Digital Commons Network^™

Lean Service System Optimization In U.S. Automotive Maintenance Centers: A Time Study And Simulation-Based Approach To Reducing Service Cycle Time And Increasing Efficiency, Rakibul Hasan Sarker

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The primary objective of this study is to measure the current service time at a U.S. automobile service center, with the aim of reducing waste and optimizing service operations through time study and simulation modeling. Inefficiencies in those service centers increase service time and labor costs, reduce service quality, and reduce workshop productivity, thereby increasing customer waiting time. In this study, real-world shop floor data were collected from a single service center, namely Jiffy Lube. Over the course of ten working days, 205 vehicle data points were acquired. Service time, bay time, and overall process time were computed and examined …

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2026-2027 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

2026-2027 Graduate Catalog, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2026-2027 graduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Aadej Comm 12 1 2026

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the official publication of the American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists (AADEJ), promoting awareness of the association’s activities and offering valuable insights for dental editors and journalists to enhance their publications. It is published quarterly, distributed digitally via email to members, and posted on the Association’s website at aadej.org, with archives on ADA Commons. Regular contributions from the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Director, President, and Associate Editor cover various topics.

This issue provides practical strategies for journal growth, such as building sustainable author pipelines and using digital analytics to increase content reach. Features include articles addressing ethical, …

Eight Tips For Securing Authors And Articles That Will Enhance Your Dental Journal Quality And Reach, Lindsay A. Robinson Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

This feature article offers eight practical tips to help dental editors attract high-quality manuscripts and a diverse range of authors. Key strategies include building pipelines with dental schools, mining material from professional meetings, and specifically encouraging the dental student voice. The author recommends using themed issues with guest editors and leveraging digital media like LinkedIn to discover new contributors. Additionally, the article emphasizes supporting authors through mentorship, utilizing website analytics to guide content selection, and maintaining ethical standards regarding the disclosure of Generative AI. These combined efforts aim to bridge research with practical clinical guidance.

Addressing Author Misconduct, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This feature article addresses the growing need for clear editorial policies on author misconduct, especially with the rise of Generative AI (GAI). Editors are vital gatekeepers who ensure the accuracy and transparency of dental literature, thereby protecting patient safety. The author distinguishes between unintentional misconduct, such as inadvertent plagiarism, and intentional misconduct, like data fabrication or deliberate non-disclosure of AI use. Remedial measures emphasize author education for honest mistakes, while severe violations require zero-tolerance actions such as formal retraction and institutional notification. Implementing these protocols is vital for maintaining reader trust and upholding professional integrity.

Ditch Those Resolutions! Make A Strategic Plan Instead!, Edward M. Feinberg Dmd

AADEJ - The Communicator

This feature article advocates for using strategic planning as a more effective and sustainable alternative to vague New Year’s resolutions for dental practices and organizations. Strategic planning is explained as a proactive process that involves setting direction, allocating resources, and measuring progress through mission and vision statements. The author introduces the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and the GOST system (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Tactics) as key frameworks. As President-elect, the author shares his efforts to conduct a Zoom strategic planning session to gather member input and develop a clear, documented plan for the future of the AADEJ.

Spirits Of Seva As A Dental Editor And A Journalist: My New Year Reflections, Cathy Hung Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

This editorial examines the Hindu concept of Seva, or selfless service, through the author's visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple. The author compares the 12,000 volunteers who built the remarkable structure to the teamwork involved in dental journalism. Just as the temple's detailed carvings required dedication, dental editing requires careful attention to punctuation, formatting, and content. The work of editors is portrayed as a collaborative effort that extends beyond monetary reward, ultimately producing a "masterpiece" that benefits the broader dental community.

Progress Over Perfection: Redefining Balance In Residency, Leadership, And Motherhood, Jasmine Shafagh Dmd

AADEJ - The Communicator

The message from the AADEJ President addresses the complex challenge of balancing an orthodontic residency with motherhood, marriage, and professional leadership. The author argues that balance is not about achieving perfection in every role but rather about prioritizing purpose and being present in each moment. Foundational skills cultivated through dental journalism and leadership, such as clear communication and strategic planning, are essential for managing these responsibilities simultaneously. Ultimately, the author suggests that letting go of perfection allows for meaningful service and contribution. The piece emphasizes that when daily activities are aligned with one's values, life feels more manageable.

The View Is “Fuzzy” Ahead, Denise Maihofer

AADEJ - The Communicator

The AADEJ's Executive Director reports recent accomplishments and strategic concerns for the future. Significant achievements include the release of evidence-based guidance on Generative AI and the ongoing success of the Dental Editors University (DEU). However, the author describes the road ahead as "fuzzy," citing challenges such as shifting communication trends, economic instability, and the need for organizational adaptation. To address these issues, the AADEJ has launched a strategic planning committee to develop a roadmap leading toward its centennial celebration. The author encourages membership renewal to support these proactive efforts in a fragile environment.

Communication Is Key To Onboarding, Mali Schantz-Feld Ma, Cde

AADEJ - The Communicator

In her article, the Communicator’s Associate Editor outlines key strategies for onboarding new associate editors to ensure a productive and efficient workflow. The author emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations by reviewing job descriptions and clarifying specific responsibilities, such as tracking author approvals and peer reviews. Successful integration involves training on Content Management Systems (CMS) and providing access to essential style manuals like AMA or Chicago styles. Additionally, the article highlights mentorship and open communication as more effective than micromanagement for building staff confidence. Ultimately, fostering a collaborative team environment helps ordinary people achieve "uncommon results."

A Style Unlike Any Other, Christopher J. Smiley Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

Regular feature from the immediate past president of AADEJ, Dr. Christopher Smiley, with the key insights impacting the field.

2025 First Place Gies Award Recipient: I’M Mr. Brightside: Optimistic Dentistry Can Maintain Its Leadership Role In Dentist- Patient Decision-Making, Chester Gary Dds, Jd

AADEJ - The Communicator

Since 1958, the William J. Gies Editorial Award has been presented yearly to the authors of the most valuable editorials published in a dental journal or periodical. Recognizing the ADEAGies Editorial Award winner has been the joint privilege of the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) and the William J. Gies Foundation for the Advancement of Dentistry (ADEAGies Foundation).

This award-winning article was also first published in the New York State Dental Journal and can be found at: https://commons.ada.org/nysdj/vol90/iss6/2/

Data Presentation For Dental Authors And Editors: The Convergence Of Message, Audience, Medium, Armamentarium, And Style, Benjamin Chaffee

AADEJ - The Communicator

Tables, figures, and other visuals convey information in ways that are not possible with words alone. When done well, these communication tools make data engaging, make complex ideas accessible, and make idea exchange efficient by sharing information in less printed space and requiring less reading time than standard written text. Poorly done, however, tables and figures can confuse and frustrate readers, distracting them from otherwise sound scholarship. Despite their impact on the reader experience, figures and tables are sometimes afterthoughts in the writing process, including in formal author guidelines and scientific writing courses. Authors and editors can elevate the effectiveness …

Maximizing Networking At The Dental Editor University, Cathy Hung Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

Regular feature from the editor-in-chief of AADEJ, Dr. Cathy Hung, with the current news from AADEJ.

Team Orientation Is Core To Success, Denise Maihofer

AADEJ - The Communicator

Regular feature from the executive director of AADEJ, Denise Maihofer with the latest news and happenings from AADEJ.

Plain Language: Is This Style To Be Or Not To Be In Your Journal?, Mali Schantz-Feld Ma, Cde

AADEJ - The Communicator

Regular feature from the associate editor of AADEJ, Mali Schantz-Feld, with useful tools for AADEJ members.

Creating The Role Of Aunt Eller In Oklahoma!, Phyllis Horridge

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts with concentration in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author Phyllis Horridge’s artistic process in creating the role of Aunt Eller in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Fall 2025 production of Oklahoma! This thesis follows the actor’s process through pre-production analysis, an historical and critical perspective, journals detailing the rehearsal and performance process, a post-production analysis, and process development. Appendices and works cited follow the process development.

Beyond The Identified Patient: Sibling Attachment, Burden, And Coping In The Context Of Mental Illness, Blaire Fauser M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

A “mental illness” is defined as a condition that causes clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. Mental illness is growing increasingly more prevalent and has been found to not only impact the affected individual but also the broader family system. This study examined the impact of having a sibling with a mental illness on the non-diagnosed sibling. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between siblings’ (sibling attachment), coping mechanisms, and caregiver burden. Previous research has shown that siblings of individuals with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric conditions themselves, which is due …

How To Create Accessible Osce Exams For Learners With Disabilities, Lisa M. Meeks, Jordan Juliao, Emily Langham, Anne Lewis, Judith Brenner

University Administration Publications

[Introduction] Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are widely used across health professions education to assess learners' clinical skills through structured encounters with standardised patients [1]. OSCEs also present a known barrier to disability access for medical students with disabilities [2-6], a rapidly growing population. Using trained actors, also known as standardised patients who portray the same clinical scenario for all learners, these examinations allow for assessment of medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, communication skills and elements of the physical examination in a controlled and standardised setting [1]. They may be used for formative feedback, summative assessment or progression decisions, and they …

An Analysis Of Slms For Machine Translation Of Healthcare Documents, Wyatt Clausen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The language barrier creates significant healthcare challenges for patients who struggle with English. While large language models (LLMs) have advanced machine translation, their high computational costs, environmental impact, and risk of data breaches have raised concerns. Small language models (SLMs) can address these concerns and be further adapted to specific tasks through parameter-efficient fine-tuning (PEFT) methods, including Quantized Low-Rank Adaptation (QLoRA). This study compares the Spanish-to-English translation quality of two 7-billion-parameter SLMs, Mistral and Llama 2 7B, in the medical domain, using BLEU, chrF, and COMET as evaluation metrics. It further investigates whether QLoRA fine-tuning and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) on …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Ecophysiology Between The Invasive Macroalgae Starry Stonewort And The Native Macroalgae Chara To Predict Invasion Potential, Thomas J. Zellmer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) is an invasive macroalga from Eurasia. Currently, starry stonewort’s invasive range consists of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, including the Mississippi River. Starry stonewort poses recreational and ecological problems by forming dense canopies that extend through the water column. Starry stonewort occupies a late-season niche space with dense biomass occurring in late July and persisting well into autumn. There is a lack of information on the ecophysiology of starry stonewort. In this study, two populations of starry stonewort, Minnesota and New York, were analyzed to compare regional differences in ecophysiology, along with chara (native …

Seeing Public Health In Color: Phenomenological Perspectives Of Bipoc Women In Leadership, Jasmyn Spicer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Public health is a complex, ever-changing industry that holds pivotal capacity to impact society on a larger scale. For the United States, disparities and inequity in public health have had significant consequences for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Effective leadership in public health has the potential to impact roles, policy development, and the overall scope of oversight regarding the quality of care that communities are provided in the industry. While BIPOC women are underrepresented in public health leadership roles, they have the capacity to advance equity in the field and contribute to culturally responsive care in foundational …

Secure Base Script Behaviors In Romantic Couples As Predictors Of Romantic Relationship Quality, Ben N. Zigelstein

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Attachment representations guide expectations about the availability and responsiveness of attachment figures during times of need. These representations are shaped by early experiences of consistent, reliable caregiving and influence how individuals seek and receive support from close others across the lifespan. Secure base script knowledge, a temporal-causal sequence of events encompassing the essential elements of seeking and receiving support at times of need, is increasingly used to capture attachment representations. Research indicates that secure base script knowledge significantly predicts the quality of self-reported and observed romantic relationships. However, the extent to which secure base script behaviors (i.e., bidding for support, …

Contesting Conservatism: Neoconservatives, Evangelicals, And Foreign Policy In The Reagan Era, Emily B. Kissel

All Master's Theses

This thesis explores how foreign policy shaped and destabilized the conservative coalition during the Reagan era. Although historians often portray the conservative movement of the 1980s as unified by anti-communism, this study argues that foreign policy debates exposed significant ideological divisions between neoconservatives, evangelical Christians, and the broader conservative base. These groups shared common goals but disagreed over the moral and strategic direction of American foreign policy. Neoconservatives and evangelical Christians wanted the same muscular assertion of American power abroad, but the factions framed foreign policy differently to appeal to their supporters. These policies and aggressive anti-Soviet rhetoric struck widespread …

Modernism’S Wild Child: The Interplay Of Modernist And Children’S Literature, Rachel Riffel

All Master's Theses

Within literary criticism, American and British modernism are often characterized by the disillusioned writers and creators who established an elitist literary community during the early 20^th century. This period is also distinguished by the Harlem Renaissance highlighting Black art, culture, and writing. Gertrude Stein, T. S. Eliot, Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps are well-known for contributing core texts to modernism and the Harlem Renaissance that expressed existential themes and developed experimental techniques. What many readers don’t know, however, is that these authors and many other contemporaries wrote stories and poetry for children. In this thesis, I explore the children’s …

A Few Words From Our Staff

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

True Love, Thaily Jeanty

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Bucket List, Eddie N. Hammans

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

American Gal, Nicole M. Gomez

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.