University Stakeholder Perceptions of NCAA Reclassification during the Transition Period: A Case Study of the University of North Alabama

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions that university administrators, athletic department staff, head coaches, college athletes and faculty hold regarding the reclassification process to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. This study examined the perceptions of stakeholders from the University of North Alabama, which reclassified from NCAA Division II to Division I from 2018 to 2022. Previous literature has examined the ramifications of NCAA reclassification. This includes the relationship between NCAA reclassification and the impact on academic performance, student recruitment, the psychological well-being on college athletes, and economic impact on athletic departments. This study attempts to add to previous research by focusing on the experiences of several types of stakeholders during the four-year reclassification period, where most studies have researched why institutions decided to reclassify or the long-term consequences. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 participants.  Responses from the participants provided insight regarding how they thought different NCAA bylaws impacted the university and how athletic department resources were or should have been utilized. Next, the present study sought to learn about the impact of other NCAA Division I institutions located near the university, as well as the university’s local community, and the transition period\u27s impact on morale and the athletic department\u27s identity.  Overall, the current research intends to provide a better understanding of the transition period experience for the employees and athletes at institutions that reclassify to Division I in the future

Therapeutic targeting of Aurora Kinase A in advanced prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) progresses from an androgen-dependent state to a castration-resistant form (CRPC) following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), driven by adaptations that restore androgen receptor (AR) signaling. A subset of CRPC tumors evolves into neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), marked by AR independence, neuroendocrine marker expression, and poor prognosis. NEPC development is associated with genetic and epigenetic alterations, including loss of tumor suppressors (TP53, RB1) and activation of lineage plasticity pathways. Aurora kinase A (AURKA), a serine/threonine kinase regulating mitosis, is frequently overexpressed in NEPC and CRPC, promoting tumor aggressiveness. Recent studies highlight CXCR7\u27s role in driving enzalutamide-resistant CRPC by activating AURKA through β-arrestin recruitment. Targeting AURKA with inhibitors like alisertib shows potential but is hindered by toxicity and patient variability, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to stratify responders. AURKA inhibition is synthetically lethal with RB1 or TP53 loss and may exploit vulnerabilities in tumors with homologous recombination defects, linking AURKA activity to resistance against DNA-damaging therapies, including PARP inhibitors, AR pathway inhibitors, and chemotherapy. Further investigation into AURKA alterations in CRPC/NEPC and their correlation with therapeutic outcomes may refine treatment strategies. Targeting AURKA holds promise for overcoming resistance and improving outcomes in aggressive, treatment-refractory PCa subtypes

Mortarboard Review: Montessori-Related Dissertations, 2024

This is the third article in an ongoing series, published annually, highlighting a selection of English-language dissertations from the previous calendar year related to Montessori philosophy and education. Twenty-one doctoral dissertations completed and approved during the 2024 calendar year were identified. The authors selected three dissertations to spotlight because they represent research that is novel, timely, and relevant to the current educational landscape

Light-by-light scattering in ultraperipheral collisions of heavy ions with future FoCal and ALICE 3 detectors

I present possible future studies of light-by-light scattering using FoCal@ALICE and ALICE 3 detectors. Different mechanisms are discussed. The PbPb → PbPb γγ cross section is calculated within the equivalent photon approximation in the impact parameter space. Several differential distributions are presented and discussed. We predict the cross section in the (mb-b) range for typical ALICE 3 cuts, a few orders of magnitude larger than for the current ATLAS or CMS experiments. We also consider the two-π⁰ background, which can, in principle, be eliminated in the new kinematical range for the ALICE 3 measurements by imposing dedicated cuts on diphoton transverse momentum and/or so-called vector asymmetry

On Chilean Acting Training; Interview with Cristian Lagreze

Since the 1980s, European techniques have had a significant impact on actor training in Chile; however, with the restoration of democracy in the 1990s, actor training started to change. Prominent professionals such as Cristian Lagreze, who received his training outside, have brought fresh perspectives to the Chilean setting. Lagreze talks about his experience as an actor in this interview, beginning at the University of Chile. He notes that the training process, which is moulded by emotional and physical conditioning particular to the sociological and cultural dynamics of today, aids trainers in developing a sense of identity and community. Students\u27 relationships with their bodies in training are being impacted by modern challenges like the effects of technology, capitalist pressures, and the increased awareness of gender and body politics. Lagreze also draws attention to the difficulties caused by the commercialisation of education, which makes students feel like customers. His observations highlight the difficulties involved in actor training in Chile and show how instructors must strike a balance between teaching conventional methods and the changing demands of contemporary actors