He brought in a team to continue this study, and found that that upper pool offers reflection on one's past. The middle offers strength in the present, and the lower pool gives an insight of the future." Nikels stepped closer to the pool, leaning over the water of the middle pool. His head moved between each of the pools, as if attempting to decide which one to look into. He stepped back after a minute, clearly too afraid to make a choice. Bolverk stepped forward and knelt before the middle pool, seeing his reflection staring back at him. For a brief moment the eyes of his mirror image appeared yellow and without iris or pupil, then he blinked and they were normal. He scooped up some water with both hands and paused, hesitating at the thought of putting strange glowing water into his body, then lifted it to his mouth. Immediately visions of battle descended on his mind, like the blood rage which engulfed him whenever he drew his axes. Only now he saw these images with a clarity the likes of which he had never experienced, time slowing down, each movement calculated instead of instinctive. When at last the visions stopped, he felt stronger for it. He stood and looked at the Valka. Folka began to take a step for the middle pool, but changed her mind and went to the top. Ekkill stepped up to the edge of the lower pool. Both drank and in a few moments went into a trance, staring into the water of their respective pools. A minute later they came to, thoughtful looks on both their faces. Folka walked past Bolverk, looking down with an almost mournful face.
"I need to talk to Sparr." she muttered.
"He's over by the gem, I think." Bolverk answered. Ekkill didn't say a word and went off to the edge of the room to sit by himself. Sparr had often acted as the Ravens' confidant, being the oldest after Bolverk and much more likeable. Many times people had gone to him for counsel, mostly the newest recruits after their first battles. Sparr was happy to offer his wisdom and advice. Bolverk decided he'd try to find out what the problem was. As much as he hated the idea of emotions – after all, they just caused problems – he understood the importance of keeping the fighters mentally healthy, and he needed his second-in-command to be at her best. "What's wrong?" he asked, before she'd walked too far away. She turned to him.
"Nothing you'd understand." she croaked.
"Try me." Bolverk responded. She hesitated, then sat down on a boulder. Bolverk sat on another one opposite her. Folka leant forwards, head in hands.
"I've been alone a long time." she said after a while. "I had someone, many years ago, before I joined the Ravens." She closed her eyes. "He left me, the night before our wedding."
"That was a long time ago." Bolverk said, trying to convince her to let it go.
"It's in the past, yes, but that's what that pool was supposed to do." she mumbled. "Reflections, was that the word the Valka used? The pool brought all those memories and feelings back again. A few days after that my father passed. I met you and joined the Ravens. I buried all of that. I did the jobs, killed people, got coin and spent it on drink." she breathed strangely, and Bolverk realised a few moments later she was crying. "Sure, I may have enjoyed myself all these years, but I don't think I was ever happy." she sobbed.
Ah, yes, the notorious human need to 'find someone'. Bolverk thought to himself, though he said nothing. "I think Sparr will be better suited to helping you with that." he suggested after thinking for a minute. Folka looked up at him.
"Thank you for trying." she said. "Bolverk Bloodaxe trying to help someone; the world really is ending." she cracked a smile to go along with her joke, then stood up to go and find the old skald. Bolverk stood and looked over to Ekkill, who was hacking away at a boulder with his axe, far from the rest of the camp. Bolverk wondered what the Frostvellr man had seen, but didn't go over to ask. Instead he patrolled the rim of the sanctuary, keeping an out for burrows from which skulkers could appear. He passed the eccentric Bak and the refugees from Ormsdalr as well as Gudmundr and the people of Bindal, advising both on their sentries. Once he was satisfied about the camp's security, he joined the Ravens in their meal. The height of the ceiling allowed a few fires to be set up, and the Ravens fed on roasted yox meat, courtesy of Bolverk. Sparr played the lyre and told a tale of a past victory. Folka appeared to be better after her talk with Sparr, though she still occasionally grew quiet, staring into space. Sigbjorn was happy to help drain the Ravens' mead supplies, as was Oli. Those two had become fast friends thanks to their mutual love of alcohol. Ekkill joined his five other Frostvellr fighters, who sat together along with the Ravens. After everyone had eaten, Bolverk stood to address his mercenaries.
"With all that's happened, there's something we haven't had the chance to do." he declared. "Sparr, I trust you've taught them the oath?"
"That I have." Sparr grinned, looking at the recruits from Frostvellr and Boersgard.
"Excellent." Bolverk gestured for the recruits to stand. "It's time for you to be formally inducted into the Ravens." Ekkill and his group stood, as did Oli and the Boersgard recruits. Bersi had made it clear that he was only travelling with the Ravens, not joining them. There were two dozen to be inducted in total. Nikels excitedly jogged over from the Bindal camp.
"Are you joining too?" Sparr asked him, with a hint of sarcasm. Nikels suddenly shrank back.
"No." he stuttered. "It's just that I've heard so much about the Ravens, and read about them growing up. I can't believe I've got the chance to actually see an induction!" The boy was shaking with enthusiasm, causing Bolverk to roll his eyes.
"Anyway!" he barked, getting back to the matter at hand. Holfi the quartermaster raised the Black Banner, though there was no wind to make it wave. Bolverk stood before the line of recruits. He began the induction with a deep, resonating voice.
"Who shall sing me?
Into death sling me?
When down to the depths I go?"
The recruits answered with their own chorus. The sanctuary fell silent as people stopped to listen, the newest Ravens filling the cavern with their song.
"Cattle die and friends die
We ourselves must all die
Early on or at day's end
Keep blades sharp until then
Ne'er banner lie in the mud
Our swords yearn for courageous blood
And when you stand before the depths
I shall follow with my song."
Bolverk began the final part of the induction, followed by a sharp cry from the recruits.
"You are now Ravens, and what do Ravens do?" he roared.
"The Ravens always finish their jobs!" they answered.
The older Ravens raised their weapons and cheered. Nikels was visibly beaming at the scene around him. After a few moments the Ravens put down their weapons and went back to drinking, toasting their newly sworn comrades.
After the next sleeping shift, the caravan prepared to leave at Zefr's order. The path outside the far end of the sanctuary went sharply downwards, opening up more as they went on. Echoes from ahead could be faintly heard, making the caravan tense up. As time drifted by the echoes became clearer, shifting into the familiar sounds of fighting. Bolverk drew his axes, just in case, and took a few scouts forward, including Folka, Sigbjorn and Sparr. Bolverk could swear the opening ahead was illuminated, and as they reached it a breathtaking sight greeted them. A gigantic cavern, the ceiling of which was five times as high as that of Vez'nan's sanctuary, opened up before them. Ahead of them was a path twenty yards across, with sheer drops on both sides, and colossal bones of some long dead subterranean beast rising up from the ground. The cavern was illuminated from the right by what Bolverk could only describe as unlight, which allowed them to see and soaked the cave in purple hues, but was not any kind of light which he had seen before. The sounds of combat were louder, so Bolverk walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down into the purple tinted fog. He saw dark figures moving, climbing up the incline towards him. He seethed when he recognised the figures as Dredge. He looked closer and saw at the bottom Dredge that appeared to be fighting other Dredge. He was confused; was there now a Dredge civil war? He chuckled at the thought as he readied his axes. As the first of the Dredge crested the top of the cliff he leapt at them roaring and slicing down the first two.
"Bolverk!" a shout from behind him brought him out of his rage. "We need to get the others!" It took him a second to realise it was Folka who had yelled. He realised she was right, there were only eight of them there, against the scores of Dredge climbing up. As he retreated he realised that all the Dredge at the top were the smaller slingers, only most were weaponless, while the Grunts were at the bottom in the middle of the infighting. He rejoined Folka and the other scouts and rushed back to gather the troops. When they reached the caravan Gudmundr had his troops organised and began leading them forwards.
"Ravens! With me!" Bolverk ordered, and a clamour from the middle of the caravan indicated that he had been heard. The warriors charged forwards back into the huge open cavern, most of them taking a moment to marvel at the sight before forming up and advancing. They charged into the barely assembled Dredge slingers, cutting them down left and right. Bolverk kicked one from the top of the path, watching as it tumbled down into the fog. Suddenly he fell to his knees, unable to see, a ringing in his ears and a sharp scraping on the inside of his skull.
A white tower.
A dark sun.
He blinked and the vision was gone. More Dredge had arrived at the top of the slope, more of the Grunts and a few larger warriors. He saw that the fighting down below had stopped.
"Are you alright?" Sparr's voice reached him above the noise of battle. He turned around and saw the old man next to him, along with the Menders. The Ravens had formed a shield wall around him. A second later, the pain returned and Bolverk blacked out.
The Darkness was coming. He had seen it first hand, and seen what it had done to his brethren, warped and twisted by the foul unlight. In the last attempt to colonise the Overworld, they had reached the Unhorned capital, only to be pushed back by the Threadweavers. He had lost his Dear One in that war, and their young child too. In the end his kin lost the First Colony, and all of them had been cast back underground. Now though, they had to escape. It wasn't about finding a new home anymore; it was about surviving. Each and every one of his people, even the mothers with their children, needed to head south. The Third Ascent had to begin, and their entire race had to fight.


text:
Get a deal on the GuitarFace II - this open box is like new, with full manufacturer warranty, but there may be damage to the packaging.
(Looking for the AudioFace II? The GuitarFace II is the direct replacement and will also fix any latency issues once you download and install the free ASIO driver for the GuitarFace II.)
Need to record from mics or guitars? Want something portable and easy to use? This small, black aluminium USB audio-interface is the perfect solution for guitar and microphone recordings! Tired of delay with latency? Tracks not lining up? Soft synths not responsive? The GuitarFace II can fix that!
The GuitarFace II will also work with an iPad when connected through the Apple Camera Connection Kit. You can then connect mics or guitars and record directly to your iPad! You can also use the GuitarFace II for 1/4" playback from your iPad.
The Guitar Face II is class compliant and bus powered, so you just plug it in and it works! No drivers to download, install and configure, no power supply to haul around. (Low latency ASIO drivers are available to be installed if you wish. The ASIO driver is ideal for working with software synths, DJ apps and more.)
The aluminum construction makes the GuitarFace II a durable companion for travelling. No more suffering with your built in soundcard because you left your audio interface for fear of damaging it.
- 16 Bit/48 kHz USB stereo interface
- 2x TRS inputs (HI-Z Guitar/Bass, MIC with 48 V phantom power, LINE)
- 48 v phantom power for condenser mics
- Left line output can be used as a headphone output
- Signal- and peak LED
- USB buspowered
- Includes USB-cable
- Class Compliant USB audio interface
- ASIO driver for Windows 32 bit and 64 bit available for download
- Includes Miditech software bundle download
Video overview:
Please note that the software bundle has been updated since the video was recorded, and is now delivered via download instead of CD.
Bonus Free Software! Includes the following software (available as a download from MidiTech):
- Magix Samplitude Pro X2 Silver DAW
- Magix Independence free
- Waldorf Edition LE2
- Toontrack EZ Mix 2 Lite
- Imagelines Poizone VST synthesizer
- IK Multimedias Amplitube CS free
- Cubase LE 8 (only included with the following products: GuitarFace, AudioLink, GrooveStation)
Magix Samplitude Pro X2 Silver
- Up to 8 tracks, 2 Submix- and AUX busses
- Up to 44.1 kHz sampling rate
- Up to 4 instruments and 4 plug-ins per object/track/master
- Simultaneous use of 4 stereo or 8 mono in/outs
- Flexible plug-in routing
- Numerous Samplitude effects included: Advanced & Multiband Dynamics, Bit Machine, Delay, EQ116 (standard mode), essential FX, Multiband Stereo Enhancer, sMax11, Vandal SE, Vocoder
- VariVerb II and Vintage Effects Suite demo version included
- Independence Free Software Sampler with 2 GB Library included
- Advanced Take Management with Take Composer
- Advanced editing functions through several mouse modes
- Advanced MIDI functions (score, piano roll, drum editor, event list)
- Comparisonics and spectral display of objects
- Visualization with spectroscope, spectrogram, phase oscilloscope, tuner and oscilloscope
- Hardware Controller Support (Mackie Control, HUI)
- Synchronization (MIDI Clock)
- Professional export functions with Dithering
- Import/export of MIDI, WAV, BWAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC and WMA
- VST2 interface support
- Hybrid Audio Engine with multicore support
- 32-bit and 64-bit support
Magix Independence free:
Independence Free combines virtual instrument technology, premium sound libraries and the Independence Sampler Workstation into one unique software solution.
Based on the powerful Indpendence Audio EngineAudio import support for up to 25 audio files. Load your own sounds into Independence Free and create your own instruments! VST effect plug-in import: you can now load 3rd party VST effect plug-ins into Independence Free!As well as VST, AU and Standalone now the RTAS interface is also available for MacVirtual keyboard, Time-Stretching & Pitch Shifting, E-License Instruments compatibility as well as all other features that are found in Independence. No time or memory restrictions. Commercial use allowed. For Mac OS X 10.7 & 10.8 (Universal Binary), Windows XP, Windows Vista & Windows 7, Windows 8, 10 (32 & 64-bit)
IK Multimedia Amplitube CS free:
Ampsimulation for Guitarist and Bassists, this version is for free, but with much power inside. Standalone or as VST plugin usable. 24 models including a digital chromatic tuner, 9 stomps, 4 amps, 5 cabs, 3 mics, 2 rack effects.
Toontrack EZ Mix2 Lite:
- Lite version of version of EZmix 2 multi-effect mixing tool
- Toontrack EZmix 2 Lite is a lite version of the widely popular preset powered multi-effect mix tool EZmix 2.
- The full product was designed to cater to anything from home user to pro and builds on one fundamental idea: A powerful tool that combines guitar/amp and cab simulation with ready-made effect chains for the most common instruments and channels found in a recording session.
- Boiled down, EZmix 2 is your new guitar amp, mix engineer and mastering suite, all rolled up in one convenient package!
- EZmix 2 Lite Quick Facts
- A compact version of EZmix 2Comes with a total of 30 presetsMix/master bass, guitar, drums, vocals, strings and much moreBass and guitar amp simulation settingsEZmix 2 Lite limitations
Waldorf Edition LE 2:
Three masterpieces in one edition:
Waldorf Attack is a very powerful and versatile drum synthesizer, beloved due to it's rich palette of sounds an intuitive user interface.PPG Wave 2.V is the authentic reproduction of the legendary PPG Wave 2.3. that dominated many productions of the 80s.D-Pole is the prestigious Waldorf Filter with resonance up to self-oscillaton and beyond.
Imageline PoiZone VST Synthesizer:
PoiZone is a subtractive software synthesizer designed to bring you professional quality results, without a learning curve that hinders your creativity. PoiZone looks like an original analog synthesizer like frim MOOG or Roland Jupiter, it gives you Leadsounds, Electronic Sounds, Basses, and much more. Over 250 presetsounds of popular analog synthesizers comes with PoiZone, it provides an Arpeggiator. Also 2 oscillators that can produce the two most popular and useful shapes for subtractive synthesis: fat, bright SAW and PULSE shapes, with adjustable pulse width. Noise generator, Ring modulation, Sync modulation, 16 voice polyphony are only a few features.
A perfect toy for electronic musicians!
Makemusic Finale Notepad:
Finale NotePad 2012 is an easy to use and cost-free way to the world of perfect notation! Finale notepad has a document assistant, which give you basic sample of notation. Quick notation is possible by MIDI keyboard or mouse. To listen to your music, Finale Notepad comes with 128 integrated sounds. Lyric function, export in different formats like MIDI, Music XML and of course printing is possible.
Some of the Cubase LE 8 Features:
Main Sequencer Window:
Mixing Console:
The editor windows:
Key Editor
Score Editor
Sample Editor
Drum Editor
Media Bay
Equalizer Window
Roomworks SE
Amp Simulator
Product Details
Product Details
|Hybrid (Mac and PC)
|Downloads (Windows)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Roadside Assistant in Visalia, CA
It's an unfortunate fact that auto breakdowns don't tend to happen in convenient places. So if you find yourself in a jam while you're out on the road, turn to the team at X-treme Towing for quick and effective roadside assistance.
At Your Service
At X-treme Towing, we understand that you can't afford to be left stranded. And when you call on us, that simply won't happen. We'll arrive on the scene quickly to offer the efficient roadside assistance you need. Whether it's a flat tire or a more complex problem, we're up to the challenge. And we pride ourselves on offering:
- Reliable, courteous service
- Reasonable rates
If you find yourself in need of roadside assistance in Visalia, CA, X-treme Towing is the only call you'll need to make. Contact us whenever you need help, and let us come to the rescue.


text:
Conservation and Environment in Nepal: Monthly Updates
Conservation in Nepal - Monthly Update: October-November 2014
Hi! Namaste everyone! Here we are back again with a most exciting and interesting newsletter with updates from the Conservation Project in Ghandruk, Nepal. During the last two months we had our largest amount of volunteer arrivals to work with us and so far they are enjoying the work here and time with us. We also had two new projects launched in this period and some surprising finds on the camera traps which will aid in conservation of the species in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).
Bird survey
We try to locate the birds by using the McKinnons list method. This means that we try to locate 10 different bird species along a pre-chosen route or transect line. The identification of birds is done through call identification and/or sight (visual encounter). Once ten species have been recorded the timer is stopped and GPS coordinates are recorded. A new McKinnons list then begins. This procedure continues in this format until the transect line is completed. There are 488 bird species recorded in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and two new ones have been added since July, namely the Pied Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo) and the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica). These new species were officially recorded by Seejan Gyawali, the Projects Abroad Conservation staff bird specialist, and the ACAP respectively. With the continued dry and clear weather conditions, as well as a drop in temperatures in the afternoon and evenings, it has become easier to identify species from further away. We are still also continuing our work surveying the Nepal House Martin (Delichon nipalense) and Himalayan Swiftlet (Collocalia brevirostris) colonies. These surveys are conducted at two recognised colony sites and are conducted in the early morning or late afternoon, when they are leaving the colonies to feed and returning to roost respectively. These birds are excellent flying insect pest controllers, and so monitoring the colonies to determine used and abandoned nests is very important for getting an indication of the colonies health. During October one of our most exciting bird survey projects also began and continued through the whole month.
As the temperature started to drop, the birds from the higher altitudes were seen coming down towards lower altitudes. Some birds which had disappeared during the summer season, like the Blue Fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis), Blue Capped Redstart (Phoenicurus caeruleocephala) and the Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) were seen around Ghandruk (1950m and below). This information is playing an important role for the indication of the arrival of the winter season.
The Migratory Raptor Survey at the Australia camp
The much anticipated "Migratory Raptor Survey" was conducted during the months of October & November. The survey was started in the middle of October and ran until the middle of November over the period of one month. This survey will be conducted every year during this time period, and the volunteers along with the Projects Abroad staff member will also contribute and help to conduct the Migratory Raptor Survey. The work is based at a place called Australia Camp, because it is located under the direct route of the migratory path of some of the world's most threatened raptors such as the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Steppes Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata), Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) and the Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus). Nepal, and in particular the ACA, has the highest Vulture species diversity than anywhere in the world with 9 species present. During this survey, Seejan Gyawali, one of the staff members from Projects Abroad, was present at the Australia camp for the full 30 days, recording the number of species migrating through that path and their abundances. He was accompanied by a small group of volunteers (between 4-6) and they partook in the survey for 4-7 days. They would then leave and a different group arrived to help Seejan conduct his valuable research and work.
Mammal survey
As has been previously mentioned in the last report in conjunction with our local partner the ACAP we have begun placing the camera traps in a new area which is lower in altitude than we previously used to place them. Again, as same as the last transects too, we to try to gain an idea of abundance of certain species so some camera trap points had two camera's placed on opposite sides of a potential trail used by mammals, this meant we could have a photo of both sides of the animal making it easier to identify and separate individuals giving an idea of abundance of species in the area as well as presence. After examining the camera traps this period, we also made a shocking and surprising discovery. One night the camera traps recorded some men going into the forest at night with torches and sling shots (catapult). They were bird poachers and their aim was to collect both live and dead birds for the illegal pet trade and for eating or selling meat to their relatives or black market. This was a huge and disturbing find, the footage was immediately given to our local partner, the ACAP, and the perpetrators were eventually identified and are now being dealt with the correct authorities. This unfortunately demonstrated that the area is still in danger of poachers but it also demonstrated that our anti-poaching campaign is working. The more poachers that are caught by our anti-poaching campaign the less attractive area ACA will seem to them and eventually the fauna will be protected to the point that poachers will no longer have the opportunity to conduct their work. As well as catching the poachers, we also caught footage of a large Indian crested porcupine, this was just the second time this species has been recorded by us and so was a very exciting find!!
Honey harvest
Honey is an important local product to the people who live in and around Ghandruk. It is used by those in the village who collect it as well as being sold as a source of sustainable income. To gain an understanding of the impact of honey hunting on wild bee populations, we map the different hives. Bees play an important and valuable role in nature, as they are vital plant pollinators in agricultural and natural ecosystems whilst also maintaining the mountain biodiversity. All over the globe there have been scientific studies documenting the decline of bees. There has never been a more urgent need to further our understanding of bees and how environmental variables – both natural and man-made – affect their ecology. The methodologies used in this survey will combine several methods: Questionnaires with honey hunters and hive owners, GIS software to map hives and analyse spatial distribution, as well as field surveys examining the harvest in action.
Interviews with local honey hunters and beekeepers will be conducted to gather qualitative data and gain a further understanding of how bees are used among local communities. Questions we ask will include; what period of year is honey collected? What quantity is collected from each hive? And any change of variables that affect the harvest or bee activity?
From our findings this year it was noted that at one particularly popular hive area in a village directly below Ghandruk, known as Kyumi, the collection was lower than normal in the first collecting period, with only 4 litres being collected, and the second collecting period had better results, with 17 litres. From these findings and an examination of the area and the weather at the time of collection, we concluded that the first time the honey was collected was too late in the season. In the picture you can see a honey harvester collecting honey on combs along the cliffs near Kyumi. A very dangerous and skilful traditional job, not for the faint hearted! Note the smoke as a method to deter the bees from attacking the harvester.
Nursery project
We also have a Nursery project where we grow our own organic vegetables. Volunteers are usually involved from the beginning i.e. from preparing the nursery field to the harvesting or distributing the small saplings to the local villagers. The saplings mainly include pumpkins, cabbages, cauliflowers, spinach and cucumbers. For this project we own a greenhouse where we grow all kinds of vegetables, such as carrots and pumpkins. The vegetable saplings are given to the local farmers and, of course, we also enjoy from the organic vegetables from the garden. Currently no planting is being conducted as it is the wrong time of year, but regular watering of crops and weeding of the patches still continues.
Other news and projects
Since the butterfly surveying began in September we have identified many species and our species lists are increasing steadily at all 7 survey sites. On the 14th of October we were surprised by some extreme weather as the area was hit with the tail end of a Typhoon. For safety all projects on this day were called off and everyone remained indoors as the winds were very powerful and the rain extremely heavy.
We'll be back again with our butterfly survey results and much more exciting findings in our next bimonthly reports.


text:
Published on
This set of problems makes the students familiar with h-parameters and they also teach them how to write the input deck for simulation of BJT device to obtain the Gummel plot, the output characteristics and to extract the h-parameters. Also here, students are taught how to treat current contacts (such as the base contact in BJT).
Sponsored by
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
- www.eas.asu.edu/~vasilesk


text:
Video Transcript
Emerging Markets Fixed Income: No Assembly Required
Why EM Bonds?
FRAN RODILOSSO: While emerging markets still have lower debt-to-GDP ratios than developed markets, the emerging markets bond universe is still becoming an increasingly important part of the global debt universe. That universe has shifted in terms of its make-up over the last three, five, and 10 years. Corporate debt has become a much more important part of the universe, and even more significantly, so has local currency debt.
What is EMAG?
RODILOSSO: EMAG, Market Vectors Emerging Markets Aggregate Bond ETF; it's a fixed-income ETF that seeks to track the performance and yield of the Market Vectors EM Aggregate Bond Index (MVEMAG). The Market Vectors EM Aggregate Bond Index is comprised of sovereign and corporate hard currency and local currency debt. It encompasses the broad opportunity set within the emerging markets fixed-income space.
Why EMAG?
RODILOSSO: EMAG is the first ETF to offer comprehensive exposure to the emerging markets fixed-income universe. There are many ETFs in the marketplace today that offer exposure to various parts of the emerging markets universe. But, for investors who would like a mix of sovereign and corporate, local and hard currency, EMAG offers a unique opportunity to capture all that exposure through one investment.
- - - - - - - - - -
The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are current as of the video's posting date. Video commentaries are general in nature and should not be construed as investment advice. Opinions are subject to change with market conditions. Any discussion of specific securities mentioned in the video commentaries is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy these securities. All indices mentioned are measures of common market sectors and performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. All performance information is historical and is not a guarantee of future results. For more information about Van Eck Funds, Market Vectors ETFs or fund performance, visit vaneck.com.
The Market Vectors EM Aggregate Bond Index is comprised of sovereign bonds and corporate bonds denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros or local emerging markets currencies, and includes both investment grade and below investment grade rated securities.
Market Vectors EM Aggregate Bond Index (the "Index") is the exclusive property of Market Vectors Index Solutions GmbH (the "Index Provider"), which has contracted with Solactive AG (the "Calculation Agent ") to calculate the Index. The Calculation Agent is not an adviser for or a fiduciary to any account, fund or ETF managed by Van Eck Associates Corporation. The Calculation Agent is not responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages associated with indicative optimized portfolio values and/or indicative intraday values. Market Vectors Emerging Markets Aggregate Bond ETF (the "Fund") is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Provider, which makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund.
Principal International and Emerging Markets Risk Factors: Fixed income securities are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. High yield bonds may be subject to greater risk of loss of income and principal and are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes than higher rated securities. International investing involves additional risks which include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political instability. Changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact the Fund's return. Investments in emerging markets securities are subject to elevated risks which include, among others, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, issues with repatriation of investment income, limitations of foreign ownership, political instability, armed conflict and social instability. Investors should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility and the potential of significant loss. Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss. Please see the Market Vectors Emerging Markets Aggregate Bond ETF (the "Fund") prospectus for full disclosure information.
The "Net Asset Value" (NAV) of a Market Vectors Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is determined at the close of each business day, and represents the dollar value of one share of the fund; it is calculated by taking the total assets of the fund, subtracting total liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. The NAV is not necessarily the same as the ETF 's intraday trading value. Market Vectors ETF investors should not expect to buy or sell shares at NAV.
Fund shares are not individually redeemable and will be issued and redeemed at their NAV only through certain authorized broker-dealers in large, specified blocks of shares called "creation units" and otherwise can be bought and sold only through exchange trading. Creation units are issued and redeemed principally in kind. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market. You will incur brokerage expenses when trading Fund shares in the secondary market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns for actual Fund investments may differ from what is shown because of differences in timing, the amount invested, and fees and expenses.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 888.MKT.VCTR or visit vaneck.com/etf. Please read the Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Securities Corporation. © 2013 Van Eck Securities Corporation.
Van Eck
Securities Corporation, Distributor
335 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017