Université de Sherbrooke

About: Université de Sherbrooke is a education organization based out in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Receptor. The organization has 14922 authors who have published 28783 publications receiving 792511 citations. The organization is also known as: Universite de Sherbrooke & Sherbrooke University.

Brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment in older Japanese: Validation of the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Abstract: Aim: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), developed by Dr Nasreddine (Nasreddine et al. 2005), is a brief cognitive screening tool for detecting older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the MoCA (MoCA-J) in older Japanese subjects. Methods: Subjects were recruited from the outpatient memory clinic of Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital or community-based medical health check-ups in 2008. The MoCA-J, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, and routine neuropsychological batteries were conducted on 96 older subjects. Mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) was found in 30 subjects and MCI in 30, with 36 normal controls. Results: The Cronbach's alpha of MoCA-J as an index of internal consistency was 0.74. The test–retest reliability of MoCA, using intraclass correlation coefficient between the scores at baseline survey and follow-up survey 8 weeks later was 0.88 (P < 0.001). MoCA-J score was highly correlated with MMSE (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), HDS-R (r = 0.79, P < 0.001) and CDR (r = −0.79, P < 0.001) scores. The areas under receiver–operator curves (AUC) for predicting MCI and AD groups by the MoCA-J were 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90–1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.00–1.00), respectively. The corresponding values for MMSE and HDS-R were 0.85 (95% CI = 0.75–0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.00–1.00), and 0.86 (95% CI = 0.76–0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.00–1.00), respectively. Using a cut-off point of 25/26, the MoCA-J demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.0% and a specificity of 87.0% in screening MCI. Conclusion: The MoCA-J could be a useful cognitive test for screening MCI, and could be recommended in a primary clinical setting and for geriatric health screening in the community. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10: 225–232.

Energetic and fitness costs of mismatching resource supply and demand in seasonally breeding birds.

Abstract: By advancing spring leaf flush and ensuing food availability, climatic warming results in a mismatch between the timing of peak food supply and nestling demand, shifting the optimal time for reproduction in birds. Two populations of blue tits (Parus caeruleus) that breed at different dates in similar, but spatially distinct, habitat types in Corsica and southern France provide a unique opportunity to quantify the energetic and fitness consequences when breeding is mismatched with local productivity. As food supply and demand become progressively mismatched, the increased cost of rearing young pushes the metabolic effort of adults beyond their apparent sustainable limit, drastically reducing the persistence of adults in the breeding population. We provide evidence that the economics of parental foraging and limits to sustainable metabolic effort are key selective forces underlying synchronized seasonal breeding and long-term shifts in breeding date in response to climatic change.

Microbes and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract: We are researchers and clinicians working on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or related topics, and we write to express our concern that one particular aspect of the disease has been neglected, even thoug ...

Viscosity-enhancing admixtures for cement-based materials — An overview

Abstract: Viscosity-enhancing admixtures, also known as anti-washout admixtures, are water-soluble polymers that increase the viscosity and cohesion of cement-based materials. Such enhancement of the liquid-phase viscosity is essential in flowable systems in order to reduce the rate of separation of material constituents and improve the homogeneity and performance of the hardened product. Viscosity-enhancing admixtures are mostly used along with a high-range water reducer to obtain a highly fluid, yet cohesive cement-based material that can flow readily into place with minimal separation of the various constituents of different densities and minimal intermixing with the surrounding water whenever cast under water. This paper reviews the types and modes of action of commonly used viscosity-enhancing admixtures and highlights their influence on the rheological properties of water and cement paste. An overview of the influence of various types of viscosity-enhancing admixture on high-range water reducer demand, resistance to water dilution, static and forced bleeding, segregation, settlement, setting time, and air entrainment is presented. The influence of such admixtures on bond to anchored reinforcing bars, frost durability, mechanical properties, and rapid-chloride permeability is also highlighted. Special applications where such relatively new admixtures can significantly enhance performance are highlighted, including their incorporation in concrete intended for underwater placement and repair, self-consolidating and segregation-free concrete for abovewater construction, and structural grout for filling post-tensioning ducts.