Interview with Leon S. Forman

For transcript, click the Download button above. For video index, click the link below. Leon S. Forman ((L\u2739) was an authority on bankruptcy and creditors\u27 rights. He practiced law for more than sixty years and served as chairman of the Philadelphia Bar Association\u27s corporation, banking and business law section, and as chairman of the Pennsylvania Bar Association\u27s bankruptcy committee. He was a member of the American Law Institute. He taught bankruptcy and creditors\u27 rights at the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania and at Temple University School of Law. He died in 2006

The Application of High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry (HRGS) to Nuclear Safeguards, Nonproliferation, and Arms Control Activities

While well-developed methodologies exist for the employment of high- resolution gamma ray spectrometry (HRGS) in determining the isotopic composition of plutonium samples, the potential capabilities of such measurements in determining the properties of nuclear materials otherwise remain largely unexploited. These measurements contain information sufficiently detailed such that not only can the isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium materials be determined, but the details of the spectrum obtained will depend reproducibly upon other factors including the total mass, density, chemical composition, and geometrical configuration of the material, and for certain materials, the elapsed time since chemical processing. The potential thus exists to obtain a `gamma-ray fingerprint` for typical containers or assemblies of nuclear material which will then serve to identify that class of item in a later confirmatory measurement. These measurements have the additional advantage that, by comparison with active interrogation techniques which usually require the introduction of some extraneous form of radiation or other intrusive activity, they are totally passive, and thus impose only minimal additional safety or regulatory burdens on the operators. In the application of these measurements to the verification of treaty-limited items, where the information acquired may be sensitive in nature, the use of the CIVET (Controlled Intrusiveness Verification Technique) approach, where a computer-based interface is employed to limit access to the information obtained, may be followed

A Deep Chandra Observation of the Distant Galaxy Cluster MS1137.5+6625

We present results from a deep Chandra observation of MS1137.5+66, a distant (z=0.783) and massive cluster of galaxies. Only a few similarly massive clusters are currently known at such high redshifts; accordingly, this observation provides much-needed information on the dynamical state of these rare systems. The cluster appears both regular and symmetric in the X-ray image. However, our analysis of the spectral and spatial X-ray data in conjunction with interferometric Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data and published deep optical imaging suggests the cluster has a fairly complex structure. The angular diameter distance we calculate from the Chandra and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data assuming an isothermal, spherically symmetric cluster implies a low value for the Hubble constant for which we explore possible explanations.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Ap

Active Nuclear Material Detection and Imaging

An experimental evaluation has been conducted to assess the operational performance of a coded-aperture, thermal neutron imaging system and its detection and imaging capability for shielded nuclear material in pulsed photonuclear environments. This evaluation used an imaging system developed by Brookhaven National Laboratory. The active photonuclear environment was produced by an operationallyflexible, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) pulsed electron accelerator. The neutron environments were monitored using INL photonuclear neutron detectors. Results include experimental images, operational imaging system assessments and recommendations that would enhance nuclear material detection and imaging performance

Radiation Imaging of Dry-Storage Casks for Spent Nuclear Fuel

The authors report the results of a measurement campaign conducted on six dry-storage, spent-nuclear-fuel storage casks at the Idaho National Laboratory. a gamma-ray imager, a thermal-neutron imager and a Ge-spectrometer were used to collect data. The campaign was conducted to examine the feasibility of using cask radiation signatures as unique identifiers for individual casks as part of a safeguards regime. The results clearly show different morphologies for the various cask types although the signatures are deemed insufficient to uniquely identify individual casks of the same type. Based on results with the Ge-spectrometer and differences between thermal neutron images and neutron-dose meters, this result is attributed to the limitations of the extant imagers used, rather than of the basic concept

What Are the Support Needs of Men With Multiple Sclerosis, and Are They Being Met?

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative condition of the central nervous system that can lead to high levels of disability and a range of psychological and social problems. Although considerable research exists on the experience of living with MS and the disease's psychosocial consequences, much of this has focused on women and has seldom considered the male perspective. It is possible, therefore, that men may differ from women in how they experience MS and the type of support or interventions that meet their needs. Methods: A literature review was undertaken to identify the specific support needs of men with MS, describe current support available to men with MS, and evaluate the extent to which these needs are met by current service provision. Results: The literature reviewed suggests that the needs of men with MS are different from those of women in terms of psychological factors such as well-being and mental health and support. Conclusions: If interventions are to be evidence based, then health-care professionals need to take into account the needs, desires, and capabilities of men with MS to inform service development. Further research is required to explore this, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to address the gaps in the evidence base of support needs for men with MS