The Utility Of 3d Nanostructured Polyglycolic Acid Fibers For Novel Bone Regenerative Medicine, Itsuki Hayashi, Sayaka Nakamura-Yamada

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Novel Method For The Precise Second Mesiobuccal Canal Orifice Location: A Combined Strategy For Enhanced Clinical Practice, Yuhan Wang, Lingyun Li,

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

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 …

The Ph-Pi3k/Akt/Mtorc1 Axis In The Survival Of Stem Cells From The Apical Papilla: A Critical Target For Rescue By Microenvironment-Engineered Hydrogels In Pulp Regeneration, Chunlei Zhang, Haisheng Cao, Jie Li, Changqing Yan, Yang Liu, Shuguo Zheng, Xiaozhe Wang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The pH within infected root canals fluctuates dynamically under pathological conditions, yet its impact on stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) in dental pulp regeneration remains unclear. This study investigated how potential of hydrogen (pH) variations govern SCAPs survival and the associated signaling to identify therapeutic targets for enhancing tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: SCAPs were cultured at pH 5.4-10.4. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, real-time live-cell analysis, and flow cytometry. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) identified differentially expressed genes, which were validated through reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and mechanistic …

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 …

Developing An Automated Cytology-Based Dna Ploidy Test For Detecting Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Taiwan: A Feasibility Study, Pei Hsuan Lu, Kelly Yi Ping Liu, Julia Yu Fong Chang, Long‐Wei Lin, Hao-Hung Chang, Chen-Han Chang, Shang Hsuan Peng, Catherine F. Poh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a global health issue, particularly in underserved settings such Taiwan where access to early diagnosis is limited. DNA ploidy-based oral cytology has shown strong diagnostic performance, but its applicability across populations require evaluation.

Materials and methods: In this prospective feasibility study, brush and oral rinse samples were collected from patients with OSCC, low-grade dysplasia, reactive lesions, and normal mucosa. DNA cytometry was performed to quantify ploidy profiles. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using published algorithm and cohort-specific thresholds derived from stratified 10-fold cross-validation.

Results: A total of 118 patients were included (50 OSCC, 41 …

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 …

Physico-Mechanical Properties And Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Formation Of Bio‑Based Flexible Crowns Versus Stainless Steel And Zirconia Crowns For Pediatric Full-Coverage Restorations, Tzu-Yu Peng, Szu-Yu Lai, Yan-An Wu, Ya-Ting Yang, Yuichi Mine, Huei-Yu Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Bio‑based flexible (BFX) have recently emerged as a potential alternative to conventional pediatric full‑coverage restorations, but evidence regarding their properties and microbial behavior remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and microbial behavior of BFX crown compared with stainless steel crowns (SSC) and zirconia crowns (ZRC) for pediatric full-coverage restorations.

Materials and methods: Mandibular primary molar crowns from BFX, SSC, and ZRC were assessed. Weight was measured using an electronic balance, and surface roughness and topography were evaluated using a stylus profilometer and atomic force microscopy. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) and root mean square …

Adhesion Performance Of Conventional And High-Translucency Zirconia: Effects Of Airborne-Particle Abrasion And 10-Methacryloyloxydecyl Dihydrogen Phosphate Treatments, Chia-Ling Li, Li-Li Kang, Jui-Che Lin, Shu-Fen Chuang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: High-translucency zirconia exhibits different microstructure and composition, which may influence their responses to mechanical and chemical treatments, affecting resin–zirconia adhesion. This study aimed to evaluate the adhesive behaviors of conventional and high-translucency zirconia, focusing on surface modifications induced by airborne-particle abrasion (AA) and 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP).

Materials and methods: Disk-shaped specimens were fabricated from six zirconia materials: CerconBase, CerconHT, and VitaHT (3Y-TZP); VitaST (4Y-PSZ); and CerconXT and VitaXT (5Y-PSZ). Specimens were air-abraded with alumina particles at 0.25 MPa. Micromorphology and roughness were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), profilometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface chemical composition …

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 …

Artificial Intelligence Assisted Multitask Framework For Dental Detection And Root Canal Filling Assessment On Periapical Radiographs, Chia-Lin Hsu, Li Wei Ou-Yang, Chih-Hao Chang, Yuan-Jin Lin, Po-Lin Huang, Kai-Syun Chiu, Heng-Chia Chen, Tsung-Yi Chen, Jia-Ching Wang, Wei-Chen Tu, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Accurate evaluation of root canal filling (RCF) quality is paramount for successful endodontic outcomes. However, conventional radiographic interpretation is often subject to subjective variability. This study developed an automated, multitask artificial intelligence (AI) framework using YOLO11 and advanced image pre-processing to identify multiple dental structures and provide quantitative assessments of RCF quality on periapical radiographs.

Materials and methods: We proposed an image enhancement pipeline, which integrate intensity normalization, white top-hat transform, and linear contrast stretching to refine dental contours for training the YOLO11 multitask model. The framework simultaneously detected primary, permanent, dental crowns, and RCFs. Quantitative metrics, including …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Silencing The Mir-132/Sirt1 Axis Suppresses Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation And Myofibroblast Differentiation In Oral Submucous Fibrosis, Ming-Yung Chou, Min Yee Ng, Yi-Wen Liao, Chuan-Hang Yu, Cheng-Chia Yu, Sin-Jia Tseng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic oral potentially malignant disorder characterized by progressive extracellular matrix deposition, myofibroblast activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling. However, the upstream microRNA-mediated mechanisms linking fibrogenesis and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation remain unclear. This study investigated the role of the miR-132/sirtuin 1  (SIRT1) axis in OSF-associated fibrotic and inflammatory responses.

Materials and methods

miR-132 expression was examined in OSF tissues, normal tissues, primary buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs), and fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) using RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR. Patient-derived fBMFs were transfected with a miR-132 inhibitor …

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, …

Artificial Intelligence In Dentistry: A Cross-Domain Bibliometric Analysis Of Technologies, Functional Applications, And Dental Specialties, Yinghui Yang, Cheng-Chia Yu, Min Yee Ng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Artificial intelligence is increasingly applied in dentistry across diagnosis, prediction, treatment planning, education, and patient communication. This study aimed to provide a structured cross-domain overview of dental AI research by integrating AI technologies, functional applications, and dental specialties within one bibliometric framework.

Materials and methods: AI-related dental publications from 2016 to 2026 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Original and review articles were screened and classified by AI technology, functional application, and dental specialty. Bibliometric mapping, collaboration analysis, keyword co-occurrence, and heatmap-based cross-domain visualization were performed.

Results: A total of 920 publications were included. Publication …

Keratin 18 As A Cytoskeletal Regulator Of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Plasticity And Prognostic Risk In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Tuan-Yu Kao, Hsuan-Chao Lin, Chien-Wei Lai, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Feng-Chiao Tsai, Jang-Jaer Lee, Jean-San Chia

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) shows poor survival, and conventional staging does not fully capture biologic aggressiveness. Keratin 18 (KRT18) has been linked to malignant progression in epithelial cancers, but its prognostic and biologic significance in OSCC remains unclear. This study investigated whether KRT18 expression is associated with aggressive invasion patterns and adverse outcomes in OSCC, and whether KRT18 contributes to epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity-related malignant phenotypes.

Materials and methods: Eighty-eight non-irradiated OSCC specimens obtained after primary surgical resection at National Taiwan University Hospital were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Associations between KRT18 expression and clinicopathological variables were assessed, and survival was evaluated …

Corrigendum To "Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome And Nanoemulsion Propolis Combination Ameliorate Osteoclastogenesis In Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Osteolysis In Hyperglycemia Rats"

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Looking Forward, Reflecting Back: The Promise Of Dispute Resolution To Reform The Criminal Legal System, Cynthia Alkon

Faculty Scholarship

The criminal legal system in the United States is plagued by serious and systemic problems. There have been countless efforts at reform over the last many decades that have included changes in what is a crime, how crimes are punished, how prosecutors do their job, and changes in policing. Yet, despite these efforts, problems such as mass incarceration remain deeply embedded. It is easy to be swept up in pessimism when discussing the criminal legal system. Change is hard, at best incremental, and we seem to be in the beginning of an era of backlash against recent reforms. This is …

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 …

Synergistic Removal Of Microplastic Fibres: Integrating Chitosan Coagulation In Hybrid Water Pre-Treatment Systems, Jayasuriya Arachchilage Nimesha Thathsarani

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Microplastic fibres (MPFs) are the most prevalent form of microplastics detected in the influents of water and wastewater treatment plants. Owing to their elongated shape and low density, MPFs frequently evade removal even during tertiary processes such as membrane filtration. Enhancing pretreatment, particularly through cost-effective coagulation-flocculation can reduce the treatment burden on downstream systems. However, conventional inorganic coagulants often necessitate high dosages and can leave residual ions, posing environmental concerns.

As a sustainable alternative, the use of environmentally friendly coagulants such as Chitosan has gained attention for MPF removal. While Chitosan exhibits favourable qualities, its practical application is hindered by …

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 …

Study Of Fire Regimes In Southwestern Australia Using Geospatial Techniques, Ana Do Carmo Carvalho

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Northern Jarrah Forest in Southwestern Australia (SWA), part of a global biodiversity hotspot, is home to fire-sensitive tree species such as marri (Corymbia calophylla) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata). As climate change intensifies drought and extreme fire events, understanding the drivers of fire severity is increasingly critical. This thesis analyses fire regimes within the Mundaring drinking water catchment to better understand the spatiotemporal complexity of fire severity in relation to fire history and environmental factors.

The thesis commences with a review of three Fire History Databases (FHDs) used in SWA, highlighting significant inconsistencies and data gaps across time and space. …

Development Of Virtual Reality Learning Environments In Science To Engage Secondary Students In Hazardous Activities, Luke Spartalis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research examines the need for change in including hazardous activities in education. As different learning technologies develop, platforms that retain authentic outcomes via virtual reality are needed. The main objective of this research is to examine the inclusion of Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs) to determine their value in areas that include hazardous conditions. The research considered the ways that VR tools could be optimised to support these activities, as well as considering the challenges of VRLE implementation. The study examined whether VRLE’s allowed for authentic experiences to sufficiently drive an acceptance of VR to complement existing teaching and …

Enhancing Deep Reinforcement Learning With Expert Demonstrations For Mobile Robot Navigation In Unstructured Off-Road Environments, Dulitha Dabare

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Advancements in the field of Deep Learning has ushered in a boom in autonomous navigation research. Most of the work being conducted in this space, however, has focused on on-road urban navigation scenarios, with unstructured outdoor terrain navigation receiving much more limited attention. Given the wide range of applications that exist for legged and wheeled ground robots in off-road environments in areas such as agriculture, mining and disaster recovery, there is a growing need for research work to improve the navigational capabilities of mobile robots deployed in these challenging environments.

A promising candidate for application to these navigation challenges in …

Patient Experiences Of Receiving Home-Based Immunotherapy Infusions - A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Patricia Ann Cook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Context: The treatment of cancer and chronic health conditions has been greatly revolutionised via intravenous immunotherapy infusions. Demand, both globally and in Australia, is increasing due to several factors including aging and increased populations, subsequent increases of cancer cases, new immunotherapy indications and increased survival rates.

In Perth, Western Australia, a private service provider commenced delivering a home based immunotherapy infusions model of care as a hospital substitution service provider in 2013 and the service has now been extended across Australia. The safety and efficacy of home-based infusions have been well documented in research, and an increasing number of patients …

Curriculum Approaches To Strengthening Student Employability And Improving Graduate Outcomes In The Stm Disciplines, Denise Jackson, Michael D. O’Connor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia and elsewhere, curriculum improvements are needed to improve the development of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) graduates for future work and careers. Several studies document significant STM student attrition, poor graduate preparedness for work, relatively weak employment rates post-graduation, and mismatched expectations of graduate capabilities by employers. The inclusion of work-integrated learning (WIL) activities within curricula can better prepare students for relevant employment by bridging discipline-specific teaching with work practices. Traditionally, access to WIL has been limited for STM Bachelor students and a better understanding of WIL’s benefits and impact is needed to refine and extend STM WIL …

Crisis Planning Intentions Among Hotel Managers: What Have We Learned From The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Feliani Tjong, Edmund Goh, Violetta Wilk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigates the motivational factors which influence future crisis planning intentions, by utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as the underlying theoretical framework. This research focuses on understanding the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control of hotel managers’ intentions regarding future crisis planning. To enhance the TPB model, the study incorporates two additional variables: perceived risk and past behaviour, thereby addressing previous calls to extend the TPB model. Employing a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews (n = 21) were conducted with hotel managers who worked at government-appointed quarantine hotels in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was …