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Investigating the Integration of Demand Distribution Modeling in Supply Chain Simulation
No full textThis research presents a methodology for modeling the amount of demand and the time intervals between demands within a complex supply chain simulation program. The research outlines the approach, incorporating factor analysis and consolidation techniques, with a focus on using Random Forest modeling for factor importance identification. The results section covers demand quantity modeling utilizing both continuous and discrete empirical approaches, accompanied by considerations for outlier and overall distributions. While using these modeling techniques, P-P plots and KS-Statistics were employed to assess the goodness of fit, as a way to make recommendations for these models. The time between demand modeling is explored, also encompassing continuous and mixture approaches, along with outlier and overall distribution modeling. Additionally, the research investigates the non-stationary compound Poisson process behavior these variables appear to exhibit. This holistic approach provides insights into some of the factors influencing demand and how to model it for supply chain simulations.
An analysis of the time between demand process indicated that the demand occurrence process should be modeled by considering the time varying nature of the underlying stochastic process. For simplicity and based on an analysis of the time between demand process, a non-stationary Poisson process is recommended. In addition, the demand amount representing the quantity of demand when a demand occurs should be modeled with an empirical probability distribution. This results in representing the demand process with a compound non-stationary Poisson process
Dreams and Livelihoods in Rural Areas Require Capital, too: An Investigation into the Role of Diminishing Community Banks, Financial Education, and Access to Capital in Rural Areas
Get PDFIndividuals in rural communities face unprecedented economic challenges due to a lack of financial education and a decline in the prevalence of community banks. These problems have continuously grown exponentially without successful attempt at remedy. The community banks that once served as the center of economic activity and prevalence in rural communities are leaving these communities quickly- leaving many without access to lines of credit, personal relationship banking, and without necessary financial education in a world with more financial options than ever. Access to banking and higher financial literacy proficiency rates are almost directly linked to better financial outcomes like savings rates or retirement planning. Without proper research, guided action, and a more in-depth look at what exactly is going on, the rural population will continue to face the consequences of these forces. Current research is clear that this problem is both real and prevalent. What has not been clearly answered by current research, though, is what can be done to remedy this or if it is even efficient to do so given the current technological offerings of banks. Banking and policy leaders from rural areas know the dire situation the best and, therefore, can offer valuable insight to the issue. Currently (to the researcher’s knowledge), there exists no centralized research that brings together the ideas and experiences of these individuals. To accomplish just this, the research project gathered insights, data points, and other thoughts from these leaders via in-person meetings. Questions asked were both quantitative and qualitative in nature and the project synthesizes, analyzes, and compares their contributions and draws conclusions based on these findings. As stated above, this research is critical and it is believed that it will offer unprecedented insight, guidance, and recommendations to banking professionals, policy makers, and community leaders
The Digital Pivot: Exploring Credit Card and E-Payment Utilization in Direct-to-Consumer U.S. Agriculture
Get PDFThis study examines the adoption of electronic payment systems within direct-to-consumer (DTC) transactions in U.S. farmers\u27 markets to draw broader implications for small business strategy. Through primary and secondary data sources, this paper assesses the impact of electronic payment integration on consumer behavior and market dynamics. The analysis reveals significant disparities in payment system adoption across different geographic and demographic landscapes. Regions with higher adoption of credit card systems at farmers\u27 markets are predominantly urban and higher-income areas, suggesting a correlation between market access to technology and economic status. Consumer data further indicates that the availability of electronic payment options can influence spending behaviors, with a notable preference for credit cards over cash, highlighting the role of convenience and security in consumer choices. The study identifies two distinct consumer segments: \u27Market Mavericks\u27 and \u27Yearly Patrons,\u27 differentiated by their payment preferences and frequency of market attendance. Market Mavericks, who are more receptive to electronic payments, tend to spend more and engage more frequently, underscoring the potential revenue benefits for small businesses through targeted technological enhancements. The findings suggest that small business owners might consider electronic payment systems as a strategic tool to enhance consumer satisfaction, reduce transaction costs, and capture a broader customer base. Integrating such technologies aligns with evolving consumer preferences and offers significant opportunities for business growth and market expansion
Houses Built for Gods: Articulations of Urban Hokora in Kyoto
Get PDFAmidst the urban landscape of Kyoto, Japan, there are thousands of hokora, small neighborhood shrines. This study uses social theories of pilgrimage and space to examine the articulation of hokora, community, and personal desire. As sites of local pilgrimage, hokora form networks of communal, but also individual, aspirations across the urban spiritual landscape of the city. This thesis argues that communities are connected to the larger social structures of Kyoto through hokora. As such, neighborhoods are reproduced and displayed through their hokora’s entanglements with the urban, social, and religious landscapes of Kyoto. Therefore, this study deploys an ethnographic approach to explore how residents of Kyoto may navigate the socially charged urban landscape they dwell in
Believe in Yourself and Keep the Doctor Away: Health Self-Efficacy Mediates the Relationship Between Retrospectively Reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and College Students’ Current Self-Reported Physical Health
Get PDFAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events occurring during the first 18 years of life (CDC, 2022) and are strong predictors of later negative outcomes such as poor physical health, risky health behaviors, and poor lifestyle habits (Felitti et al., 1998; Lovis-Schmidt et al., 2022; Windle et al., 2018). Previous literature has suggested that self-efficacy may explain the negative impact ACEs have on later physical health (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2011). Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between college students’ retrospectively reported ACEs and current self-reported physical health, in the context of health self-efficacy levels (i.e., self-perceptions of one’s capacity to engage in healthy behaviors; Becker et al., 1993). More adversity types experienced in childhood were found to predict worse physical health in college students. Furthermore, when controlling for multiple types of abuse, childhood emotional abuse frequency uniquely explained greater amounts of variance in college physical health, with higher frequency related to worse physical health, than the unique predictive contributions of sexual abuse and physical abuse frequencies. Finally, health self-efficacy was found to partially mediate the relationship between number of adversity types experienced in childhood and better physical health in college
Clinical Assessment of Erosive Tooth Wear Objective Outcome Measures
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine whether enamel surface texture can be used as objective and quantitative measurements to detect and monitor erosive tooth wear (ETW) as an adjunct to the subjective Basic Erosive Wear Evaluation (BEWE) that is commonly used today. This longitudinal observational clinical study enrolled 32 subjects with a sample of n = 584 teeth. Conventional dental microwear surface texture parameters (surface complexity, roughness, and anisotropy - Asfc, Sa, Str, respectively) (were generated using white-light scanning confocal profilometry) from the buccal surfaces of each tooth accepted to the study. I personally scanned and analyzed n = 176 of these specimens. Data were generated for patients at initial (baseline) visit and 12 months follow up (M12). Texture attributes were then compared with BEWE scores generated by an experienced clinician and enamel thickness measurements of the same samples generated using CP-OCT imaging. Results indicate that as enamel thickness decreased, BEWE scores, Sa, and Str increased. Asfc showed no significant change. The change in surface texture was significantly correlated with change in BEWE (r = -0.15-0.16, p \u3c 0.001), but not with changes in enamel thickness (r = 0.02-0.09, p \u3e 0.06). There was a greater increase in Sa and Str in teeth with BEWE progression. The findings of this study suggest that surface texture parameters be used to predict ETW severity
Implementing a Dairy Industry in Mauritius
Get PDFOver the Summer, I interned at the University of Mauritius and the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security from May 18th to July 15th, 2022, researching issues with Mauritius’s food security and helping to create solutions to their economic problems. My project covered all Mauritius’s agricultural imports, but it had an emphasis on their dairy industry. While in Mauritius, I conducted research on food security among Mauritians, and a feasibility study on if residents would be open to drinking more fresh milk, which is a market the country is exploring to replace sugar cane. My data analysis will be used to counteract rising import costs, conclude if a dairy industry would be viable, and determine land that can be converted for agricultural use.
While interning, I conducted Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved surveys. My team and I surveyed local farms, business owners, and consumers in Mauritius to determine their milk preferences and their food security levels pre and post pandemic. I was personally in charge of surveying local consumers in Mauritius, to determine how the agricultural imports have affected prices, rationing of supplies, and local businesses. The surveys I conducted were done randomly by district and took into account demographics. This internship was monitored by Dr. Amy Farmer, Dr. Lawton Nalley, Dr. Gopaul (at the University of Mauritius), and the Ministry of Agro and Food Securities council.
Island Nations, such as Mauritius, have a growing problem with food insecurity due to importing essential food, such as dairy products. This problem is attacking the pocket books and stomachs of Mauritians. Due to the growing tourism industry, the demand for dairy products has increased. One of the main reasons why Mauritius does not have a dairy industry is the high price of imported feed for dairy cows. This has led Mauritius to rely heavily on the import of powdered milk and other dairy products (Mauritius Local Milk and Meat Production). Mauritius is an economically developed country, but faces the negative effects of oscillating import rates. However, with the help of this project, there will be a significant impact on the national and local economies.
The Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security asked for the University of Arkansas’s help to find a solution to this ongoing problem, and has played an important role in overseeing this project. The Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security is a non-profit organization whose goal is to drive the development of agricultural industries while promoting safety, quality, and the innovation of technology (Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security). Our main goal is to determine if a milk industry in Mauritius is a viable endeavor, and if it will cut costs by decreasing imports. This project consisted of surveying local farmers, local consumers, restaurants, and business owners on how the lack of a fresh dairy industry has affected them financially