Portuguese Military Academy

Abstract The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide, and new production routes are required to meet climate targets. Hydrogen-based direct reduction combined with an electric arc furnace is widely discussed as a promising pathway to significantly reduce emissions. This study investigates this production pathway with a mix of 87% scrap and 13% reduced iron. The system requires 3.40 GJ/t Steel , with hydrogen production and scrap melting as the main energy consumers. Exergy results show efficiencies of 53.6% for the electrolyzer, 74.8% for the reduction furnace, and 87.2% for the arc furnace, leading to an overall resource efficiency of 78.1%, more than twice that of the conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace route. Emissions are 128 kg CO 2 e /t Steel with the Portuguese grid mix and 70 kg CO 2 e /t Steel with 100% renewables, corresponding to >94% reduction compared to conventional production. The results confirm the potential of hydrogen-based steelmaking for low-carbon steel production, while highlighting electrolyzer efficiency and renewable electricity availability as the main challenges. Further improvements through heat integration and by-product valorization could support both efficiency and sustainability

A atuação da polícia militar exige alta capacidade de resposta e resistência física, devido à imprevisibilidade das ocorrências, caracterizadas pela exposição a riscos e requerimento de esforço intenso. À vista disso, o objetivo geral deste estudo foi analisar a necessidade de implantação de um programa de orientação para a prática de atividades físicas para o efetivo operacional das unidades de área da Polícia Militar de Alagoas. O desenvolvimento metodológico foi descritivo-exploratório, de recorte transversal, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. A coleta de dados ocorreu em Unidades Operacionais da PMAL vinculadas ao Comando de Policiamento da Capital (CPC). Utilizou-se amostragem não probabilística por acessibilidade, com distribuição igualitária por unidade, visando contemplar diferentes demandas físicas da rotina operacional. Os resultados indicam que 76% dos participantes relataram afastamento das atividades operacionais da PMAL por motivo de doenças relacionadas ao serviço. Quanto ao condicionamento físico, constatou-se um quadro insatisfatório, uma vez que 38% classificaram seu condicionamento como regular e 12% como péssimo, totalizando 50% da amostra nessas categorias. Além disso, 94% afirmaram não ter recebido orientação institucional sobre a prática de atividades físicas no âmbito da Corporação. Concluir-se que a implantação de um programa institucional de orientação à prática de atividade física nas unidades operacionais da PMAL pode melhorar o condicionamento físico, a saúde e o desempenho funcional do efetivo.

Editorial V. 9 N. 14

Abstract Floods represent one of the most frequent and damaging natural hazards in northwestern Tunisia, particularly along the Upper Medjerda River Valley, which has experienced several major flood events in recent decades. Accurate and timely mapping of flood extent is therefore essential for effective risk management and decision-making. This study investigates the capability of optical remote sensing data for flood extent mapping using Landsat-8 imagery acquired before and after the February 2015 flood event. Several widely used spectral water indices, including the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Automated Water Extraction Index (AWEI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Water Ratio Index (WRI), were applied and compared to assess their effectiveness in discriminating flooded areas. The results indicate that indices incorporating the short-wave infrared (SWIR) band, particularly the MNDWI, provide improved delineation of flooded surfaces with sharper boundaries and reduced confusion with irrigated agricultural land and built-up areas. In addition, a decision-tree-based approach combining MNDWI, the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) was implemented to enhance flood extent extraction by minimizing misclassification related to vegetation and urban surfaces. The findings demonstrate the relevance of freely available Landsat-8 data and spectral index-based approaches for rapid flood mapping in semi-arid environments. This methodology can be transferred to similar flood-prone regions and provides a practical tool for supporting flood risk assessment and management strategies.

El artículo examina el uso de la aeróbica como herramienta para la inserción social en el ámbito castrense, destacando su impacto positivo tanto en el bienestar físico como mental de los miembros del ejército. Se plantea que, aunque inicialmente diseñada para mejorar la condición física de los soldados, la práctica aeróbica también promueve la cohesión grupal, reduce el estrés y facilita la adaptación social. Para ello, se implementó un programa que combina ejercicios dinámicos, música motivacional y módulos de liderazgo, adaptable a diversos niveles físicos. Las metodologías empleadas incluyen la integración de dinámicas grupales que fomentan la cooperación y el sentido de pertenencia, aspectos esenciales en un entorno jerárquico como el militar. Los resultados obtenidos subrayan cómo este enfoque mejora la salud cardiovascular, fortalece la moral del grupo y contribuye a la resiliencia de los soldados. Además, se destaca que la aeróbica es una herramienta efectiva para facilitar la transición de los militares a la vida civil, ayudando a mantener vínculos comunitarios. Las conclusiones revelan la aeróbica como una estrategia multifuncional que, al ser estructurada e implementada de forma adecuada, tiene el potencial de transformar dinámicas castrenses y apoyar tanto el bienestar del personal como su integración social.

Kecerdasan buatan (Artificial Intelligence/AI) telah menjadi komponen utama dalam transformasi pertahanan dan pendidikan militer global. Di era disrupsi digital, taruna Akademi Militer sebagai calon perwira TNI dituntut untuk memiliki daya saing tinggi dan kapasitas adaptif terhadap perubahan lingkungan strategis, baik di ranah militer, sosial, maupun teknologi. Artikel ini membahas bagaimana penerapan AI dalam sistem pendidikan dan pelatihan taruna dapat memperkuat kompetensi strategis, kesiapan teknologi, dan ketahanan nasional modern. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif-kualitatif dengan telaah literatur dari sumber akademik, kebijakan pertahanan, dan studi kasus internasional. Hasil pembahasan menunjukkan bahwa penerapan AI di lingkungan akademi militer dapat meningkatkan efisiensi pembelajaran, kemampuan analitik, dan simulasi taktis. Selain itu, AI juga berperan dalam pembentukan karakter adaptif, penguasaan literasi data, dan kesiapan menghadapi ancaman multidimensi. Integrasi AI dengan nilai-nilai kejuangan dan ideologi Pancasila menjadi fondasi penting dalam menjaga keseimbangan antara kemajuan teknologi dan moralitas prajurit bangsa.

Various well established solar cell simulation software are presently available; however, they are often closed source, requiring costly licenses, or general-purpose simulation software. The main objective of this work is the development of an analytical tool to model and simulate solar cells, with particular emphasis in space applications. The software was constructed in Python using object-oriented programming by applying the equivalent two-diode electrical model, semiconductor physics, and optical modeling. It was designed to simulate both single- and multi-junction solar cells with additional non-textured anti-reflective coatings and protective layers. A method was also implemented to simulate the effects of ionizing radiation. The program was validated by data comparison with established software and commercially available space solar cells. In both cases, the tool developed was found to have obtained similar results, which seem to indicate that the program is reasonably accurate. Furthermore, three studies were carried out on: Anti-reflection coatings and protective layers, Ionizing-radiation effects and Multi-junction solar cells. In the anti-reflection coatings and protective layers study, it was possible to verify how differences in the type and number of layers affect performance. With the ionizing radiation effects study, the accuracy of the model was tested against research article data. The multi-junction study has shown how important the appropriate selection of semiconductor material, doping, and thickness is to mitigate losses and improve cell performance. • Development of a new optoelectronic tool to characterize photovoltaic solar cells. • Simulation of photovoltaic solar cells for space applications. • Anti-reflection and protective layers, Ionizing-radiation effects and Multi-junction solar cells.

O Curso de Formação de Oficiais da Polícia Militar do Paraná, que ocorre na Academia Policial Militar do Guatupê, a qual possui vínculo com a Universidade Estadual do Paraná, sendo denominado em âmbito civil e acadêmico o curso, desde 2023, como Bacharelado em Ciências Policiais e Segurança Pública, possui disciplinas teóricas e práticas ao longo dos três anos de formação. Sendo assim, este estudo relata a experiência, nos anos de 2023 e 2024, na disciplina de Policiamento de Trânsito, Urbano e Rodoviário, das atividades de extensão ao final da disciplina, quando os discentes (Cadetes) passam por atividade práticas junto ao Batalhão de Polícia Rodoviária e Batalhão de Polícia de Trânsito, visando aplicar na prática o conhecimento teórico repassado em sala de aula. Diante disto, este estudo tem por objetivo geral relatar a experiência relativa às aulas práticas realizadas ao final da disciplina e como objetivos específicos apresentar as atividades acadêmicas de extensão realizadas pela Academia Policial Militar do Guatupê (APMG), em seu curso de formação, para o mundo acadêmico e também, expor a visão particular deste docente durante a realização de tais atividades práticas de extensão. A metodologia utilizada durante as aulas práticas é classificada como ativa, por intermédio de aprendizagem em estações de trabalho. Ao final, conclui-se que a utilização de metodologias ativas junto aos discentes, corroborando as metodologias tradicionais já aplicadas no ensino policial, são positivas, pois incrementam o processo de ensino-aprendizagem e trazem o discente para o contato direto com a atividade-fim da Corporação e o colocam como protagonista do processo de ensino.

• Acoustic actuation enhanced hydrogen evolution in AWE cells. • CNT coatings increased efficiency but degraded under ultrasound. • Diatomite–epoxy coatings improved after partial ultrasonic erosion. • Uncoated foams showed stable gains with 60 kHz acoustic actuation. The transition to sustainable energy systems has highlighted the need for efficient green hydrogen production. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is a proven method, but its performance is hindered by gas bubble accumulation and poor mass transport at the electrode–electrolyte interface. This study addresses these challenges by combining acoustic excitation and surface-modified nickel foam electrodes to enhance hydrogen evolution in a lab-scale AWE system. A 30 % (w/w) KOH electrolyte was used, with piezoelectric transducers coupled externally to a metallic rod connected to the electrodes, allowing ultrasonic actuation at 20, 40, 60 kHz and 11.059 MHz—an approach differing from conventional ultrasonic baths or probes. Nickel foam electrodes with 110 PPI porosity were tested in three configurations: (i) 1 mm thick, uncoated; (ii) 1 mm with diatomite–epoxy coatings via dip-coating; and (iii) 1 mm with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) deposited using a flame synthesis method; as well as (iv) uncoated 2 mm thick foam. Analytical techniques included polarization and efficiency curves, SEM, and wettability analysis. The 2 mm foam showed the best overall performance without ultrasonic assistance. Without ultrasound, CNT-coated electrodes delivered the highest efficiency, but ultrasound exposure led to partial detachment and performance loss. Diatomite–epoxy coatings initially blocked porosity, reducing efficiency, but ultrasonic degradation of the coating improved electrolyte access and gas release. Uncoated nickel electrodes exhibited modest, consistent benefits from 60 kHz ultrasound, with a 4 mV overpotential drop and up to 0.9 % efficiency gain. These results suggest that integrating acoustic actuation with electrode surface engineering holds promise for advancing AWE performance.

Echinocandins, which inhibit the synthesis of β-1,3-D-glucans, essential components of the fungal cell wall, are frontline drugs for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by Candida spp. Recent in vitro studies have suggested that iron overload may reduce the efficacy of the echinocandin caspofungin against Candida albicans by altering its cell wall composition. Here, we show that iron loading conditions which do not interfere with the cell wall composition are still capable of recapitulating the caspofungin-resistant phenotype induced by iron. Spectroscopic analyses provided evidence that caspofungin binds to iron through its ethylenediamine moiety and two amide groups. Consistent with the in vitro activity of β-1,3-D-glucan synthase, the target of caspofungin, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that iron binding induces conformational changes in caspofungin, which may reduce its ability to inhibit the enzyme. Importantly, the in vivo antifungal efficacy of caspofungin was compromised in a Galleria mellonella model of IFI caused by C. albicans simulating a context of iron overload. This effect may extend beyond C. albicans infections, as the antagonism between iron and caspofungin was also observed in other medically important fungi causing IFIs.