Utilization Of Local Resources Research Articles

Effect of The Ratio of Purple Sweet Potato Flour and Rice Crust Flour on The Physical, Chemical, and Sensory Properties of High-Fiber Snack Bar

Dietary fiber, an indigestible component of plants, offers significant health benefits for humans. Creating a high-fiber snack bar can be a substitute for meeting daily requirements for dietary fiber. This research aimed to create snack bar products utilizing locally sourced ingredients, specifically rice crust flour and purple sweet potato flour, with the goal of optimizing the utilization of local food resources and enhancing the diversity of Indonesian cuisine. This study aimed to investigate how the proportion of purple sweet potato flour and rice crust flour influenced the chemical, physical, and sensory characteristics of the high-fiber snack bars that were created. The proportions of purple sweet potato flour to rice crust flour differed across the four snack bar formulas: FI (100%:0%), F2 (90%:10%), F3 (80%:20%), and F4 (70%:30%). The effectiveness index method was employed to determine the optimal formulation for the snack bar. The results indicated that lowering the proportion of purple sweet potato flour would enhance the firmness and color of the snack bar. The dietary fiber content (%db) of each formula was as follows: F1 (18.92 ± 1.43%), F2 (18.33 ± 0.79%), F3 (18.56 ± 2.73%), and F4 (19.48 ± 0.40%). The sensory test results showed a direct correlation between the panelists' preference level and the decrease in the proportion of purple sweet potato flour. Formula F4, consisting of a 70% proportion of purple sweet potato flour and a 30% proportion of rice crust flour, is the optimal formula for creating a snack bar.

E-commerce and foreign direct investment: pioneering a new era of trade strategies

This study explores the dynamic interplay between foreign direct investment, e-commerce, and China’s export growth from 2005 to 2022 against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving global economy. Utilizing advanced analytical models that combine province- and year-fixed effects with fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least-squares methodologies, we delve into how foreign direct investment and e-commerce collectively boost China’s export capabilities. Our findings highlight a significant alignment between China’s export expansion and the global sustainable development agenda. We observe that China’s export growth transcends mere international investment and digital market engagement, incorporating sustainable practices such as effective utilization of local labor resources and an emphasis on technological advancements. This study also uncovers how knowledge capital and educational attainment positively impact export figures. A notable regional disparity is observed, with the eastern regions of China being more responsive to foreign direct investment and e-commerce influences on export trade compared to their western counterparts. This disparity underscores the need for region-specific policy approaches and sustainable strategies to evenly distribute the benefits of foreign direct investment and e-commerce. The study concludes that while foreign direct investment and e-commerce are crucial for China’s export growth, the underlying theme is sustainable development, with technological innovation and human capital being key to ongoing export success. The findings advocate for policies that balance economic drivers with sustainable development goals, ensuring both economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Africa's natural fibres used in polymer composites: A systematic review

AbstractEnvironmental concerns and the depletion of petroleum resources have spurred research into natural fibres as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibres as the reinforcement phase in polymer composites. Given that the local availability of materials is a crucial component in the sustainability framework, there is a need to map out the fibres used to develop natural fibre composites across geographical regions to optimize local resource utilization. Through a systematic review of publications sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases, this study examines the contributions made by Africa to develop green polymer composites. The bibliometric data from both databases were systematically merged, and bibliometric analysis was carried out to identify trends and relevant relationships and provide a more general insight into Africa's progress in the natural fibre polymer composite field. A meta‐analysis was then conducted to identify the natural fibres exclusively sourced from Africa that have been used to develop polymer composites. The study also discussed natural fibre classifications with respect to fibre type and form. Sisal, palm varieties (particularly date palm), alfa, jute and members of the Musaceae family (i.e., banana, plantain and enset) were found to be the most used African‐sourced fibres. This study is a step to creating a more extensive global natural fibre database that seeks to provide more precise knowledge, enhance research efficiency, and ensure the utilization of local materials in creating more sustainable composites.Highlights The use of local materials is a key component of sustainable development A natural fibre database can foster sustainability in the composite industry Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia are leading Africa's composite research Research prioritizes composite material science over practical applications Sisal, date palm, alfa and jute are the most used natural fibres in Africa

When outsiders are resource users: Fishers’ migration in Southwest Panay, Philippines, and its impact on small-scale fisheries

This paper examined the fishers’ migration in Southwest Panay, Philippines, how it has shaped the small-scale fisheries management in the receiving area, influenced local resource access and utilization, and the potential impacts of the phenomenon on fishing technology and practices. The study was conducted in two municipalities in the province of Iloilo (Miagao and San Joaquin) and two in the province of Antique (Anini-y and San Jose de Buenavista). It utilized household surveys, key informant interviews (KII), and focus group discussion (FGD) as research methodologies. Results show that there are various push and pull factors that influence the migrant fishers (locally known as pangayaw) to migrate to other areas. The most common reason cited is the presence of a richer fishing ground or better livelihood opportunities in their host community.Migrant fishers play a vital role in the local fishing economy as sources of new fishing technology. However, results revealed that most of the technologies that they introduced were either more efficient gears (e.g., use of purse seine and gill nets) or modifications (e.g., use of kati or decoy) that would increase the efficiency of the fishing gears. This may have a consequent negative impact on the sustainability of the fishery resources in the host community.It is evident from the available data of the local government units and the observations of the participants through their local ecological knowledge that migration has a potential impact on local resource access and utilization patterns, and may influence the socio-cultural landscape of the receiving area. It poses a challenge to the sustainable utilization of the resources, and exerts additional pressure on the social services of the receiving local governments. Instead of treating them as “outsiders”, they should be treated as partners of the local community and must share the responsibilities of sustainable utilization and management of the fisheries resources.

Prospects and challenges of agricultural financing in Nigeria: A review

This paper examined the prospects and challenges of agricultural financing in Nigeria. It was observed that agricultural financing is all about providing services to the farmers who are traditionally not served by the conventional financial institutions. Agricultural financing holds a lot of prospects for Nigerians especially the poor as it will enable them develop their skills, engage in production and many others. Among the problems identified are access to banking services in rural communities, lack of acceptable collateral/ security, perceived high agricultural risk, lack of access to credit information, high cost of credit administration, access to market, infrastructural challenges and subsistence nature of farming. The various prospects highlighted include; economic empowerment of farmers, poverty reduction, gains from international trade, employment generations, rural development, skill development, new innovations, effective utilization of local resources and output expansion. Consequent upon the problems noted, the paper recommends that the supervisory authorities should enforce standards so as to address the issue of poor management of funds meant for credit disbursement.

Advancing laparoscopy in resource-limited settings

BackgroundAlthough laparoscopic surgery has made remarkable progress and become the standard approach for various surgical procedures worldwide over the past 30 years, its establishment in low-resource settings, particularly in public hospitals, has been challenging. The lack of equipment and trained expertise has hindered its widespread adoption in these settings. Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures using laparoscopy world wideAimThe aim of the study is to determine whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible in a resource challenged settingMethodsThe research focused on individuals who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomies at Yekatit 12 Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a one-year period. Comprehensive data collection was conducted prospectively, encompassing both intraoperative and postoperative parameters. Follow-up was carried out via phone calls. The surgical procedures employed innovative techniques, including the reuse of sterilized single-use equipment and the utilization of local resources. The evaluation involved a comparison of demographic information, intraoperative details (such as critical view determination and operative duration), and postoperative complications, including assessments of pain and wound infectionsResultsFrom August 2021 to September 2022, 119 patients were assessed. Among these patients, 65 (54.6%) underwent open cholecystectomies, while the remaining 54 (45.4%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The average duration of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies was 90.7 min, which is 17.7 min behind the open. Patients in the laparoscopy group had significantly shorter hospital stays than the open group, and 94% were discharged by post operative day 2. The conversion rate from laparoscopic to open surgery was determined to be 3.3%ConclusionTo sum up, the safe execution of laparoscopic cholecystectomies is feasible in public hospitals and settings with limited resources, given adequate training and resource distribution. The study findings showcased superior outcomes, including reduced hospitalization duration and fewer complications, while maintaining comparable levels of operative duration and patient satisfaction in both groups

The Utilization of Local Historical Resources in Middle School History Teaching—A Case Study of Kaifeng

The Utilization of Local Historical Resources in Middle School History Teaching—A Case Study of Kaifeng

Concept of Micro Healthcare Entrepreneurship (MHE) to Facilitate Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Prospects and Challenges

In the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), developing countries with limited resources face significant hurdles. Traditional top-down approaches, spearheaded by governments, often entail lengthy planning periods and substantial costs to reach underserved communities. This paper proposes a bottom-up, cost-effective, and preventive approach aimed at empowering local human resources and using advanced technology. We call it the Micro Healthcare Entrepreneurship (MHE) model. The MHE model comprises four primary components: (1) utilization of local human resources, (2) disruptive healthcare technology, (3) continuous training, and (4) available funds. Extensive testing of the digital health and social business elements across diverse contexts underscores their efficacy. Furthermore, the viability of social business funds has been established. To solicit feedback and refine the MHE concept, three workshops, conducted in phases, engaged 60 community healthcare service providers. This paper elucidates both the potential advantages and the challenges inherent in implementing the MHE model. By shifting the paradigm toward grassroots empowerment and leveraging existing community assets, this approach offers promise in advancing healthcare accessibility and sustainability in resource-constrained settings to achieve UHC.

Data-driven assisted real-time optimal control strategy of submerged arc furnace via intelligent energy terminals considering large-scale renewable energy utilization

This study presents a data-driven assisted real-time optimization model which is an innovative approach to address the challenges posed by integrating Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) systems with renewable energy sources, specifically photovoltaic (PV) and wind power, with modern intelligent energy terminals. Specifically, the proposed method is divided into two stages. The first stage is related to data-driven prediction for addressing local time-varying renewable energy and electricity market prices with predicted information, and the second stage uses an optimization model for real-time SAF dispatch. Connections between intelligent energy terminals, demand-side devices, and load management systems are established to enhance local renewable resource utilization. Additionally, mathematical formulations of the operating resistance in SAF are explored, and deep neuron networks are employed and modified for dynamic uncertainty prediction. The proposed approach is validated through a case study involving an intelligent energy terminal with a 12.5 MVA SAF system and 12 MW capacity renewable generators in an electricity market with fluctuating prices. The findings of this research underscore the efficacy of the proposed optimization model in reducing operational costs and enhancing the utilization of localized renewable energy generation. By integrating four distinct dissatisfaction coefficients into the optimization framework, we demonstrate the model's adaptability and efficiency. The application of the optimization strategy delineated herein results in the SAF system's profitability oscillating between $111 and $416 across various time intervals, contingent upon the coefficient settings. Remarkably, an aggregate daily loss recovery amounting to $1,906.84 can be realized during the optimization period. Such outcomes not only signify considerable economic advantages but also contribute to grid stability and the diminution of renewable energy curtailment, thereby underscoring the dual benefits of economic efficiency and sustainability in energy management practices.

Examining Factors Associated with the Use of Community Food Resources: An Application of the Andersen Model to Inform Future Interventions.

The role of the food environment in shaping nutrition and health has gained substantial attention from policymakers, public health researchers, and advocacy groups. To promote equities in food access and nutrition outcomes, understanding factors linked with the utilization of local community food resources is crucial. Using Andersen's service utilization model, we explained how adults use their neighborhood food resources. In a cross-sectional study design, an online survey was conducted in REDCap Version 13.4.0 via the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) involving 1830 adults with a mean age of 37.9 ± 12.1 years. Participants answered questions on predisposing, enabling, and need factors that influence their use of different community food resources. The predisposing factors that were statistically significant included age, family size, marital status, race, and ethnicity. The enabling factors included travel time, travel mode, income, and shopping decision motivators (such as being able to use Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vouchers, delivery services, great sales, and coupons). Food security and community food resources need for lower food price were the significant need factors. However, these factors vary by the types of food resources. In conclusion, enhancing the utilization of community-based food access initiatives and programs among underserved families requires consideration of family composition, racial and ethnic diversity, and transportation access.

Local sustainable communities: Sector coupling and community optimization in decentralized energy systems

Achieving local sustainable development often depends on consumers' incentives to efficiently utilize energy and resources. In this paper, Local sustainable communities (LSC) are introduced as a combination of sustainable communities and local energy communities to promote local energy and resource utilization. Business models on technology and service provision and those on promoting sustainable resource utilization are developed, which are then applied to a community in Austria. A modeling framework on sector coupling in community operations, that also considers resource utilization is developed to assess the impact of the business models. LSC business models promote participation and sustainable operation in an LSC as 31% of electricity and 34% of heat can be covered by LSC purchase. The implementation of energy recovery business models and the availability of sufficient decentralized technologies have the greatest impact on LSC operations, reducing external electricity grid coverage to 58%. The consideration of resource business models can positively contribute to a local resource utilization efficiency, reducing the water pipeline coverage by 43%. The introduction of an LSC has a positive impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and can therefore efficiently contribute to the development of a cleaner energy system.

Pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui inovasi pembuatan permen Madu Trigona dan Nira desa Sigar Penjalin

Stunting remains an unresolved issue in North Lombok, NTB, Indonesia. One of the government's efforts to reduce stunting rates involves ensuring nutritional fulfillment for mothers and expectant mothers, which can be obtained from local food sources. Nira (palm sap) and Trigona honey are local commodities available in Tanjung, North Lombok. Unfortunately, these commodities have not been optimally utilized for nutritional fulfillment or as income sources. Typically, Nira is only sold as fresh sap, fermented beverage (tuak), or palm sugar, which have relatively low market values. Combining Nira and Trigona honey to create high-value candy products represents an opportunity. This community service project aimed to improve welfare and nutrition in Sigar Penjalin Village by assisting in the production of hard candy from Trigona honey and Nira Aren as a potential local delicacy to combat stunting and enhance local income. The implementation involved 16 community members organized by UMKM Rangsot Kreatif. The training used ingredients like brown sugar, granulated sugar, glucose syrup, Trigona honey, and water. The training stages included preparation, material delivery, hands-on practice, and evaluation through pretests and posttests to measure participants' knowledge, skills, and interests. The pretest results showed a total score of 627 out of 960 (65.31%), indicating a moderate level of understanding. After the training, the posttest showed a significant improvement, with a total score of 829 out of 960 (86.35%), indicating a very high level of understanding. This activity highlights the importance of technological support and the utilization of local resources in developing nutritious and economical snack products, supporting improvements in community nutrition and economy, and providing alternative solutions in local product processing

Participatory Design Study in the KOTAKU Program Using Settlement Environmental Management Plan Document (RPLP) Review in increasing Community Capacity for Sustainable Development

This study aims to analyze the impact of implementing the Settlement Environmental Management Plan Document (RPLP) in strengthening community capacity in the KOTAKU Program for environmentally sustainable development. The KOTAKU program is a government initiative that aims to improve access and quality of urban settlements, with a focus on slum settlements. RPLP is a planning document that provides guidance in structuring an integrated, sustainable and participatory settlement environment. This research uses a qualitative method by conducting case studies at several locations that have implemented RPLP in the KOTAKU Program. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with various stakeholders, including local communities, local governments and other relevant institutions. The analysis is carried out by identifying changes that have occurred in community capacity after the implementation of the RPLP, including increased knowledge, skills, and participation in decision-making related to the settlement environment. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of the RPLP in the KOTAKU Program has a positive impact on strengthening community capacity. Community participation in planning and decision-making processes increases, resulting in a better and more sustainable living environment. Communities also acquire new knowledge and skills in managing the residential environment, such as waste management, energy saving and utilization of local resources. This research makes an important contribution in understanding the importance of implementing RPLP in environmental sustainable development. The recommendations resulting from this research can be used by local governments and other related institutions to increase the effectiveness of the KOTAKU Program and strengthen the community's role in environmentally sustainable development.

A fenntartható gyakorlat erősítése a szociális lakásállításban

This paper explores sustainable practices in social housing delivery in Soweto, South Africa, and their influence on urban development. The research aims to assess the current state of sustainable practices and identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainability. Through interviews with government officials, community leaders, young residents, and construction experts, this paper shows existing sustainable initiatives, such as solar panels and recycling, driven by government policies. However, challenges, including budget constraints and the need for community education, persist. Recommendations emphasize collaboration, clear communication, community engagement, and local resource utilization. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable urban development, offering insights that can guide Soweto toward a greener and more inclusive future.

Understanding the role of frailty in local and systemic complications and healthcare resource utilization in acute pancreatitis: Findings from a national cohort

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a significant gastrointestinal cause of hospitalization with increasing incidence. Risk stratification is crucial for determining AP outcomes, but the association between frailty and AP outcomes is poorly understood. Moreover, age disparities in severity indices for AP complicate risk assessment. This study investigates frailty's impact on local and systemic complications in AP, readmission rates, and healthcare resource utilization. MethodsUsing the National Readmission Database from 2016 to 2019, we identified adult AP patients and assessed frailty using the Frailty Risk Score. Our analysis included local and systemic complications, resource utilization, readmission rates, procedures performed, and hospitalization outcomes. Multivariate regression was employed, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 using Stata version 14.2. ResultsAmong 1,134,738 AP patients, 6.94 % (78,750) were classified as frail, with a mean age of 63.42 years and 49.71 % being female. Frail patients experienced higher rates of local complications (e.g., pseudocyst, acute pancreatic necrosis, walled-off necrosis) and systemic complications (e.g., pleural effusion, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome) compared to non-frail patients. Frailty was associated with increased readmission rates and served as an independent predictor of readmission. Frail patients had higher inpatient mortality (7.11 % vs. 1.60 %), longer hospital stays, and greater hospitalization costs. ConclusionFrailty in AP patients is linked to elevated rates of local and systemic complications, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Assessing frailty is crucial in AP management as it provides a valuable tool for risk stratification and identifying high-risk patients, thereby improving overall outcomes.

The Optimization of the Path to Energy Transformation in Areas of Weak New Energy Resources under the Double Carbon Background ---Taking Anhui Province of China as an Example

Double Carbon is the abbreviation for emission peak and carbon neutrality. In September 2020, China proposed to strive to achieve an "emission peak" by 2030 and "carbon neutrality" by 2060. In this context, the process of energy transformation and new energy substitution is accelerating. And those areas with weak new energy resources urgently need to solve the transformation problems caused by limited local resources. Taking Anhui Province of China as an example, this essay studies the trend of energy development and changes, and compares Anhui with Jiangxi Province, which shares similar resource endowments, in order to explore energy transformation plans that are in line with provincially local conditions. The consumption of typical fossil fuels and the development conditions of new energy sources in Anhui Province are analyzed by using the methods of statistical and qualitative analysis. Based on the experience of transformation in neighboring Jiangxi Province and fully considering the functional orientation of Anhui Province in energy and economic fields in East China, this paper concludes that in Anhui Province, the efficient and safe utilization of local new energy resources should be given priority, along with actively promoting the technology of new energy generation and storage. Anhui Province should also strive to transfer existing rich new energy resources and promote cooperation in new energy supply with other provinces to improve the capability of energy guarantee, which may inject new impetus into economic development.

Suitability of bamboo to the ecological conditions in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, Vietnam

In Vietnamese culture, bamboo holds deep symbolic significance. However, in recent years, as a result of evolving usage patterns and the introduction of alternative materials in the face of a rapidly developing modern market economy, industrialisation, and urbanisation, bamboo's economic and social value has dwindled. Nevertheless, with the pressing challenges of climate change, environmental pollution, and the depletion of natural resources, bamboo is experiencing a resurgence in importance within the lives of Vietnamese people. Ba Be district, situated in Bac Kan province, stands as one of the country's most impoverished regions. Natural bamboo thrives in 14 out of 15 communes, with Dong Phuc commune being the exception. Planted bamboo is found in 14 out of 15 communes, excluding Cho Ra town, covering approximately 7.9 % of the entire district's natural area (NA). The district's vast terrain, featuring slopes exceeding 15°, presents formidable obstacles to socio-economic development. This study aims to shed light on the distribution of bamboo forests in Ba Be district and presents an assessment of bamboo's suitability within its natural surroundings. The study employs the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method and spatial statistics, using remote sensing data supplied by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Ba Be district. The results demonstrate that 60 % of Ba Be district's NA is conducive to bamboo cultivation and growth. The findings of this research provide local authorities with a scientifically grounded basis for strategic planning, enabling bamboo to emerge as a pivotal resource within production forests. This approach outlines the ideal spatial distribution for bamboo cultivation and development, ultimately fostering the sustainable utilisation of local natural resources to support both immediate and long-term local socio-economic development.

Strategi Pelatihan dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia untuk Menghadapi Tantangan Perubahan Organisasi

The purpose of this research is to explain a strategic approach to the training and development of the Human Resources of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in facing organizational change challenges. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method and a literature study approach. The research is conducted at the Office of the Regional Disaster Management Agency in Bima District. In this research, the data analysis technique used is the interactive model according to Miles and Huberman, which consists of three main components: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion/verification. The research results show that in the context of natural disasters that are prone in this region, disaster preparedness, disaster management, and emergency response coordination are the top priorities in the training strategy. Involvement of the local community, collaboration with other institutions, and learning from previous experiences are essential elements that can strengthen the readiness of the BPBD in Bima District. Continuous evaluation, career development, utilization of local human resources, and technological innovation are supportive elements in a comprehensive training strategy. Recommendations include the development of long-term training plans, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and investment in technology that supports disaster management and training. Facing future challenges, such as climate change that can increase the risk of natural disasters, the BPBD in Bima District must continually update their training strategy and ensure that their response to organizational changes and disasters remains relevant and responsive. Therefore, the training and development strategy for HR in the BPBD in Bima District can help strengthen their preparedness and responsiveness in facing the challenges in this region.

Innovations and applications of Laterized concrete in sustainable construction

This comprehensive discourse examines the innovative construction material known as laterized concrete, which combines sustainability with local resource utilization. The exploration encompasses its composition, mix design, strength, durability considerations, case studies, challenges, guidelines, global impact, and future prospects. Laterized concrete leverages the distinctive attributes of laterite soil to achieve enhanced performance, reduced cement consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improved durability. It highlights its role in transforming construction practices towards more sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Through case studies, challenges, and guidelines, the material's potential is illuminated, serving as an invitation to further research, development, and widespread implementation in the pursuit of a greener built environment.

Sound-absorbing aerated concrete based on China fly ash

Introduction. The development of aerated concrete with a high content of open pores, using polymineral binders with reduced cement content and significant utilization of local technogenic resources (in particular, enriched waste from thermal power plants) is relevant for the modern construction industry. To systematize modern methods for studying the characteristics of sound insulation and sound protection of buildings, it is necessary to take into account the diversity of international building codes. The aim of the work is to develop a scientifically based technological solution that provides effective aerated concrete based on fly ash from China with improved sound-absorbing characteristics.Main part. In this paper, a methodological basis, which provides for the comprehensive use of fundamental approaches in building materials science, was used. Integrated design to develop composite materials of a given quality at the nano-, micro- and macrolevels was used. The physical and mechanical properties of raw materials and the required characteristics of the developed materials using physicochemical methods of analysis, including laser granulometry, X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, thermal methods, etc were studied. The experimental studies in the laboratories of V.G. Shukhov BSTU, as well as Chinese universities were carried out.Conclusions. In this work, scientific approaches for the design and synthesis of aerated concrete with improved acoustic characteristics in various regions of the country, taking into account local raw materials were formulated. Further research can be aimed at expanding the range of lightweight materials for building envelopes in order to ensure a safe human environment. This can be achieved by synthesizing multicomponent composite binders that affect the formation of nano-, micro- and macrostructures of materials.