Daily Debriefing
By Compiled By Allyson Bennett
Published on Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Computer science professor Hany Farid has developed a method for analyzing video data to detect potential tampering. Farid's creation has immediate implications as video surveillance and the use of video evidence in courts rise. Most courts refuse to admit such evidence without accompanying expert testimony authenticating it, a step Farid's program may eliminate. As the head of the Image Science Group -- which researches image analysis, human vision and medical imaging -- Farid created an algorithm to detect whether a digital image has been corrupted without having to rely on digital signatures or watermarks. Farid, who is currently on sabbatical and could not be contacted, expects his program to be completed by the end of the summer.
Carnegie Melon University decided that it may consider improving the financial aid packages of newly admitted students if another institution has offered more aid. While the amount and type of aid offered varies by institution, most colleges -- including Dartmouth -- say they will not increase a student's award based on the award granted by a different university. These organizations are usually willing to reconsider an applicant's financial aid package based on his or her demonstration of greater need, but failing such a demonstration, the initial offer is final. If students are unable to negotiate, they can often pursue other sources of revenue, such as merit-based scholarships from alumni groups or specific academic departments.
Thayer School of Engineering professors Vincent Berk and George Cybenko published a paper in January's IEEE Computer Magazine arguing that Process Query Systems effectively filter through large amounts of data collected from electronic networks, such as computer monitor networks and video surveillance cameras. PQS uses sensor equipment to collect, monitor and sort through large volumes of data and is relatively easy to install. Cybenko and Berk worked as part of the Dartmouth Institute for Security and Technological Studies and their work was funded by the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the Department of Defense.