Automatic stereoscopic video object-based watermarking using qualified significant wavelet trees

In this paper a fully automatic scheme for embedding visually recognizable watermark patterns to video objects is proposed. The architecture consists of 3 main modules. During the first module unsupervised video object extraction is performed, by analyzing stereoscopic pairs of frames. In the second module each video object is decomposed into three levels with ten subbands, using the Shape Adaptive Discrete Wavelet Transform (SA-DWT) and three pairs of subbands are formed (HL3 , HL2), (LH3, LH2) and (HH3, HH2). Next Qualified Significant Wavelet Trees (QSWTs) are estimated for the specific pair of subbands with the highest energy content. QSWTs are derived from the Embedded Zerotree Wavelet (EZW) algorithm and they are high-energy paths of wavelet coefficients. Finally during the third module, visually recognizable watermark patterns are redundantly embedded to the coefficients of the highest energy QSWTs and the inverse SA-DWT is applied to provide the watermarked video object. Performance of the proposed video object watermarking system is tested under various signal distortions such as JPEG lossy compression, sharpening, blurring and adding different types of noise. Furthermore the case of transmission losses for the watermarked video objects is also investigated. Experimental results on real life video objects indicate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed schemeFacultad de Informátic

Web 2.0 Learning Strategies for Disabled Students

Abstract Via the present study, it was attempted to explore which of the widely used Web 2.0 tools (blogs, wikis, social networks and typical hypermedia) and which of several pedagogical techniques (lip -reading, video -sign language and learning activities) are appropriate to use for learning purpose for deaf and hard of hearing people. The methodology that was followed consisted of the creation of a community of learning in order for subjects such as e-commerce, dyscalculia and International Accounting Standards to be studied with the involvement of four countries (Greece, Cyprus, Italy, England). As data collection tool, appropriate questionnaires were used both before the launch and after the completion of the seminars in order for us to monitor the progress of hearing impaired learners' cognitive state and skills and to check the extent in which the tools mentione

A New Layered Model on Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been an important and controversial topic during the last few decades. Its significance and its correlation with many domains of life has made it the subject of expert study. EI is the rudder for feeling, thinking, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In this article, we present an emotional–cognitive based approach to the process of gaining emotional intelligence and thus, we suggest a nine-layer pyramid of emotional intelligence and the gradual development to reach the top of EI

A Contemporary View on Online and Web Tools for Students with Sensory & Learning Disabilities

In the last 30 years, the use of information and communication technologies, the evolution of hardware and software for special needs people, as well as the spreading of the World Wide Web, is assisting people with disabilities in overcoming obstacles, accessing information, learning and participating in activities, which otherwise were not able to carry out. Special needs education is the process adjusting the education of learners with disabilities according to their unique requirements. Evolvement of technology has made computers and mobile devices capable of complementing usual teaching processes for students with special needs. In this report we present a summary of some representative online applications for assisting disabled people in the learning process and their daily lives

A Contemporary View on Online and Web Tools for Students with Sensory & Learning Disabilities

In the last 30 years, the use of information and communication technologies, the evolution of hardware and software for special needs people, as well as the spreading of the World Wide Web, is assisting people with disabilities in overcoming obstacles, accessing information, learning and participating in activities, which otherwise were not able to carry out. Special needs education is the process adjusting the education of learners with disabilities according to their unique requirements. Evolvement of technology has made computers and mobile devices capable of complementing usual teaching processes for students with special needs. In this report we present a summary of some representative online applications for assisting disabled people in the learning process and their daily lives.</p

“A Layered Model of Human Consciousness”

The human brain’s structure operates as a systemic whole with an absolute interdependence between its respective parts. Processes, such as information, consciousness, awareness, conscience depict humans’ layered consciousness state, but also the wholeness, coherence and continuity of human cognition. Awareness contains self-awareness, a fundamental metacognitive ability, through which individuals perceive the internal world of thoughts, reflect, imagine, feel emotions and daydream as well as external awareness, through which individuals perceive the outside world with the help of the five senses. Moreover, neuroplasticity and consciousness are bi-directionally connected; consciousness, on the one hand, is the result of the growing complexity of the brain connectivity and, on the other hand, neuroplasticity stems from reorganizing brain connections through learning activities. The conscious brain is in a perpetual state of learning and evolvement; it learns how to describe and re-describe its own functions and illustrates the ancient Greek word “Anthropos” meaning someone looking higher and higher above

Climate Change 101: How Everyday Activities Contribute to the Ever-Growing Issue

This article aims at an in-depth analysis of the relation of certain activities and services in daily life to the growth of climate change. Climate change is one of the most characteristic occurrences of the modern world, if not the most. It is a byproduct of the greenhouse effect, which is a natural phenomenon necessary for sustaining life on the planet. However, human activities have heavily contributed to the rise of an unbalanced amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing the anthropogenic aspect of climate change. Despite the doubts on the human influence on climate change, there is indisputable scientific proof to verify it. The consequences of climate change appear to be very severe, both for the environment and humans themselves, while they are expected to escalate in the future. It is widely known that the industrial revolution is the landmark of anthropogenic climate change. But despite the industry’s influence being common knowledge, what are the everyday actions of each individual or household that are key contributors to the phenomenon?  Transportation is one of the most harmful everyday activities, especially aviation due to emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels used to power the vehicles. Surprisingly, the food industry is also a sector very high in emissions, mostly due to emissions from livestock production. Another cause is deforestation stemming from multiple factors, a very important one being paper production. While trees absorb carbon dioxide, when cut, they emit it back into the atmosphere, resulting in further emissions. Especially damaging is water overuse, due to the disruption of the water cycle. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels for general use (e.g. heating) and specifically for electricity is a big contributor in greenhouse emissions. Certain gardening activities can also contribute in the emissions. Lastly, waste is very damaging to the atmosphere. The decomposition of waste is responsible for emitting significant quantities of CO2 and methane. The need to combat climate change is very pressuring. While individual changes in lifestyle are very vital, bigger changes need to be implemented in order to effectively mitigate climate change

ICTs as a Distinct Detection Approach for Dyslexia Screening: A Contemporary View

In contemporary times, various studies have been conducted around the world, researching the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on dyslexia screening in all ages. Screening procedure constitutes the first vital step to investigate the kind of these experiencing difficulties, which sets the foundations for a well-designed intervention. Thus, ICTs is becoming an emerging unique supplementary strategy, using cost-effective and easy to access advanced tests for gaining in-depth knowledge about students’ learning profiles. The purpose of this literature review is to present an indicative number of digital assessment tools (e.g. computerized systems, software, applications etc.) for detecting dyslexia, that have been designed or have been implemented on dyslexic population during the last thirteen years (2005-2018). The classification of proposed papers has been carried out according to the life stage, each of whom analyzed