Designing and Supporting Extraordinary Work Experience

“There is a big difference between a lesson that is about the practice and takes place outside of it, and explanations and stories that are part of the practice and take place within it” (Wenger, Communities of practice. Learning, meaning and identity. Cambridge University Press, New York, 1998, p. 100). The real world learning experienced by students on placement is highly significant (Morley, Enhancing employability in higher education through work based learning. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). This chapter focuses on how these experiences can be accelerated from being part of courses to a pivotal event towards students’ future development. The chapter explores emerging areas of practice pedagogy and how innovative design can bridge the theory-practice divide and support structures between university and work. The chapter is contextualised in the higher education landscape where students ‘work readiness’ is gaining greater traction and how attributes for employability are developed during university

Quantitative environmental equity analysis of perceived accessibility to urban parks in Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Environmental equity (EE) has become internationally recognized as an important research field, but in Japan limited quantitative research is available. In this paper we report the results of a quantitative study that tested whether objective and perceived accessibility to parks is disproportionately distributed between the affluent and the poor in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Perceived accessibility is considered to be a more accurate accessibility measure which reflects the socio-cultural background of people. We find inequities in both accessibility measures, and using multiple logistic regression analysis, we clarified that perceived accessibility is shaped by a range of factors (i.e., income level, objective accessibility to parks, and people’s perceptions of traffic accidents, crime, and the level of scenic beauty in the neighboring area). Our results provide some insight into remediation measures for the environmental inequity of perceived accessibility. Simply establishing a new urban park may not sufficiently increase the perceived accessibility of socioeconomically deprived groups. Identifying the underlying mechanisms that could explain how poverty-related factors undermine the perceived park accessibility or improving the quality of neighboring area are also important to ensure the effectiveness of remediation measures

Functional Integrated Storage Housing

The vertical rotating shelf is a new design concept for a robotics laboratory that provides a compact and efficient storage solution for a variety of components and materials. The shelf is designed to maximize storage capacity while minimizing the amount of space required. The shelf consists of a sturdy metal frame with multiple shelves attached to it. The shelves are modular and the bins on the shelves can be changed to accommodate items of varying sizes. The rotating mechanism is powered by a motor, which allows for easy access to all items on the shelf without having to move or reorganize the entire storage area. The shelf is ideal for use in a robotics laboratory, where space is often at a premium and storage needs are constantly changing. The compact design of the shelf allows for easy installation in a variety of settings, including on a workbench or in a corner of the lab. The rotating feature also enables efficient organization of materials and components, reducing the time and effort required to locate specific items. Overall, the vertical rotating shelf is a practical and innovative storage solution for a robotics lab that provides a unique combination of space-saving design and efficient organization capabilities. Its sturdy construction, adjustable shelves, and rotating mechanism make it a versatile and reliable addition to any lab looking to optimize their storage capabilities

Walk or run? Is high-intensity exercise more effective than moderate-intensity exercise at reducing cardiovascular risk?

The benefits of exercise in the prevention of cardiovascular disease are irrefutable. However, the optimum ‘dose’ of exercise in order to derive the maximum cardiovascular benefit is not certain. Current national and international guidelines advocate the benefits of moderate-intensity exercise. The relative benefits of vigorous versus moderate-intensity exercise have been studied in large epidemiological studies, addressing coronary heart disease and mortality, as well as smaller randomized clinical trials which assessed effects on cardiovascular risk factors. There is evidence that exercise intensity, rather than duration or frequency, is the most important variable in determining cardioprotection. Applying this evidence into practice must take into account the impact of baseline fitness, compliance and the independent risk associated with a sedentary lifestyle. This review aims to evaluate the role of exercise intensity in the reduction of cardiovascular risk, and answer the question: should you be advising your patients to walk or run