Notable gains have been made in understanding the factors that influence the student experience in higher education, particularly in the area of student engagement. While tremendous effort has been focused on identifying educationally beneficial activities for students, we must also consider where these activities are occurring. In recent years there have been technological advances that have paved the way for blended learning environments, however, physical learning environments continue to dominate the functionality of many universities. The development of purpose-built informal social learning spaces as a strategy to enhance the student experience is becoming more prevalent, although empirical research in this area is lacking. This study explores the role of social learning spaces on the student experience using the student engagement framework within a qualitative research design. Informal interviews with 103 students were conducted within a social learning space. Findings reveal that social learning spaces can contribute to enhanced student engagement by fostering active learning, social interaction and belonging amongst tertiary students. The study also suggests that design is a contributing factor to students' perceptions of social learning spaces.
Context Nutritional interventions may benefit cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, evidence is yet to be synthesized in a way that can inform recommendations for clinical and public health settings. Objective To systematically review evidence on the effect of dietary patterns, foods, and nutritional supplements on cognitive decline in individuals with MCI. Data Sources Guided by the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 statement, the Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases, the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched (publication years 2005 to 2020). Included studies were English-language systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies reporting on the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on cognition of individuals with MCI. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on cognitive outcomes and adverse events. Review quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews–2). Primary study overlap was managed following Cochrane Handbook guidelines. Data Analysis Of the 6677 records retrieved, 20 reviews were included, which, in turn, reported on 43 randomized controlled trials and 1 cohort study that, together, addressed 18 nutritional interventions. Most reviews were limited by quality and the small number of primary studies with small sample sizes. Reviews were mostly positive for B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics (including 12, 11 and 4 primary studies, respectively). Souvenaid and the Mediterranean diet reduced cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease progression in single trials with <500 participants. Findings from studies with a small number of participants suggest vitamin D, a low-carbohydrate diet, medium-chain triglycerides, blueberries, grape juice, cocoa flavanols, and Brazil nuts may improve individual cognitive subdomains, but more studies are needed. Conclusions Few nutritional interventions were found to convincingly improve cognition of individuals with MCI. More high-quality research in MCI populations is required to determine if nutritional treatments improve cognition and/or reduce progression to dementia. Systematic review registration Open Science Framework protocol identifier DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/BEP2S.
A neurogenic bladder is defined as dysfunction of the bladder secondary to known disease of, or injury to, the central, peripheral or autonomic nervous systems. Neurogenic bladder dysfunction can cause urinary symptoms for the patient as well as increasing the risk of developing recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder calculi and potentially life-threatening complications including sepsis and renal failure. Therefore, it is important for GPs to have a solid understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology, assessment and management of this condition in order to improve patients’ symptom control and attempt to prevent long-term complications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.