Proportioning of self-compacting concrete – the UCL method

This document sets out a procedure of the proportioning of self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes which is suitable for use by an experienced concrete technologist who may not be familiar with SCC. It requires access to a laboratory with reasonable range of equipment for standard testing of fresh concrete, but not containing techniques for more sophisticated testing, such as mortar or concrete rheology. It is based on work carried out in a succession of studies at UCL

Assessing and managing concurrent hearing, vision and cognitive impairments in older people: an international perspective from healthcare professionals

Background: there is a significant gap in the understanding, assessment and management of people with dementia and concurrent hearing and vision impairments. / Objective: from the perspective of professionals in dementia, hearing and vision care, we aimed to: (1) explore the perceptions of gaps in assessment and service provision in ageing-related hearing, vision and cognitive impairment; (2) consider potential solutions regarding this overlap and (3) ascertain the attitudes, awareness and practice, with a view to implementing change. / Methods: our two-part investigation with hearing, vision, and dementia care professionals involved: (1) an in-depth, interdisciplinary, international Expert Reference Group (ERG; n = 17) and (2) a wide-scale knowledge, attitudes and practice survey (n = 653). The ERG involved consensus discussions around prototypic clinical vignettes drawn from a memory centre, an audiology clinic, and an optometry clinic, analysed using an applied content approach. / Results: the ERG revealed several gaps in assessment and service provision, including a lack of validated assessment tools for concurrent impairments, poor interdisciplinary communication and care pathways, and a lack of evidence-based interventions. Consensus centred on the need for flexible, individualised, patient-centred solutions, using an interdisciplinary approach. The survey data validated these findings, highlighting the need for clear guidelines for assessing and managing concurrent impairments. / Conclusions: this is the first international study exploring professionals’ views of the assessment and care of individuals with age-related hearing, vision and hearing impairment. The findings will inform the adaptation of assessments, the development of supportive interventions, and the new provision of services

Construction materials : their nature and behaviour / edited by Peter Domone and John Illston.

Includes bibliographical references and index.Book fair 2012.xvi, 567 p. :Considerable developments have occurred in the 21st century in the understanding of materials' behaviour and in their technology and use. This book includes chapters on further developments such as the use of glass as structural material and in the contribution of the selection of materials to sustainable construction practice