The complex structures and electronic properties of alkali metals and their alloys provide a natural laboratory for studying the interelectronic interactions of metals under compression. A recent theoretical study ( , 10, 3006) predicted an interesting pressure-induced decomposition-recombination behavior of the NaK compound over a pressure range of 10-500 GPa. However, a subsequent experiment ( , 101, 224108) reported the formation of NaK rather than NaK at pressures above 5.9 GPa. To address this discordance, we study the chemical stability of different stoichiometries of NaK ( = 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/3, 3/2, and 1-4) by an effective structure searching method combined with first-principles calculations. NaK is calculated to be unstable at 5-35 GPa due to the decomposition reaction NaK → NaK + Na, coinciding well with the experiment. NaK undergoes a combination-decomposition-recombination process accompanied by an opposite charge-transfer behavior between Na and K with pressure. Besides NaK, two hitherto unknown compounds NaK and NaK are uncovered. NaK is a typical metallic alloy, while NaK is an electride with strong interstitial electron localization.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c02506 | DOI Listing |
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Cellular and Structural Physiology Laboratory, Advanced Research Initiative, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Pathogen mutations present an inevitable and challenging problem for therapeutics and the development of mutation-tolerant anti-infective drugs to strengthen global health and combat evolving pathogens is urgently needed. While spike proteins on viral surfaces are attractive targets for preventing viral entry, they mutate frequently, making it difficult to develop effective therapeutics. Here, we used a structure-guided strategy to engineer an inhibitor peptide against the SARS-CoV-2 spike, called CeSPIACE, with mutation-tolerant and potent binding ability against all variants to enhance affinity for the invariant architecture of the receptor-binding domain (RBD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransl Vis Sci Technol
January 2025
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
Purpose: A human model able to simulate the manifestation of corneal endothelium decompensation could be advantageous for wound healing and future cell therapy assessment. The study aimed to establish an ex vivo human cornea endothelium wound model where endothelium function can be evaluated by measuring corneal thickness changes.
Methods: The human cornea was maintained in an artificial anterior chamber, with a continuous culture medium infusion system designed to sustain corneal endothelium and epithelium simultaneously.
Front Genet
January 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction: Sorghum bicolor: widely cultivated in Asia and Africa, faces increasing challenges from climate change, specifically from abiotic stresses like drought and salinity. This study evaluates how different sorghum genotypes respond to separate and combined stresses of drought and salinity.
Methods: Carried out with three replications using a randomized complete block design, the experiment measured biochemical and physiological parameters, including stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activities.
Background: The primary prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF), which increases mortality through complications including stroke and heart failure, is important. Excessive salt intake and low potassium intake are risk factors for cardiovascular disease; however, their association with AF remains inconclusive. This study investigated the association between sodium- and potassium-related urinary markers and AF prevalence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChina CDC Wkly
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Public Nutrition and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
What Is Already Known About This Topic?: The Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2015-2017 reported that among adults aged 18-59 years, the average daily intake was 328.3 mg of calcium, 251.8 mg of magnesium, 5,681.
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