Health Care Fraud And The End Of Chevron, Joan H. Krause

Faculty Publications

What do the Environmental Protection Agency’s “plantwide” definition of a “stationary” pollution source,” a National Marine Fisheries Service determination of who pays for fishing boat observers, and a Department of Health and Human Services rule governing the marketing of prescription drugs have in common? In short, a government agency’s interpretation of a federal statute. All three cases go to the heart of the administrative state: the ability of an agency, staffed by experts in the field, to interpret static statutory language to offer practical guidance to an ever-evolving industry.

The same is true of health care fraud, although it is …

A Comprehensive Analysis And Sex-Related Differences In Root And Root Canal Anatomy In The Taiwanese Population, Ho-Sheng Chiang, Wei-Cheng Lee, Ying-Wu Chen, Ling-Yu Kung, Kuei-Yuan Chen, Ren-Yeong Huang, Yi-Shing Shieh, Yu-Chiao Wu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Root canal morphology exhibits substantial anatomical variation influenced by ethnicity and sex, which may complicate endodontic treatment if unrecognized. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate root and root canal configurations in a Taiwanese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to investigate sex-related differences in canal anatomy.

Materials and methods: CBCT scans from 802 patients treated between 2022 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 18,578 teeth met the inclusion criteria. Root canal configurations were assessed for every root using Vertucci’s classification, and C-shaped canals were further categorized based on morphology. Sex-related differences were analyzed using chi-square tests. …

Role Of Three-Phase Bone Scintigraphy And Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography In Monitoring Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined With Conservative Surgery For Refractory Osteomyelitis, Yu Nakai, Ken-Ichiro Sakata, Masayuki Shinohara, Yusuke Nakamura, Keisuke Nakamura, Tougo Tanabe, Taku Kimura, Takuya Asaka, Jun Sato, Yoshimasa Kitagawa

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The anti-inflammatory effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on osteomyelitis of the jaw has not been sufficiently quantified. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of HBOT and postoperative disease status in patients with jaw osteomyelitis treated with minimally invasive surgery combined with HBOT using nuclear medicine imaging.

Materials and methods: The study included 11 patients who underwent sequestrectomy or saucerization and preoperative HBOT in our department between 2008 and 2015. The underlying etiologies were dental infection-related osteomyelitis (four cases; hereinafter ODONT group), osteoradionecrosis (four cases; hereinafter ORN group), or medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (three …

Strategy Of Allying General Dentistry Staffs Into Pre-Anesthetic Dental Assessment Reduces Perioperative Dental Injury Risk During General Anesthesia, Cheng Lu, Mei-Chun Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Osteoclast-Derived Exosomes Promote Medication-Related Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw By Delivering Glycorna To Disrupt The Blood–Lymphatic Vascular Network, Jiankang Zhang, Junming Tao

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Diabetes-Associated Periodontal Disease, Man Yang, Wenxiao Shi, Yan Xiong, Mengjie Chen, Linjun Shi, Huiwen Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Substantial evidence demonstrates that diabetes is associated with periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of diabetes-associated periodontal disease (DAPD).

Materials and methods: All the papers on DAPD were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2019 and after 2019 in the analysis of research trends.

Results: There were 2466 papers on DAPD, with total citations of 73,553 and the h index of 120. The trend of clinical investigations has highlighted periodontal examination, bone development, micro-computed tomography, tooth brushing, cardiovascular …

Socket Regeneration Using A Composite Regenerative Matrix: A Simplified Clinical Workflow With A 5-Year Follow-Up, Chi-Shan Tseng, Ming-Ko Li, Cheng-Chia Yu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Alveolar ridge remodeling following tooth extraction remains a clinical challenge in implant dentistry, particularly in the esthetic zone where dimensional stability of hard and soft tissues is critical for subsequent implant placement. This short communication describes a simplified clinical workflow for socket regeneration using a composite regenerative matrix (CRM) composed of concentrated growth factor (CGF), autologous fibrinogen glue (AFG), and freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA). The technique was applied following atraumatic extraction in a single maxillary esthetic-zone case. Clinical and radiographic observations were documented for up to 5 years. Healing was uneventful, and cone-beam computed tomography performed at 3 months demonstrated …

Performance Of Large Language Models In Answering Orthodontic Questions: A Scoping Review, Tu Manh Nguyen, Fang-Yu Fan, Ying-Sui Sun, Yang-Che Wu, Sheng-Wei Feng, Hao-Ting Chen, I-Ta Lee, Pao-Chang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly explored as novel platforms for delivering orthodontic information. Although their capacity to generate rapid, structured, and accessible responses has been widely recognized, concerns persist regarding performance variability and the risk of generating inaccurate outputs. Given the heterogeneity of existing evidence, this scoping review aimed to systematically map the current research landscape and synthesize findings on the application of LLMs in addressing orthodontic queries. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to November 30, 2025. Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria …

Avian Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Alleviates The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide Induced Gingival Fibroblast Senescence, Han-Chieh Yang, Earl Fu, Yu-Tang Chin, Ju-Sheng Shieh, Wei-Ni Lin, Cheng-Yang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: We have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Polygonum multiflorum extract bio-pulsed avian mesenchymal stem cells exhibit anti-inflammatory and proliferation-promoting properties. A significant association has been identified between periodontitis, higher biological age, and accelerated biological aging. This study investigated whether the bio-pulsed EVs could alleviate Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS)-induced senescence in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs).

Materials and methods: Pg-LPS was used to induce cellular inflammation and senescence in hGFs. The cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and cytotoxicity was assessed with MTS. Senescence after repeated stimulations was evaluated …

Deep Learning-Based Automated Per-Tooth Detection And Segmentation From Unretracted Smile Photographs, Hsuan Chen, Khoa Dang Nguyen, Hong Thi-Phuong Doan, Mu-Chen Yang, Ya-Chu Chang, Anand Marya, Guang Hong, Ding-Han Wang, Ming-Lun Hsu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Natural smile photographs are universally accessible yet no automated method achieves clinically acceptable per-tooth detection from these images. Existing frameworks require lip-retracted intraoral views, and prior work on smile images achieved insufficient accuracy. This study developed a per-tooth detection and segmentation pipeline for natural smile photographs and assessed its applicability to digital smile design.

Materials and methods: A total of 1,471 smile photographs were annotated via model-assisted labeling. Fifteen You Only Look Once (YOLO) models across three architecture families and five size tiers were compared. A two-stage pipeline combined the best-performing detector with high-quality Segment Anything Model (HQ-SAM) for …

A Bibliometric Evolution Of Molecular Mechanisms And Emerging Research Trends Of Therapeutic Resistance In Oral Cancer, Chu-Yen Chien, Ying-Chen Chen, Jia-Rong Wu, Hsu-Hua Chu, Yi-Jen Hung, Yi-Shing Shieh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Drug resistance has served as a primary determinant of treatment failure and disease recurrence in oral cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the global research landscape of drug resistance mechanisms in oral cancer by integrating bibliometric mapping with bioinformatic validation.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive dataset of 1660 publications was retrieved from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analyses were performed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to evaluate publication trends, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution. To bridge research trends with biological mechanisms, 1469 genes associated with oral cancer and drug resistance were extracted from the GeneCards database and subjected to functional …

Interaction Between Removable Partial Denture Use And Number Of Natural Teeth On Health-Related Quality Of Life In Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study, Pai-Shien Liao, Chia-Hsuan Chou, Ya-Xin Zheng, Jiiang-Huei Jeng, Wan-Chuen Liao, Ying-Fang Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The compensatory benefit of removable partial dentures (RPDs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) depends on the number of natural teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between RPD use and number of natural teeth on HRQoL, measured by EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 410 older adults. Dental status, including the number of natural teeth and the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, and RPD use were assessed. Participants were categorized into three groups (0-9, 10-19, and ≥ 20 natural teeth). HRQoL was measured using the …

Universal Coverage But Unequal Access: An Area-Level Statistical And Policy Analysis Of Taiwan’S Dental Workforce, Chien-Yang Yeh, Shih-Hsien Yang, Wei-Chia Su, Hsin-Hu Chen, Wei-Chin Hsu, Su-Feng Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Universal health insurance coverage does not necessarily ensure equitable access to dental care. This study examined Taiwan’s dental workforce distribution using area-level statistical analysis and interpreted the findings through an oral health equity perspective.

Materials and methods: Publicly available county/city-level data on practicing dentists in Taiwan were analyzed. Dentist density was calculated as dentists per 10,000 population. Geographic variation was assessed using descriptive statistics, z-scores, quartile classification, highest-to-lowest ratio, coefficient of variation, and population-weighted Gini coefficient. Group differences were compared by geographic classification using Welch’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Hedges’ g, and Cliff’s delta. Findings were further …

Routine Dental Scaling And Reduced Risk Of Serious Infections In Individuals With Moderate-To-Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study, Li-Wei Ou-Yang, Yu-Tung Huang, Ya-Ting Chang, Hsin-Mao Hsu, Shih-Hao Chang, Chia-Ling Wu, Tsung-Chieh Yao

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/ purpose: Individuals with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy (CP) are highly susceptible to serious infections. Oral biofilms may serve as reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms, yet the impact of professional oral healthcare on systemic infection risk in this population remains unclear. This study investigated the association between routine dental scaling and the risk of serious infections and infection-related mortality among individuals with moderate-to-severe CP.

Materials and methods: This nationwide, population-based cohort study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database and National Death Registry (2009–2019). Individuals with moderate-to-severe CP were categorized into a routine dental scaling group (≥1 scaling annually for …

Deer Antler Tip Cell Culture Supernatant Restores Endothelial Barrier Function And Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2/Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Nitric Oxide Signaling Impaired By Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide, Ming-Shou Hsieh, Ya-Ting Yang, Chin-Sheng Huang, Ting-Yi Renn, Chuen-Kai Wang, Chia-Chen Hsu, Wei Jen Chang, Yu-Sheng Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose:

Periodontal inflammation contributes to endothelial dysfunction, but effective biologically active strategies for vascular protection remain limited. This study investigated whether deer antler tip cell culture supernatant could rescue Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) induced endothelial injury and restore endothelial homeostasis.

Materials and methods:

Velvet antler tissues from the tip, shaft, and burr regions were examined histologically and used for primary cell isolation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to Pg-LPS or indirectly co-cultured with LPS-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages. Deer antler tip cell culture supernatant was subsequently applied to these endothelial inflammatory models, and its protective effects were …

The Association Between Dental Prophylaxis And Diabetes Outcomes: A 15-Year Cohort Study, Hsueh-Fen Chen, Shih-Feng Weng, Ju-Hui Wu, Mei-Yueh Lee, Hui-Min Hsieh, Yu-Ting Huang, Yi-Cai Liu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Periodontal disease and diabetes share inflammatory pathways. Dental prophylaxis (DP) is effective in preventing periodontal inflammation; however, its association with diabetes outcomes remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association between DP intensity and mortality and diabetes-related complications among adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (2005–2022). Adults aged 18–70 years with incident type 2 diabetes in 2007 were identified, with 2005-2006 as the washout period. Participants were followed from 2008 until death or December 31, 2022. Annual DP intensity …

Changes Of Rna Expression In Aging Periodontal Ligament Cells, Su Kang Kim, Ju Ri Ye, Gyutae Kim, Ju Yeon Ban, Sang Wook Kang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Aging is a major risk factor for periodontal disease and is associated with impaired tissue homeostasis and regenerative capacity. The periodontal ligament (PDL) plays a central role in periodontal integrity; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying PDL cell aging remain incompletely understood.

Materials and methods: In this study, we established an in vitro passage-dependent cellular aging model using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts serially passaged from early to late stages. Transcriptomic changes associated with aging were analyzed using RNA sequencing, followed by principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, pathway enrichment, and protein–protein interaction network analyses.

Results: Global transcriptomic profiling revealed that PDL …

Exosomes Derived From Bone Substitute-Induced Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Angiogenesis, Chongyu Shen, Zheng Guan, Rui Chu, Zhengyin Li, Jiangting Lu, Liangkun Xie

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: In certain clinical bone grafting scenarios, bone substitutes frequently interface with the adjacent soft tissues. This study aimed to investigate whether deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) induce paracrine responses in human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), thereby altering the pro-angiogenic capacity of their derived exosomes, and to profile specific cargo alterations.

Materials and methods: Exosomes were isolated from GMSCs co-cultured with DBBM (DBBM-G-EXO) or CHA (CHA-G-EXO), while native GMSCs-derived exosomes (G-EXO) were collected as controls. The angiogenic effects of these exosomes on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were evaluated via cell proliferation, scratch wound …

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Kimura Disease, Zhongjing Lv, Yiming Luo, Wei Liu, Jian Yuan

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Kimura disease (KD) is an idiopathic condition that presents as a chronic, benign inflammatory disorder, typically affecting the head and neck region. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of KD.

Materials and methods: All the papers on KD were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2012 and after 2012 in the analysis of research trends.

Results: There were 925 papers on KD, with total citations of 10,821 and the h index of 47. Eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, nephrotic syndrome, angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, …

Oral Health Knowledge Across Cultural Boundaries: A Physiology And Hygiene Textbook From The Tamsui Middle School During The Japanese Colonial Period, Hung-Lun Pan, Feng-Chou Cheng, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Virtual Patient Technology Enabled The Reconstruction Of Craniofacial Hard And Soft Tissues Through The Integration And Superimposition Of Multimodal Dental Imaging Datasets, Hsin-Hua Chou, Kuo‑Ning Ho, Takashi Saito, Wei-Chun Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Recurrent Maxillary Medication-Related Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw With Maxillary Sinusitis In An Edentulous Patient: A Possible Bidirectional Relationship, Wun-Ting Lin, Yu-Nung Lee, Yu-Fen Yen, Ken-Chung Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Integrated Incubators: A Novel Framework For Technology-Based Creative Arts Education, Brad Phelps Nisbet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the development and impact of an educational framework designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry within the media and entertainment sector. It addresses the prevalent "skills mismatch" where graduates often lack the specific technical competencies, foundational knowledge, practical experience, or soft skills required for entry-level positions in a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by advancements like virtual production, real-time VFX, immersive media, and Al. Grounded in both theoretical and practical insights, the framework aims to foster student creativity, technical proficiency, industry readiness, transferable skills, and adaptability, prioritising a transformative, student-centric learning experience.

The research employed a …

Psychometric Properties Of The Digital Psychological Competence Scale For University Students In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Mona Saad Falih Alamri

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

Higher education has undergone a rapid digital transformation, requiring students to navigate technology-rich learning environments that demand integrated cognitive and psychological competencies. This study aimed to develop and validate a Psychodigital Competence Scale for university students in the western region of Saudi Arabia, using a sample of 523 students. The initial version included 21 items, which were revised through expert judgment (agreement >= 80%) to produce a final 16-item, four-factor scale. Construct validity was assessed using a pilot sample, and Pearson correlations demonstrated statistically significant item-scale relationships at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels. Reliability indicators showed significant split-half reliability (p < 0.01) and a high Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.908). Exploratory factor analysis supported data suitability (KMO = 0.85, Bartlett's test p < 0.01, determinant = 0.011), and confirmatory factor analysis validated the four-factor model. These findings confirm strong psychometric properties, establishing the scale as a reliable tool for psychological and educational research.

Shared Stories, Diverse Settings: A Podcast Analysis Of Stakeholder Experiences In Rural, Remote, And International Professional Experience, Marnie Harris, Narelle Lemon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explores the experiences and perspectives of individuals involved in rural, remote, and international professional experience, with a particular focus on the support provided to pre-service teachers. Drawing on data generated through a series of in-depth podcast interviews, the research foregrounds the relational and contextual dimensions of teacher preparation across rural, remote, and international settings. Rural and remote communities face ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining teachers; therefore, this study explored the vital role that partnerships and supportive networks play in preparing pre-service teachers to succeed in these and other unfamiliar professional experience contexts. Through thematic analysis, the research …

Equal Justice & Generative Ai, Milan R. Markovic

Faculty Scholarship

The United States has long suffered from unequal access to justice, with countless low-and middle-income Americans forced to navigate the legal system alone. Recently, prominent judges, lawyers, and scholars have seized on generative AI as a potential corrective. These techno-optimists maintain that ChatGPT and other large language models can demystify the law and address unmet legal needs. Chief Justice John Roberts has proclaimed that AI-based tools "have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system."

Although AI will be an increasingly important source of legal assistance for underserved populations, the …

Limited Site-Specific Blue Carbon Recovery Following Tropical Seagrass Restoration In Thailand, Ratchanee Kaewsrikhaw, Milica Stankovic, Pere Masqué, Mathew A. Vanderklift, Tipamat Upanoi, Anchana Prathep

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass restoration is gaining popularity as a nature-based method for climate change mitigation, owing to its effectiveness in capturing and storing organic carbon (Corg). However, demonstrating blue carbon additionality — defined as a measurable increase in carbon stocks directly attributable to restoration activities — remains challenging. This research assessed sedimentary Corg stocks and carbon accumulation rates in restored tropical seagrass meadows throughout Thailand. Despite successful restoration at multiple sites, sediment analysis showed little Corg accumulation, low Corg and organic matter content, with non-significant differences among restored seagrass areas, patchy natural meadows, and nearby bare sand areas. Limited sediment accumulation was …

Psychological Needs And Wellbeing In Community Music Education For Young People Experiencing Challenging Life Circumstances, Jason Goopy, Stephanie Macarthur

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Improving the wellbeing of young people is an international priority. Community music education programs (CMEPs) are increasingly recognized as an empowering environment for participants to learn healthy life strategies in addition to music. This qualitative case study used the theoretical lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to investigate how a CMEP in regional Australia satisfied the psychological needs and enhanced the wellbeing of adolescents and young adults experiencing challenging life circumstances. The CMEP offered free afternoon programs where learning music, particularly songwriting, was used as a transformative resource to engage youth in formal life education. Entry to the program was available …

Trade Policy Measures And Quality Infrastructure In The Ecowas: Investigating The Inclusiveness Of The Intra-Regional Agri-Food Trade, Olayinka Idowu Kareem, Christine Wieck

Journal of African Trade

The preponderance and heterogeneous trade policy measures and quality infrastructure deficiency impact agri-food trade inclusiveness in the ECOWAS. Moreover, the inappropriate activities of some border institutions such as harassment (especially for women), graft and different charges made trading along illegal trade corridors inevitable which thereby enhances the nefarious rent-seeking activities. Furthermore, the knowledge frontier in this area is extended with the exploration and exposition of the issue of trade-related quality infrastructure. Hence, this study determines the consequences of the trade policy measures and quality infrastructure on intra-regional agri-food trade inclusiveness in the ECOWAS with a consideration of the impact on …

Edge-Aware Ris-Assisted Dynamic Channel Allocation With Lightweight Llm Decision Agent For Interference Mitigation In Low-Altitude Remote Sensing Networks, Safiya Nasser Al-Jaradi, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Nabeel Al-Qirim, Shayla Islam, Muhammad Attique Khan, Rashid A. Saeed, Hashim Elshafie, Bishwajeet Kumar Pandey, Khairul Akram Zainol Ariffin

All Works

Low-altitude remote sensing networks are increasingly important for applications, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, and real-time sensing services. However, when many sensing nodes share limited spectrum resources, severe cochannel interference can degrade communication reliability and delay sensing-data delivery. This challenge becomes more critical in edge-enabled deployments, where control decisions must be made under strict latency, memory, and computational constraints. To address this issue, this article proposes a large language model (LLM)-enhanced edge-aware lightweight reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted dynamic channel allocation (EL-RIS-DCA) framework for interference mitigation in dense low-altitude remote sensing networks. The novelty of the proposed framework …