Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Heat Shock Factor 1 Promotes Cell Migration And Predicts Poor Prognosis In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Fang-Yu Wu, Hui-Hsin Ko, Wen-Ren Lin, Shih-Jung Cheng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) regulates heat shock proteins and stress-responsive genes and has been implicated in tumor progression and poor prognosis in several malignancies. However, the clinicopathological significance and biological role of HSF1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear. This study investigated HSF1 expression in OSCC tissues, its association with clinicopathological parameters and survival, and its functional role in OSCC cell migration.

Materials and methods

HSF1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in 80 OSCC specimens and 20 normal oral mucosa samples. HSF1 immunoreactivity was quantified using the labeling index (LI). Associations between HSF1 LI and …

Evaluation Of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Rag) With Gpt-4o For Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Clinical Questions, Vinsensia Launardo, Merve Koseoglu, Lucky Susanto, Michael Kase, Amanda Colebeck, Heidi Huber, Maribeth Krzesinski, Derry Wijaya, Muhammad Ruslin, Alvin Gerard Wee, Heng-Li Huang, Lih-Jyh Fuh, Cortino Sukotjo

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Large language models (LLMs) offer promising education and clinical decision support to help address the global shortage of maxillofacial prosthodontists. To overcome the lack of source traceability in base LLMs, this study evaluated a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architecture for answering complex clinical questions.

Materials and methods: An expert panel consisting of five maxillofacial prosthodontists selected 15 high-complexity clinical questions. Responses were generated using base GPT-4o and a naive RAG-GPT-4o model built with domain-specific literatures. Outputs were evaluated across five parameters using a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed via Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: No statistically significant differences …

Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 Transcriptionally Represses Sirtuin 1 To Regulate Osteoclastogenesis And Tooth Eruption, Jie Li, Changqing Yan, Xinyi Sun, Chenying Zhang, Xiaozhe Wang, Yang Liu, Shuguo Zheng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), caused by Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) haploinsufficiency, features delayed tooth eruption. Although impaired osteoclastogenesis contributes to eruption failure, the direct molecular mechanisms linking RUNX2 deficiency to osteoclast dysfunction remain elusive. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a critical regulator of osteoclastogenesis; however, whether it serves as a downstream effector of RUNX2 remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic link between RUNX2 and SIRT1 in regulating osteoclast differentiation and tooth eruption.

Materials and methods: Tooth eruption and osteoclast differentiation were assessed by micro-computed tomography and histological analysis in Runx2^+/- mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain …

Prediction Of Adequate Alveolar Ridge Contours For Dental Implant Placement Using An Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithm, Hao-Chieh Chang, Shan-Pin Pan, Cheng-Liang Wu, Wei-Chan Hsu, Yi-Chun Weng, Po-Chun Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Accurate prediction of ridge contour following ridge augmentation is an integral part of planning dental implant therapy. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm to predict adequate alveolar ridge contours for accommodating implants based on preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images using a deep learning (DL) approach.

Materials and methods: A total of 96 mandibular CBCT images with minor and major defects were used, virtual implants with adequate ridge contours were added, and a U-Net 2.5D model was used for DL training.

Results: The results revealed that the predicted ridge contours achieved Dice Similarity Coefficients of …

Biological Performance Enhancement Of Ni-Free Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass For Dental Implants Via Nitrogen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation, Hsun-Miao Huang, Ying-Sui Sun, Ya-Lin Huang, Kai-Yi Lin, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Thanaphum Osathanon, Wei-Cheng Chen, Her-Hsiung Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Improving the biocompatibility of bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys is critical for expanding their applications in biomedical fields, particularly in dental implants. This study systematically investigated the suitability of nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (NPIII)-treated Zr-based BMG alloy for next-generation dental implant applications, focusing on protein adsorption, platelet responses, and cell behavior.

Materials and methods: NPIII was employed as a surface modification approach to enhance the biological performance of a Ni-free Zr₆₂.₅Cu₂₂.₅Fe₅Al₁₀ BMG alloy. The effects of NPIII treatment on surface characteristics, including crystallinity, chemical composition, layer thickness, roughness, and hydrophilicity, were comprehensively analyzed. Protein adsorption …

Prognostic Impact Of The Preoperative Naples Prognostic Score On Overall And Progression-Free Survival In Surgically Treated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study From A Taiwanese Medical Center, Pei-Lun Hsueh, Yu-Hsuan Li, Cheng-Yu Yang, Gu-Jiun Lin, Yuan-Wu Chen, Wei-Chin Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Systemic inflammation and nutritional status are key determinants of cancer progression and survival. The Naples prognostic score (NPS), integrating nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers, has shown prognostic value in cancers, however its significance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. This study evaluated the prognostic value of NPS in patients with OSCC undergoing curative surgery. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study included 334 patients with OSCC who underwent surgery at a Taiwanese medical center between 2002 and 2015. Preoperative serum albumin, total cholesterol, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were used to calculate NPS. Patients were categorized …

Correlation Between Preoperative Mandibular Restriction And Functional Outcomes After Arthroscopic Discopexy For Temporomandibular Joint Internal Derangement, Yen-Hung Lin Arthur, Chih-Hua Yeh, Ying-An Chen, Hui-Hsin Ko

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Arthroscopic discopexy is an established treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement, yet its functional benefit in patients with restricted mouth opening remains unclear. This study evaluate whether arthroscopic discopexy improves mouth opening and pain in patients with restricted mandibular mobility (maximum mouth opening [MMO] < 35 mm).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 46 patients (58 joints) with preoperative MMO < 35 mm who underwent TMJ arthroscopic discopexy between January 2023 and December 2024. MMO, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and MRI-confirmed disc repositioning success were compared preo- and postoperatively using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. MMO improvement was analyzed by severity band with multiple linear regression to assess confounders and sensitivity analysis excluding bilateral cases.

Results: MMO increased from 28.7 ± 4.1 mm to 34.2 ± 3.9 mm (P < 0.001), with a mean improvement of +5.5 mm (95% CI: +4.2 to +6.8). VAS decreased from 3.81 ± 2.93 to 0.18 ± 0.89 (P < 0.001). A dose–response relationship was observed: patients with MMO 20–24 mm gained +11.0 mm, those with 25–29 mm gained +7.5 mm, and those with 30–34 mm gained +2.7 mm. Preoperative MMO remained the only significant predictor after adjusting for confounders (B = −0.812, P < 0.001). Disc repositioning was achieved in 75.9% of joints; 55.2% achieved postoperative MMO ≥ 35 mm.

Conclusion: Arthroscopic discopexy produces significant clinically improvements in mouth opening and pain in patients with restricted mandibular mobility, with the greatest benefit in …

Effects Of 850-Nm Light-Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation On Pain Intensity And Dentin Sialoprotein Levels During Canine Distalization: A Randomized Controlled Trial., Thanh Thuy-Nhat Cao, Anh Ho-Quynh Nguyen, Hung Trong Hoang, Tham Dong Khac, Phuc Hoai Le, Tu Trinh Hk, Kieu-Minh Le, Diem Truong

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose

Light-emitting diode-based photobiomodulation (LED PBM) potentially reduces pain and root resorption risk in orthodontics. This study evaluated 850-nm LED PBM effects on pain and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) levels during canine distalization.

Materials and methods

This single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial included 16 orthodontic patients (8 per group). Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an active LED group or a sham control group. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 0, 24, and 48 hours following canine distalization at four consecutive monthly visits (T₁-T₄) and expressed as the …

Significantly Higher Frequencies Of Anemia, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, And Hyperhomocysteinemia In Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients With Macrocytosis, Yu-Hsueh Wu, Yi-Ping Wang, Yi-Pang Lee, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Macrocytosis is defined as having the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ≥ 100 fL. This study evaluated whether 14 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients with macrocytosis (macrocytosis/RAS patients) had significantly higher frequencies of anemia, hematinic deficiencies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity than 430 healthy control subjects or 430 RAS patients.

Materials and methods: Complete blood count, serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, and GPCA levels in 14 macrocytosis/RAS patients, 430 RAS patients, and 430 healthy control subjects were measured and compared.

Results: We found that 92.9%, 14.3%, 85.7%, 0.0%, 85.7%, and 35.7% of 14 macrocytosis/RAS …

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 …

Formulation Modification Of Silver Diamine Fluoride To Improve Clinical Handling And Dentin Tubule Occlusion, Liangyu Chang, Yutzu Wu, Powen Lu, Iwen Chen, Weifang Lee, Chunche Lin, Renjei Chung, Poonam Negi, Naichia Teng, Jenchang Yang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is clinically effective for treating dentinal hypersensitivity and arresting caries, but its poor clinical handling due to low viscosity remain concerns. This study aimed to enhance the rheological properties of SDF by incorporating sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to improve its clinical manageability. Materials and methods: A 39.34 wt% SDF solution (TMU-SDF) was prepared via wet processing. Its matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition was evaluated using a fluorogenic MMP-1 assay, and antibacterial activity was tested via an inhibition zone assay. Biocompatibility was assessed using a modified cytotoxicity-agar diffusion test and a skin sensitization test. Rheological properties, including flow …

An Artificial Intelligence Assisted Framework For Automated Quantified Root Canal Curvature Measurement On Periapical Radiographs, Ming-Yi Chen, Shih-Lun Chen, Yu-Jen Chang, Yuan-Jin Lin, Chiung-An Chen, Tsung-Yi Chen, Kuo-Chen Li, Wei-Chen Tu, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Root canal curvature is a complex anatomical variation that complicates endodontic treatments. Traditionally, dentists rely on two-dimensional periapical radiographs (PA) and manual methods to estimate curvature angles. However, this conventional approach is highly time-consuming and subjective, often leading to inconsistent measurements.

Materials and methods: This study aims to develop a fully automated, objective framework for precise angular measurement and severity grading of root canal curvature. The YOLO26n-seg model was employed to segment roots and classify single- or multi-rooted teeth from PA. Furthermore, we proposed an image processing algorithm that standardized orientation, extracted centerlines, and applied three-point circle fitting …

Numerical Study Of Air Vents Influence On Wave Forces Acting On Box-Type Bridge Girders With Cavities Under Storm Surge, Khalida H. Jihad

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Along with the continuous rise of sea level, direct interaction between elevated coastal structures, such as coastal bridges, and seawater during storm surge, has been shown to potentially cause bridge failures in the past. For example, Hurricane Irma (2017) generated storm surge levels exceeding 2-3 m in portions of South Florida, causing widespread transportation disruption including roadway washouts, erosion, and bridge approach damage along US-1 in Florida Keys. Similar failures have occurred during Hurricane Ivan (2004), where uplift forces displaced spans of the Escambia Bay Bridge, and Hurricane Ian (2022), which caused partial collapse of the Sanibel Causeway when elevated …

Efficiently Stowed Flashers With Uniform-Thickness Panels Based On Non-Developable Origami, Larry L. Howell, Robert J. Lang, Specer P. Magleby, Davis Wing

Faculty Publications

We present the mathematical construction of a deployable flasher pattern with near-uniform nonzero thickness in the deployed form and efficient face-to-face packing in the stowed form. We demonstrate its fabrication, deployment, and stowage. The results facilitate the design and manufacture of deployable systems with panels whose substantial thickness is dictated by the end application, with particular utility for space systems.

The Southeastern Librarian 73(4) Winter 2026 (Full Issue)

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

Accessibility Services And Support In Small And Rural Academic Libraries, Robert M. Amerson, Deborah Tritt Harmon

The Southeastern Librarian

This exploratory study examines how small and rural academic libraries support students with disabilities. While grounded in a professional commitment to equitable service, these libraries often face challenges, such as limited staff, aging infrastructure, and stagnant funding. Survey results from 38 librarians reveal a strong dedication to accessibility, despite institutional constraints. Respondents identified barriers, such as insufficient training, inadequate resources, and minimal collaboration with campus disability offices. However, many also reported implementing personalized, student-centered services and cited the advantages of flexibility and close student relationships in small academic settings. The findings underscore the need for tailored support, increased training opportunities, …

Government Documents For All: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Tim Dodge

The Southeastern Librarian

The Government Documents for All column for the Winter 2026 issue of The Southeastern Librarian

The President's Column, Laura Slavin

The Southeastern Librarian

SELA President Laura Slavin's column for the Winter 2026 issue of The Southeastern Librarian

News From The States, Blake Denton

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

Critical Connections: The University Of Tennessee And Oak Ridge From The Dawn Of The Atomic Age To The Present, Camille Mccutcheon

The Southeastern Librarian

Lee Riedinger, Al Ekkebus, Ray Smith, and William Bugg

Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2024

ISBN: 9781621906544

488 pp. $39.95 (Hbk)

Improving Efficiency In Noma Schemes Having Inter-User Interference Using Mechanism Design, Zory Marantz

Publications and Research

Modern wireless systems utilize non-orthogonal multiple access to increase their rate capacities; however, the efficiency of the individual utility defined in bits per Joule has yet to be considered. Multiple variations of non-orthogonal multiple access have the interference of the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio as a function of the received power from multiple other users due to code implementations that are non-orthogonal or non-ideal cancellation in successive-interference-cancellation methods. Game theoretic concepts are used to improve user bits-per-Joule performance. Previous solutions increment transmit power and are not based on closed form systematic methods. The mechanism design presented here led to a non-cooperative Nash …

Archives And Children's Knowledge, Elliott Kuecker, Ashley Rockenbach

Publications and Research

This article argues for the importance of collecting works created by children—not just about and not just for—in formal archival collections. Framed through the ideas of legitimate knowledge and epistemic injustice, this piece combines notions important to children’s rights activists and childhood studies scholars with the role archives can play in preserving children’s knowledge through child-created materials. The authors describe how researchers struggle to find work created by children within archives, impacting the ability to create child-centered research that centers children’s views of the world as prominently as adult views of the world. Some collections that do include child-created materials …

Ancient Wisdom & Its Cultural Relevance: Reimagining Deeper Learning In Science Classrooms Through The Lens Of Yoga And Vedānta, Raaghav Pandya

Publications and Research

Contemporary calls to reconceptualize how science is taught and understood have brought deeper learning to the forefront of education at-large for its emphasis on critical perspectives, creativity, and student-centered inquiry. Yet this paper argues that its prevailing framework remains constrained by Cartesian dualism, a materialist foundation that disassociates the individual from self, other, and nature, and falls short of addressing the mental health, environmental, and cultural challenges facing youth today. To address this limitation, this paper proposes a complementary convergence between deeper learning and the contemplative traditions of Yoga and Vedānta, whose ancient paradigms of self-inquiry, interconnectedness, and well-being offer …

Human Vaccine Hesitancy Spillover In The Field Of Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Narrative Review Of Impacts And Veterinary Responses, Allison Schimpf

HEAL Project Outputs

Human vaccine hesitancy spillover in the veterinary field is a relatively new concept that has gained traction since the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns about vaccine safety have increased among pet owners leading to questions about the potential impacts of reduced vaccination and how veterinarians can address these attitudes. A systematic search strategy following PRISMA 2020 guidelines was used with 3 different databases to collect peer-reviewed research articles from 2022 until now. The initial search yielded 376 articles for review and 11 were included after screening. Articles were analyzed using a narrative review format. Results showed that pet owners are more vaccine …

01.01.09. Muscovy Duck, Cairina Moschata, M. J. Walters, S. K. Robinson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Of the roughly 100 bird species introduced to Florida over the years, 14 are considered established species, including the Muscovy Duck. The native range of this large, bulky duck species includes Central and South America, Mexico, and the southernmost regions of Texas.

Student Perspectives Of A Rubric-Based Performance Assessment In A Secondary Large Ensemble Classroom: Fairness, Clarity And Learning, Jeffrey S. Payne

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student perceptions of a rubric-based performance assessment within a secondary large ensemble music program.  Seventy high school students enrolled in a high school band class completed a rubric-based performance assessment that featured personalized feedback and opportunities for resubmission  Using a mixed-methods approach, 17 students in the class voluntarily participated in a survey, the results of which I used to study my own use of assessment.  The survey consisted of eight Likert-scale questions and four open-response questions which were used alongside data regarding the resubmission rate and teacher documentation of instruction. Results indicated …

Knowledge And Attitudes Of Medical Students About Research Methodology, Statistics, And Statistical Inference: An Assessment For Clinical Research Comprehension Skills, Laith Ashour, Lama Al-Mehaisen, Afnan Rababa, Osama Alrjoob, Moutaz Amayrh, Malak Al-Rabe'e, Qusai Al-Anasweh, Hala Al-Miqdadi, Nada Freihat, Mohammad Al Khreisha, Ala' Al Doaikat, Al-Mo'tasem Bellah Al-Rahamneh, Hamzeh Hatamleh, Fayez Zedat

Health Professions Education

Objectives: Medical students require a solid understanding of statistics in research papers. However, literature lacks sufficient studies on their proficiency, especially on Jordanian aspect. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 361 medical students to evaluate their attitudes toward statistics, their knowledge in research methodology, and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used statistics in medical research. Statistical attitudes were assessed using three scales (value, difficulty, and interest) from the SATS-36 scale. Additionally, a novel author's-validated scale was created to measure students' research methodology knowledge. The scale validity was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Multiple linear regression analysis was …

Beyond Clinical: A Proposed Policy Literacy Pathway In Health Sciences Education, Zarina Syed

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Health sciences graduates require not only clinical competence but also the ability to interpret, engage with, and enact policy. Yet, undergraduate curricula often emphasize technical skills, leaving gaps in policy literacy. Method: This conceptual paper proposes a scaffolded Policy Literacy Pathway to progressively integrate policy understanding across health sciences curricula. Results: Policy is framed as a dynamic, context-dependent process, aligning global ethical frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals with regional legislation and professional regulations. The pathway comprises four stages: Encounter, Iterative Engagement, Critical Reflection, and Policy Enactment. These guide students from initial exposure to policy issues through analysis …