Fazlur Rashid

How the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is dynamically regulated by mechanical stimuli is poorly understood. Herein, using FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) spectroscopy and MINFLUX (MINimal fluorescence photon FLUXes) nanoscopy, we demonstrate that external local mechanical and global osmotic stresses to the surface of mammalian cells induced mechanomemory of nucleoporin (NUP) deformation. During and long after (∼30 min) local stress application via integrins or global hypo-osmotic stress, the FRET ratio of YFP-NUP62 (acceptor) to CFP-NUP88 (donor) decreased and remained low, suggesting that the distance between the two NUPs increased and the NUPs were stretched. Independent MINFLUX measurements of NPC strain memory following the same local mechanical or global osmotic stress mirrored the magnitude of NUP strain memory in the NPC observed via FRET. This cross-method validation supports the interpretation that the decreased FRET ratio primarily represents NUP stretching. Compared with stiff elastic and slow-relaxing viscoelastic substrates, soft elastic and fast-relaxing viscoelastic substrates extended the duration of mechanomemory of nucleoporin deformation to 60 min after stress cessation. Mechanomemory of NPC dilation prolonged translocation of importins α and β1 through the NPCs and translocation of importin β1-dependent histone deacetylase 3 into the nucleus. Our findings reveal the structural basis of dynamic force-induced nucleoporin mechanomemory in controlling NPC diameter. This, in turn, regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport-mediated mechanotransduction in living cells.

With increasing energy demand and environmental emission concerns, biodiesels have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil diesel. This study investigates the effects of soybean (Glycine max) biodiesel–diesel blends containing 0–80% biodiesel on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a diesel engine. The performance parameters evaluated include brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), brake power (BP), and brake thermal efficiency (BTE). Combustion characteristics are assessed through in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate (HRR), and cumulative heat release fractions (HRFs), while emission characteristics are analysed in terms of smoke opacity and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of high-percentage biodiesel and fuel injection timing on overall engine characteristics. A one-dimensional (1D) model was developed using Diesel-RK (Version: 4.30.189) and GT-Suite software (Version: GT-ISE 2026). The models were calibrated and validated through model to model and further validated against experimental data. Using the simulation generated dataset, a machine learning-based surrogate prediction model was developed to rapidly estimate engine performance and emission characteristics directly from engine operating conditions and biodiesel blend ratios, eliminating the need for repeated Diesel-RK simulations. Multiple regression algorithms were evaluated, with the XGBoost tree ensemble model providing the highest prediction accuracy across the investigated performance parameters. Moreover, the Diesel-RK data were validated with experimental data. The results demonstrated model-to-model data and between model to experimental data, confirming the reliability of the developed models. The proposed Diesel-RK simulation and machine learning framework enables rapid and accurate prediction of engine performance and emissions, providing an efficient tool for evaluating biodiesel blends and supporting future engine design and optimisation.

How forces and mechanics influence and regulate living cells remains elusive. Mechanomemory, the response to a mechanical perturbation that persists after the perturbation is removed, is believed to be a key to understanding the impact of forces and mechanics on cell functions. Recently, our lab has demonstrated the presence of mechanomemory that lasts for ∼30 min after applying external stress via integrins. Herein, we test the hypothesis that applications of short intermittent episodes of stress exert long-term effects on mechanomemory via the process of mechanotransduction. An Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD)-peptides-coated 4-μm magnetic bead was bound to the integrin receptors to apply stresses to the surface of a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell. At the same stress magnitude and frequency (15 Pa at 0.3 Hz), multiple cycles of externally applied intermittent 2 or 10 min stresses with 15 min intervals, 10 min stresses with 10 min intervals, or a 30 min stress plus a 30 min load-free interval increased nuclear translocation of YAP (Yes-Associated Protein) and Ctgf gene expression, like that by a 60 min continuous stress, but a 30 min continuous stress did not. Short durations of intermittent stresses increased F-actin in the cytoplasm, which coincided with the elevated YAP translocation. Inhibiting F-actin or actomyosin but not microtubules blocked stress-induced YAP translocation to the nucleus. Cells on soft substrates translocate more YAP than on stiff substrates after external load release. These results highlight the impact of multiple intermittent stresses-induced cytoplasmic mechanomemory on cell biological functions via YAP translocation.

Energy demand is rising over time in both developing and developed countries. Therefore, finding new sources of energy is a prime concern now. For this effort, this paper presents the pyrolysis of onion (Allium cepa) shells in a reactor with a fixed bed for generating alternative liquid fuel. This paper also compares alternative fuel characteristics, including higher heating value, viscosity, density, pour point, and flash point, with conventional petroleum fuels at optimal process conditions. The work adopted pyrolysis to produce liquid fuel at a temperature range of 400–550 °C and utilized LPG to provide a heat source. The liquid product (fuel oil) was collected, and non-condensable gas was flared. The liquid product was tested for various properties, and the results of the analyses show that alternative fuel has a higher heating value of 12.227 MJ/kg, density of 800 kg/m³, viscosity of 4.3 cP at 30 °C, pour point below −6.2 °C, and flash point around 137 °C, with a variation due to the volatile matters. To obtain favorable conditions for pyrolysis, some parameters, including bed temperature, sample quantity, average particle size, and operating time, were varied and analyzed. The physio-chemical properties made the alternative fuels isolated from conventional petroleum fuels due to the variation in distillation temperature. This work shows that the fuel oil generated from the pyrolysis of onion shells could be considered an alternative source of fuel.

It is known that external mechanical forces can regulate structures and functions of living cells and tissues in physiology and diseases. However, after cessation of the force, how structures are altered in response to the dynamics of the chromatin and molecules in the nucleoplasm remains elusive. Here, using single-molecule imaging approaches, we show that exogenous local forces via integrins applied for 2 to 10 min decondensed the chromatin and increased chromatin and nucleoplasm protein mobility inside the nucleus, leading to elevated diffusivity of single protein molecules in the nucleoplasm, tens of minutes after the cessation of force. Diffusion experiments with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in live single cells show that the mechanomemory in chromatin and nucleoplasm protein diffusivity was regulated by nuclear pore complexes. Protein molecular dynamics simulation recapitulated the experimental findings in live cells and showed that nucleoplasm protein diffusivity was regulated by the number of nuclear pore complexes. The mechanomemory in elevated protein diffusivity of the nucleoplasm after force cessation represents a physical process that reverses protein–protein condensation in phase separation via unjamming of the chromatin. Our findings of mechanomemory in chromatin and nucleoplasm protein diffusivity suggest that the effect of force on the nucleus remains tens of minutes after force cessation and thus is more far-reaching than previously anticipated.

Stiffness and forces are two fundamental quantities essential to living cells and tissues. However, it has been a challenge to quantify both 3D traction forces and stiffness (or modulus) using the same probe in vivo. Here, we describe an approach that overcomes this challenge by creating a magnetic microrobot probe with controllable functionality. Biocompatible ferromagnetic cobalt-platinum microcrosses were fabricated, and each microcross (about 30 micrometers) was trapped inside an arginine–glycine–aspartic acid–conjugated stiff poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) round microgel (about 50 micrometers) using a microfluidic device. The stiff magnetic microrobot was seeded inside a cell colony and acted as a stiffness probe by rigidly rotating in response to an oscillatory magnetic field. Then, brief episodes of ultraviolet light exposure were applied to dynamically photodegrade and soften the fluorescent nanoparticle–embedded PEG microgel, whose deformation and 3D traction forces were quantified. Using the microrobot probe, we show that malignant tumor–repopulating cell colonies altered their modulus but not traction forces in response to different 3D substrate elasticities. Stiffness and 3D traction forces were measured, and both normal and shear traction force oscillations were observed in zebrafish embryos from blastula to gastrula. Mouse embryos generated larger tensile and compressive traction force oscillations than shear traction force oscillations during blastocyst. The microrobot probe with controllable functionality via magnetic fields could potentially be useful for studying the mechanoregulation of cells, tissues, and embryos.

This paper presents condition monitoring, fault detection, and control of vibration of a rotating system using vibration analysis. The system includes ball bearings, pulleys, impellers, shafts, and an electric motor. The experimental approach generated different levels and forms of vibration that were measured using a vibration analyzer (CSI 2140). A vibration analyzer is used for determining the characteristics and nature of vibration of the experimental system. System vibrations were measured in terms of amplitude, phase angle, and frequency during the experimental operating conditions. After that, the experimental results were compared with the ideal working conditions mentioned in the ISO standard for the determination of machine health and condition monitoring. This paper also presents a passive control technique to enhance the machines health condition. The generated faults of the system have been detected and solved by using an exact measurement of polar plot analysis. This approach of condition monitoring, fault detection, and improving operating conditions can be used to visualize and analyze vibration data in any rotating system. Furthermore, this technique would be a feasible and effective way of finding strategies for the maintenance of rotary machines.

Electricity is an important part of our daily life. It is mainly generated from conventional energy sources. Conventional energy sources are diminishing day by day; whereas, energy demand increases significantly. Moreover, less land availability, low budget for energy, and weather‐dependent renewable sources result in poor energy management all over the world. Therefore, proper management of conventional energy and simultaneous finding of potential alternative energy sources are the prime concerns of energy‐related researchers. In this article, literature relating to less‐implemented energy sources is reviewed to demonstrate their current status and future prospects. This review shows that along with current renewable and conventional sources of energy, these less‐implemented energy sources can contribute substantially to overcome the energy scarcity in electricity production. Proper planning and improvement are required to get sufficient benefits from these less‐implement energy sources. In order to clarify the electricity generation from less‐applied energy sources, many figures are adapted using the concept and information of reviewed literature. In those figures and related text, several possible ways of electricity generation using these energy sources and their potential implementation techniques with related challenges have been outlined. The electricity generation rate and their corresponding applications are also depicted. Proper steps to popularize these less‐focused sources of energy would mitigate high energy demand all over the world and offers a cleaner environment for livelihood.

The aims of this paper are to develop hybrid energy systems considering biomass energy sources as well as a framework and optimal configuration of hybrid systems of energy for a southern sub-urban area of Bhola district in Bangladesh, named Kukri Mukri island, and analyse the feasibility of the techno-economic prospects of these systems. In this work, electrification for the rural area is analysed for different configurations of the hybrid systems. The estimation of available resources with optimal sizing and analysis of techno-economic aspects is done through HOMER Pro software to satisfy the demand of peak load. Different configurations of hybrid energy systems, including PV/diesel, PV/wind, PV/diesel/wind, PV/wind/diesel/biomass, and wind/diesel, are analysed and compared through optimization of different energy sources in HOMER. The size of the system and components are optimized and designed depending on the net present cost (NPC) and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Due to the lower availability and rising cost of wind energy, the outcome of this work shows a solar-based photovoltaic (PV) as the main energy source, battery as the storage media, and diesel generator as an energy source for backup. The results indicate that LCOE is much lower for PV/wind/diesel/biomass (0.142 USD/kWh) than PV/diesel (0.199 USD/kWh), PV/wind (0.239 USD/kWh), PV/diesel/wind (0.167 USD/kWh), PV/diesel (0.343 USD/kWh), and wind/diesel (0.175 USD/kWh). Additionally, it is demonstrated from the research that the genetic algorithm (GA) process gives sustainable and cost-effective outcomes compared to HOMER.

Electricity is an important part of our daily life and uses for different purposes. However, electricity generation sources are decreasing day by day and electricity mainly generates from renewable and conventional sources of energy. Proper management to create new conventional energy sources is challenging all over the world. Lack of conventional sources of energy, high demand for energy, less available land, and low budget for energy are some of the important factors that cause poor energy management all over the world. In this paper, different potential less attributed sources of energy are analyzed along with their implementation techniques to mitigate high electricity demand in near-future. This review shows that along with renewable and conventional sources of energy, less attended energy sources would be a potential source that can generate electricity. This review also presents that no improved techniques are needed to implement less attended sources of energy and can be implemented with sustainable techniques. This study also proposes implementation techniques of uncommon sources of energy for electricity generation with related challenges that could emerge during the implementation of these sources of energy. In this study, the electricity generation rate and their corresponding applications are also depicted. Proper steps and execution of less attended sources of energy would mitigate high energy demand all over the world and offers a cleaner environment for livelihood.