opportunities and challenges on economic development

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Public Policy,2004masterpublishedby Chamroeun Sok

3D Image Processing, Analysis, and Software Development of Khmer Inscriptions

Khmer inscriptions are primary sources of information on the history of Cambodia. Weathering,pollution, intentional damage or destruction and the acts of war have caused the inscriptions in a bad condition. Historians and Linguists have already intensively used the Khmer inscriptions to gain a better understanding of the ancient Khmer civilization. Still, there has so far not been any research project using modern methods of scientific computing in order to - appropriately capture Khmer inscriptions digitally, - enhance these data using image processing techniques and transform them into 2D representations, - optimally repair or if possible supplement damaged or incomplete script, - provide tools for digital image processing and analysis of texts in ancient Khmer inscriptions, - and thereby contribute to the reconstruction, readability and preservation of these valuable historic documents. In doing so, challenges arise that can only be addressed by the use of new concepts and methods. This is caused by the following facts: - The inscriptions usually exist as 3D data. - Their size or condition is sometimes problematic. - The number as well as the complexity of the characters is large. In regard to the possible combinations of consonants, sub-consonants and dependent vowels, they are comparatively huge. The aim of this research project is to overcome these challenges and to contribute to the filling the above mentioned gaps. For this purpose, the original data of the inscriptions was acquired by a 3D scanning, then processed with image processing methods and transformed into a 2D representation, which could then be further analyzed. Single characters were isolated, and methods for their identification were developed. To identify the characters, their topological and geometrical structures were used. The features of the characters were captured by indices that are easy to compute. The identification of a given character was done by repeated filtering. The methods were developed by the example of the Khmer script of pre-Angkorian period but it can be extended to be used on Khmer scripts of other periods. As it does not exist Unicode for pre-Angkorian period script, a digital code was developed. Based on the designed mathematical methods and algorithms, a software tool was developed with which ancient Khmer characters and inscriptions can be processed and analyzed. This software tool is a first experimental version, which will be expanded in a further project for general use

Risk Factors Affecting Driver Severity of Single- Vehicle Run Off Road Crash for Thailand Highway

Single-Vehicle Run Off Road (ROR) crash has been the leading crash type in terms of frequency and severity in Thailand. In this study, multinomial logit analysis was applied to identify the risk factors potentially influencing driver injury severity of single-vehicle ROR crash using accident records between 2011 and 2017 which were extracted from Highway Accident Information Management System (HAIMS) database. The analysis results show that the age of driver older than 55 years old, male driver, driver under influence of alcohol, drowsiness, ROR to left/right on straight roadway increase the probability of fatal crash, while other factors are found to mitigate severity such as the age of driver between 26-35 years old, using seatbelt, ROR and hit fixed object on straight and curve segment of roadway, mounted traffic island, intersection-related and accident in April. This study recommends the need to improve road safety campaign, law enforcement, and roadside safety features that potentially reduce level of severity of driver involving in single-vehicle ROR crash

Agricultural inputs on rice yield: A case study of domestic rice production in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia

The key factors affecting domestic rice production in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia, are investigated in this study. Cambodia’s economy depends largely on rice, which is both a main food and a major export. It helps Cambodia’s economy and food security. However, rice production is difficult due to lack of water, small farms, and geographical problems. Preah Vihear province is a key rice-producing region with hills and small farms. It helps increase income and sell rice to other countries with unique and famous rice seeds. To analyze the factors affecting domestic rice production in Preah Vihear, a statistical model known as ordinary least squares (OLS) will be used to examine the relationship between various input variables (costs) and rice yield. Data were gathered from a sample of 51 rice-farming households across five villages in Preah Vihear province. Additionally, both regression models indicated that herbicide costs were the most significant factor affecting rice yield, demonstrating high significance at the 5% level. This was closely followed by the price for renting rice harvesters and the total land area for rice production (ton). This study provides crucial information that can be used to develop targeted strategies to increase rice production and enhance the livelihoods of rural farmers. This will also empower stakeholders in the agricultural sector to propose campaigns that promote sustainable rice cultivation in local communities

The Impact of COVID-19 on Children, Young People, and Families in Sihanoukville, Cambodia: The Mitigating Work of M'Lop Tapang

Globally, children have been adversely affected by the wide variety of impacts of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus | COVID-19). Vulnerable children who depend on the support of education and health and social care systems were left unprotected as these systems were weakened by the pandemic. COVID-19 has exposed the already fragile situations in which many children and young people live and that thousands of children and young people would need ongoing support but remained invisible to statutory authorities. COVID-19 has also been a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals and societies and it has exposed deep divisions, inequalities, and injustices between different countries and groups of people. M’Lop Tapang is a local nonprofit organization registered with the Royal Government of Cambodia. This report discusses the efforts of M’Lop Tapang following the declaration of the COVID-19 global pandemic in early 2020, to address the local community needs; to ensure the voices of children remained heard; and to promote children’s rights remaining a priority throughout the remainder of the pandemic. What is already known on this topic: Vulnerable children are dependent on remaining visible to education and health and social care systems to ensure they are safeguarded and protected. Poor safety, financial instability, unemployment, challenges to children’s rights and displacement all have the potential to increase vulnerabilities and intensify inequalities. The COVID-19 global pandemic has widened the global lens for the nursing profession and to effect change, children’s nurses need to think globally and act locally. What this study adds: This study provides insights into the challenges faced by children and families in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, during the early part of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) pandemic in 2020–2021. The economic impact of COVID-19 on children and families living in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, between 2020 and 2021 is reviewed. The learning from the pragmatic and rapid interventions of M’Lop Tapang, Sihanoukville during the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, are of use in other countries around the world in future epidemic or pandemic situations

Distribution of Ecnomus McLachlan, 1864 (Trichoptera, Ecnomidae) from the Lower Mekong River with a description of Ecnomus stungtrengensis new species

Trichoptera were surveyed from four different physiographic regions of the Lower Mekong River, including the Northern Highlands, the Khorat Plateau, the Tonle Sap Basin and the Mekong Delta in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.Twenty-three species of the genus Ecnomus, including a new species, were identified and mapped. Ecnomus mammus Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993 is a common species which is found from Tonle Sab Basin and Mekong Delta. Ecnomus alkmene Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1997, E. volovicus Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993 and Ecnomus quordaio Malicky, 1993 are the common species in the area of the Northern Highlands and the Khorat Plateau. Ecnomus plotin Malicky & Laudee 2010 is found in the Mekong Delta. Ecnomus triangularis Sun, 1997 is a new species record for Southeast Asia. In addition, E. stungtrengensis sp. n. is described and illustrated. The male genitalia of E. stungtrengensis sp. n. are clearly different from those of other species in the genus Ecnomus by the shape of superior appendages which are slender and bent downwards distally in lateral view