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Delaying the Newborn Bath for Twenty-Four Hours
Full text linkDelaying newborn bathing beyond 24 hours aligns with the WHO guidelines on newborn care, and is beneficial to neonatal outcomes: Potential to improve several key outcomes of extrauterine stabilization and breastfeeding. Reduces neonatal hypothermia and hypoglycemia. Increases prevalence of breastfeeding rates.
Studies reported mixed results regarding the significance of these outcomes; however, data favors the practice of delayed infant bathing. Further research is warranted to address limitations and gaps in research.
By implementing delayed newborn bathing, healthcare providers have the potential to improve the overall health outcomes of the infant and support wellbeing
Genetic Screen to Understand Phage Gene Function
Full text linkFor years, healthcare providers have raised concerns regarding the use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are a promising alternative to the use of antibiotics. Phages target specific bacteria and kill them. Using phages to treat bacterial infections is phage therapy. To use phages in phage therapy we need to understand phage biology fully. To advance this objective we are using a genetic screen to identify genes in phages Island3, Sbash, and EagleEye that interfere with host cell growth (cytotoxicity) and genes that protect the host from infection by another phage (defense). So far, we have cloned all 76 of Island3’s genes. Of these, 15 are toxic and 6 confer defense. We have cloned 71/89 Sbash genes of which 14 are toxic and 3 confer defense. Finally, we have cloned 51/97 EagleEye genes of which 5 are toxic and 6 confer defense
Point of Care Ultrasound to Manage Fluid Resuscitation in Septic Shock
Full text linkSepsis is a health complication causing immune dysregulation and ultimately end-organ damage, with millions of cases and deaths reported annually.1,2 The financial burden of sepsis is substantial and results in hospitalization costs in the United States exceeding $52 billion per year.3 Early diagnosis and effective management strategies are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality following sepsis and septic shock.
This paper examines the use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), specifically Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) collapsibility and how it may be able to guide fluid resuscitation management for patients with sepsis.4 While POCUS has not consistently demonstrated a significant decrease in rates of 30-90 day mortality rates, research suggests that it can optimize fluid management and reduce the total fluid volume that is necessary to be theraputic.5–7 A reduction in fluid volume has been linked to decreased overall hospital costs, radiology expenses, reduction in dialysis, and mechanical ventilation requirements following treatment.5 Additionally, POCUS integration has been associated with enhanced patient satisfaction due to its correlation with increased provider empathy and reduced patient anxiety.8 Further research is needed to both establish more definitive POCUS protocols and to look beyond ultrasound for other techniques to reduce death from sepsis
The Beacon, January 31, 2025
Full text linkInequality in men\u27s and woman\u27s retreat; NW advice on adulting for students; A journey through Mac Miller\u27s mind; Bob Dylan biopic deemed underwhelming; NW forgoes foreign language requirement; Faculty art exhibit displays diverse styles; The paths of maximum efficiency; Men\u27s vs. women\u27s retreat; College campus snow days policies; Adulting 101; TikTok ban: double-edged sword; Unity in the body of Christ; Cheer and dance kick off competitive season; A deeper look into the NW vs. Dordt rivalry; Women\u27s soccer welcomes new head coach; What happened with TikTok; NW Students stand out at KCACTF
The Beacon, January 24, 2025
Full text linkUnsung Hero: Lori Bonnema; Come enjoy a night of dancing; Zendaya and Holland spark online frenzy; Wicked lives up to Broadway original; 2025 fashion throwbacks and throwaways; Heritage Singers present Madrigal Dinners; Comfort to those from far away; Unsung Hero: Lori Bonnema; Diaper drive at local church; Latin dance night; The sad reality of New Year\u27s resolutions; You should try failure; Van Kalsbeek takes down 20-uear-old record; Track and field begins 2025 season; Wrestling charging through 2024-25 season; MLK chapel is moving to many; We all know the BINGO event is not getting old
Looping Classrooms
Full text linkThis inquiry-based Capstone Project examines the effects of classroom looping, where students remain with the same teacher across consecutive years. One or more teachers looped with their students from fourth to fifth grade. The study focuses on a group of students from a low-income and rural elementary school setting. Using student surveys and reflections, the researcher examines the influence of peer connections, student-teacher relationships, and overall student satisfaction with looping. A majority of the students reported positive experiences with looping, including positive relationships with their teachers, increased emotional support, and improved classroom identity. However, some students reported challenges such as peer conflicts and teacher favoritism. This researcher evaluated looping focused on the students\u27 perspective, as this focus was minimally addressed in the reviewed literature. Future research would benefit from expanding the participant pool and exploring the parents’ perspective in relation to the student\u27s responses
Emotionally Responsive Caregiving
No full textThis inquiry-based research explores how emotionally responsive caregiving supports co-regulation and the development of self-regulation in toddlers aged 18 to 36 months. Conducted in a federally funded Early Head Start classroom, the study employed qualitative methods including observational field notes, reflecting journaling, and collaborative discussions between educators. Three central themes emerged: 1) Emotional consistency and attunement, 2) secure attachment as a foundation for self-regulation, and 3) collaborative caregiver growth. Findings indicate that predictable, sensitive, and warm caregiver responses during emotionally charged moments such as transitions, separations, and peer conflict foster emotional safety, trust, and resilience in toddlers. Secure attachment relationships facilitated the internalization of regulatory strategies, while caregiver collaboration enhanced responsiveness and adaptability. The study underscores the role of daily, emotionally attuned interactions as essential to early social emotional development, particularly in contexts serving children facing adversity. Implications include prioritizing caregiver emotional literacy, embedding reflective practice into professional development, and integrating responsive caregiving strategies into early learning environments
Using Decodable Books for In-Class Independent Reading to Improve Accuracy
No full textYoung children often receive time to read independently at school, so they can practice and apply the skills they are learning in the classroom to connected texts. It is important to be mindful of the types of books available to students during independent reading to ensure the books provide the proper amount of support for reading success and achievement. Most classrooms are filled with traditional books, which offer a wide range of text complexity, but decodable books, books that follow a phonetic scope and sequence, are being used now more than ever before, as teachers work to more closely align student practice to what is being taught in the classroom. This paper aims to explore the use of decodable texts as practice tools for independent reading and their effects on students\u27 reading accuracy. After a comprehensive literature review on independent reading, text complexity, decodable books, and reading achievement; an analysis of five years of data on the reading accuracy of 87 first-grade students; and a review of one-on-one interviews providing insight into students’ feelings about reading and the resources they use for reading activities, the research indicates that using decodable books in conjunction with traditional books increases reading accuracy and overall enjoyment of reading more than relying solely on decodable texts for reading practice. The outcome of this study emphasizes the importance of providing a wide range of literature to students to both support varied reading levels and abilities, as well as to increase student engagement and motivation
Evidence Based Project: Japanese Immigrant Elderly Couples in the Midwest
No full textThis paper examined the unique needs and challenges of Japanese immigrant elderly couples living in the rural Midwest of the United States through the lens of systemic family therapy. The focus family consisted of an elderly husband showing early signs of dementia and a wife who recognized the necessity of transitioning to independent living. Their adult daughter and son-in-law’s involvement intensified intergenerational tension, as traditional cultural norms granted the husband decision-making authority. The study provided a statistical overview of Japanese immigrant families in the U.S., highlighting aging trends, linguistic barriers, and geographic dispersion. Common psychosocial and systemic issues such as healthcare access, caregiver stress, cultural expectations of filial piety, and stigma toward dementia were analyzed alongside resilience factors like strong family cohesion and respect for elders. The paper examined barriers and historical oppression faced by Japanese Americans, particularly regarding assimilation pressures and systemic inequities in healthcare and aging services. Using systemic family therapy as the guiding framework, the analysis emphasized culturally responsive engagement, empathy, and power-sharing to promote family collaboration and self-determination. Evidence-based assessment tools and interprofessional collaboration strategies were outlined to ensure holistic, culturally grounded support. Finally, a six-session family treatment curriculum was proposed to strengthen communication, address cultural role conflicts, and foster adaptive decision-making within the family system. This work underscored the importance of integrating cultural humility, family systems theory, and anti-oppressive practice in social work with aging immigrant populations
IBL to increase Curiosity, Creativity and Critical Thinking
Full text linkIn the contemporary educational landscape, students face challenges due to a lack of essential skills needed to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, traditional educational practices have chosen to prioritize memorization and standardized testing over experiential learning. This research aims to investigate the potential of Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) strategies to increase creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity among secondary art students. Additionally, the study will look at how the implementation of IBL can enhance student engagement and motivation. By centering the study within a secondary school art classroom, the research focuses on the implementation of a structured inquiry-based project, developing a Surreal Self Portrait, within the Principles of Design and Studio Art classes. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study will compose of three phases: project development, extensive data collection through qualitative and quantitative measures, and a program evaluation assessing engagement, motivation, and academic achievement. Through reflective questionnaires, student interviews, field notes, and analysis of student artwork, the research seeks to identify challenges and limitations associated with the implementation of IBL within traditional settings. Ultimately, this study seeks to answer questions regarding the effectiveness of IBL in enhancing critical skills necessary for success in an increasingly complex and competitive world, while developing strategies for art educators to implement transformational instructional methods