University Of Louisiana Research Articles

Evaluating the effectiveness of chat GPT in promoting academic success through assignment solving among graduate students in the University of Louisiana Lafayette

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed various sectors, including education, with tools like Chat GPT offering new possibilities for academic support. This study examines the effectiveness of Chat GPT in promoting academic success among graduate students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Using the Diffusion of Innovation theory as a framework, the research aims to assess how frequently graduate students use Chat GPT for assignment solving, its impact on their learning outcomes, and the perceptions surrounding its use. Through an online survey design, data will be collected from graduate students to evaluate their knowledge of Chat GPT, its role in enhancing assignment performance, and any improvements in academic grades. The survey will employ a combination of Likert scale and closed-ended questions to measure key variables, including the students' perceptions, usage frequency, and the tool's influence on their academic creativity and success. The findings will contribute to understanding how AI-driven tools like Chat GPT can be effectively integrated into academic settings, while also addressing the concerns of educators regarding its potential misuse or negative effects.

Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr, MD (1889-1954)

PurposeMost ophthalmologists in the US recognize the name “Bascom Palmer” but few are familiar with the individual for whom the Eye Institute is named. This article reviews the biography of Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr., MD (1889-1954). DesignHistorical review. MethodsHistorical documents were reviewed, including the archives of the University of Miami, the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other sources. ResultsPalmer, born in Lake City, FL in 1889, was the younger son of a Florida politician. He graduated from what was then called the College of Medicine of the Tulane University of Louisiana (now the Tulane University School of Medicine) in 1914, followed by a two-year internship at Touro Infirmary, service in the army during World War I, and finally a post-graduate course in ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1923. He then moved to Miami, where he became influential in two new organizations: the University of Miami, founded in 1925, and the Florida Association of Workers for the Blind (now the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired), founded in 1930. He forged collaborations between these two organizations which eventually led to the foundation of the eponymous Eye Institute. ConclusionsThe decades-long collaboration between the Miami Lighthouse and the University of Miami, facilitated by Palmer, ultimately led to the founding of the Eye Institute.

Advancing Health Equity: A Collaborative Framework to Address HIV Disparities in Georgia and Louisiana through Data, Education, and Policy Initiatives

Abstract: The United States grapples with over 30,000 new HIV infections annually, a challenge exacerbated by delayed diagnosis and treatment. HIV stigma hinders data collection and contributes to health disparities. High-quality data and a community-driven approach are critical to reducing these disparities. The collaborative effort of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, and the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education at Xavier University of Louisiana, addresses systemic barriers perpetuating the HIV epidemic in Georgia and Louisiana. We influence policy, implement an HIV education curriculum, map resources, and display data via the Health Equity Tracker. Stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS impedes disclosure, creates data gaps, and affects care quality and access. Addressing these data gaps, influencing policy, and implementing education are crucial steps to improving outcomes for Black people living with HIV/AIDS. This framework aligns with the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic program's goals, advancing health equity for vulnerable populations.

Design and Implementation of a Mentorship Education Program at Xavier University of Louisiana: Impact and Lessons Learned.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), such as Xavier University of Louisiana (Xavier), have strong cultures of mentoring underrepresented students. We report on the design and implementation of the Preparing Mentors and Advisors at Xavier (P-MAX) Program, a mentor-training program at an HBCU. Over half of the full-time Xavier faculty members have participated in at least one P-MAX event over the life of the Program, with about 60% completing the 8-hour foundational workshop. Pre/post program self-assessments indicate that mentors report significant increases in both their mentoring skills and confidence. Recommendations to consider when designing and implementing a mentor training program are provided. These range from being thoughtful about who delivers the mentoring lessons to paying close attention to the specific audience and institutional culture.

News and Resources

Pro‐Palestinian protests continue on campuses across US HBCU Xavier University of Louisiana to open medical school in New Orleans Vanderbilt and Dartmouth expand financial aid Wells College Closes Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act Introduced in Congress

Smart investment framework for energy resilience: A case study of a campus microgrid research facility

Energy resilience is a vital consideration for ensuring the survivability of modern infrastructure systems. Achieving 100% resilience, however, is often impractical and economically burdensome. In this paper, we propose a smart investment framework that enables decision-makers to determine optimal investments in energy resilience based on available resources and desired levels of resilience. To illustrate the effectiveness of this framework, we present a case study of a campus microgrid research and testing facility. Using a real-time simulation approach conducted with Typhoon Hardware In Loop (HIL), we evaluate the performance of the microgrid system over 24 hours following 4 historically significant hurricanes that have affected Louisiana in the past few years. The microgrid is designed to power local loads during outages, providing an effective solution for enhancing energy resilience. Real solar data collected from our 1.1 Megawatt (MW) solar facility on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus is integrated into the simulation, enabling a realistic evaluation of the system’s performance under hurricane-induced disruptions. By employing the proposed smart investment framework, decision-makers can better identify and address resilience challenges. The framework facilitates informed investment decisions by considering available resources and aligning them with the desired level of resilience. This approach avoids over-investment in unnecessary redundancy while ensuring critical systems are adequately protected. Our research contributes to the field by demonstrating the practicality and benefits of a smart investment framework for energy resilience in a real-world scenario. The case study of the campus microgrid research facility provides valuable insights for decision-makers in similar contexts, highlighting the potential of this framework to guide resilient energy infrastructure planning and investment strategies.

Assessing Utilization of Mental Health Resources at a Historically Black College and University

Objective: College students of color represent a large portion of unmet mental health needs. Limited studies have been performed in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) setting on the utilization of mental health resources in African American (AA) college students. The primary purpose of this report is to document the utilization of both on- and off-campus mental health resources by AA students at an HBCU. Methods: A survey was administered to students enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) who self-identified as AA in the Fall 2018 semester. Results: 30.2% and 35.2% of participants reported utilization of on- or off-resources, respectively. Conclusion: This study illustrates the lack of utilization of resources by AA students attending an HBCU. Future efforts should be focused on promoting mental health utilization at HBCUs across the nation.

Impacting Career Choices of Historically Underserved Secondary Students by Designing Near-Peer Directed Acid-Base Thematic Laboratory Activities to Enhance STEM Interest.

The current study describes preliminary findings from the Xavier University of Louisiana Mobile Outreach for Laboratory Enrichment (XULA-MOLE) project, which is a collaboration between Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), a Historically Black and Catholic University, and participating 9th-12th grade classrooms in the central New Orleans area with a historically underserved student population. The project described here is geared toward providing laboratory enrichment to enhance student learning and impact student career interest in STEM fields, especially in classrooms with a much-needed "hands-on" laboratory experience which is unavailable due to a lack of resources. In this case study, we will present and discuss the inquiry-based laboratory modules for the topic area of acids and bases. These modules were created with careful thought and revision by XULA undergraduate STEM students. The experimental modules were based on the curriculum that participating teachers were discussing in the high-school classroom during the semester. The active-learning efforts were carried out during 6 weeks of the semester to provide a sustained and impactful resource for the participating classrooms. Since both groups of students (XULA-MOLE students and the high school students) were from underrepresented groups there was a strong sense of shared interest and dynamic near-peer mentorship. The project outcomes were measured using both formative and summative assessments indicative of preliminary successes in impacting career interests and increasing the content knowledge of participating high-school students.

Techno-economic impacts of Volt-VAR control on the high penetration of solar PV interconnection

This paper investigates the operation and control of smart inverters (SI) for solar and solar-plus-storage systems with an emphasis on Volt-VAR Control (VVC) at solar interconnections. The paper provides techno-economic recommendations for both normal-size and oversized solar inverters equipped with VVC. The objective is to minimize the voltage violations, and active power curtailment by providing reactive power support to the grid while the IEEE 1547-2018 standards are satisfied. Moreover, a collaborative VVC is tested where a battery storage system is paired with the solar facility which is becoming a popular configuration to enhance energy resilience in communities. An unbalanced distribution network is modeled based on a modified IEEE 13-bus system to which three 700 kW solar PV plants are connected through smart inverters. Solar data from the University of Louisiana’s 1.1 MW solar farm is used and grouped into 28 clusters. Those clusters represent a 2-year period with 15-min granularity. Typhoon HIL 402 real-time simulator is utilized for modeling and verifying the proposed approach. A control prototype is also developed on dSPACE MicroLabBox to further investigate the interaction between the controller and the rest of the system in a more realistic testing environment.

Using dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure.

At Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy, LaKeisha Williams is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences and Tori Wiley was a student when article was written. The authors have disclosed no financial relationships related to this article. Unless otherwise specified, the information in the preceding summaries applies to adults, not children. Consult the package insert for information about each drug's safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also consult a pharmacist, the package insert, or a comprehensive drug reference for more details on precautions, drug interactions, and adverse reactions.

Preserving Black Catholic Archives: Creation and Use

This article was born out of the collaboration of Cecilia Moore, Nancy Hampton, and Kathleen Dorsey Bellow as they prepared to host a tour group at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Catholic Historical Association in New Orleans. Understanding that Association members would be visiting Xavier University of Louisiana to learn about the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, they prepared a panel to highlight the Archives and Special Collections at Xavier and its role in preserving Black Catholic history. In part one, Nancy Hampton introduces the history of the creation of the Xavier Archives and its holdings. In part two, Kathleen Dorsey Bellow discusses the importance of preserving Black Catholic archives by focusing on the work done to prepare the donation of the papers of Father Cyprian Davis, OSB to the Catholic University of America Archives in 2015. In part three, Cecilia Moore reveals the role the Xavier Archives play in both teaching Black Catholic history and initiating students into the research and writing of Black Catholic history at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies.

About This Issue

About This Issue Brett Grainger, Associate Editor This issue opens with “Preserving Black Catholic Archives: Creation and Use,” a three-part discussion of the archival riches of Xavier University of Louisiana by three women closely associated with the collections: “Xavier University of Louisiana Archives and Special Collections” by Nancy Hampton; “Dom Cyprian Davis, OSB and the Spirit of SANKOFA: Preserving the Legacy of Black Catholics,” by Kathleen Dorsey Bellow; and “Xavier University of Louisiana Archives as a Site for Learning, Researching, and Writing Black Catholic History,” by Cecilia A. Moore. During Martin Luther King Jr.’s Chicago Freedom Movement in 1966, a Franciscan sister suffered a head wound when hit by a brick thrown by an angry white Catholic. In “The Nun Hit by a Brick: Sister Angelica Schultz and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Chicago,” Jennifer Daubenmier (San Francisco State University) and Judith Daubenmier (independent scholar) examine Sister Angelica’s motivations in stepping into the street that day and how she leveraged her power as an ally for racial justice. In “The Natural Law and Interreligious Social Advocacy in the Civil Rights Era: The Case of William J. Kenealy, SJ,” Dennis J. Wieboldt, III (Boston College) examines the world of interreligious dialog in the decades before Nostra Aetate. Through a case study of William J. Kenealy—a pro-civil rights Jesuit priest and legal scholar, Wieboldt argues that Catholics effectively used the Natural Law as a foundation for interreligious advocacy for civil rights at mid-century. In this issue’s cover essay, “The Bottom Drawer: NETWORK’s Fifty Years of Political Ministry,” Mara D. Rutten explores a half-century of NETWORK, the organization of women religious founded with a Gospel mandate to work for justice and peace in contemporary society through political action. Finally, the editors wish to report an important change at the journal. For the past seventeen years, Leigh Anne McCabe has served as the journal’s managing editor. In that time, she has been the beating heart of ACS, keeping the production schedule on track, communicating with countless authors and book reviewers, pursuing tardy contributors with gentle reminders, and generally running the show. Leigh Anne recently accepted a promising new opportunity and, while she will be sorely missed, the editors extend their very best wishes and heartfelt gratitude for her immeasurable contributions to the journal. [End Page i] Copyright © 2023 American Catholic Historical Society

Public History: Podcast, Documentary, Digital Resources

Research Article| November 01 2022 Public History: Podcast, Documentary, Digital Resources Bryan David, Bryan David BRYAN DAVID is a lecturer of history at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada. He holds a PhD in history from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an MA in history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His work has been published in Clio’s Quill and H-Net Reviews. He is currently working on revising his dissertation, “Homespun Fun: Theme Parks, Suburbia, and the Postwar Child,” for publication. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Sarah Keyes Sarah Keyes Guest Editor Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar California History (2022) 99 (4): 98–100. https://doi.org/10.1525/ch.2022.99.4.98 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Bryan David; Public History: Podcast, Documentary, Digital Resources. California History 1 November 2022; 99 (4): 98–100. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/ch.2022.99.4.98 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentCalifornia History Search “We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California” includes a series of podcast episodes as well as physical and digital exhibits. It is a collaboration between Susan D. Anderson of the California African American Museum, the California Historical Society, Amy Cohen and Exhibit Envoy, Ildi Carlisle-Cummins and the California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS), and Caroline Collins of UC San Diego. Elsewhere in this issue of California History, Dr. Collins details the overall project’s content, creation, and reception. This review is of the podcast series only. From the outset of the first episode, “We Are Not Strangers Here”—a six-episode series on the CIRS podcast Cal Ag Roots—establishes its mission to (re)insert Black Americans into narratives of the rural West. As series producer and narrator Caroline Collins states, more than just filling a historical gap, “We Are Not Strangers Here” seeks to challenge myths about the... You do not currently have access to this content.

An Experiential Learning Experience: Elementary Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of Mentoring a 5th Grade Social Studies Exhibition

Accompanying a senior methods course, 19 teacher candidates at Southeastern Louisiana University participated in a semester-long social studies fifth grade mentorship at an International Baccalaureate World School. Teacher candidates identified factors they perceived to affect the success of the experiential learning experience through reflections, discussions and questionnaires. Some factors identified were student accomplishment and communication. The impact on attitudes toward teaching social studies was also explored. Nine teacher candidates’ feelings remained unchanged because of the experience, eight were positive; two were negative. This study informs teacher educators who include or intend to include experiential learning in their courses.

School Poster Abstracts Presented at the 123rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, July 23-27, 2022

Raven Jackson, Xavier University of Louisiana , Daezha Brooks, Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy . Objective: Pharmacy schools have long provided tele-based services, specifically around medication therapy management (MTM), but there is now an opportunity to expand these offerings

Finerenone: Reducing Progressive Kidney Dysfunction and Secondary Cardiovascular Complications in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Type 2 Diabetes

Heart failure (HF) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents complexities because current treatment options are limited for those individuals with CKD and T2DM. Finerenone, a novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and received priority review for a fast-track application in 2021. 1 Finerenone [package insert]. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Whippany, NJ2021 Google Scholar ,2 Center for Drug Evaluation and ResearchFDA approves drug for chronic kidney disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-reduce-risk-serious-kidney-and-heart-complications-adults-chronic-kidney-diseaseDate accessed: March 9, 2022 Google Scholar The drug has demonstrated a reduced risk of ongoing decline in kidney function in adults with CKD and T2DM among those with end-stage kidney disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular (CV)-related death, and HF requiring hospitalization (HHF). Finerenone has exhibited significantly lower incidences of composite end point CV-related death and total (first and recurrent) HF events in the overall population compared with the placebo, including an 18% lower risk of CV death or first HHF and a 30% lower rate of total HHF. Robin E. Beacom, MSN, FNP-C, is a clinical instructor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, LA. James K. Blankenship, MSN, FNP-C, is a clinical pharmacology instructor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana. Deedra H. Harrington, DNP, ACNP-BC, is an associate professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Louisiana. Mr. Blankenship can be reached at [email protected] In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors all report no financial relationship that would pose a conflict of interest. The authors do not present any off-label or non–Food and Drug Administration–approved recommendations for treatment.

Performance Evaluation of 1.1 MW Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Louisiana

In this work, performance analysis and comparison of three photovoltaic technologies are carried out in the Louisiana climate. During the calendar year of 2018, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette constructed and commissioned a 1.1 MW solar photovoltaic power plant for researching solar power in southern Louisiana and for partial energy demand of the university. It was one of the largest solar photovoltaic power plants in Louisiana when constructed and receives an annual solar insolation of 4.88 kWh/m2/d at latitude minus five degrees (25°) tilt. The solar power plant has a total of 4142 modules and incorporates three module technologies. Preliminary performance data from the system level are presented. The evaluation of different technologies is based on final yield, performance ratio, and capacity factor for one year from September 2019 to August 2020. An economic analysis is carried out using levelized cost of energy for the three photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Finally, the results are compared with simulated results of System Advisor Model (SAM) and PVsyst. It was found that copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) has better performance ratio of 0.79 compared with monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon, which have performance ratios of 0.77 and 0.73, respectively. The simulation results correlated with the actual performance of the plant.

Industry Connect Initiative Experience Report: Undergraduate Computer Science Courses

Southeastern Louisiana University is a medium sized university located in Hammond, Louisiana with approximately 14,000 students and ranks 59th best affordable Information Technology Program in the United States. Over the course of many years, what is now known as the "Industry Connect Initiative" (ICI) has been developed. The ICI is a four-pronged approach to connect students to real-world-ready skills and relevant topics. The four prongs of the ICI are the industry advisory board (IAB), internship program, distinguished lecturer series (DLS), and real-world curriculum opportunities (a.k.a. "Project classes"). In addition to the ICI, support from the university's Career Services Department and Workforce Talent Initiative completes the suite of resources resulting in graduates being highly sought after for employment. While numerous implementations of real-world ready courses and project courses are widely available, the focus is only on the "capstone" or "major project". Even if the capstone course is multi-semester, this approach is limited as the real-world application occurs only at the end of the degree program. This paper details the ICI curriculum opportunity, a unique approach that incorporates these real-world experiences throughout a student's educational experience at a variety of difficulty levels, beginning in the third semester and culminating in the final semester in the Capstone course.

Student Grade Evaluation, Survey Feedback, and Lessons Learned during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Virtual vs. In-Person Offering of a Freshman-Level General Chemistry II Course in Summer at Xavier University of Louisiana

A primary motivation for this study was to compare student perceptions and performance within a virtual learning environment to the traditional in-person learning experience for the General Chemistry II course taught during a 5-week summer session at Xavier University of Louisiana, a minority serving institution. The authors present quantitative and qualitative analyses including the comparison of student performance on exams during the COVID-19 remote learning experience with exam performance over a 3-year period of conventional in-person instruction. In this article, student grades, survey feedback, and learning outcomes are outlined. This study was performed to assist the faculty in improving and enriching the course content and its delivery, as they coped with the transition to a virtual learning environment imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cross-Departmental Authority Heading Creation: A Case Study

ABSTRACT The Cataloging and the Reference and Research Services departments at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Edith Garland Dupré Library collaborated to create name authority headings for the Library of Congress Name Authority File. The project’s primary goal was to increase the number of the library’s contributions as a Name Authority Cooperative Program participant. The Head of Cataloging determined which Louisiana persons needed name authority headings and compiled a list of names for Reference & Research Services staff to investigate. After using various online resources to collect biographical information, staff submitted their findings via a Google Form. The Head of Cataloging compiled and edited the data using MarcEdit. The non-traditional methods discussed in this article can be incorporated by catalogers at other libraries and institutions to simplify the authority heading creation process.