Digital Commons Network^™

Optimism And Spirituality On Burnout In Educators, Mackenzie Coats

Honors Program Projects

Burnout in educators can be attributed to high stress, increased demands, and a lack of resources, leading to high levels of turnover. Personal resources, such as optimism and spirituality, have been shown to individually have a negative correlation with burnout but have not been evaluated jointly to predict burnout in an educational setting. This research determines the relative contribution of optimism and spirituality to the three facets of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. An electronic survey consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and the Spirituality at Work Scale was completed by educators of …

Therapeutic Use Of Music For Geriatric Dementia Patients, Katelynn E. Roscioli

Honors Program Projects

Dementia impacts millions of individuals and their families worldwide, yet many caregivers remain untrained, unpaid, and unable to maintain their own health while caring for their patients. Despite the need for support, limited resources exist to aid these caregivers in combatting this progressive, debilitating disease. One possibility lies in practices rooted in music therapy, which have been shown to restore memory retention, personhood, and quality of life in dementia patients. However, individuals outside of music therapists, especially those with limited musical backgrounds, may not consider implementing music therapy within their care plan. To make this approach more accessible, a website …

Comparing The Effects Of Mat Pilates On Lower Limb Strength And Agility In Young Adults With Sedentary To Active Lifestyles, Morgan E. Mccammon

Honors Program Projects

Background: Meeting physical activity guidelines is essential for maintaining physical health, decreasing the risk of chronic disease, and improving fitness. Pilates is a form of low to moderate exercise that can be implemented to improve multiple components of fitness and be considered active. Today, Pilates is available to the general population through online instruction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a four-week, self-led online Pilates program or a walking routine on inactive and active young adults. This study analyzed changes in lower limb strength and agility.

Methods: This experiment involved eighteen …

The Protective Effects Of Anthocyanins On Differentiated Sh-Sy5y Cells, Abigail F. Lynn

Honors Program Projects

Background

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases that are largely thought to be exacerbated, and perhaps even caused by oxidative stress in and around neurons. Green tea is known to contain various nutrients that reduce oxidative stress. Anthocyanins are group of nutrients that are found in plants that have red, purple, or black fruit. They have been shown to directly reduce oxidative stress and may also affect the activity of enzymes such as catalase that reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be simulated by LPS and D-galactose (DG), sugars that are commonly found on pathogens. SH-SY5Y cells are neuronal …

Life Stories: Exploring Personal Identity Through Illustrations, Emma G. Williams

Honors Program Projects

Through graphite illustrations laden with deep symbolism and nostalgic imagery, the artist shares their identity in stories from their life. This thesis seeks to utilize the tools of narrative and self-identity to express the identity of the author and artist behind it. Scholarly sources were reviewed to understand narrative identity, works from professional visual artists were examined, and historical sources were consulted to deepen symbolism. The end product is this thesis, as well as a body of art. The identity understanding and symbolic elements allow the artist to reflect on their identity and share it through visuals of intricate and …

An Evaluation Of Environmental, Social, And Governance Standards On Fund Performance: Comparison Of Esg Funds In The United States And The European Union, Gracie V. Del Real

Honors Program Projects

The growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in global industries has attracted special attention from investors seeking to evaluate companies beyond traditional financial metrics. Given the evolving social climate, investors are seeking ways to utilize their money not only for financial success but for societal change. ESG offers the opportunity to retain money in the market while being responsible concerning the environmental and societal impact companies are having on the communities in which they operate. Being a responsible investor can go beyond making strong returns. This study aims to determine if there is a statistically significant difference …

The Kankakee River General Physical And Historical Characteristics, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

6.5 page description of the history and geography of the Kankakee River from glacial era to 1980. River health and commercial activities are described.

Includes reference list.

Document is undated.

Comments On Budget Cuts & There Effect On The Idnr, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

This is a call to restore the professionalism of the staff and funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in the era of reduced funding for the C-2000 program and reduced services to citizens (hunting, damping, gun safety, etc.)

Undated document.

Presentation Kankakee Area Sportsman's Clubs, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

"WHERE WE WERE AND WHERE WE ARE NOW IN RELATION TO RESTORATION OF THE KANKAKEE RIVER" Chronology of ownership and development on Kankakee River. List of water surveys and other studies. List of conservation organizations.

No date provided, but appears to be during C2000 grant period.

Meeting Introduction, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

Undated speaker's notes. Describes organization's founding in 1994, stakeholders, aims, and partnerships with federal and regional restortation projects.

"PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE SAND AND SEDIMENT LOADS IN THE KANKAKEE RIVER. A GREAT DEAL OF THIS PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE DRAINING OF THE GRAND MARSH BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1850 AND 1917. [when]...RIVER IN INDIANA WAS CHANGED FROM A 250 MILE MEANDERING STREAM TO A 90 MILE CHANNELIZED DITCH."

General Information For ___ - Speech, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

No date included in document.

Description of Kankakee River's natural path, channelization, Potowatomie (sic) name, trivia, summary of two scientific studies regarding sediment and sandbed load, NIAA activities, J.R. Blacks' role on Land Use and Water Resource Task Force, funding, and recognition by other agencies.

Answers To The Ecosystem Partnership Brochure Questionnaire, J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

Typed answers to six questions regarding the Kankakee River Basin Partnership and the Alliance to Restore Kankakee.

Kankakee River Basin And Partnership [Speaker's Notes], J.R. Black

J.R. Black Kankakee River Materials

Possible creation date of 1998.

Speaker's notes that appear to have been typed to accompany 23 slides.Overview of the natural resources and the Partnership's work to "restore, protect and enhance the Kankakee River Basin" (see slide 11 note on page 2 of the document).

History Lessons From Esther: The Leopold Von Ranke Lecture Delivered At The Phi Alpha Theta Induction Ceremony, Kent R. Olney

Scholarship – Academic Affairs Office

The German historian, Leopold Von Ranke, noted the following: “Every epoch is immediate to God, and its value is not based on what emerges from it, but on its very existence.” My assignment was to respond to Von Ranke’s thoughts. I have done so by drawing on four observations made from the OT book of Esther. These observations pertain to truth, years, obscurity, and heroes; all of them matter to God and all of them should matter to the historian. In a sense, these four elements are the raw materials, or building blocks, of history in any generation. I conclude …

2023: The President's Dinner For Faculty And Staff, Olivet Nazarene University

President's Dinner Programs

Tammy and I welcome work colleagues and their spouses to this 73rd President’s Dinner! That’s a long time. Our professional forefathers and mothers attended the original Dinner in the late 1940s, having just been introduced to the Polaroid camera and the 33 rpm vinyl record. Today, we awe over Artificial Intelligence. My, how things have changed. What remains constant, however, is a called, competent, caring workforce for this University community! Not all universities are communities — of sufficient unity around common belief and practice. Our theme tonight is that we are “A Sent and Scented People” — sent by God …

Commencement Program 2023, Olivet Nazarene University

Commencement Programs

The 110th annual commencement program of Olivet Nazarene College, Bourbonnais, IL, May 5 & 6, 2023.

The Effect Of Masks On Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms Related To Ragweed And Its Influence On College Students, Katherine Knutte

Honors Program Projects

BACKGROUND: This study explored the effect of masks on allergic rhinitis related to ragweed. Research shows surgical and KN95 masks reduce nasal symptoms arising from dust, pollen, and ragweed. Other studies have contradictory findings about the effect of masks on ocular symptoms. Very few studies have examined the effect of masks on early and late allergic rhinitis.

METHODS: This qualitative study involved thirty college students aged 18 to 25 from Olivet Nazarene University with self-reported or physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis on November 15, 2022. Participants were randomly assigned to a control (no mask), surgical, or KN95 mask group and walked …

Analysis Of The Population Structure And Migration Habits Of The Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates Pipiens) At Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Gretchen A. Brinkman

Honors Program Projects

Massive amphibian declines of recent years have pushed researchers to pursue population genetics surveys and assess the status of these essential components of many ecosystems. The Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) has continuously experienced population declines across the continental United States due to a combination of habitat losses and environmental changes. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie houses a considerable portion of L. pipiens in Illinois, and the two creek watersheds studied within this location provide ideal conditions to support these animals. Because this prairie restoration project is a relatively recent development, further assessments regarding the population structure and degree …

The Effects Of Creatine Supplementation On Muscle Synthesis And Fitness Levels In Drosophila Melanogaster Using A Model Of Muscle Atrophy, Kevin Williams

Honors Program Projects

This study examines whether an inhibited electron transport chain can be aided with supplemented creatine to make up for the challenged adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production mechanism. The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes in the mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons and couples this reaction with the transfer of protons across the membrane to produce ATP. The differences between male and female flies and the supplementation of creatine at a 0.15% concentration was studied. The relationship between these components was studied over the course of two 3-week trials using a fly treadmill and Drosophila. The effects of creatine …

The Effect Of Education On Support For Tnr As A Method Of Feral Cat Management, Kaitlyn F. Bishop

Honors Program Projects

A feral cat is a cat that is untamed and not suitable for placement in a home. Through their naturally high rate of reproduction and lack of population management, feral cat populations have grown exponentially, leading to overpopulation. Feral cats effect their communities through their impact on wildlife, financial burden, and health risk to both humans and other animals. Due to the impact feral cats place on their communities, multiple management methods have been suggested. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane, effective method of management; however, controversy surrounds its use. Existing studies have determined that age, gender, and past experiences with …

Identifying The Optimal Pedagogy For Preparing Undergraduates For The Mcat Exam, Alyssa J. Black

Honors Program Projects

Excelling on the MCAT is an essential step for undergraduate students preparing for a future as a physician in the medical field. Previous research has made links to MCAT performance and success in the medical field, yet there is a lack of research on how to best prepare undergraduate students for this extensive exam. Various research has been done on assessing the most effective studying strategies for undergraduates on typical collegiate exams, which students often translate to their MCAT studying. To assess the effectiveness of these practiced pedagogies on the MCAT, a social science experiment using a pre- and post-test …

The Effect Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On The Self-Esteem Of College Students, Maggie Van Heemst

Honors Program Projects

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to predict negative health and mental health effects later in life. One in two Americans has experienced at least one ACE. This issue is prevalent across class, race, and ethnicity. However, little is known about ACEs and the young adult population.

Methods: A survey was conducted to measure ACEs and self-esteem in fifty college students. The hypothesis was a negative correlation between ACE and self-esteem scores.

Results: A small negative correlation was found between ACEs and self-esteem in college students. The average ACE score was 3.9 and the average self-esteem score was 16.78. …

Tracking Simulated Somatosensory Deficiencies That Affect Postural Stability Through Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, Cameron L. Steele

Honors Program Projects

Falls are a prevalent problem among elderly populations. Falls increase the cost of healthcare, frequently cause severe injuries, and negatively affect quality of life. Lack of postural stability is a major contributing factor to falls, with postural stability defined as the correct biomechanical execution based on sensory feedback. Types of sensory feedback include vision, vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory. This study focuses on the lack of postural stability in quiet standing (standing upright and still) due to somatosensory and vision deficiencies. To track these deficiencies, fifty-one subjects stood for sixty seconds on two force plates, and their center of pressure (COP) …

Survey Of The Performance Of 5 Nm Gold Nanoparticles Within An Ssdna-Stabilized Biosensor For The Detection Of Hg2+, Madalyn Zagajowski

Honors Program Projects

The formation of a fluorescent biosensor complex consisting of 5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was conducted using a low-cost, efficient binding method. The analytical potential for the complex to detect mercuric ions (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous solution was assessed through the collection of UV-vis and fluorescence spectrometry data for the AuNP-ssDNA complex. The researcher aimed to investigate this potential in case the nanoparticles formed utilizing this method were too small to result in detectable fluorescence. To eliminate this possibility, the complex synthesized from this specific method was qualitatively evaluated to determine if it …

Assessment Of Walls With Phase Change Materials Through Synergistic And Performance Measures Using Experimental And Simulated Test Houses, Cory J. Enfield

Honors Program Projects

Current research on living and working spaces continues to strive to identify the most energy-efficient methods for heating and cooling, and many novel technologies have emerged from the research. One of the most promising, and the topic of this quantitative analysis, is the retrofitting of phase change materials (PCMs) into the walls of structures. Research has shown positive results, such as a reduced transfer of heat through walls, when PCMs are retrofitted into wall construction. The present research takes previously gathered data from test houses, built with typical North American framing, and simulates an additional fourteen test houses from the …

Sleepy Summers, Rachel Carter

Student Scholarship – English

My name is Rachel Carter. At the time of this writing, I am a senior majoring in English and Writing at Olivet Nazarene University.

For me, poetry is a breath of fresh air for me when I have nothing else to do. That’s sort of what these poems are about--having nothing to do in the summer, especially in 2020 during the pandemic. Home is in Ingleside, Illinois and after awhile, things stay the same there and I like static environments but I’m learning that I want to grow and change and I don’t think I had realized that yet when …

Early Christian Perspectives On The Catechetical Process, Mark A. Frisius

Center for Faith & Family

The goal of this paper is to provide a brief overview of findings related to the catechetical practices or early Christianity. This approach was occasioned by the observations that 1) the United States is headed toward a post-Christian reality, where Christianity can no longer be assumed as the dominant force in American culture, and 2). that it would be possible to gain insight from Christians who lived in a pre-Christian environment. This paper is organized around themes and is not meant to be read straight through. Instead, each theme contains a series of lettered or numbered observations designed to help …

Καθαρός, The Pure: Setting Narrative In The Fourth-Century Roman Empire, Emma Branstetter

Honors Program Projects

This thesis illustrates the development of the Christian historical fiction novella named Καθαρός set in the early fourth century of Christian history closely following the events of the Great Persecution and its long-term effects on Christian communities in Asia Minor and North Africa. Previous Christian novels set in the Roman era primarily focus on the first century, and with the significant thematic potential found in later centuries after the life and resurrection of Christ, I embarked on this writing project. The research that affects my narrative is separated into four categories: the history and effects of Diocletian’s Great Persecution, fourth-century …

Police Officers' Perceptions Regarding Their Interactions With The Disabled In Kankakee County, Jilliann English

Honors Program Projects

Background: Previous research shows the rate of crime against people with disabilities is significantly higher than the general population. Despite this, gaps in the training and resources for officers to assist those with disabilities may exist. Eadens et al. (2008) explored this issue by evaluating officer attitudes towards intellectual disabilities. Kankakee County has a significant disabled population, and Illinois is ranked very low in the improvement of related policies, making this a valuable area of interest.

Methods: This study utilized the modified version of the Social Distance Questionnaire (SDQ) used by Eadens et al. (2008), which is both qualitative and …

Evaluating College Students’ Health Literacy And Its Effects On Their Perceptions Of Information Concerning Mask-Wearing In The Covid-19 Pandemic Ve Information Concerning Mask-Wearing In The Covid-19 Pandemic, Hannah S. Ketchum

Honors Program Projects

Background: Mask-wearing was a controversial and polarizing phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beliefs concerning mask-wearing differed depending on sources of information concerning the pandemic, levels of health literacy, political leaning, demographics, or other factors. This project attempted to connect college students’ level of health literacy to their understanding of and adherence to mask-wearing in the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a gap in research connecting health literacy to understanding information concerning pandemics and an even bigger lack of studies conducted that relate college students’ health literacy to their perception of illnesses or pandemics. It is important to understand the impact of …