Economic growth in emerging economies has been changing the livelihoods of many smallholders. Typically, disparity increases as economies emerge, and the agricultural sector experiences lower growth relative to other sectors. Growing inequalities and economic vulnerabilities during this critical period of development in emerging economies are often associated with social problems and political tensions, as this is the case in Thailand. In the latter, the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy (SE) has been employed through the monarchy in a number of ways. Due to laws prohibiting critique of the monarchy, these projects are not fairly evaluated and the perspectives of smallholders affected are largely unknown. Knowledge on the effectiveness of Thailand’s Philosophy of SE in combating the disparity problem and economic vulnerability in the agricultural sectors of emerging economies was gained through semi-structured interviews. An organic farming project run by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), called ISAC follows the principles of Sufficiency Economy, and is located in the Mae Taeng district in the north of the province of Chiang Mai. A sample of 20 farmers from two villages (Don Chiang and San Pa Yang) who participate in the project was interviewed. Questions regarding age and education level of all family members also created a quantitative sample of 72 individuals. An epistemological framework based in critical realism was employed with the use of purposive interview sampling methods Results indicate that employing SE can help a select group of farmers to escape economic vulnerability. This group includes farmers in an older age group with sufficient land and access to guidance. The philosophy may help keep this group of farmers satisfied as the countries economy evolves. The project appears to be sustainable only in the short-term as younger generations seem to be reaching higher levels of education than their elders and are likely to pursue lives outside of agriculture. In addition, some benefits of farming with the principles of SE include, lower financial stress, improved health, and a better family life. Conversely, a decision to live by the principles of SE can lead to a stigmatization of farmers within their community, creating in-groups and out-groups.

A stereo vision system is a robust method to sense the distance information in a scene. This research explores the stereo vision system from the fundamentals of stereo vision and the computer stereo vision algorithm to the final implementation of the system on a FPGA chip. In a stereo vision system, images are captured by a pair of stereo image sensors. The distance information can be derived from the disparities between the stereo image pair, based on the theory of binocular geometry. With the increasing focus on 3D vision, stereo vision is becoming a hot topic in the areas of computer games, robot vision and medical applications. Particularly, most stereo vision systems are expected to be used in real-time applications. In this thesis, several stereo correspondence algorithms that determine the disparities between stereo image pair are examined. The algorithms can be categorized into global stereo algorithms and local stereo algorithms depending on the optimization techniques. The global algorithms examined are the Dynamic Time Warp (DTW) algorithm and the DTW with quantization algorithm, while the local algorithms examined are the window based Sum of Squared Differences (SSD), Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD) and Census transform correlation algorithms. With analysis among them, the window based SAD correlation algorithm is proposed for implementation on a FPGA platform. The proposed algorithm is implemented onto an Altera DE2 board featuring an Altera Cyclone II 2C35 FPGA. The implemented module of the algorithm is simulated using ModelSim-Altera to verify the correctness of its functionality. Along with a pair of stere image sensors and a LCD monitor, a stereo vision system is built. The entire system realizes a real-time video frame rate of 16.83 frames per second with an image resolution of 640 by 480 and produces disparity maps in which the objects are clearly distinguished by their relative distance information.

In very few mobile robotic applications stereo vision based navigation and mapping is used because dealing with stereo images is very hard and very time consuming. Despite all the problems, stereo vision still becomes one of the most important resources of knowing the world for a mobile robot because imaging provides much more information than most other sensors. Real robotic applications are very complicated because besides the problems of finding how the robot should behave to complete the task at hand, the problems faced while controlling the robot&rsquo / s internal parameters bring high computational load. Thus, finding the strategy to be followed in a simulated world and then applying this on real robot for real applications is preferable. In this study, we describe an algorithm for object recognition and cognitive map formation using stereo image data in a 3D virtual world where 3D objects and a robot with active stereo imaging system are simulated. Stereo imaging system is simulated so that the actual human visual system properties are parameterized. Only the stereo images obtained from this world are supplied to the virtual robot. By applying our disparity algorithm, depth map for the current stereo view is extracted. Using the depth information for the current view, a cognitive map of the environment is updated gradually while the virtual agent is exploring the environment. The agent explores its environment in an intelligent way using the current view and environmental map information obtained up to date. Also, during exploration if a new object is observed, the robot turns around it, obtains stereo images from different directions and extracts the model of the object in 3D. Using the available set of possible objects, it recognizes the object.

Thesis (MSc (Mathematics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis we consider the essential topics relating to stereo-vision and the correspondence problem in general. The aim is to reconstruct a dense 3D scene from images captured by two spatially related cameras. Our main focus, however, is on speed and real-time implementation on a standard desktop PC. We wish to use the CPU to solve the correspondence problem and to reserve the GPU for model rendering. We discuss three fundamental types of algorithms and evaluate their suitability to this end. We eventually choose to implement a hierarchical version of the dynamic programming algorithm, because of the good balance between accuracy and speed. As we build our system from the ground up we gradually introduce necessary concepts and established geometric principles, common to most stereovision systems, and discuss them as they become relevant. It becomes clear that the greatest weakness of the hierarchical dynamic programming algorithm is scanline inconsistency. We nd that the one-dimensional LULU- lter is computationally inexpensive and e ective at removing outliers when applied across the scanlines. We take advantage of the hierarchical structure of our algorithm and sub-pixel re nement to produce results at video rates (roughly 20 frames per second). A 3D model is also constructed at video rates in an on-line system with only a small delay between obtaining the input images and rendering the model. Not only is the quality of our results highly competitive with those of other state of the art algorithms, but the achievable speed is also considerably faster. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis beskou ons die noodsaaklike onderwerpe wat in die algemeen verband hou met stereovisie en die ooreenstemmingsprobleem. Die mikpunt is om 'n digte 3D toneel te rekonstrueer vanaf beelde wat deur twee ruimtelik-verwante kameras vasgelê is. Ons hoofdoel is egter spoed, en intydse implementering op 'n standaard rekenaar. Ons wil die SVE (CPU) gebruik om die ooreenstemmingsprobleem op te los, en reserveer die GVE (GPU) vir model-beraping. Ons bespreek drie fundamentele tipes algoritmes en evalueer hul geskiktheid vir hierdie doel. Ons kies uiteindelik om 'n hiërargiese weergawe van die dinamiese programmeringsalgoritme te implementeer, as gevolg van die goeie balans tussen akkuraatheid en spoed. Soos wat ons ons stelsel van die grond af opbou, stel ons geleidelik nodige konsepte voor en vestig meetkundige beginsels, algemeen tot meeste stereovisie stelsels, en bespreek dit soos dit toepaslik word. Dit word duidelik dat skandeerlyn-strydigheid die grootste swakheid van die hiërargiese dinamiese programmeringsalgoritme is. Ons vind dat die een-dimensionele LULU- lter goedkoop is in terme van berekeninge, en e ektief aangewend kan word om uitskieters te verwyder as dit dwarsoor skandeerlyne toegepas word. Ons buit die hiërargiese struktuur van ons algoritme uit en kombineer dit met sub-piksel verfyning om resultate te produseer teen video tempo (ongeveer 20 raampies per sekonde). 'n 3D model word ook gekonstrueer teen video tempo in 'n stelsel wat aanlyn loop, met slegs 'n klein vertraging tussen die verkryging van die intree-beelde en die beraping van die model. Die kwaliteit van ons resultate is nie net hoogs mededingend met dié van die heel beste algoritmes nie, maar die verkrygbare spoed is ook beduidend vinniger.

This report covers the implementation and evaluation of a stereo vision corre- spondence-based depth estimation algorithm on a GPU. The results and feed- back are used for a Multi-view camera system in combination with Jetson TK1 devices for parallelized image processing and the aim of this system is to esti- mate the depth of the scenery in front of it. The performance of the algorithm plays the key role. Alongside the implementation, the objective of this study is to investigate the advantages of parallel acceleration inter alia the differences to the execution on a CPU which are significant for all the function, the imposed overheads particular for a GPU application like memory transfer from the CPU to the GPU and vice versa as well as the challenges for real-time and concurrent execution. The study has been conducted with the aid of CUDA on three NVIDIA GPUs with different characteristics and with the aid of knowledge gained through extensive literature study about different depth estimation algo- rithms but also stereo vision and correspondence as well as CUDA in general. Using the full set of components of the algorithm and expecting (near) real-time execution is utopic in this setup and implementation, the slowing factors are in- ter alia the semi-global matching. Investigating alternatives shows that results for disparity maps of a certain accuracy are also achieved by local methods like the Hamming Distance alone and by a filter that refines the results. Further- more, it is demonstrated that the kernel launch configuration and the usage of GPU memory types like shared memory is crucial for GPU implementations and has an impact on the performance of the algorithm. Just concurrency proves to be a more complicated task, especially in the desired way of realization. For the future work and refinement of the algorithm it is therefore recommended to invest more time into further optimization possibilities in regards of shared memory and into integrating the algorithm into the actual pipeline.

Kudláčková, E. Evaluation the cross-border cooperation Czech republic -- Slovakia. Master Thesis. Brno, 2015. The Czech and Slovak Republics share a great part of history, and they are also connected through their similar languages and culture. But how does the cooperation of those states look like today, when both Republics are members of the European Union, which actively supports the establishment and the development of cross-border cooperation? The subject of this thesis is to answer this question, to assess generally the cross-border cooperation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The evaluation of the current programme period 2007 -- 2013 within cross-border cooperation is done on the basis of the analysis of the collected data, whereas the prediction of the working of the future programme period 2014 -- 2020 is based mainly on a qualitative research.

This thesis deals with the marginal and peripheral regions (at the level of administrative districts of the municipalities with an authorized municipal office) in the South Moravian Region. The subject of this thesis is the evaluation of three selected regions, a description of their socio-demographic characteristics, from which the marginality and the territory peripheries can be studied. The work is complemented with the time series (population, basic index), the line charts, and also with the relevant cartograms. The future regional development in selected municipalities with an authorized municipal office has been captured through the linear trend function until 2020.

The aim of the thesis is to analyse the demographic, economic a social indicators in the local district of region Vysocina in 2007 and 2013. The theoretical part of the thesis is focused on a literary review of resources with the description of economic, demographic and social indicators. In practical part local districts were divided by cluster analysis into clusters, in which economic situation, demographic characteristics and social situation were assesed. According to the findings of the evaluation, regions were divided into different clusters, from strongest to weakest. Recommendations for improvement in underdeveloped regions are made in the end of the thesis.

This diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of the disparities between the districts belonging to the Liberec Region between the years 2004 and 2014. Interregional differentiation is being evaluated through several indicators describing disparities at the level of social, economical and environmental development of the regions. At first, the thesis describes the issues of regional disparities along with their possible solutions. The following part deals with the characteristic of the Liberec Region. In the practical part the evaluation concering the method of time series analysis and method of traffic lights is used. In the conclusion, the sectional integrated indicator of quality of life is created by the point method. This indicator creates a comprehensive view of the regions. The final ranking regarding the quality of life in the regions, which is followed by the measures directed at the alleviation of the regional disparities, is designed to the regions through the integrated indicator.

The thesis is focused on analysis of the socioeconomic and demographic context of food consumption. The theoretical part of the thesis is devoted to literary review of resources which is focused on regional disparities and food consumption. In the theoretical part are defined the selected socioeconomic and demographic indicators and similarly conceived approaches of food consumption. In the practical part of the thesis is introduced a brief description of selected territorial units, which are divided into clusters by the cluster analysis based on their similarity/dissimilarity in selected indicators. Based on the results of both cluster analyzes it was found that there is a certain context between the selected socioeconomic and demographic indicators and food consumption in households in the analyzed territorial units. Recommendations for improvement in underdeveloped regions are made in the end of the thesis.