Applying the Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter followed by random forest models to 7Be observations in Spain (2006-2021).

In this study, we analysed 7Be weekly surface measurements from six Spanish laboratories from 2006 to 2021. The Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter was applied to the six 7Be time series, and following an iterative process, the original data were divided into two fractions: one related to variations characterized by periods above 33 days (including, among others, the seasonal cycle) and the second noisier fraction related to mechanisms originating from variations with periods below 33 days. Both fractions were independent at the six locations. The second machine-based step using random forest models was applied with the aim of identifying the most influential inputs to the observed 7Be concentrations, and machine learning-inspired regression models were fitted. With respect to seasonal components, the results indicated that the memory of the system was the most influential input, as expected by the large fraction of variance explained by the seasonal cycle, followed by that of humidity and wind-related variables. For the fraction corresponding to periods below 33 d, precipitation-, humidity-, and radiation-related variables were the most influential. This methodology has made it possible to successfully describe the major mechanisms known to be involved in the generation of the surface 7Be concentrations observed in Spain.

Inspect: a decision helping tool for in-situ probe selection in D&D activities.

In the context of the INSIDER European project, the suitability of existing methodologies for in-situ measurements under constraint environments in nuclear facilities following a decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) process was analysed. Firstly, an analysis of the different methodologies for in-situ measurements was made along with a study of the different types of constrained environments that could appear in the D&D process as well as their expected level of impact on the measurement methodologies. Based on this analysis, a decision-helping tool for the selection of the suitable in-situ equipment/detector to be used in nuclear facilities for the different phases in any D&D process has been developed, depending on the constrained environment. This tool is named INSPECT, acronym for In-Situ Probe SelECtion Tool. The software is therefore potentially of use to those working in radiological characterization with in-situ instrumentation in any radiological or nuclear D&D process.

The 2019-2023 Strategic Plan of the Spanish Society of Radiological Protection (SEPR).

The Spanish Society for Radiological Protection (SEPR) is a scientific and technical organization that aims to bring together all radioprotection professionals from all the sectors of activity where ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is produced. The development of the SEPR's Strategic Plan every 5 years is the cornerstone of all the different activities that the Society carries out. This document establishes the SEPR goals and objectives for that period, as well as the activities planned to achieve them. It is a living and open document that draws on past experiences while looking to the future. The Strategic Plan 2019-2023, approved on June 2019, is the Third Strategic Plan of the SEPR. In its preparation, account has been taken of the experience obtained in the application of the two previous Strategic Plans, as well as of the new demands of the general public and of professionals in the area of radiological protection that have become apparent during the previous period. This paper describes the development of the current Strategic Plan, as well as the Plan itself, and briefly analyzes its implementation in the Conclusion.

Applications submitted and grants awarded to men and women in nationwide biomedical competitive research, in 2006, in Spain.

BACKGROUND: According to European reports, women participate in research less than men, especially in positions of responsibility. This kind of analysis has not been carried out in Spain in the field of biomedical research. This study describes participation of men and women as grant applicants in two different calls for research funding, held in Spain in 2006. METHODS: Data collected from grant applicants and from grantees, for two different competitive grant researches areas: human resources and CIBER (Spanish acronym for Biomedical Research Network Centres) have been described by sex. RESULTS: The human resources call shows that the number of applications submitted by women is higher (67.8% vs 32.2%), but the percentage of awards are similar (20.3% vs 22.7%), OR = 1.15 (95% CI: 0.82 to 1.62), with no statistical differences, although there are more men in the upper categories (superior technical experts (OR = 1.19 (0.58 to 2.45)) post-doctoral (OR = 1.36 (0.65 to 2.86)) and research personnel (OR = 1.48 (0.67 to 3.25)). With the CIBER call (senior researchers) there is a clear difference in the number of applicants (women 19.6%, men 80.4%) but the number of awardees is similar (40.3% vs 43.1%) OR = 0.89 (0.65 to 1.34). CONCLUSIONS: Although there are no statistical differences between women and men, with respect the awards obtained, there is a different pattern to the type of grant application, with fewer women in the more senior call.

Calculation of the store house worker dose in a lost wax foundry using MCNP-4C.

Lost wax casting is an industrial process which permits the transmutation into metal of models made in wax. The wax model is covered with a silicaceous shell of the required thickness and once this shell is built the set is heated and wax melted. Liquid metal is then cast into the shell replacing the wax. When the metal is cool, the shell is broken away in order to recover the metallic piece. In this process zircon sands are used for the preparation of the silicaceous shell. These sands have varying concentrations of natural radionuclides: 238U, 232Th and 235U together with their progenics. The zircon sand is distributed in bags of 50 kg, and 30 bags are on a pallet, weighing 1,500 kg. The pallets with the bags have dimensions 80 cm x 120 cm x 80 cm, and constitute the radiation source in this case. The only pathway of exposure to workers in the store house is external radiation. In this case there is no dust because the bags are closed and covered by plastic, the store house has a good ventilation rate and so radon accumulation is not possible. The workers do not touch with their hands the bags and consequently skin contamination will not take place. In this study all situations of external irradiation to the workers have been considered; transportation of the pallets from vehicle to store house, lifting the pallets to the shelf, resting of the stock on the shelf, getting down the pallets, and carrying the pallets to production area. Using MCNP-4C exposure situations have been simulated, considering that the source has a homogeneous composition, the minimum stock in the store house is constituted by 7 pallets, and the several distances between pallets and workers when they are at work. The photons flux obtained by MCNP-4C is multiplied by the conversion factor of Flux to Kerma for air by conversion factor to Effective Dose by Kerma unit, and by the number of emitted photons. Those conversion factors are obtained of ICRP 74 table 1 and table 17 respectively. This is the way to obtain a function giving dose rate around the source.