Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

About: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais is a education organization based out in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 41631 authors who have published 75688 publications receiving 1249905 citations.

The structure of self-rated health among older adults: the Bambuí health and ageing study (BHAS)

Abstract: OBJETIVO: Determinar os fatores associados a auto-avaliacao da saude entre idosos, considerando-se cinco dimensoes: sociodemografica, suporte social, habitos de vida relacionados a saude, condicoes de saude e acesso e uso de servicos de saude. METODOS: Dos 1.742 idosos (>60 anos) residentes na cidade de Bambui (Minas Gerais), 1.516 (87,0%) participaram do estudo. As informacoes foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas, exames fisicos e laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: A auto-avaliacao da saude como boa/muito boa, razoavel e ruim/muito ruim foi relatada, respectivamente, por 24,7%, 49,2% e 26,1% dos participantes. As seguintes caracteristicas apresentaram associacoes independentes e positivas com pior percepcao da saude: suporte social (insatisfacao com os relacionamentos pessoais e menor frequencia a clubes ou associacoes), condicoes de saude (sintomas depressivos/ansiosos nas ultimas duas semanas, queixa de insonia nos ultimos 30 dias, maior numero de medicamentos prescritos usados nos ultimos 30 dias) e acesso/uso de servicos de saude (queixas quando necessita de servicos medicos, maior numero de consultas medicas nos ultimos 12 meses e maior numero de internacoes hospitalares no periodo). Associacao negativa e independente foi encontrada para renda domiciliar mensal ( 4 salarios-minimos). CONCLUSOES: Os resultados mostraram uma estrutura multidimensional da auto-avaliacao da saude em idosos, compreendendo a situacao socioeconomica, suporte social, condicoes de saude (destacando-se a saude mental) e acesso e uso de servicos de saude.

Optimal estimation of losses at the ultimate quantum limit with non-Gaussian states

Abstract: We address the estimation of the loss parameter of a bosonic channel probed by arbitrary signals. Unlike the optimal Gaussian probes, which can attain the ultimate bound on precision asymptotically either for very small or very large losses, we prove that Fock states at any fixed photon number saturate the bound unconditionally for any value of the loss. In the relevant regime of low-energy probes, we demonstrate that superpositions of the first low-lying Fock states yield an absolute improvement over any Gaussian probe. Such few-photon states can be recast quite generally as truncations of de-Gaussified photon-subtracted states.

Logging and Tropical Forest Conservation

Abstract: The international community has experimented with a range of strategies to conserve biodiversity and curb tropical deforestation. But new logging investments in primary tropical forests, including those made in the name of "sustainability," are likely to do more harm than good. Conservationists should instead focus on more investments in protected areas and creative ways to prevent the spread of logging in these rapidly-declining ecosystems.

A field trial of a vaccine against American dermal leishmaniasis.

Abstract: A field trial was carried out in the eastern part of the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil) of a vaccine containing killed promastigotes of five stocks of Leishmania. Tests with Montenegro antigen showed that a high proportion of the vaccinated persons became positive within three months, but circulating antibodies were not detected. A proportion of those vaccinated continued to give positive Montenegro reactions for up to three years. Lymphocyte sensitivity tests carried out, on a small sample, three years after vaccination were positive and gave no evidence of immunological depression. No cases of cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occurred in the trial area during the three years of observations.