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“Cry Harder!”: How Parents Traffic Their Children Through Forced Child Begging and Child Labor
Get PDFThis thesis examines the complex intersection of socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing forced child begging, a form of human trafficking, across different global regions. Through comprehensive literature analysis and examination of data from the Global K-anonymized Dataset from Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (2021), this research reveals a critical gap in human trafficking discourse: the absence of a unified definition and understanding of forced child begging. Despite affecting millions of children worldwide, forced child begging remains fragmented in academic literature, scattered across disciplines including child welfare, anthropology, and media studies rather than being centrally addressed in anti-trafficking frameworks. The research identifies that while street-based begging by older boys in regions like Senegal represents the most documented form, other manifestations such as internet-based exploitation through family vlogging and kidfluencer culture meet the same criteria yet receive minimal recognition. The study highlights inconsistencies in policy approaches, noting that NGOs like Anti-Slavery International, Polaris, and Freedom United provide the most comprehensive frameworks for addressing this issue. This thesis concludes that forced child begging constitutes a severe human rights violation that operates in plain sight, sustained by interconnected societal problems including poverty, inequality, and food insecurity. By establishing the need for definitional clarity and cross-disciplinary recognition, this research lays groundwork for more targeted interventions and reveals how human trafficking manifests in everyday environments, often unrecognized despite its pervasiveness
Breaking ground: The impact of construction on nutrient loads in an urban stream
Get PDFDegradation of water quality is primarily driven by human activities, such as urbanization. Urban Stream Syndrome (USS) can be characterized by the negative physical, chemical, and biological changes to water quality as a result of urbanization. One key effect of USS is the input of excess nutrients, which can drive unwanted macrophyte and algal growth. New construction is prevalent in urbanizing areas, resulting in the influx of nutrients, sediments, and other materials into stream ecosystems. However, few studies have examined the impacts of active construction on water quality. As such, we do not understand how construction affects nutrient transport downstream. Here, we studied the impacts of construction on urban water quality in Tanglewood Branch in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which originates from a spring below an ongoing construction project. We measured soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in water samples collected biweekly, and discharge in order to calculate loads at five sites downstream of the construction. We calculated instantaneous nutrient load and examined spatiotemporal variation. Preliminary findings show that SRP and NO3- loads decrease moving downstream of the construction, suggesting that in-stream biota are removing SRP and NO3- from the water column during transport. This study will increase our understanding of construction projects on water quality and assist in determining if municipalities may need to consider stricter construction regulations to restrict unwanted nutrients from entering surface waters.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1043/thumbnail.jp
Can Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters Predict State Anxiety?
Get PDFBackground: Anxiety is one of the most experienced mental health disorders. Recent research has suggested a relationship between gait parameters and anxiety, however the disparity in measurement methodologies of both anxiety and gait makes it difficult to draw broad conclusions. Better understanding the relationship between anxiety and gait mechanics creates opportunity for a more holistic understanding of the interaction between mental health, functional capacity, and quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if spatiotemporal gait parameters measured on a pressure-sensing walkway are related to anxiety.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/coesym25/1011/thumbnail.jp
The Relationship of Peer Recovery Support Specialists and Recovery of Perinatal Women with a Substance Use Disorder
Get PDFBackground: Substance use in pregnant and postpartum women is a growing issue in the United States. Drug use while pregnant can lead to birth defects, stillbirths, and problems providing positive parenting to their children. Many women with substance use disorders (SUD) feel extreme shame and stigma related to their substance use and have trouble accessing recovery-related treatment and other services. Peer recovery support treatment uses the lived experiences of individuals in current recovery from SUD to facilitate and support recovery in others. Purpose: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the impact of peer recovery support specialists on the recovery outcomes of perinatal women with SUD.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/coesym25/1001/thumbnail.jp
Navigating Local Values and External Strategies: Marketing and Development at Mayflower Bocawina National Park
Get PDFThis thesis explores the cultural and operational disconnect encountered while developing a marketing strategy for Mayflower Bocawina National Park (MBNP) in Belize. During a summer internship, my partner and I aimed to enhance MBNP’s visibility through targeted marketing initiatives, including website updates, promotional materials, and partnership proposals. However, our efforts revealed a deeper tension between external marketing objectives and the park staff’s prioritization of authenticity and experiential promotion. Through firsthand experience and reflection, this paper analyzes the challenges of aligning development strategies with local values, emphasizing the critical role of community engagement, cultural pride, and participatory planning in sustainable tourism development. Drawing on literature in eco-tourism, community engagement, and cultural preservation, the thesis highlights lessons learned and offers recommendations for fostering more collaborative, culturally sensitive marketing approaches in future projects
Driving Growth: Insights from a Walmart Merchandising Internship
No full textThis thesis explores my experience as a Merchandising Intern at Walmart, with a central focus on how cross-functional collaboration and customer-centricity drive innovation, operational excellence, and growth in a global retail environment. During the internship, I worked on a strategic project within Walmart’s gaming furniture category. Beyond the technical work, this thesis draws on research and insights to examine how Walmart’s collaborative culture and customer-first mindset shape business outcomes. Engaging with cross-departmental teams and leadership, I observed how breaking down organizational silos and aligning around shared customer goals enables Walmart to stay agile, foster innovation, and deliver meaningful customer experiences. By integrating principles from research on collaborative leadership and customer-centric strategy, this thesis highlights the critical role these practices play in strengthening organizational performance and sustaining competitive advantage in the modern retail industry
Sports Betting, the gateway drug to a gambling addiction: A study of the implications of sports gambling on societal well-being and its effects on the younger generation
Get PDFIntroduction
It is everywhere you turn. In recent years we have seen unprecedented growth in the advertising, activities, and addiction of gambling. To put it into perspective “the AGA reported that total revenue from land-based casino games, sports betting and iGaming reached 10.92 billion came from sports betting specifically which was a 44.5% increase from the prior year (Reynolds, 2024). Factors contributing to the rise include the increase in gambling advertisements, the legalization of sports betting, and the removal of environmental barriers to gambling. Presently, gambling addictions may start at a younger age than in previous years. Many college students engage in gambling, whether through sports betting, going to the casino, or playing blackjack on their phones. Without proper restriction and awareness of gambling addiction disorders, the negative consequences will continue to affect people worldwide.
In today’s world, gambling, particularly sports betting, is heavily promoted. Super Bowl advertisements, halftime shows, and television commercials frequently feature gambling ads. In fact, the NHL, NFL, MBA, and MLB all have deals with sportsbook operators (Bumbaca, 2023). It may not have been noticed until now how often these ads occur. There is evidence that gambling advertisements most heavily affect children, young people, and those already suffering from gambling addictions (McGrane et al. 2023). They serve as a subliminal reminder that a bet is only a few clicks away, making gambling seem fun and risk-free.
People are developing gambling behaviors at a young age. With the increasing popularity of sports betting and fantasy sports, gambling has become a hobby for many college students. Professional sports leagues exploit gambling addictions to make millions, similar to how cigarette manufacturers exploit nicotine addictions for profit. Advancements in technology allow sports gambling to happen anytime and anywhere from a cell phone.
People addicted to gambling are aware of the potential financial losses, but they may not consider the other adverse impacts it can have on their lives. “From a clinical perspective, gambling disorder is characterized as a behavioral addiction involving persistent and repetitive behaviors leading to significant harm or distress” (Kardefelt-Winther et al. 2017). Gambling can affect personal well-being, family relationships, impulse control, and morality. These and other factors will be further discussed in this project.
This research project has the potential to positively affect our community, this educational institution, and society as a whole. It is important to spread awareness of problem gambling and to educate others so that they may understand the scope of this issue. A broader knowledge of addiction, gambling behavior, and psychological well-being can contribute to improving the outcomes for individuals affected by gambling. These findings may provide data to implement gambling regulations that support prevention and treatment. My goal is to increase awareness, reduce the number of individuals who engage in problem gambling, and to increase the practice of responsible gambling, as encouraged by this research. Sports betting is heading in a scary direction. With studies like this, its path can be changed.
With this research I am seeking to answer:
What are the main influences of sports betting?
What are the consequences and long-lasting effects of sports betting?
Are individuals aware of the negative consequences of sports betting?
How is sports gambling marketed and integrated into professional sports, and what is the effect of this integration
Solo Versus Dual: A Comparative Analysis of Instructional General Aviation Accidents
Get PDFThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees and regulates all aviation operations in the United States including General Aviation (GA) (FAA, 2016). General aviation is defined as all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire (ICAO, 2009). The FAA sets the standards for pilot certification and training. Student pilots are required to fly at least a minimum of 40 hours to earn their private pilot license (CFR, 2024). During this time, students are to fly for at least 30 hours with a flight instructor and 10 hours solo, which includes cross-country flights, maneuvers, emergency procedures, takeoffs, and landings. Although there are numerous regulations and training hours required for a pilot’s license, approximately 50% of all personal and business aviation accidents involve student pilots (Houston et al., 2012). The high rate of accidents can be attributed to several factors, with loss of aircraft control being the leading cause of student pilot accidents (Houston et al., 2012). Since student pilots form the foundation of the future generation of aviation professionals, it is necessary to provide a better understanding of the causes and factors that lead to instructional and solo student pilot accidents. This study analyzes General Aviation instructional accidents using the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports to identify the most frequent causes of such accidents. The study has so far led to the conclusion that the landing and take-off phases for both solo and dual flights are the reason for most accidents. Moreover, the study has identified a large disparity in the quantity of accidents between solo and dual flights. The findings from my proposed research may provide a basis for continued research to improve flight training procedures and enhance GA safety in the future.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1034/thumbnail.jp
Simulation-Enhanced Bayesian Optimization of System Designs using Hybrid Physical and Computer Experiments
Get PDFWe consider the problem of learning and optimizing the performance of a system by conducting a limited number of physical and digital experiments within a design space. Physical experiments are assumed to be unbiased but costly, while digital experiments (e.g., simulations) are less expensive but may introduce bias due to the limitations of the simulation model. This problem is relevant in many fields, such as optimizing engineered systems where performance (e.g., mechanical properties and reliability) depends on various design variables and external/internal factors. Without digital experiments, optimizing the system’s performance amounts to evaluating a noisy and expensive-to-assess black-box function, a task commonly handled using Bayesian Optimization (BO). Our research extends BO by incorporating digital experiments between subsequent physical experiments, aiming to (i) improve simulation model calibration and (ii) identify solutions that are likely to generate desirable physical experiment results. We introduce “Simulation-Enhanced Bayesian Optimization” (SEBO), a methodology that integrates these steps, and evaluate it using various one- and two-dimensional benchmark functions. A bias function is used to model the simulation model’s bias across the design space and its parameters. We compare SEBO to traditional BO, with preliminary results demonstrating SEBO’s advantages in optimizing experimental efforts; SEBO outperforms traditional BO for well-behaved functions, requiring fewer physical and digital experiments to achieve a desired objective function value. By effectively combining physical and digital experiments, SEBO offers significant potential for improving the design and optimization of engineered systems, reducing costs, speeding up design processes, and overall providing more efficient solutions in engineering and manufacturing.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1016/thumbnail.jp
Separating Signal From Noise in Annotator Disagreement
No full textNLP (natural language processing) models often rely on human-labeled data for training and evaluation. Many approaches crowdsource this data from a large number of annotators with varying skills, backgrounds, and motivations, resulting in conflicting annotations. These conflicts have traditionally been resolved by aggregation methods that assume disagreements are errors. Recent work has argued that for many tasks annotators may have genuine disagreements and that variation should be treated as signal rather than noise. However, limited work has combined the two frameworks to separate signal from noise in human-labeled data. In this work, we introduce NUTMEG, a new Bayesian model that incorporates information about annotator backgrounds to remove noisy annotations from human-labeled training data while preserving systematic disagreements. We then use a synthetic data evaluation framework to show that NUTMEG is more effective at recovering ground-truth from annotations with systematic disagreement than traditional aggregation methods. We provide further analysis characterizing how differences in subpopulation sizes, rates of disagreement, and rates of spam affect the performance of our model. Finally, we demonstrate that downstream models trained on data aggregated by NUTMEG significantly outperform both models trained on traditionally aggregated data and models trained on the full set of disaggregated annotations. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for both annotator competence and systematic disagreements when training on human-labeled data.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1008/thumbnail.jp