Epistasis, the non-additive effects of mutations, shapes fitness landscapes and evolutionary trajectories. Temporal genetic data reveal evolutionary dynamics and could be used to infer epistatic interactions, especially through linkage disequilibrium (LD) between interacting mutations. However, other evolutionary forces can also generate LD, challenging inference. Here, we systematically evaluated the accuracy of a variety of epistasis inference approaches across a range of selective pressures, recombination rates, and population sizes. In general, we found that inference accuracy depends on the evolutionary regime: methods based on marginal path likelihood (MPL) performed best under strong selection and low recombination, whereas quasi-linkage equilibrium (QLE) approaches were more accurate when recombination is frequent. We further showed that the strength of genetic drift can influence inference accuracy for approaches that learn from changes in allele frequencies over time. Collectively, our results show that the detectability of epistasis from temporal genetic data depends on the interplay between selection, recombination, and genetic drift, providing guidance for method selection across evolutionary contexts.

Digital coding metasurfaces have revolutionized electromagnetic (EM) manipulation, yet typical tunable approaches based on active components suffer from "volatility". While mechanical modulation provides a potential solution, current implementations generally lack inherent state-locking capabilities, rendering them vulnerable to environmental disturbances and actuation errors. Inspired by the concept of mechanical bits (MBs), this paper presents a self-locking non-volatile coding metasurface platform enabled by Kresling origami-based MBs. Here, the mechanical bi-stability of individual meta-atoms enables robust binary geometric reconfiguration, with distinct states protected by intrinsic energy barriers. Building upon this concept, equivalent current models accounting for the compression-torsion coupling motion are established and analyzed to design efficient and broadband 1-bit EM units. By integrating tailored metallic patterns onto a multi-material 3D-printed truss-variant array, both transmission- and reflection-type prototypes are proposed and experimentally demonstrated, exhibiting reliable wavefront manipulation capabilities through near-field holographic imaging and far-field beam steering. These results bridge mechanical logic and EM information processing, establishing a universal physical paradigm for constructing low-power, highly robust coding metasurfaces resilient to complex environments.

Epiblast lumen formation is a critical step that occurs during human embryo implantation. It begins with the apicosome, an apical compartment partly derived from endocytosed material. However, how the endo-lysosomal system contributes to apicosome formation and later lumen development remains unclear. Using a human pluripotent stem cell-derived model of epiblast formation, we show that apicosome formation is accompanied by transient expansion of early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, as well as the formation of hybrid compartments with features of both early and late endo-lysosomal stages. These changes depend on the RAB GTPases RAB35 and RAB7, which are required for proper apicosome formation and lumen morphology of the human epiblast model. Our findings identify RAB35- and RAB7-dependent endo-lysosomal remodeling as a key mechanism driving apical membrane morphogenesis during human epiblast development.

2-Acetylthiazole was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, photoirritation/photoallergenicity, skin sensitization, and environmental safety. Target data show that 2-acetylthiazole is not genotoxic. The repeated dose, reproductive, and local respiratory toxicity endpoints were evaluated using the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) for a Cramer Class II material, and the exposure to 2-acetylthiazole is below the TTC (0.009 mg/kg/day, 0.009 mg/kg/day, and 0.47 mg/day, respectively). The skin sensitization endpoint was completed using the Dermal Sensitization Threshold (DST) for reactive materials (64 μg/cm2); exposure is below the DST. The photoirritation/photoallergenicity endpoints were evaluated based on ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectra; 2-acetylthiazole is not expected to be photoirritating/photoallergenic. The environmental endpoints were evaluated; 2-acetylthiazole was found not to be Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) as per the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Environmental Standards, and its risk quotients (RQs), based on its current volume of use (VoU) in Europe (EU), North America (NA), Asia-Pacific (AP), Japan (JP), and South America (SA) (i.e., Predicted Environmental Concentration/Predicted No Effect Concentration [PEC/PNEC]), are <1.

Exoskeletons have been considered for mitigating ergonomic risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), but they are not consistently utilized in initial deployments as workers in some facilities have not voluntarily used them. In this study, we investigated the impact of a passive shoulder exoskeleton on a drilling-fastening task with participants (n = 13) from a manufacturing training facility who have a little or no experience in using an exoskeleton. The direct measures of joint angles (shoulder and torso) and user perceptions of discomfort were analyzed. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were used to estimate the shoulder and torso posture, with the orientations mapped to the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) risk regions to support posture interpretation. Key actions (e.g., drilling and countersinking) were characterized within the work to understand how well a passive upper-body exoskeleton aligned with the task. Exoskeleton presence decreased the observed torso flexion for a subset of tasks, indicating decreased injury risk from the perspective of the torso, but limitations in selected postures. Exoskeleton presence did not have a large influence on the shoulder elevation, suggesting workers could perform the necessary tasks with the exoskeleton. However, the exoskeleton did not support a consistent positive influence on user perceptions. Importantly, participant postures show that the passive exoskeleton did not align with the dynamic shoulder movement for these tasks and created times when workers moved against the exoskeleton. These findings help explain potential barriers to exoskeleton acceptance reported in past studies. Factors such as limited postural adaptability, no linked decrease in perceived discomfort, and misalignment between exoskeleton support and the dynamic movements required by specific tasks may contribute to workers' reluctance to adopt exoskeletons. There are opportunities to extend shoulder exoskeletons to be more aligned with the nature of work, such as adding controllers to adjust the exoskeleton support to align with the user's actions.

Primary cutaneous extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (PCES) is an exceptionally rare variant of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors, typically arising in the dermis or subcutis without osseous involvement. Due to its clinical mimicry of benign lesions and poorly defined dermoscopic features, early recognition can be challenging. To date, fewer than 20 well-documented cases have been reported in the literature. A 21-year-old male presented with a subcutaneous scalp mass with a reported 3-year clinical evolution. Dermatologic examination revealed a well-circumscribed vascularized lesion, and dermoscopy showed a polymorphous vascular pattern with arborizing and linear vessels, along with rainbow areas. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a non-invasive soft tissue mass. Histopathology confirmed a small round blue cell tumor with cluster of differentiation 99 (CD99) expression, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis demonstrated Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) rearrangement, confirming PCES. The patient responded well to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent surgical and radiotherapeutic management. This case is one of the very few reported instances of PCES with detailed dermatologic and dermoscopic documentation prior to oncologic intervention. It underscores the critical role of dermatologists in identifying rare soft tissue tumors. Prompt biopsy and molecular confirmation remain essential, and multidisciplinary care is key to improving outcomes in this rare malignancy.