Nonanalyticity of the free energy in thermal field theory

We study, in a d-dimensional space-time, the nonanalyticity of the thermal free energy in the scalar phi(4) theory as well as in QED. We find that the infrared divergent contributions induce, when d is even, a nonanalyticity in the coupling alpha of the form (alpha)((d-1)/2) whereas when d is odd the nonanalyticity is only logarithmic.CNPq (Brazil)CNPq (Brazil

Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Brazil, 1981–2002

Brazil has experienced an increase in dengue disease severity in the past 5 years

Differential patterns of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality rates in Goiânia, Brazil, 1992-1996: use of spatial analysis to identify high-risk areas

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial pattern of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in the city of Goiânia, Central Brazil. Analyses were based on linked birth and death certificates relating to 101,000 in-hospital live births from mothers residing in the city of Goiânia over the 1992-1996 period. Overall neonatal and post-neonatal mortality probabilities were calculated using the linked database. The empirical Bayes method was applied to smooth the estimated rates and minimize random fluctuation. Spatial units of analysis were 65 urban districts, corresponding to the urban planning sectors. The following exploratory spatial analyses were applied: global Moran's I statistic, local Moran LISA map, and Gi* local statistics. For both neonatal and post-neonatal mortality there was statistically significant spatial autocorrelation. Results of post-neonatal mortality showed a high-risk cluster located on the outskirts of the city. For the neonatal period, a heterogeneous mortality pattern was found with high-risk districts in all regions, including central areas.Este artigo refere-se à pesquisa acerca do padrão espacial dos componentes neonatal e pós-neonatal da mortalidade infantil em Goiânia, no Estado de Goiás, Brasil. A população do estudo foi a coorte de 101 mil nascidos vivos, residentes em Goiânia, de 1992 a 1996. As probabilidades de morte infantil foram estimadas mediante o cotejo dos arquivos de óbitos e de nascidos vivos. Para minimizar as flutuações aleatórias das taxas, empregou-se o método Bayesiano empírico. A unidade de análise do padrão espacial foi constituída pelos 65 distritos urbanos de planejamento. Para análise de autocorrelação espacial foram utilizados: Moran global, Moran local e estatística Gi* local. Os componentes neonatal e pós-neonatal da mortalidade infantil evidenciaram autocorrelação espacial estatisticamente significativa. No período pós-neonatal, os distritos de risco concentram-se nas regiões periféricas do município. No período neonatal, o padrão de ocorrência é heterogêneo, havendo distritos de alto risco distribuídos em todas as regiões, inclusive na região Central de Goiânia.1241125

Development of standard clinical endpoints for use in dengue interventional trials: introduction and methodology

Background: As increasing numbers of dengue vaccines and therapeutics are in clinical development, standardized consensus clinical endpoint definitions are urgently needed to assess the efficacy of different interventions with respect to disease severity. We aimed to convene dengue experts representing various sectors and dengue endemic areas to review the literature and propose clinical endpoint definitions for moderate and severe disease based on the framework provided by the WHO 2009 classification. Methods: The endpoints were first proposed and discussed in a structured expert consultation. After that, the Delphi method was carried out to assess the usefulness, validity and feasibility of the standardized clinical disease endpoints for interventional dengue research. Results: Most respondents (> 80%) agreed there is a need for both standardized clinical endpoints and operationalization of severe endpoints. Most respondents (67%) felt there is utility for moderate severity endpoints, but cited challenges in their development. Hospitalization as a moderate endpoint of disease severity or measure of public health impact was deemed to be useful by only 47% of respondents, but 89% felt it could bring about supplemental information if carefully contextualized according to data collection setting. Over half of the respondents favored alignment of the standard endpoints with the WHO guidelines (58%), but cautioned that the endpoints could have ramifications for public health practice. In terms of data granularity of the endpoints, there was a slight preference for a categorical vs numeric system (e.g. 1–10) (47% vs 34%), and 74% of respondents suggested validating the endpoints using large prospective data sets. Conclusion: The structured consensus-building process was successful taking into account the history of the debate around potential endpoints for severe dengue. There is clear support for the development of standardized endpoints for interventional clinical research and the need for subsequent validation with prospective data sets. Challenges include the complexity of developing moderate disease research endpoints for dengue

Dermatological diseases of compulsory notification in Brazil

A estruturação do Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Brasil, em 1975, tornou obrigatória a notificação de algumas doenças transmissíveis com o objetivo de reduzir a carga destes eventos no país. Entretanto, as alterações no perfil epidemiológico destas doenças, associadas a características da sociedade contemporânea, determinam a constante adequação das atividades de vigilância a este cenário. Neste manuscrito, são descritos epidemiologia, tendências e diagnóstico diferencial das seguintes doenças dermatológicas de notificação compulsória no Brasil: aids, dengue, hanseníase, leishmaniose tegumentar americana, sarampo, rubéola e síndrome da rubéola congênita e sífilis. Também são apresentados os principais desafios atuais para o controle e prevenção para cada uma dessas doenças no BrasilThe development of a Brazilian National Surveillance System in 1975 led to a compulsory reporting of selected infectious diseases aiming to reduce the burden of these events in the country. However, shifts in the epidemiology of these diseases associated with modern life style, demand constant revision of surveillance activities. In this manuscript we present the epidemiology, trends and differential diagnosis of the following compulsory notifiable diseases in Brazil: Aids, dengue fever, hanseniasis, American tegumentary leishmaniasis, measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome and syphilis. Additionally, the current challenges for control and prevention of each disease are presente