The expanding fireball of Nova Delphini 2013.

A classical nova occurs when material accreting onto the surface of a white dwarf in a close binary system ignites in a thermonuclear runaway. Complex structures observed in the ejecta at late stages could result from interactions with the companion during the common-envelope phase. Alternatively, the explosion could be intrinsically bipolar, resulting from a localized ignition on the surface of the white dwarf or as a consequence of rotational distortion. Studying the structure of novae during the earliest phases is challenging because of the high spatial resolution needed to measure their small sizes. Here we report near-infrared interferometric measurements of the angular size of Nova Delphini 2013, starting one day after the explosion and continuing with extensive time coverage during the first 43 days. Changes in the apparent expansion rate can be explained by an explosion model consisting of an optically thick core surrounded by a diffuse envelope. The optical depth of the ejected material changes as it expands. We detect an ellipticity in the light distribution, suggesting a prolate or bipolar structure that develops as early as the second day. Combining the angular expansion rate with radial velocity measurements, we derive a geometric distance to the nova of 4.54 ± 0.59 kiloparsecs from the Sun.

Utility of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients: the benefit remains uncertain.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in young women is typically characterised by aggressive disease, and treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy is generally recommended. Chemotherapy has conferred significant improvements in disease-free and overall survival for young women with breast cancer; however, with improved cure rates, long-term adverse effects of cytotoxic treatment, such as premature ovarian failure (POF) and infertility, have become increasingly important. A potential fertility preservation strategy is administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHas) during adjuvant chemotherapy. DESIGN: This review analyses and summarises the current evidence for use of GnRHa in preserving ovarian function in young breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Twelve trials, both non-randomised and randomised, have now been conducted assessing GnRHas in fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients, with conflicting results. Limitations of the current data include the use of poorly sensitive end points for fertility preservation, variable age of enrolled patients and limited pregnancy data. CONCLUSION: The utility of GnRHa as a fertility preservation strategy remains uncertain, and use outside of a clinical trial generally not recommended. Further research into this under-recognised issue is vital.

Depressive symptoms, stress, and coping among women recovering from addiction.

This article focuses on the variability in well-being of 102 women in continuous recovery from addiction for 1 to 5 years. Univariate and bivariate analyses of cross-sectional data on recent depressive symptomatology, and psychosocial stress and coping strategies before and during recovery yielded the following findings: (a) Nearly a third of the sample reported scores above the 16-point cut-off on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, indicating risk for depression; (b) over half had a history of diagnosed depression; (c) perceived stress in 16 life domains significantly decreased from prerecovery to recovery; (d) by recovery, participants significantly increase their use of positive strategies, but they continued use some negative ones; and (e) risk for high depressive symptomatology was greatest among those who were married or cohabiting, had a history of clinical of depression, high perceived stress in areas of money and emotional and physical health. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment and aftercare.

Women in recovery from drug misuse: an exploratory study of their social networks and social support.

This cross-sectional research examined the effects of ethnicity, age, and primary drug (alcohol or other drug) on recovering women's social network size and social support. Study participants included 21 African-American, 39 Anglo-American, and 3 Mexican-American women in continuous recovery for a minimum of 6 months. Study findings demonstrated statistically significant increases in social network size and in the amount of social support received from pretreatment to posttreatment recovery periods. Ethnicity, age, and primary drug had little effect on social network size and amount of social support received.

Community's role in the promotion of recovery from addiction and prevention of relapse among women: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study examined the community's role in the promotion of recovery from addiction and the prevention of relapse among women, and the differences in women's addiction and recovery by ethnicity. Community was defined as six institutions: home, church, workplace, school, law enforcement and medical care system. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 39 Anglo and 24 ethnic minority women (21 African American; 3 Hispanic) between the ages of 21 and 70, living along the Gulf Coast of Texas, who had been in continuous recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs for at least six months. The study was cross-sectional, and data were collected through the use of structured interviews utilizing the Women in Recovery Questionnaire, an instrument developed by the investigative team. RESULTS: This study found that community institutions (church, school, home, workplace and law enforcement and medical systems) were seldom involved in promoting recovery or preventing relapse in women, with the exception of the home, which supported recovery. Anglo and ethnic minority women differed by primary drug usage, number of times in treatment, religion, perception of sexism, and likelihood of citations for traffic violations. CONCLUSION: Large, randomized studies are needed to investigate the community's role in women's recovery from alcohol and other drugs.

HIV risks and risk reduction readiness in hard-to-reach, drug-using African American and Mexican American women: an exploratory study.

In an exploratory study of the HIV risk-taking behaviors and risk reduction readiness of a sample of 74 hard-to-reach, out-of-treatment African American and Mexican American drug-using women who are at high risk for HIV infection, Mexican American women were found to be more likely than African American women to have drug-using sexual partners and to use drugs daily. Cocaine was the drug most commonly used by both groups. Heroin injectors were more likely than nonheroin injectors to use daily and to share needles. Women of both ethnicities expressed considerable readiness for HIV risk reduction. We describe two empirically derived interventions to reduce HIV risks among this population and share our observations regarding collecting data from and intervening with hard-to-reach, drug-using minority women who are at high risk for HIV infection.

Tri-ethnic alcohol use and religion, family, and gender.

Nine different behavioral responses to alcohol by over two hundred ninth-graders in Austin, Texas, were examined in a survey designed to identify the relationship between adolescents' alcohol use, religious affiliation, religiosity, and gender. The relationship between alcohol use and family adaptability was also examined. While religious affiliation was found to be mildly predictive of use, religiosity determined only specific behavior. Gender differences in alcohol use appeared to be narrowing. Family adaptability was the most predictive variable, showing a relationship with six of the nine kinds of alcohol behavior. Future studies of family influences on adolescents' alcohol behavior and alcohol use among females are recommended.

HIV risks among minority drug users in a small city.

In 1989, African-American and Mexican-American drug users (n = 220) in a small southern city were interviewed, in street settings, about their HIV behavioral risks and their readiness to reduce risks. Both ethnic groups contained large numbers of cocaine and heroin users. Mexican Americans were more likely to use heroin, prefer injection, and share needles with other drug users than were African Americans. Sexual risk-taking in both groups was high, with very low levels of condom use, high levels of exchanging sex for drugs and money, and high levels of having multiple sexual partners. Mexican Americans were more likely than African Americans to have regular partners who used drugs. Intravenous drug users in both ethnic groups were at high risk for HIV infection, reporting high levels of multiple drug use, daily drug use, needle sharing, never cleaning needles, and exchanging sex for drugs or money. Readiness to reduce HIV risks was also high in both groups, as evidenced by the response to questions about the use of free preventive services, HIV testing, and concern about AIDS. Implications for research and preventive programs among minority drug users in small cities are discussed.

Development of an instrument to measure attitudes toward acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS) was developed to measure attitudes toward acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among college students. In phase one, 67 items, determined by an expert panel to have content validity, were randomly ordered and administered to 164 student volunteers in a large southern university. Fifty-four individual items that correlated significantly (p less than .001) with the total attitude scores were retained for the final version of the scale. In phase two, the revised scale was administered to 135 student volunteers to determine its internal reliability (alpha = .96). Females and older students (21 and over) were significantly more tolerant about AIDS than males and younger students. Preliminary factor analysis revealed three factors explaining approximately 45% of the variance in response patterns; they related to proximity with people with AIDS, moral issues, and social welfare issues. Uses of the instrument in attitudinal studies, program planning, and evaluation are discussed.

AIDS education: process, content, and strategies.

Education represents the single best option for stopping the tide of the devastating epidemic of AIDS. Although its importance is widely recognized, little has been published to assist practitioners in the development and implementation of effective educational programs. This article presents a planning process, program content, and teaching strategies which can be used for AIDS education in schools, work-sites, and communities.

Therapeutic recreation practitioners' involvement in the AIDS epidemic.

This article describes the implications of the AIDS epidemic for therapeutic recreation practitioners in various settings. The AIDS disease spectrum, its epidemiology, transmission, and health effects are discussed in light of the attitudes, education, policy, and program issues that therapeutic recreation practitioners will confront in working with clients and staff in settings that are attempting to deal with the AIDS epidemic. Most health care professions will be challenged to address what has been viewed as history's greatest natural tragedy. Yet, only those professions which seek answers to defining and accepting their roles in dealing with the AIDS epidemic will contribute to the quality of life for persons with AIDS.

Demythologizing sex education in Oklahoma: an attitudinal study.

A randomized study was conducted to determine the distribution of attitudes among Oklahomans of voting age toward sex education and to analyze the relationship of demographic, sociocultural, and attitudinal factors. The state was stratified into six regions. Forty-five percent of the sample lived in urban areas, and 55% in rural areas. Random digit dialing and random selection within households were utilized to ensure a representative sample of the population. Eighty percent of the sample was found to be favorable toward sex education in the public schools, while 20% was unfavorable. A majority of respondents in all religious groups including "fundamentalists" were favorable. Seventeen variables were found to be significant in the univariate analysis of the data; eight were not significant. In a multivariate analysis, three variables, age, Protestant denominational type and female employment, were shown to have predictive ability in determining favorability and unfavorability. Implications for building community support for sex education also are discussed.