Pulsar spindown forms a reliable yet enigmatic prototype for the energy loss processes in many astrophysical objects including accretion disks and back holes. In this paper we review the physics of pulsar magnetospheres, concentrating on recent developmen ts in force-free modeling of the magnetospheric structure. In particular, we discuss a new method for solving the equations of time-dependent...

AIMS We investigated the potential influence of a moderate-to-high cardiovascular (CV) risk (CVR) (defined as a Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation model, or SCORE ≥ 4%), in the absence of an established CV disease, on the duration and cost of CV and non-CV sick leave (SL) resulting from common and occupational accidents or diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a prospective cohort study...

Visceral pain is the most common form of pain caused by varied diseases and a major reason for patients to seek medical consultation. It also leads to a significant economic burden due to workdays lost and reduced productivity. Further, long-term use of non-specific medications is also associated with side effects affecting the quality of life. Despite years of extensive re-search and the avail...

BACKGROUND In epidemiological studies, continuous measures of asthma severity should be used to catch the heterogeneity of phenotypes. This study aimed at developing and validating continuous measures of asthma severity in adult patients with ever asthma from the general population, to be used in epidemiological studies. METHODS Respiratory symptoms, anti-asthmatic treatment and lung function...

Chronic abdominal visceral pain (CAVP) has a significant clinical impact and represents one of the most frequent and debilitating disorders in the general population. It also leads to a significant economic burden due to workdays lost, reduced productivity, and long-term use of medications with their associated side effects. Despite the availability of several therapeutic options, the managemen...

BACKGROUND Low back pain is a significant cause of lost workplace productivity. Identification of simple, safe, and effective treatment strategies that can be used in the workplace are needed. OBJECTIVE To assess whether far-infrared therapy (FIR) can ameliorate chronic back pain in office workers with the hypothesis that back pain could be effectively treated while at work with minimal inter...

Objective Examine the relationship between depression symptoms and sinonasal inflammatory diseases, and investigate health disparities associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and sinusitis in the United States. Study Design Cross-sectional analysis of 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Methods Adult cases of AR and sinusitis were extracted from the 2014 NHIS in addition to de...

The purpose of this study was to describe antecedents and characteristics of same level fall injuries. Fall incidents and costs were compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources from 2006–2010. This study indicated that over 29% of ‘fall on same level’ injuries resulted in 31 or more workdays lost. The major source of injury was ‘floors, walkways or ground surfaces’, and the m...

The utilization of orthotic devices for lumbar degenerative disease has been justified from both a prognostic and therapeutic perspective. As a prognostic tool, bracing is applied prior to surgery to determine if immobilization of the spine leads to symptomatic relief and thus justify the performance of a fusion. Since bracing does not eliminate motion, the validity of this assumption is questi...