Poster Presentations

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  Binary Solid/Liquid Equilibrium of Mixtures of Thermally Robust Salts and Molecular Compounds for use as Heat Transfer Fluids

  Jared Ridge Mathews

  Fossil fuels, contributors to climate change that may bear catastrophic consequences, power the entire world. The human species is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels for energy, but other sources of renewable and environmentally friendly energy must be developed. Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a promising source of renewable energy with hampered potential—better heat transfer fluids (HTFs) are needed for it to be economically feasible. Currently, the HTFs in industrial use are predominantly either synthetic oils or nitrate-based molten salts. Synthetic oils are only stable up to 400 °C, and molten salts often have high melting temperatures, making them prone to freezing. Therefore, ionic liquids are being investigated as an alternative heat transfer fluid. Ionic liquids often have high thermal stability, high heat capacity, and low melting points. An ionic liquid like tetraphenylphosphonium bistriflimide (TPP), combined with aromatic compounds, such as diphenyl ether, shows potential as an HTF. In this report, digital scanning calorimetry (DSC) data of binary mixtures of TPP and diphenyl ether was analyzed using binary a binary T-x plot, which was compared to an ideal eutectic model, and Tammann’s triangle, which provided a more accurate prediction of the eutectic composition, in order to make a comprehensive graph of the solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) behavior. This data provided valuable insights into the thermodynamic properties of this mixture, including evidence about the eutectic composition and melting temperature. The eutectic composition is of special interest for its unique thermodynamic properties, including a very low melting temperature, which offers potential for use in CSP technology, significantly reducing the risk of catastrophic HTF freezing that leads to plant shutdowns and unreliability.

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  Decoding Bacterial Resilience: sRNAs and Sigma Factors in Stress Adaptation and Persistence of Salmonella

  Anita Nguyen

  Small RNAs (sRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules in bacteria that function primarily to regulate gene expression, including those associated with stress. The Borchert Lab has identified 173 sRNAs and > 500 sRNAs that are responsive to desiccation and carbon starvation (c-starvation), respectively. Prokaryotic transcription involves an RNA Polymerase (RNAP) that transcribes DNA into RNA. RNAP involves sigma factors, which recognize promoters for the initial steps of RNA synthesis. The Borchert Lab has determined that there are significant overlaps between sRNAs expressed in cells subjected to both short-term durations and long-term durations of carbon starvation. Salmonella enterica serovars can have outbreaks associated with dehydrated foods. Understanding the mechanism that allows for S. enterica survival under stress allows for building strategies in combating the spread of this pathogen and preventing recurrent Salmonella outbreaks. We hypothesize that in S. enterica serovars, the bacteria express sigma factor RpoS during short term stress while switching over to sigma factor RpoE during long term stress. This switch between the sigma factors function to regulate the stress response in S. enterica. RNAP sigma subunit selection and the expression of distinct sRNAs drive the decision between active stress resistance and formation of persisters. Our findings suggest that sigma factor expression of RpoS in the Salmonella strain SL1344 is dependent on the duration of stress.

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  Ghosts in Glass: Ghost Crabs (Ocypode quadrata) as Judges of Glass Sand for Coastal Restoration

  Emily Parrish

  Coastal erosion is heavily impacting coastal ecosystems across the Gulf. For instance, the state of Louisiana loses a football field worth of land every 100 minutes (Couvillion, 2017). The drastic loss of coastline highlights the dire need for restoration in the Northern Gulf Coast. An unexpected solution to this sediment loss may solve two major environmental issues at once by diverting millions of tons of glass waste from entering America’s landfills each year. By crushing glass to create sand and gravel for coastal restoration, we may generate a consistent and sustainable source of substrate. Our goal is to determine the viability of glass sand (Figure 1) by measuring the impact on a critical indicator organism in coastal dune ecosystems, the Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata).

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  Comparing Online and In-Person Social Support and its Effects on Suicidal Ideation

  Alexander J. Potter

  The interpersonal theory of suicide states that thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness are proximal causes of suicidal ideation (Van Orden et al., 2010). One of the biggest influences on these variables is a lack of social support (Sparks et al., 2023) There are two ways a person can receive social support: in-person via face-to-face experiences and online via social media or online communication Studies have shown that there is a difference in the quality of support between online and in-person interactions (Hultzman et al., 2017). The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of in-person and online support on the interpersonal theory of suicide.

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  Effects of the Gravity Gradient on the Path of 1I/‘Oumuamua

  Hannah R. Richardson

  In October 2017, the asteroid 1I/’Oumuamua first passed into viewing range [1]. The asteroid is notable for being the first interstellar object to enter the solar system. 1I/’Oumuamua was also unusual in its geometry; it is thought to have an aspect ratio of 6:1 and a length of approximately 400 m [2] [3]. The asteroid was observed to experience a non-Keplerian acceleration estimated to be on the order of 1×10−6 m s-2 Several theories have been proposed for the cause of this acceleration, all of which are non-gravitational in nature: volatile outgassing, photon pressure, and solar winds [1][4]. However, none of these sources have been definitively proven to be able to provide accelerations large enough to explain the unexpected motion [1] [5]. This project aims to examine the possibility of gravitational effects on the orbital mechanics of 1I/’Oumuamua due to its elongated shape.

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  Toxicity and Biodegradability of Novel Boronium vs Conventional Ammonium based Anti Microbial Compounds in Wastewater Treatment Systems

  Noor Shalan

  Quaternary 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.

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  Funded to Win? Super PACs and Electoral Advantage in the Southeast

  Kyle Winstead

  In 2010, two key pieces of legislation were passed: Citizens United v. FEC and Speechnow.org v. FEC. The results of these cases led to the creation of a new type of organization known as the super PAC. After their inception, the amount of super PACs exploded going from 83 in 2010 to 2,393 in 2016. Since then, the number of super PACs has remained relatively constant with a total of 2,458 super PACs in 2024. While Super PACs constitute a new method of civic participation in politics, there are concerns regarding their potential influence. The results of this research support the claim that super PACs have influence on the success of local, congressional candidates.

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  sdRNAs Participate in the Maintenance and Onset of Prostate Cancer

  Neil Chaudhary

  What is an sdRNA? Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is a class of RNA that includes microRNA (miRNA) and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA). Fragments excised from ncRNAs are known as noncodingderived RNA (ndRNA). A certain class of ndRNAs that are derived from snoRNAs have been denoted as Small Nucleolar Derived RNAs (sdRNAs). Our lab has previously hypothesized and demonstrated that sdRNAs display regulatory functions on target genes, similar to the functions of miRNAs. sdRNAs are almost identical to microRNAs and differ mainly in their source of origin.

  Our lab has shown that sdRNA-93 is frequently misexpressed in breast cancer cell lines and directly contributes to the cellular pathology present in breast cancer. We showed that sdRNAs play a role in the molecular events responsible for malignancy and that sdRNAs may represent entirely new tools for diagnostic and prognostic determination.

  In 2021, prostate cancer was the most prevalent malignant cancer type in American men. Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) lacks effective treatment options, leading to prostate cancer’s second place standing as a leading cause of cancer death in American men. Our lab identified two distinct sdRNAs (sdRNA-D19b and sdRNA-A24) that are overexpressed in prostate cancer samples compared to normal tissues. We aimed to evaluate the role these sdRNAs play in the maintenance and/or onset of prostate cancer.

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  Side Channel Detection of PC Rootkits using Nonlinear Phase Space

  Rebecca Clark

  Cyberattacks are increasing in size and scope yearly, and the most effective and common means of attack is through malicious software executed on target devices of interest. Malware threats vary widely in terms of behavior and impact and, thus, effective methods of detection are constantly being sought from the academic research community to offset both volume and complexity. Rootkits are malware that represent a highly feared threat because they can change operating system integrity and alter otherwise normally functioning software. Although normal methods of detection that are based on signatures of known malware code are the standard line of defense, rootkits that have never been seen before (zero-day threats) are not easily defeated because of their ability to evade scanners and present false system information. In this research, we propose to evaluate a novel approach of rootkit detection based on collection of time-serial voltage data from the internal motherboard of standard desktop PCs.

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  Thamnophis and Their Toxic Relationship: Testing for Intraspecific Venom Variation in the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis

  Grace E. Coppinger

  Project Objective - Estimate intraspecific venom variation between male and female garter snakes collected from the University of South Alabama of different sizes.

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  "Not Everybody that Walks Around a College Campus Who Plays Football is Okay:" Qualitatively Exploring Mental Health in Collegiate Male Football Athletes

  Paige Fandel

  Discussions of mental health are increasing in today's culture. Looking at specific demographics helps us understand their mental capacity. Collegiate football players are a severely understudied group. Focusing on them will allow us to understand the constant high-pressure situations.

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  Examination of Sex-Differences in Neuromuscular Function Following Acute Bouts of High- vs Low-load Resistance Exercise

  Avery S. King

  High-load resistance training (>70% 1 repetition maximum (RM)) is commonly believed to be the superior method for producing neuromuscular adaptation with a resistance exercise program. Recent research has shown that lower-load resistance training (

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  Impostor Phenomenon, Perfectionism, Psychological Distress, and Burnout in Pre-Health Undergraduate Students

  Victoria Lee

  Careers in the healthcare field are demanding, and each stage closer to attaining the career aspirations is filled with increasing amount of stress. Previous research highlighted impostor phenomenon, perfectionism, psychological distress, and burnout in graduate students; however, this study‘s primary focus was to investigate the relationships between these constructs in an undergraduate pre-health population. This study aimed to find whether or not impostor phenomenon, perfectionism, and psychological distress could be considered predictors of burnout and whether or not pre-health students differed from non-pre-health students in their levels of these constructs.

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  Evaluating the Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine in Rural Ghana: The Role of Healers and the Government

  Teresa Nicole Lemon

  A question of pressing importance for the healthcare system in Ghana is the integration between biomedicine, which is unreachable for many rural citizens, and traditional medicine, which fills in the gaps in access for rural and non-rural citizens seeking care and is utilized by 70% of the population. The WHO promotes integrated health systems and created strategies to assist governments in their efforts.

  The Ghanaian government did create policies to aid in integration, but their attempt to integrate was unsuccessful. This, along with other factors, has led some scholars to consider the government’s efforts as “tokenistic”; however, they do not explain why.

  During my investigation, I found the Ghanaian government likely did use the WHO strategies when developing their policies, most healers are in favor of an integrated healthcare system, and the government did not appear to fully consider the needs of healers and their viewpoints when creating their policies. Theoretical models were used to hypothesize that the government allowed barriers to remain during implementation as a representation of minimal efforts and a lack of political interest.

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  Evolution of Medical Ethics During American Civil War

  Luke Love

  This thesis will explore the relationship between medical ethics and the American Civil War through a microhistorical approach. This includes analyzing the ways in which the physician-patient relationship was conducted and which medical practices were deemed ethical and by whom. Changes that occurred in medical ethics during the war will be analyzed and explained.

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  Effect of Short-Term Supplementation of Pure, Biosynthetic Salidroside on Exercise Performance, Blood Markers, and Mood State

  Alexia Manganti

  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of salidroside ingestion on exercise performance, blood markers, and mood state in healthy, young adults. Salidroside is a component of the Rhodiola rosea plant purported to have many benefits for metabolic function and stress resistance. Typically, salidroside is ingested as a Rhodiola rosea plant extract. The salidroside used in this study was produced through biosynthetic means , thus the product consisted of 100% salidroside.

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  Formation of Diazirine Functionality for Propellant Applications

  Abby Mock

  Overall, this research focuses on a cost-effective approach which minimizes synthetic overhead when assembling compounds with diazirine functionality. The goals are to prevent the surplus use of ammonia in the formation of the diaziridines and use electrochemistry to perform the oxidation of diaziridines. In addition, this project will evaluate the efficiency of different diazirine molecules as propellants.

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  Investigation and Synthesis of 2-deoxy-PYR(MP)

  Juanita Monteiro-Pai

  Cellular energy metabolism is complex, and NAD, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, plays a huge role as an organic redox cofactor, driving metabolic reactions. The abundance of pathways dependent on NAD has led to an increase in the studies of NAD and its precursors. As a result, NR, or nicotinamide riboside, is now a popular nutraceutical taken to increase levels of NAD in the body. NR is a precursor to NAD inside cells. Metabolites with the same molecular formula as NR are found in urine and blood. Yet, NR is usually associated with these species in extracellular regions although NR is not stable extracellularly. Therefore, it is important to establish whether these metabolites could be species other than NR when studying NAD metabolism and turnover. Such isomers of NR include the three isomers of the 2’-deoxy-PYR series, also known as the 2’-deoxy-pyridone ribosides. These could be the extracellular species that are mistaken for NR. The 2’-deoxy-PYR are proposed to be byproducts of the hyper-oxidation of NAD. Although the 2’-deoxy-PYR molecules can be envisaged as derivatives of the known naturally occurring the 2 ,4, and 6 isomers of the pyridone ribosides PYR series, these deoxy-riboside species have never been synthesized. Due to the molecule's structure, it is hypothesized that it could be a substrate for DNA polymerases, possibly introducing mutations into healthy DNA. Because they are potentially biologically relevant, to test if these species are present in biological specimens, the synthesis of these molecules are of the utmost importance.

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  Testing for the Significance of Generational Differences on Opinions of Nuclear Power

  Eli Moore

  Different generations have different experiences from each other depending on the circumstances of the world they were raised in. As a result, different generations have different views of different controversial topics, and there are few topics as controversial as nuclear power. Throughout its history, it has been seen as both the solution to our energy problems, as well as a threat to the safety of life as we know it. This project aims to see if such a difference exists, and if so, what factors would be most influential in creating this difference? Would the past mistakes and catastrophes shape the views of newer generations? Or have the pressures and challenges of the modern era made people more amenable to the concept of nuclear power? We went about this by designing a survey to investigate variables we believe would affect a different generation’s views on nuclear power and then built a model to see if such views would change a person's opinions on nuclear power.

  In our findings, we found that there were significant differences between Gen Z and the Baby Bomers. Particularly on matters of nuclear abolishment. It appears that even though Baby Boomers on average are more supportive than Gen Z towards nuclear power they are also more likely to advocate for its abolishment. While Gen Z, despite being less supportive of nuclear power, viewed abolishing the industry as an extreme scenario with over half saying they were against it. Cumulatively both generations had the economy as the factor most likely to sway their stance on nuclear power.

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  Melting Point Predictions of Thermally Stable Ionic Liquids using a Machine Learning Approach

  Jarod Morris

  Thermally robust ionic liquids hold promise as high-temperature solvents, heat transfer fluids, and high-performance lubricants. These ionic liquids, inspired by thermoplastics like PEEK and PES, incorporate peraryl functional groups that lend them high thermal stability, however they often have melting points greater than 100 °C. A broad liquid range is usually desirable in most applications, so finding thermally robust ILs with lower melting points would significantly enhance their applicability. In this study, machine learning models are developed to make predictions of melting points for these thermally stable ionic liquids using a process called quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR). The methodology used to model these ionic liquids was adapted from a previous study that examined multiple different machine learning techniques in depth. Modeling was performed on the large and diverse set of 929 ionic liquids from this study, then on a set of 53 thermally stable ionic liquids, then on the combined data set. The performance of each model was evaluated using 10-fold cross validation and the calculation of Q2, which measures the predictive capacity of the model. This cross validation only considered the predictions of thermally stable ionic liquids since that is the overall intent of the modelling. From this cross validation, it was found that the model trained on both sets of data and had no outliers removed showed the greatest predictive capability (with a Q2 of .677) for thermally stable ionic liquids. This model is then used to predict ionic liquids from the thermally stable family with low melting points.

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  Survey of the Boletes from Fish River Nature Preserve

  Noah T. Nelson

  Boletes are a special kind of mushroom inside of the Kingdom Fungi that are distinguished from other mushrooms by their uniquely pored hymenium, as opposed to gills. Many boletes are ectomycorrhizal, meaning they are mutualists with vascular plants, and thus beneficial to the overall health of the terrestrial ecosystem. Some are well-known for their edibility and are of economic importance. In the United States 59 genus-level clades comprising 290 operational taxonomic units have been reported. The southeastern US and Gulf Coast regions however are less researched and recorded for their mushroom ecology. In Alabama, only 56 bolete species have been reported so far. Specimens in this project were collected from Baldwin and Mobile Counties, AL, with the majority of specimens collected at The Fish River Nature Preserve. The Fish River Nature Preserve (FRNP) is located south of Fairhope in Baldwin County, and was recently purchased by the South Alabama Land Trust Conservation group. This property includes an upper level section with a tract dominated by oaks and another by pines, which is fire-controlled, and one near the river dominated by palmetto palms.

  Upon collection, all collected specimens were brought from the field to the South Alabama campus lab for technical descriptions, imaging, freezing of a small tissue sample, dehydration preservation of the fruiting body, and storage of the specimen. Microscopic work followed that and included the measurement of basidiospores. A primary list of the suspected species of each specimen was created based on morphological descriptions, and spore measurements. The frozen tissue sample then underwent DNA extraction via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. Specimens that yielded DNA products were then uploaded into GenBan via Blasting to find matches of named sequences that are already in the GenBank database. A total of 26 specimens were collected at the FRNP and Mobile County. 19 of the 26 specimens' identities were confirmed via DNA blasting from which 2 were confirmed to the genus level and the other 17 the the species level. Those remaining 7 that did not yield a DNA confirmed identity were identified morphologically. Together with morphological descriptions and DNA confirmation, a total of 17 species were identified, and they include: A. russellii (NTN-16); B. alutaceus (NTN-09); B. vermiculosoides (NTN-21); E. floridanus (NTN-14); G. castaneus (NTN-01; NTN-03, NTN-06, NTN-12, NTN-17, NTN-22); H. rubellus (NTN-10, NTN-13); L. albellum (NTN-04, NTN-18); P. bellus (NTN-02); P. rhodoxanthus (NTN-15); S. floccopus (NTN-05); S. decipiens (NTN-23); T. balloui (NTN-11); T. rhoadsiae (NTN-08); T. rubrobrunneus (NTN-20, NTN-26); X.affine (NTN-24, NTN-25); X. intermedius (NTN-07); X. subtomentosus (NTN-19). One species, B. alutaceus (NTN-09) commonly known as the “Leather Colored Bolete” is a species native to New England that was identified on the FRNP with no previously reported collections in Southern Alabama.

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  Intergroup Contact, Beliefs About Gender, and Trans Prejudice

  Samantha Oyler

  Gordon Allport first proposed the Intergroup Contact Theory in 1954. According to his theory, contact between ingroup and outgroup members, under certain conditions, would lead to positive effects, specifically the reduction of prejudice. Since then, this theory has been expanded to include members of other majority/minority groups. Research suggests intergroup contact has positive effects for reduction of anti-trans prejudice. To date, the focus has largely been on the mechanisms driving changes in attitudes and intentions towards trans individuals through intergroup contact interventions. It is unclear whether this intervention might also promote the acquisition of more nuanced sociocultural understanding about gender, which could also explain a reduction in trans prejudice. This Honors Thesis Project will test the hypothesis that there is a parallel mediating effect of 1) beliefs about gender and 2) attitudes towards trans individuals in the association between imagined intergroup contact and behavioral intentions towards transgender individuals.

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  Impact of Salmonella enterica on Plant Physiology and Immunity

  Sara Qader

  Salmonella can colonize plant tissue effectively. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Salmonella’s interactions with plants is essential for developing effective strategies to reduce its impact on human health and agriculture. Effector proteins, known for their role in modulating host-pathogen interactions, have been implicated in the virulence and pathogenicity of Salmonella. However, their specific functions and contributions to Salmonella’s interactions with plants remain largely unknown. Here, we aim to investigate the functions of Salmonella effector proteins during the colonization of plants.

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  Civil Disobedience of Social Workers in Hospice

  Jamie Leigh Roper

  What is civil disobedience? Civil disobedience is often thought of as peaceful protesting or non-violent law breaking. However, the textbook definition is “the refusal to obey the demands or commands of a government or occupying power, without resorting to violence or active measures of opposition” (Britannica). Peaceful protesting has been an integral part of American history. Henry David Thoreau, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. were all civilly disobedient citizens who altered the course of history. Any and all protests, however, cannot be considered civil disobedience, since there are some requirements of this category.

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  DNA Methylation of the AGTR1 Gene in a Hypertensive Population of Kenyans

  Michael M. Roque

  Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide, is rapidly increasing in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly those of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)(World Health Organization). Hypertension is the leading risk factor for CVD and is a multifactorial disease with no single genetic cause. Increasingly, evidence indicates that hypertension is predisposed by environmental regulation of genes through heritable, yet modifiable, epigenetic changes to DNA leading to changes in gene expression, e.g. methylation. While understanding the etiology of hypertension in LMICs is a global priority, few epigenetic studies exist from populations living in SSA (Fan). The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is the primary hormonal pathway that regulates blood pressure through changes in salt and water retention. Previously, we have found a high prevalence of hypertension (55 % had systolic blood pressure (SBP) >130 mmHg) in a rural population of Kenyans that was not correlated with lifestyle or behavioral factors (Williams).