Multiple description video coding for stereoscopic 3D

In this paper, we propose an MDC schemes for stereoscopic 3D video. In the literature, MDC has previously been applied in 2D video but not so much in 3D video. The proposed algorithm enhances the error resilience of the 3D video using the combination of even and odd frame based MDC while retaining good temporal prediction efficiency for video over error-prone networks. Improvements are made to the original even and odd frame MDC scheme by adding a controllable amount of side information to improve frame interpolation at the decoder. The side information is also sent according to the video sequence motion for further improvement. The performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated in error free and error prone environments especially for wireless channels. Simulation results show improved performance using the proposed MDC at high error rates compared to the single description coding (SDC) and the original even and odd frame MDC

Converged Digital TV Services: The Role of Middleware and Future Directions of Interactive Television

The migration from analog to digital of the broadcasting technologies, already well consolidated for satellite systems, is becoming a reality also for terrestrial transmission. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is also evolving to offer interactive services and a degree of flexibility which can be exploited to offer tailored applications to users which include, for instance interactivity, different levels of personalization, and innovative location-based, as well as context-aware, services. A clear example of this trend is given by the rising success of the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) which allows for a degree of flexibility on offered services unknown to the traditional broadcasting systems. In this framework, several satellite operators are starting to launch IPTV services using direct satellite links, as well as some terrestrial internet service providers are offering digital TV channels embedded in the IP streaming over XDSL. Furthermore, IPTV services are likely to be broadcast also wirelessly, exploiting advanced broadband access technologies such asWiMAX, LTE, or LTEA. Last, but not least, TV and broadcast services for mobile users have also been deployed in many countries using DVBH and will be soon available on an even broader scale thanks to its satellite counterpart, DVB-SH. In the near future, a set of different technologies able to offer personalized and customized services to different classes of users are expected in the area of wireless broadcasting and convergence of technologies is auspicious. This concept entails different levels of convergence, namely, at terminal level (one device fits all), at service level (convergence of traditional fixed, mobile, and broadcast services), and at transport and network level with a common and standardized set of protocols and at access layer thanks to the harmonic coexistence of different radio technologies. This special issue aims to capture the state-of-the-art research work concerning the integration of DTT/Satellite/IPTV systems for the broadcasting of multimedia and interactive services

Best Practices for Families with Children Who Experience Substance Abuse, Juvenile

This Best Practice Report reviews four helping modalities that specifically recognize the family as an essential agent of change: Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Brief-Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Functional Family Therapy (FFT). This report outlines the history and development of each modality, as well as each research base, fidelity protocol, and strengths and weaknesses. They all have relatively similar histories, in that all four approaches have been in development for at least 25 years and have some level of empirical research base. Additionally, the results of a phone survey of Kansas Community-Based Service Directors are included. The survey addressed estimates of SED children receiving family therapy in the respective CMHCs, models of family therapy utilized, and barriers to family-centered service provision, among other questions. The survey results indicate that family therapy appears to be infrequently utilized among CMHCs. Barriers to utilizing family-centered service, as well as suggestions to address barriers are discussed. Finally, family therapy initiatives in the state are discussed. Current initiatives include an outcome study at two CMHCs, which is measuring the effectiveness of Family-Directed Structural Therapy, an innovative family therapy model that originated in Kansas; and the Home-Based Family Therapy Partnership, a training program for home-based family therapists which is facilitated by Kansas State University

MENTORS’ PERSPECTIVE ON MENTORING PRACTICES FOR NEW TEACHERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

This qualitative phenomenological research study explores the lived experiences of mentors as they share their perceptions of mentoring practices to better understand how participatory experiences affect the professional growth of new teachers. Using a phenomenological research design helps to better understand the participants’ perceptions and personal meaning making processes that emerge from their first-person lived experiences of their professional practice. This study explores how ongoing participatory experiences have served to shape one’s perceptions about teaching and learning though the use of best mentoring practice strategies. To this end, this study triangulates the data by conducting an initial email interview questionnaire with nine mentors who have extensively engaged in the sharing of their best pedagogical practices with new teachers (mentees), and each is able to discuss their experiences in depth, through review of mentors’ semi-structured interview questions responses, classroom observation reports, fieldnotes, follow-up interviews, and personal reflections. This research adds to the current literature on the topic of mentoring practices for novice teachers by examining each mentors’ experiences from a phenomenological perspective. This research also fills a gap in the existing literature as this specific topic is under-researched