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Aim: To investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and the technical standard of root canal treatment in a Belgian population, assess the association of different variables with periapical status, and compare the results to a similar study conducted 22 years previously. Methodology: In this cross‐sectional study, 614 panoramic radiographs of first‐time adult attendees at the Dental School of the University Hospital of Ghent were examined. Recorded patient‐level parameters included gender, age, number of teeth, number of root filled teeth, presence of any AP lesion, and number of implants. The following tooth‐level data were collected: tooth presence, coronal status, quality of coronal restoration, post presence, type of root‐filling material, length and density of root filling, root‐end filling material, presence of AP, and adjacent implant. Multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression was used to explore the association between patient and tooth characteristics and AP prevalence. Risk differences and confidence intervals were calculated to compare the present with the previous study. Results: The prevalence of AP at patient and tooth level was 46.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Fifty‐one per cent of the 614 patients had at least one root filled tooth, and 5.9% of the 14 655 teeth studied were root filled. AP was found in 45% of root filled teeth. Fifty‐four per cent of the root‐filled teeth were rated as inadequate. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression revealed that more teeth, more implants, fewer root‐filled teeth, adequate density, adequate coronal restoration, and no caries reduced the likelihood of AP. There were no statistically significant differences between the two studies regarding the prevalence of root‐filled teeth or AP and the technical quality of root canal treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of AP and the technical quality of root canal treatment in Belgium have not substantially changed over the last 22 years, despite the technological advancements and continuing education in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research focusing on the scope of practice by nurse anesthetists (NAs) is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine NAs' scope of practice in Norway, and to explore whether and how this has changed during the period from 1979 to 2018. The study had a repeated cross-sectional design. All members of the Norwegian Association of Nurse Anesthetists at the four time-points (1979, 1989, 1999 and 2018) were invited to participate in a questionnaire study. Inclusion criteria were education and work as an NA and currently working in Norway. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings indicate that the scope of NAs' practice in Norway has been increasingly restricted from 1979 to 2018 (N = 2171, P < .001). Additionally, the presence of an anesthesiologist when performing anesthesia had significantly increased during that time (39% in 1979 vs 90% in 2018). However, NAs' independent practice significantly increased in some areas, such as handling of acute situations, (i.e., handling of laryngospasm/bronchospasm [41% in 1979 versus 54% in 2018]). International and national standards underline the independent role of NAs. The development shown in our results should be addressed to avoid further restrictions of NAs' scope of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study in China to investigate the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) and its long-term association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers. Conducted across various time points from March 27, 2020, to April 10, 2023, the research employed a four-wave repeated cross-sectional design involving 14,993 healthcare workers from 32 provincial administrative regions across the country. Nurses accounted for 34.3% of the sample, while doctors accounted for 65.7% of the sample, with a higher concentration in western China. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors for WPV, and hierarchical logistic regression models were used to examine the association between PTSD and WPV. The findings revealed that 71.4% of healthcare workers reported experiencing or witnessing WPV, with nearly half (47.5%) indicating exposure to violent incidents within the past year. Further analysis revealed significant associations between WPV incidence and various factors, including age, gender, work experience, work setting, and a history of contact with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients (the odds ratio [OR] of these influencing factors ranged from 1.10 to 2.03. All the p-values were less than .05). 28.5% of healthcare workers displayed symptoms of PTSD, with WPV identified as a major risk factor contributing to these symptoms (lifetime WPV: OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.47–1.76]; 1-year WPV: OR = 1.75 [1.61–1.90]). Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize the mental health of healthcare workers and implement effective measures to prevent and mitigate WPV, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being as well as occupational safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hungary is unique in Europe having five school physical education (PE) classes per week for every child. The objective of this study was to examine the changes that have occurred in the leisure-time activities (sedentary activities and physical activities) of Hungarian students since this introduction. Students' sedentary activities and physical activities activity were measured in a repeated crosssectional study using the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) method. Activities were reported by participants from getting up in the morning until starting school and from after school until falling asleep, at 15-minute intervals. Behaviors were reported in response to a single free-response item: 'What are you doing now?'. The first survey was in 2005/06, and the second survey was in 2015/16 after the introduction of daily physical education. We found that despite daily PE, Hungarian students still spend most of their leisure time sitting (e.g., talking, watching TV). However, reported leisure time spent on sport and exercise was ranked higher than in the first survey, moving from eighth to fifth place. Boys still spend more time watching TV and playing computer games than girls but are also more physically active. No significant age effects were found in time spent on sport and exercise, but there was a difference in sedentary activities. Regardless of gender and age group, after the introduction of daily physical education, leisure time spent on sports and exercise increased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused dramatic changes in the daily lives of Romanians, affecting their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved at three significant peaks, which sequentially occurred on: April 29, 2020; September 18, 2020; and the third wave registered the highest severity on November 27, 2020. Little is known about the mental health changes during this phase of this pandemic. This study evaluated mental health levels in Romania at the end of the first wave of the pandemic and amidst the third and most severe wave. We administered a two-phase internet-based survey among 543 and 583 participants, respectively, recruited through snowball sampling at a 6-month interval. The IPAT Anxiety Scale measured anxiety, the Beck's Depression Inventory measured depression, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale measured dissociation. We observed no statistically significant differences in the number of participants with clinically relevant scores at either time point. In the first survey, 23.8%, 19.2%, and 32.6% reported being clinically anxious, clinically depressed, and showed clinical dissociation, respectively. Binary logistic regressions indicated that age, education level, and previous traumatic events were significantly associated with clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis reported a collective significant effect of gender, age, psychological impact, traumatic events, and dissociation on predicting high levels of anxiety and depression. Romanian adults' mental health status was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it did not change 6 months after the first lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upsurge in violent radicalization is associated with a global increase in social inequalities and conflicts related to different markers of identity. To date, literature on the factors associated with legitimizing violence toward others is cross-sectional and does not provide information on the possible change of this phenomenon over time. Such information is necessary to design primary prevention programs that are adapted to and address a rapidly evolving social context. We use a repeated cross-sectional study design to explore the association between sociodemographic characteristics and scores on the Sympathy for Violent Radicalization Scale (SVR) in Quebec (Canada) college students at 2 times points. Results from an online survey completed by students of 6 colleges in 2015 (n = 854) and 2017 (n = 702) indicate that although overall scores on the SVR scale remained stable, there were changes in the association between age, identity, and the outcome at the two time points. Specifically, scores on the SVR were significantly higher among younger students in 2017 than in 2015. In addition, in 2017 we observed a relationship between collective identity and SVR that was not present in 2015. These results align with other recent studies in Canada and the U.S. documenting the emergence of new forms of youth politicized bullying associated with race, ethnicity, and religion. A close monitoring of the phenomenon is warranted to both better understand the impact of populist policies on the increase in hate incidents and crimes and develop programs to address these forms of violence from a public health perspective. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carsharing impacts on car ownership at early and maturity phases are compared. • The percent of users shedding a car almost doubled from 2014 (2.3%) to 2018 (4.3%). • The impacts of carsharing extended to more general socioeconomic groups over time. • More diverse factors affected carsharing users' car ownership decisions in 2018. • Factors of service reliability and trip purpose become more influential in 2018. This study identifies and compares factors that drive carsharing users' vehicle ownership changes, using repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in the early (2014) and mature (2018) phases of the carsharing program in Seoul, Korea. Launched in 2013, the carsharing program has experienced a rapid growth in rental facilities and membership. Two types of mixed-effect logistic regression models are developed to predict the reduction in car ownership and the decision to defer a car purchase among carsharing members, respectively, for each phase, and the changes in estimated coefficients between two phases are evaluated statistically. Results show that about 31% of the members reduced their current or potential car ownership in favor of shared automobility in both phases, while the proportion of those who shed a private vehicle almost doubled from 2.3% to 4.3%. Carsharing's impact on vehicle ownership reduction appears to be extended to more general cohorts of the membership (e.g., higher income, larger households) as the program expands and ages. While accessibility to carsharing services is consistently important for deciding against vehicle ownership, the relative importance of satisfaction with customer services, accident claims process, and rental charges increased significantly between 2014 and 2018. Those who choose shared vehicles for business or commute trips are more willing to decrease their vehicle ownership than those using the service for non-work trips. These findings help develop a clear understanding of carsharing users' behavioral changes in terms of car ownership following the growth of carsharing services, with insights on the direction of further service improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed at assessing, as primary objective, the periapical status and quality of root fillings, and, as secondary objective, the endodontic treatment need of a German urban population in a cross-sectional study 20 years after the first one. Materials and methods: Clinical and radiographic data of 353 patients were evaluated. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed and the endodontic treatment need was calculated. Results were compared with data from the year 1993. Results: A total of 9269 teeth were examined (26.2 teeth per patient; 1993, 24.4), of which 337 teeth were root filled (3.6%; 1993, 2.7%). Prevalence of apical periodontitis in root-filled teeth was 34% (1993, 61%). Quality of root fillings was adequate in 117 cases (35%; 1993, 14%). Minimum endodontic treatment need was estimated with 1.6% (1993, 2.3%), including teeth with clinical symptoms. Considering symptomless teeth with apical periodontitis and poor quality of root filling, the treatment need was 2.9% (1993, 3.7%). Regression analysis identified quality of root filling as a significant factor for periapical health (p = 0.01, odds ratio 3.4×, 95% CI 1.9–6.3×), likewise the type of instrumentation. Teeth treated with rotary files had a significantly better outcome (p = 0.02, odds ratio 2.0×, 95% CI 1.1–3.7×). Conclusions: Quality of root fillings and the periapical status have improved over the last 20 years in Germany. However, there is still a need for an increase in quality of root canal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study represents the fourth phase of a repeated cross-sectional study that was begun in 1985. It examines the current trends of private clubs’ operating budget practices and the changes in the practices over four decades. General managers (GMs) in the private club industry were selected to answer questions in managing their operating budgets, and 408 responses were collected. This study shows that in most clubs, the operating budgets are prepared through a cooperative effort involving the GM, accounting department heads, and others (e.g., department heads and committee heads). Depending on their size—in terms of revenue and membership size—clubs differ significantly in how they prepare operating budgets. As one of only a few budgeting studies in the hospitality industry, this study makes several contributions to the hospitality accounting literature, management, and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the third phase of a repeated cross-sectional study that explores the current rankings of important accounting skills to lodging managers and the changes in the importance of accounting skills to lodging managers over time. In this study, as with two prior studies, financial executives were asked to rate the importance of a list of managerial accounting skills used by hotel general managers. The top three managerial accounting skills were the operating budget, the income statement, and analysis of variances. This study can provide a better sense of the perception of importance of accounting skills utilized by lodging managers. It will be useful for hospitality educators in designing the curriculum for managerial accounting courses to meet the expectations of the current hospitality industry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Using data from large scale Annual Social Surveys of the CBS in Israel, the current study investigated the impact of internet adoption and internet uses on the life satisfaction of senior citizens (aged 65+), compared to those of working age (ages 20–64) during the decade of 2003–2012. The findings show high-medium levels of life satisfaction – higher in younger age group, compared to the senior citizens. Life satisfaction increased moderately over time among the younger age group, while among the older population it remained stable during the decade under study. Our main conclusion is that internet adoption and digital uses increase life satisfaction, after controlling for socio-demographic variables, sociability and health condition. In addition, internet adoption and digital uses can constitute an important channel for increasing life satisfaction among senior citizens and weaker social groups: people from low economic strata and those suffering from health problems that interfere with day-to-day functioning. Moreover, in contrast to other powerful factors impacting life satisfaction (income, religiosity, sociability and health problems) this factor can be changed with relative ease, if digital literacy becomes one of the important goals in the national agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from large scale Annual Social Surveys of the CBS in Israel, the current research focused on trends of internet adoption and digital uses among the senior population in the past decade (2003–2012). The research goal was to identify the socio-demographic characteristics predicting internet access and digital uses and to examine whether the effects of these factors changed over time. During the decade the rate of internet access and digital uses increased continuously among the senior population, however the gap between them and the younger (20–64) age group was not eliminated; in fact it increased but only slightly. Our findings make it possible to identify disadvantaged groups in which being a senior intersects with additional risk factors: Arabs, immigrants, religious people, respondents from low socio-economic background and people with health problems. These findings are important for policy makers who attempt to promote internet use among Israeli older adults. Focusing on disadvantaged groups and implementing our specific recommendations may have beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Indoor microbiome exposure is associated with asthma, rhinitis and eczema. However, no studies report the interactions between environmental characteristics, indoor microbiome and health effects in a repeated cross-sectional framework. 1,279 and 1,121 preschool children in an industrial city (Taiyuan) of China were assessed for asthma, rhinitis and eczema symptoms in 2012 and 2019 by self-administered questionnaires, respectively. Bacteria and fungi in classroom vacuum dust were characterized by culture-independent amplicon sequencing. Multi-level logistic/linear regression was performed in two cross-sectional and two combined models to assess the associations. The number of observed species in bacterial and fungal communities in classrooms increased significantly from 2012 to 2019, and the compositions of the microbial communities were drastically changed (p < 0.001). The temporal microbiome variation was significantly larger than the spatial variation within the city (p < 0.001). Annual average outdoor SO 2 concentration decreased by 60.7%, whereas NO 2 and PM 10 concentrations increased by 63.3% and 40.0% from 2012 to 2019, which were both associated with indoor microbiome variation (PERMANOVA p < 0.001). The prevalence of asthma (2.0% to 3.3%, p = 0.06) and rhinitis (28.0% to 25.3%, p = 0.13) were not significantly changed, but the prevalence of eczema was increased (3.6% to 7.0%; p < 0.001). Aspergillus subversicolor , Collinsella and Cutibacterium were positively associated with asthma, rhinitis and eczema, respectively (p < 0.01). Prevotella , Lactobacillus iners and Dolosigranulum were protectively (negatively) associated with rhinitis (p < 0.01), consistent with previous studies in the human respiratory tract. NO 2 and PM 10 concentrations were negatively associated with rhinitis in a bivariate model, but a multivariate mediation analysis revealed that Prevotella fully mediated the health effects. This is the first study to report the interactions between environmental characteristics, indoor microbiome and health in a repeated cross-sectional framework. The mediating effects of indoor microorganisms suggest incorporating biological with chemical exposure for a comprehensive exposure assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]