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Articles 201421 - 201450 of 5161410

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Ur-018 Towards Bounding The Behavior Of Deep Neural Networks, Aidan Boyce Apr 2025

Ur-018 Towards Bounding The Behavior Of Deep Neural Networks, Aidan Boyce

C-Day Computing Showcase

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have unlocked many new possibilities but have also brought with it many new challenges. While modern AI systems have been continuously exceeding expectations, our ability to interpret and understand their behavior lags behind. For example, an AI model trained to detect pneumonia from X-rays may fail in new hospitals because it learned to recognize hospital logos instead of medical patterns. Why do some succeed while others fail? Do they truly understand their tasks, or are they relying on patterns that may not always hold? To enumerate the most informative explanations of a neuron’s behavior, …

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Ur-047 Empathetic Vr Classroom, Seth Brice Apr 2025

Ur-047 Empathetic Vr Classroom, Seth Brice

C-Day Computing Showcase

We used a virtual reality classroom setting to investigate how accurately humans can determine the emotional state of NPC avatars based on nonverbal body language. Volunteers presented a topic in front of several virtual agents, who would respond with a gesture that reflected their current emotional state, giving the presenter the opportunity to physically and emotionally respond to these changes.

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Ur-063 K86: 16b Computer And Assembler Design And Implementation​, Vera Warren-Aliff, Ethan Dingle Apr 2025

Ur-063 K86: 16b Computer And Assembler Design And Implementation​, Vera Warren-Aliff, Ethan Dingle

C-Day Computing Showcase

With this project, we designed a general-purpose 16-bit RISC+CISC computer architecture, alongside an assembler, instruction embedder, and preliminary compiler. Our computer architecture, K86 (Kennesaw 86), is inspired by the Intel x86 and ARM architectures that have enabled computing systems to perform many of the modern functionalities we rely on today. To allow for fluid programming and processing, KASM (Kennesaw Assembler) translates assembly code into machine instructions which will be stored in the computer memory by the embedder. With the addition of a preliminary compiler to produce assembly from high-level source code, our project defines much of the foundation of a …

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Gcms Determination Of Free Fatty Acids In The Presence Of Triglycerides, Luke Young Apr 2025

Gcms Determination Of Free Fatty Acids In The Presence Of Triglycerides, Luke Young

Liberty University Research Week

The goal of the study was to investigate the kinetics of the esterification reactions of triacylglycerides (TAGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs). TAGs and FFAs are lipids that are produced in biological systems and have high production rates in several organisms, including algae. With an increasing push toward renewable energy and clean energy, there is an interest in biofuels. Algae is found to produce high amounts of TAGs and lower amounts of FFAs, both of which can be esterified to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). FAMEs can be used as a feedstock for biodiesel, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.. The …

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Porus: An Automated Image Processing Tool For Scanning Electron Microscopy, Michael Mulligan, Christopher Jaus, Joshua Voell, Mark Atwater, Oliver Fowler Apr 2025

Porus: An Automated Image Processing Tool For Scanning Electron Microscopy, Michael Mulligan, Christopher Jaus, Joshua Voell, Mark Atwater, Oliver Fowler

Liberty University Research Week

The functional performance of porous metals and alloys is dictated by the pore features such as size, connectivity, and morphology. Although methods such as mercury porosimetry or gas pycnometry can provide cumulative information, direct observation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) often provides important details unavailable through other means, especially for microscale or nanoscale pores. Hundreds or even thousands of pores may be present in each scanned image, and efficient identification, classification and quantification of pore characteristics require automated processing of the pixels for edge recognition. In current practice, the pores on scanned images were hand-traced for outlines and imported into …

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Breaking The Barrier: ​ The Essential Need For Multicultural Self-Awareness In Counselor Educators And Supervisors, Yakima Diemer, Arij Abdul Apr 2025

Breaking The Barrier: ​ The Essential Need For Multicultural Self-Awareness In Counselor Educators And Supervisors, Yakima Diemer, Arij Abdul

Liberty University Research Week

Counselor educators and supervisors play an integral role in the development of their students and supervisees; including those who do not share the same or similar cultural identities and/or background. This research session seeks to address the importance of self-awareness regarding multiculturalism and diversity while working with students, supervisee, and budding counselor educators. This session will both challenge counselor educators and supervisors to explore their own level of multicultural self-awareness, ponder any limitations, and encourage them to take intentional efforts and action to better support and steward their professional and supervisory relationships with students and supervisees.

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The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen May Apr 2025

The Lived Self-Care Experiences Of Parents Of Children With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Karen May

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with severe intellectual disabilities (CWSID) who attend a special needs school accommodating children with various learning disabilities. Self-care is defined as deliberate action to control problems that lead to an improved quality of life and good health. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping theory. The study's central research question was, “What are the lived self-care experiences of parents of children with SID?” The qualitative phenomenological design allowed the data to be collected about the lived …

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Simulation Of Polymer Molecular Weight Distributions In Industrial Reactors, Elijah Yoder Apr 2025

Simulation Of Polymer Molecular Weight Distributions In Industrial Reactors, Elijah Yoder

Liberty University Research Week

Polyethylene is commonplace in the modern world; thus, manufacturers constantly search for improvements to their production processes. However, because of the exothermic nature of ethylene, process intensification poses both safety and financial risks. This encourages the use of simulation techniques for the improvement of these systems. However, due to their simplifying assumptions, software designed specifically for polymer reactors have limited usefulness. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an attractive alternative, because it is much more rigorous. Although, implementing polymerization chemistry into CFD is not a trivial task. The Method of Moments makes this possible but necessarily removes the polymer's Molecular Weight …

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Joyful Nursing By Leading With Heart In Perinatal Loss Care And Staff Wellness, Kelli Griffiths Apr 2025

Joyful Nursing By Leading With Heart In Perinatal Loss Care And Staff Wellness, Kelli Griffiths

Liberty University Research Week

This mixed methods study evaluates if providing individualized follow-up care through self-care bags, follow-up phone calls, open communication for debriefing, and tailored mental health resources enhances support for obstetric staff and improves their ability to care for patients experiencing perinatal loss. Interventions were implemented from February 2024 to August 2024. A total of 103 self-care bags were distributed throughout the designated hospital systems' two labor and delivery departments. A five question post-intervention survey was conducted and found the following question to be statistically significant, "I feel the joy in nursing would be restored, to a degree, if obstetric staff were …

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Smart Traffic Intersections: Leveraging Isac And Millimeter-Waves For Advanced Vehicle Platooning, Mohammed Risal Thadathil Apr 2025

Smart Traffic Intersections: Leveraging Isac And Millimeter-Waves For Advanced Vehicle Platooning, Mohammed Risal Thadathil

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The rapid advancement of self-driving cars is reshaping the transportation industry and accelerating the development of smart cities. Vehicle platooning, a key capability of autonomous vehicles, has the potential to enhance traffic efficiency, reduce congestion, and improve safety at intersections. However, maintaining platoon cohesion, minimizing latency, and optimizing traffic signal interactions remain significant challenges. This study addresses these issues by leveraging Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology with millimeter-Waves (mmWaves) signals to optimize platooning performance at traffic signal intersections. The research identifies gaps in existing Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication frameworks, particularly in managing platoon movements in urban traffic intersections. To bridge …

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A Comparative Analysis Of Memory Loss And Cognitive Decline In The Workplace: U.S. Vs. South Korea & Other Countries And The Role Of Hr, Chidubem Xerona Nnajiofor Apr 2025

A Comparative Analysis Of Memory Loss And Cognitive Decline In The Workplace: U.S. Vs. South Korea & Other Countries And The Role Of Hr, Chidubem Xerona Nnajiofor

Liberty University Research Week

HR strategies that incorporate cognitive health initiatives, inspired by successful models from South Korea, Europe, and Japan, can mitigate cognitive decline in the workplace and improve productivity among aging employees in the U.S. I aim to answer the research question: How do workplace health policies in South Korea, Europe, and Japan address cognitive decline, and what can the U.S. learn from them? This research explores how HR policies in these countries address cognitive decline in the workplace. By analyzing the effectiveness of workplace health initiatives, cognitive enrichment programs, and nutritional policies, this study aims to propose HR strategies that can …

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Abnormally High Prevalence Of Sciatic Nerve High Division: Potential Causes And Clinical Considerations, Caleb Smith Apr 2025

Abnormally High Prevalence Of Sciatic Nerve High Division: Potential Causes And Clinical Considerations, Caleb Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Sciatic nerve high division (SNHD) is a common anatomical variation with many clinical implications, but it is often underrecognized. This study involved the dissection of 56 limbs from 28 cadavers and revealed a 30.4% prevalence of SNHD, nearly double that reported in major meta-analyses. Among these, three cases displayed a novel variant not represented in the traditional Beaton and Anson classification system, prompting the proposal of a new subtype (1937). These findings show the importance of anatomical awareness in clinical practice, explore potential embryological and genetic causes of SNHD, and support the use of imaging techniques such as ultrasound to …

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Teacher Attrition And Mobility In Public Schools In Rural America: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study, Lisa Dunkelberg Apr 2025

Teacher Attrition And Mobility In Public Schools In Rural America: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study, Lisa Dunkelberg

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of teachers who had previously taught at a rural public school in Northern New York State and had left those teaching positions. The problem communicated in this study was the high attrition, turnover, and mobility rates of teachers in rural public schools in the United States. The theory guiding this research is Ehrenberg and Smith’s economic labor market of supply and demand as it relates to the phenomenon of teacher attrition. The central research question of understanding the lived experiences of teachers who have left rural school districts …

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The Impact Of Counterman V. Colorado On Stalking Prosecutions In Idaho, Stephanie Wodnik Apr 2025

The Impact Of Counterman V. Colorado On Stalking Prosecutions In Idaho, Stephanie Wodnik

Idaho Law Review

This Note reflects on the recent United States Supreme Court decision in Counterman v. Colorado, which held that in order to find liability for true threat crimes the state or plaintiff must prove the defendant’s subjective intent to threaten the recipient. The holding creates a new, additional burden on the movant to prove intent, where before, the majority of state and circuit courts only required an objective, reasonable person standard to prove intent in true threat cases. Idaho, being one of the states that previously used a reasonable person standard in prosecuting true threats, is affected by this holding …

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Human Trafficking In Idaho: A Growing Issue And How Idaho Law Can Be More Effective, Blaykleigh Smythe Apr 2025

Human Trafficking In Idaho: A Growing Issue And How Idaho Law Can Be More Effective, Blaykleigh Smythe

Idaho Law Review

Human trafficking has been a national problem since the beginning of the nation’s history and has created millions of victims and threatened the safety and freedom of our country. Since 2000, when the first comprehensive federal law to address human trafficking was passed, states have followed suit and passed their own versions of trafficking statutes. Many states have also recognized the growth of the problem and reformed their legislation to respond and provide resources for victims more effectively. This article discusses the importance of state legislation against human trafficking and analyzes Idaho’s own statute in comparison to other states. The …

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We Can Protect The “Waters Of The United States” As Long As They Stay Out Of The Hydrological Cycle, Victoria Sutton Apr 2025

We Can Protect The “Waters Of The United States” As Long As They Stay Out Of The Hydrological Cycle, Victoria Sutton

Idaho Law Review

The water cycle, including its oceans, surface water, wetlands, water vapor, clouds and groundwater, has resulted in a patchwork of statutes and regulations that fail to comprehensively protect the “waters of the United States.” This is not a simple "fix," and requires Congressional positivism rather than decades of relying on the judicial branch to resolve statutes that are ultimately not designed for true water protection. It is Congress’s role to resolve the wetlands protection issue, and it has avoided the responsibility probably for lack of a good solution. It would likely take a Constitutional amendment to bring the hydrologic cycle …

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The Case Against The Business Case For Gender Quotas On Boards Of Public Companies, Raluca Papadima Apr 2025

The Case Against The Business Case For Gender Quotas On Boards Of Public Companies, Raluca Papadima

Idaho Law Review

No abstract provided.

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Restoring The Public Interest Component Of The Prior Appropriation Doctrine In Conjunctive Management Of The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, Thomas J. Budge Apr 2025

Restoring The Public Interest Component Of The Prior Appropriation Doctrine In Conjunctive Management Of The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, Thomas J. Budge

Idaho Law Review

No abstract provided.

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Stress And Public Criminal Defense: Comparing Male And Female Defender Experiences And Coping Strategies, Alisa M. Smith Apr 2025

Stress And Public Criminal Defense: Comparing Male And Female Defender Experiences And Coping Strategies, Alisa M. Smith

Idaho Law Review

Little research has focused on stress and coping strategies among public defenders, and none compares the experiences of male and female defenders. As frontline workers, critical to the due process of law, understanding and eradicating stress is essential to their well-being and the fair treatment of defendants. Employing thematic analysis of public defenders’ responses to open-ended questions, this study found gendered differences in how male and female defenders described their work motivations, challenges, and strategies for dealing with stress. Both male and female public defenders confront the stresses of injustice and heavy workloads. Female defenders, however, are more likely to …

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To Heal A Mind: Major Depressive Disorder Treatment, Gillian Chambers Apr 2025

To Heal A Mind: Major Depressive Disorder Treatment, Gillian Chambers

Liberty University Research Week

More than 21 million Americans suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD), with the number steadily increasing year over year (NIH, 2023). The conventional treatment for this disorder is the prescription of a specific category of antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Rush, 2023). This is oriented around symptom treatment, and is often a relatively benign treatment, with beneficial effects (Edinoff et al., 2021). However, there are major caveats to SSRI prescription that are often not acknowledged, carrying significant risks (Chu & Wadhwa, 2023; University of Bristol, 2022). Additionally, there are many highly-rated treatments that are more functional, oriented …

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Interpreter Readiness For Performance Interpreting, Nina George Apr 2025

Interpreter Readiness For Performance Interpreting, Nina George

Liberty University Research Week

In theatre performances, theatres are able to provide American Sign Language (ASL) and English Interpreters to interpret the performance. However, many interpreters may not have specialized training in performance interpreting, and the skills required for effective interpretation in a theatrical setting may not be well-documented or understood. The purpose of this study is to examine the breach in specialized training for performance interpreters and to explore how the lack of formalized skills affects the quality of theatrical interpretation. The research aims to identify the specific skills needed for effective performance interpreting and assess whether current interpreter training adequately prepares individual …

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From Nil To Enrollment: How Nil Agreements Shape College Choices For Top Men’S Basketball And Football Prospects, Will Trantham, Kate Wilson, Grace Shaw, Bruna Gebaili Sampaio Apr 2025

From Nil To Enrollment: How Nil Agreements Shape College Choices For Top Men’S Basketball And Football Prospects, Will Trantham, Kate Wilson, Grace Shaw, Bruna Gebaili Sampaio

Liberty University Research Week

This study deeply examines how NIL deals have impacted the chosen University of attendance for 5-star men’s basketball and football athletes. The recruitment of high-profile athletes to universities across the country has been greatly altered with the addition of NIL to the college landscape. The process of reaching a conclusion on where to attend school seems to have greatly changed from academic prowess and facilities to guaranteed money and personal brand exposure. Through this study, we will be conducting in depth Zoom interviews with former recruits that are now currently attending college. We will then use those gathered responses and …

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Effects Of Tens On Chronic Lower Back Pain In The General Population: A Critically Appraised Topic, Mia Bowers, David Titcomb, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon Apr 2025

Effects Of Tens On Chronic Lower Back Pain In The General Population: A Critically Appraised Topic, Mia Bowers, David Titcomb, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon

Liberty University Research Week

Clinical scenario: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) affects approximately 70% of the population today.1 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is often used for pain management of CLBP along with other treatments. However, the effect of TENS by itself is inconclusive. Clinical question: In the general population, what are the effects of TENS on chronic lower back pain? Summary of Key Findings: Patients that received TENS reported a decrease in perceived pain levels. Clinical bottom line: TENS was effective in the immediate pain relief of CLBP at a carrier frequency of 4KHz and an amplitude-modulation frequency of 100Hz. Additionally, it showed …

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Pediatric Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Healthcare Provider Education, Esther Maclean Apr 2025

Pediatric Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Healthcare Provider Education, Esther Maclean

Liberty University Research Week

This theoretical study will look at the symptoms, possible treatments, and diagnosis criteria of pediatric patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). POTS is a form of dysfunction within the autonomic nervous system. Because POTS is a nervous system disease it causes symptoms to present throughout the body. These symptoms including tachycardia, dizziness, pre-syncope, syncope, brain fog, exercise intolerance, and gastrointestinal changes. The goal of this study is to increase the provider education surrounding POTS. By increasing the provider education, it will help increase the accuracy at which POTS is diagnosed. It will help avoid incorrect diagnosis for patients who …

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Investigating Infestation Of Invasive Adelges Tsugae In Local Hemlock Populations, Zachary Nelson, Emma Klein, Jordan Tennis Apr 2025

Investigating Infestation Of Invasive Adelges Tsugae In Local Hemlock Populations, Zachary Nelson, Emma Klein, Jordan Tennis

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA, Adelges tsugae) is an invasive insect from Asia, infesting hemlock trees across the eastern United States. HWA causes defoliation and eventual mortality in hemlock species. Little control exists, but continual monitoring is necessary both nationwide and in our own backyard. Methods: As an observational study, we will determine where hemlock groves exist on Liberty University’s campus. Upon arrival to a tree, we will determine infestation using previous studies and overall canopy loss using a light meter. Results: Unfortunately, we expect 90% of hemlock trees to be infested with HWA. We expect to find significant needle …

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Infant Mortality In The Democratic Republic Of Congo: Public Health And Theological Perspectives, Samy Tshileu Apr 2025

Infant Mortality In The Democratic Republic Of Congo: Public Health And Theological Perspectives, Samy Tshileu

Liberty University Research Week

Infant mortality remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in lower and middle-income regions such as Africa. Despite several global initiatives aimed at reducing infant mortality, it continues to disproportionately affect these regions, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being one of the countries with the highest rates. According to the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation1, DRC ranks among the top ten countries worldwide in terms of infant mortality rates, with the eastern region, particularly South Kivu, contributing significantly to this crisis. This study aims to explore the various factors contributing to infant mortality in …

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The Benefits And Concerns Of Video Remote Interpreting (Vri) For Ddeaf Patients In The Current Medical Setting In Virginia, Abigail Newman Apr 2025

The Benefits And Concerns Of Video Remote Interpreting (Vri) For Ddeaf Patients In The Current Medical Setting In Virginia, Abigail Newman

Liberty University Research Week

Since the late 1990s, video remote interpreting (VRI) for dDeaf patients has been available and used sporadically in the US medical setting. However, the COVID quarantine period produced a critical clinical situation in which the use of VRI for dDeaf patients skyrocketed throughout medical centers across the country. Several American Sign Language interpreters modified their services or switched entirely to remote interpreting, health facilities invested in handheld video devices and screens, and several commercial remote interpreting services were expanded. However, now that the COVID period has dissipated and the clinical interview setting has returned to a “norm” with few restrictions, …

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Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families: A Phenomenological Study Of Transition Planning And Post-Graduation Outcomes, Tamara Martinez-Fernandez Apr 2025

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families: A Phenomenological Study Of Transition Planning And Post-Graduation Outcomes, Tamara Martinez-Fernandez

Liberty University Research Week

This study investigated the impact of understanding the lived experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families throughout the transition planning process of students with disabilities as they prepared for adulthood. The history of special education is shocking, heartbreaking, and exposed the often-deplorable conditions of the human experience simply for being born different. Considering that there are more CLD students in the United States than before, there were limited findings that addressed the transition planning experiences of CLD families compared to their White counterparts. The aim of the research was to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of …

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Hope As A Vital Sign In Behavioral Healthcare, John Paul Fryrear, Avari Mason, Isaac Uehling, Madison Winstead, Zachary Doby Apr 2025

Hope As A Vital Sign In Behavioral Healthcare, John Paul Fryrear, Avari Mason, Isaac Uehling, Madison Winstead, Zachary Doby

Liberty University Research Week

Hope is an imperative factor in all areas of life and can act as a vital sign for retention and continuity in many different areas, including academics, the workplace, substance use recovery, and counseling. Current research on the nature of hope has centered around goal orientation and pathway engagement (Snyder et al., 1991). While vital to hope, these two facets of hope's nature do not completely capture or measure the wide scope of the multifaceted concept of hope. Through crowdsourcing and preliminary instrument development, our study defines different levels of hope through six powers: will power, why power, we power, …

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An Overview Of Ghana’S Investment Opportunities For Virginia Businesses, Benjamin Ellis Apr 2025

An Overview Of Ghana’S Investment Opportunities For Virginia Businesses, Benjamin Ellis

Liberty University Research Week

Ghana and the US have a strong history of partnership in trade and investment. While Ghana's economy is currently navigating some challenges, the country is on an overall positive trajectory of growth. To foster trade between the US and Ghana, both countries must work together to identify viable opportunities and recognize potential risks. In addition, the US and Ghana must find common ground and develop local partnerships to ensure mutually beneficial trade agreements. The purpose of this project is to identify viable investment opportunities in Ghana and begin facilitating connections between these opportunities and Virginia businesses. Specifically, Ghana has investment …

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