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Development of an Algorithm to Identify the Presence of LUKS-Encrypted Volumes on a Forensic Image of a Drive
Full text linkCurrent forensic tools struggle to effectively detect encrypted storage media. In recent years, there have been significant advancements, but a noticeable gap remains when it comes to identifying encrypted volumes from metadata alone. The goal of this research is to develop a novel algorithm that will identify the presence of volumes on a disk image which have been encrypted with the Linux Unified Key Setup (LUKS) encryption algorithm, in an effort to aid digital forensics investigations. Bad actors often use encryption as an anti-forensics tool to pose significant challenges to forensic investigators, especially when it is done within sections of a drive. The research focuses on defining specific characteristics or patterns within the metadata associated with LUKS-encrypted volumes, then identifying their locations on the drive. This research contributes to the field of digital forensics by offering an analysis tool that helps investigators identify the presence of encryption before beginning a full forensic examination. By detecting encrypted volumes early, this tool can provide direction on whether decryption efforts should be prioritized or if other investigative methods would be more effective.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/southalabama-shgrf-posters/1023/thumbnail.jp
Choosing Robust Leadership: Encompassing the Best-of-N Model and Swarm Intelligence Optimization for Heterogeneous Multiple Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems
No full textPresentation slides for a presentation given at the 1st annual Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum at the University of South Alabama
Comparative Analysis of Tools to Track Energy and Carbon Emissions for AI Computation
No full textThis study systematically evaluates 14 carbon and energy tracking technologies to explore the features and limitations of each tool and evaluate their effectiveness in precisely quantifying power consumption and carbon emissions using a series of standardized AI benchmarking algorithms. Two machine learning models are designed to simulate growing computing loads, a Deep Neural Network (DNN) with five fully linked layers and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with several intricate layers and run on local systems with a uniform power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.5 and a carbon intensity of 393 CO2/ kWh unless otherwise stated. Metrics such as overall power consumption (kWh), projected carbon emissions, and utilization of individual devices (CPU, GPU, RAM) are standardized for direct comparison. The interoperability, usefulness in Python environments, and consistency across code versions revealed differences in accuracy and sensitivity of each tool are analyzed in this paper. This study offers practical guidance on the selection of carbon tracking technologies for AI applications, assisting engineers in making data-driven decisions to improve sustainable AI development processes.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/southalabama-shgrf-posters/1034/thumbnail.jp
Weight Bias Internalization and Mental Health: The Moderating Role of Coping
No full textWeight bias internalization (WBI) has been associated with poor mental health outcomes, yet there has been little research on the role of coping strategies in this relationship. This study examined whether coping strategies moderate the relationship between WBI and poor mental health outcomes, those being depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 330 U.S. adults with a BMI 2: 30 kg/m2 were recruited through Prolific. Of the 330 participants in this sample, 57.9% were cisgender women and the mean age was 40.81 years. Participants completed the following surveys online through Qualtrics, Weight Bias Internalization Scale assessed WBI, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales- 21 Items assessed poor mental health outcome, and the maladaptive and adaptive coping subscales of the Brief COPE assessed coping strategies. Moderation analyses revealed that maladaptive coping significantly strengthened the association between WBI and depression, but not anxiety or stress. Adaptive coping did not significantly moderate any of the relationships tested. Given the finding of an interaction with maladaptive coping, interventions should target maladaptive coping techniques such as denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, and self-blame, as a way to mitigate the effects of internalized weight bias on depression
Toxicity and Biodegradability of Novel Boronium vs Conventional Ammonium based Anti Microbial Compounds in Wastewater Treatment Systems
Full text linkQuaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are highly effective as disinfectants, herbicides, and pesticides; thus, overuse causes elevated levels of residual toxicity in domestic and industrial wastewater. QACs can be toxic to essential bacteria breaking down pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and can remain untreated in effluent, harming the environment, and contributing to antibiotic resistance, posing risks to human health. Novel boronium-based antimicrobial compounds have demonstrated efficacy in eliminating bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If the boronium compounds exhibit lower residual toxicity, they could offer a promising alternative to QACs. Because these compounds are still in development, their potential toxicity to the biological WWTP process is yet to be fully evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a comparative toxicity analysis between the QAC (alkyl (ethylbenzyl) dimethylammonium chloride) and three novel boronium compounds. The analyses performed follow guidelines set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and utilize a standard freeze-dried aerobic bacterial culture that closely mimics WWTPs’ mixed bacteria communities. Toxicity is assessed by measuring and comparing the dissolved oxygen consumption rate (DOCR) of the bacterial culture, which was fed an ideal substrate, in the presence of the test compounds at varying concentrations. Experiments were conducted by comparing QAC to boronium compounds at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 22 mg/L, based on expected residual levels in wastewater. Initial results show that the QAC is less toxic than the boronium C16 compound and that the QAC is less toxic than the pyridine boronium C16 compound. However, the bacteria used in this study exhibited signs of adaptation to the boronium C16 compound with concentrations of 22 mg/L, 5.5 mg/L and 0.344 mg/L and to the pyridine boronium C16 compound with concentrations of 11 mg/L, 5.5 mg/L, 2.75 mg/L and 1.375 mg/L. Additionally, initial results show that the Gemini salt is less toxic than the QAC. The duration of future experiments for the QAC and the three boronium compounds will extend beyond 7 days to better capture bacterial adaptation and to determine if boronium compounds exhibit lower residual toxicity than QACs.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_posters/1046/thumbnail.jp
Acceptability and Competency of Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training and MI Spirited Communication in an Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Program
No full textMotivational interviewing (MI) has been slow to be integrated into nursing curricula despite its positive impacts on patient care because availability of experts for training, time for implementing MI during patient care, and methods for evaluating competency of students. This study aims to determine acceptance of brief MI Spirited Communication (MISC) training among undergraduate and graduate nursing students and determine level of competency in MI of undergraduate and graduate nursing students who have completed MI training.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_posters/1039/thumbnail.jp
Joan Browning Presentation Photo 4
No full textMs. Browning speaking during her presentation at the University of South Alabama. The photo shows an image of her presentation slide of her as a child outside at her family\u27s farm in Georgia.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/freedom-rider-browning_photos/1006/thumbnail.jp
Joan Browning Presentation Reception Photo 4
No full textReception at the McCall Archive Library for Ms. Joan Browning after her presentation at the University of South Alabama.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/freedom-rider-browning_photos/1013/thumbnail.jp
Imposter Syndrome
No full textPresentation by Julie Graham, Manager, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Organizational Development on imposter syndrome
Nonlinear Phase Space Analysis for Anomaly Detection in ROS 2 Communications: Detecting Man-in-the-Middle Attacks in Simulated Environments
No full textRobot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) marks a significant advancement over its predecessor through the transition from a centralized to a decentralized architecture, integrating the Data Distribution Service (DDS) to support real-time, scalable communications. Despite these improvements, inherent vulnerabilities in the ROS 2 communication stack continue to leave these systems exposed to sophisticated network-based attacks. This study leveraged nonlinear phase space analysis (NLPSA) as an intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack anomalies in ROS 2 traffic. Grounded in Takens’ embedding theorem, NLPSA reconstructs the phase space of communication features and compares the resulting structure against a baseline model. The experiment implements a hardware-in-the-loop testbed combining a Gazebo-simulated multi-robot environment with physical computation nodes to reflect realistic traffic conditions. Post-hoc analysis of recorded ROS 2 communications in both the experiment and validation demonstrated NLPSA’s effectiveness in identifying MitM intrusions using ROS 2-specific features without relying on OS or network-level data. Based on these findings, NLPSA is a promising foundation for enhancing cybersecurity in robotics, with directions for future real-world deployment