Department of Defence

In the next few months, there will be several opportunities to become more aware of current research trends in energetic materials by attending international conferences. These conferences provide opportunities for both formal and informal discussions, and they can contribute considerably to the professional and personal development of those engaged in science and technology [1]. In addition, conferences can also allow validation of one's knowledge, or lack of knowledge, and they are a guard against misinformation that may arise when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is misused. Being up to date on research is particularly important in the area of energetic materials research and development (R&D). In many countries, as a result of the “Peace Dividend” [2], after 1989–91, there was a greatly reduced investment in energetic materials R&D, as well as in manufacturing capacity for energetic materials. The UK, for example, has had decades of decline in this area; however, there has now been a significant push to rebuild the UK's capabilities in energetic materials, from training the workforce in required science and technology skills to investing more in R&D, and growing manufacturing capability [3]. As the world becomes geopolitically more unstable and is particularly turbulent right now, countries look to improving their sovereign capabilities associated with energetic materials. There are different approaches to how the workforce can be trained and professionally developed, whether entirely in-house, or through external assistance and networking. To some extent, this depends on how much each nation or organization has already geared up with expertise, and how closely their R&D is guarded from dissemination. It is acknowledged that a lot of R&D can be difficult to publish in this area, but as Dr. Kirk Yeager observed in a PEP editorial, “foundational research upon which classified research is built is something that can be (and should be) shared” [4]. In particular, sharing knowledge facilitates improvements in the safe working practices of energetic materials. Expertise always takes time to develop, but the motivation to learn a new area is encouraged by attending conferences. Immersion in both formal and informal learning is accelerated, and networks can be initiated that lead to data sharing and collaboration. In addition, there is no better place to get feedback on one's knowledge than when presenting a paper at a conference. As with publishing, peer review encourages improvement, and “iron sharpens iron,” so we learn from each other. A further benefit to attending conferences is the grounding that one receives so that new knowledge can be validated and questioned face-to-face. In a world that is rapidly adapting to the considerable benefits of AI [5-7], generative AI is also becoming a means of promulgating convincing misinformation that challenges genuine science and technology [8]. To guard against misinformation in a world that seems overloaded with it, we need information we rely on to be validated. This validation is best done through open publishing and peer review in well-regarded journals such as Propellants, Explosives and Pyrotechnics, the official journal of the International Pyrotechnics Society. Conferences also have a role here as the formal and informal components of a conference educate scientists and engineers to make them less susceptible to misinformation. Recently, the 49th International Pyrotechnics Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, was unfortunately cancelled. Lack of conference papers was the underlying factor. Fortunately, the International Pyrotechnics Society is now partnering with the Fraunhofer ICT to hold the 49th International Pyrotechnics Seminar jointly with the 55th International Annual Conference of the ICT in Karlsruhe, Germany, 23–26 June, 2026 [9]. In addition, there will be a workshop on 23 June, the 20th Workshop on Pyrotechnic Combustion Mechanisms. The International Pyrotechnics Society has two awards available to pay the registration fees for the 55th ICT/49th IPS conference and workshop. The Frank Carver Bursary Award, honoring Dr. Frank Carver from the UK, and the Dr. Bernard E. Douda Young Scientist Award, honoring US Senior Pyrotechnics Scientist Bernie Douda. Please see the Fraunhofer 55th ICT website for details [9]. Personal connections at conferences are truly an investment in the future [1]. We hope that many of you will continue to be able to obtain the many benefits of conference attendance.

The experience of conducting modern military conflicts has shown that fire damage is carried out not only to the entire depth of the defense construction of active groups of troops, but also to critical national infrastructure objects (CNIO). The results of the analysis of recent studies and publications show that in the subject area much attention is paid to the problematic issues of using protective elements of defensive structures. Moreover, the issues of using protective structures such as partially penetrating screens (PPS), which are used during the engineering protection of CIO elements, have not been fully investigated. The article substantiates the rational parameters of PPS during the engineering protection of critical elements of CNIO. The organizational and technical aspects of effective engineering protection system are considered. In accordance with the concept of the “Fortress Country” developed by the authors, options for using PPS are proposed, the parameters of which are selected in accordance with the results of calculations taking into account the numerical values of the pressure on the front of the explosive shock wave and fragments of the warhead of modern enemy air attack means. In addition, optimal design solutions are proposed, which are profiles from a sufficiently narrow permissible range for the selected initial parameters. Examples of successful operation of PPS on level 2 engineering protection structures are given, and the effectiveness of their counteraction to missile fragmentation is shown. In cases where remote PPS were installed, airborne explosive wave did not cause any significant damage to critical elements (electrical transformers) inside the structures of protection level 2. Rapid replacement of damaged PPS with new ones allows maintaining continuity of protection and survivability of protective structures, and the high maintainability of PPS metal structures helps reduce operating costs for protection.

Abstract. Aerosol vertical profile measurements were made using a Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (MAX-DOAS) and Mini Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) at One Tree Island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef from February to April 2023. This is an understudied location in terms of atmospheric aerosols and chemistry but is growing in importance as multiple research streams examine the influence of aerosols on radiation over the Great Barrier Reef. Solar radiation management proposals, such as marine cloud brightening, require regional-scale aerosol modelling, which is evaluated against aerosol extinction and optical depth measurements, necessitating a thorough understanding of measurements of these quantities. MPL aerosol retrieval showed extinction-to-backscatter ratios (0.031 on average) and depolarization ratios (0.015 on average) consistent with clean, unpolluted southern hemispheric marine aerosol. The maximum depolarization ratio tended to be above the layer of maximum MPL backscatter, consistent with dried sea salt layers above the boundary layer. MAX-DOAS and MPL extinction profiles show aerosol layers extending beyond 2 km altitude in the morning and to around 1 km in the afternoon. We run the MAX-DOAS retrieval at 360 and 477 nm simultaneously, using the Retrieval of Atmospheric Parameters from Spectroscopic Observations using DOAS Instruments (RAPSODI) algorithm, finding that this gives much better agreement with the vertically resolved diurnal cycle of aerosol extinction from the MPL. We also compared aerosol optical depth measurements from integrated MAX-DOAS and MPL extinction profiles, with observations from a hand-held Microtops sun photometer. Mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) values across the campaign compare well, being 0.084 ± 0.003 for the Microtops, 0.090 ± 0.040 for the MAX-DOAS and 0.091 ± 0.025 for the MPL (smoothed to match the MAX-DOAS vertical sensitivity). The diurnal cycles of the smoothed MPL and the MAX-DOAS AOD agreed within uncertainty in most hours of the day, showing a morning peak and afternoon minimum in boundary layer aerosol amount. These measurements show that even in this challenging environment with frequent occurrences of low marine clouds and high humidity, MAX-DOAS (with dual-wavelength retrieval) and MPL provide robust methods for probing aerosol vertical distributions and optical depth in the lower troposphere.

• The risk factors for suicidal behaviours in military aligned with the social-ecological model. • Adverse military experiences were the most important factors associated with suicidality. • The most feasible factors for Defence to address were clustered as workplace culture. • Concept mapping is a novel approach in suicidology overcoming limitations of a Delphi study. There are increasing efforts to better understand suicidal behaviour among current and former military personnel in Australia. More research using innovative methodologies is needed to identify risk and protective factors that could be addressed within the military. To better understand perceived risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviour within the military context. Three groups of stakeholders were recruited: people with lived experience of suicide in a military context, military mental health clinicians, and researchers with expertise in suicide in a military context. Using concept mapping, participants individually generated risk and/or protective factors for suicidal behaviour in a military context, before organising and rating all statements. Data were collected, analysed, and visually represented using the GroupWisdom platform. In total, 57 stakeholders participated in at least one stage of the study (i.e., brainstorming, sorting and/or rating). Brainstorming generated 97 perceived risk-factors and 63 perceived protective factors, which were thematically grouped by participants. A multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis generated a 7-cluster solution for risk factors and a 5-cluster solution for protective factors. Most of the risk and protective factors rated highly both in terms of importance and feasibility for the military to address were from workplace-related clusters. The risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviours within a military context were identified on three social-ecological levels: workplace (community), relational, and individual. The results of this study may inform future suicide research and prevention activities targeted to military personnel.

A 54-years-old man presented with 3 days history of fever and headache followed by acute confusion. He was a known case of hypertension and diabetes mellitus for 10 years. He was obese; neck rigidity was noted; Glasgow Coma Scale was 9/15 (E3,V1, M5). Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed high protein, low normal sugar with cells predominantly neutrophils compatible with pyogenic meningitis; Streptococcus agalactiea was detected in CSF. It was complicated by metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, transaminitis, DIC and ARDS. He passed away 58 hours after hospitalization. Autopsy findings were discussed. Article Details