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Extended shortwave infrared (eSWIR) photodetectors that employ solution-processable semiconductors have attracted attention for use in applications such as ranging, night vision, and gas detection. Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising materials with facile bandgap tunability across the visible-to-mid-infrared wavelengths. However, toxic elements, such as Hg and Pb, and the slow response time of CQD-based IR photodetectors, limit their commercial viability. This article presents a novel eSWIR photodetector that is fabricated using silver telluride (Ag 2 Te) CQDs. Effective thiolate ligand exchange enables a lower trap density and improved carrier mobility in CQD solids. Furthermore, a vertical p-n photodiode architecture with a favorable energy-level landscape is utilized to facilitate charge extraction, resulting in a fast, room-temperature-operable, and toxic-element-free CQD photodetector. The best eSWIR Ag 2 Te CQD photodetector exhibits a fall time of 72 ns, representing the fastest response time among all prior CQD-based eSWIR photodetectors, including those containing toxic elements, such as Pb and Hg., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: To present the observation of multifocal evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS)-like phenotypes developing in association with the onset of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a series of patients., Methods: Patients presenting to tertiary-care centers with MEWDS-like phenotypes and CNV were identified., Results: Five patients presented for the management of CNV in the context of previous diagnoses of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) and/or myopia. In time-periods ranging from 0 days to 12 weeks from the diagnosis of active CNV, MEWDS-like changes were observed. Treatment with anti-VEGF agents were instituted in four cases, in an as-required protocol. 1 patient received systemic steroid., Conclusions: The development of MEWDS-like phenotypes in association with CNVM can occur in eyes with either inflammatory or non-inflammatory CNVM, and in those who were or were not treated with anti-VEGF therapy. The association suggests an inflammatory event, which causes RPE changes and probably induces the development of the CNV.

The white dot syndromes include a group of diseases which are characterized by multiple yellowish-white foci in the outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid. For clinicians and researchers alike they present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. White dot syndromes include primary inflammatory choriocapillaropathies, such as acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE)/acute multifocal ischemic choriocapillaropathy (AMIC), multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS)/acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement (AIBSE), multifocal choroiditis (MFC), punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC), serpiginous choroiditis (SC), acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR), and acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Among the primary stromal choroiditis is birdshot retinochoroidopathy (BSRC); however, the pathogenesis of these disorders is largely unknown. Immunological reactions to previous viral infections with a genetic disposition seem to be a common denominator.

Purpose: To describe the recovery timeline of spots and dots in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome., Methods: Sequential multimodal retinal imaging including fundus autofluorescence and cross-sectional and en face optical coherence tomography was performed to track the development and resolution of spots and dots in a case of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome., Results: En face optical coherence tomography showed that the spots are the result of ellipsoid zone loss and are hyperautofluorescent due to unmasking of the underlying retinal pigment epithelium autofluorescence. Conversely, the dots are hyperreflective with cross-sectional and en face optical coherence tomography and hyperautofluorescent, which we propose may be due to accumulation of degenerated photoreceptor material including fluorophores with autofluorescent capability such as precursors of A2E. The earlier resolution of the hyperautofluorescent spots allowed for later detection of the hyperautofluorescent dots., Conclusion: This case report illustrates the different recovery timelines of spots and dots in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome. Although both lesion types are hyperautofluorescent, the mechanism of autofluorescence is distinctive and may be explained by their contrasting pathoanatomy.

Blue light emitted by commercial white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) in the 440-470 nm range poses ocular health risks with prolonged exposure. Effective filtration is crucial for health-conscious lighting, but traditional filters often cause color distortion by completely removing blue emission. In this study, we address this challenge by synthesizing carbon dots (CDs) with strong absorption at 460 nm and bright cyan emission at 485 nm, featuring a photoluminescence quantum yield of 65% and a narrow full width at half-maximum of 30 nm. When embedded in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix, the CDs@PVA films effectively filter UV-to-blue light, reducing the blue-light ratio from 27.2% to 2.7%. At the same time, the cyan emission preserves the white light's spectral composition, achieving a color rendering index of 83 ± 5. This dual functionality demonstrates the potential of CDs to enable safer WLEDs that improve both ocular health and lighting quality.

Achieving high-performance lead sulfide quantum dot (PbS QD)-based photodetectors requires enhanced carrier transfer, which inevitably leads to an increased dark current. Balancing a high photocurrent and low dark current is crucial. In this work, a bridge-trap structure constructed by the atomic layer deposition of dual oxides is proposed to simultaneously enhance photoresponse performance and reduce dark current. Through the sequential infiltration of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 with precisely controlled concentrations, a photodetector with enhanced responsivity and detectivity across visible to near-infrared regions is obtained. The precisely controlled Al 2 O 3 infiltration serves as a bridge between QDs, enhancing carrier transfer and increasing photocurrent. Meanwhile, atomic decoration of minimal TiO 2 serves as a carrier trap, significantly reducing the dark current (7.0 × 10 -10 A). Furthermore, an array imager fabricated with the modified PbS QDs demonstrates clear imaging of designed patterns under both visible and infrared light.

Nanohybrids combining phenylboronic acid-modified carbon dots (PCDs) and proteinase K have been engineered for addressing the formidable challenges of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacterial biofilm infections, overcoming biofilm barrier obstruction, the limited diffusion of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the inadequate ROS generation of traditional photosensitizers. PCDs are formulated for superior water solubility and robust singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) production, mitigating issues related to dispersion and aggregation-induced quenching typical of conventional photosensitizers. The conjugation of phenylboronic acid to CDs not only enhanced 1 O 2 generation through increased electron-hole separation but also imparted strong bacterial binding capabilities to the PCDs, enabling broad-spectrum sterilization by maximizing the ROS-mediated bacterial destruction. Proteinase K, serving as a structural "glue", actively breaks down biofilms and facilitates the deep penetration of functional PCDs, aiding effective treatment of biofilm infections. In vivo studies confirm that PCDs-proteinase K nanohybrids dramatically accelerate healing in biofilm-infected wounds by synergizing enhanced photosensitization, potent bacterial adherence, and efficient biofilm elimination and penetration. This approach highlights a straightforward strategy to significantly advance aPDT, promoting the clinical adoption of non-antibiotic methods for combating bacterial biofilm infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1) Phenylboronic acid-modified carbon dots (PCDs) were designed for enhanced water solubility and efficient singlet oxygen generation through surface modulation, also suggesting that surface modification can improve the inherent photosensitizing activity of CDs by promoting electron-hole separation; 2) The conjugation of phenylboronic acid endowed PCDs with strong bacterial binding capabilities, enabling highly efficient and broad-spectrum sterilization by maximizing reactive oxygen species-mediated bacterial destruction; 3) Incorporation of proteinase K (PK) leveraged its specific extracellular polymeric substance degrading capability, along with the stimuli-responsive release of PCDs from the PCDs-PK nanohybrids, facilitating biofilm breakdown and enabling deeper penetration of PCDs, thereby improving the treatment of biofilm infections., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The literature shows a lack of significant research on the synthesis of large spherical PbTe quantum dots (QDs), particularly with controllable sizes and morphology. Here, we present for the first time a novel hot-injection method for the tunable, high-quality synthesis of cubooctahedral PbTe QDs within the size range of 10 nm to 16 nm. This method employs a combination of oleic acid (OA) with shorter carboxylic acids, including octanoic (OctA), decanoic (DA), and lauric acids (LA), tested at various volumetric ratios. Our investigation reveals that different ratios of these acids result in diverse morphologies. Lower concentrations (0.5:5.5 and 1:5) favor cubical morphologies while increasing the concentration of short ligands induces a transformation to cubooctahedral shapes. This shape change is associated with the disruption of nanocrystal (NC) crystallinity. Higher ratios of short ligands produce PbTe NCs with a crystallite core and an amorphous shell. Our findings demonstrate the tunability and precise control achieved with this mixed capping ligand hot-injection method, which significantly impacts QD applications in photovoltaics, electronics, and energy. Notably, shorter capping ligand (OctA) result in more monodispersed PbTe QDs, yielding larger cubooctahedral QDs up to 16 nm. Conversely, using capping ligands with lengths similar to OA leads to unstable and less tunable synthesis., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Erythropoietin (EPO)-induced cellular signaling through the EPO receptor (EPOR) is a fundamental pathway for the modulation of cellular behavior and activity. In our previous work, we showed in primary human astrocytes that the multivalent display of EPO on the surface of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) mediates augmented JAK/STAT signaling, a concomitant 1.8-fold increase in the expression of aquaporin-4 (AQPN-4) channel proteins, and a 2-fold increase in the AQPN-4-mediated water transport activity. Our hypothesis is that this enhanced signaling involves the simultaneous ligation and clustering of EPOR by QD-EPO conjugates. Here, we utilized a human embryonic kidney (HEK 293T/17) cell line transfected with EPOR fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) to visualize EPOR clustering. We demonstrate that QDs displaying five copies of EPO (bearing a C-terminal 6-histidine tract) on the nanoparticle surface induce a 1.8-fold increase in EPOR clustering compared to monomeric EPO at the same concentration. Our findings confirm the critical role played by the multivalent display of EPO in mediating clustering of the EPOR. More generally, these results illustrate the capability of nanoparticle-growth factor bioconjugates to control the activity of cognate receptors and the important role played by multivalent display in the modulation of selective cellular delivery and signaling.

The coupling between excitons in semiconductors or molecules and metal nanoparticles has been well-studied, primarily for nanoparticles in their ground electronic state. However, less attention has been given to exciton-nanoparticle interactions when the nanoparticle generates surface plasmons upon incident excitation. In this study, we explore the coupling and energy transfer dynamics between an exciton and the surface plasmon of a metal nanoparticle, forming a "plexciton". Significant mutual energy exchange between the exciton and the plasmon leads to unexpected effects on the exciton lifetime and coupling strength. The interaction at varying wavelengths, orientations, magnitudes, and phases was studied. Our results show that the exciton decay rate can be quenched entirely when the plasmon's energy compensates for that of the exciton radiative decay, even at separation distances of several hundred nanometers. These findings highlight the impact of surface plasmons on exciton dynamics, opening new possibilities for enhancing charge carrier dynamics in coupled systems.

Quantum dot (QD)-converted micrometer-scale light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) are regarded as an effective solution for achieving high-performance full-color micro-LED displays because of their narrow-band emission, simplified mass transfer, facile drive circuits, and low cost. However, these micro-LEDs suffer from significant blue light leakage and unsatisfactory electroluminescence properties due to the poor light conversion efficiency and stability of the QDs. Herein, the construction of green and red QD luminescence microspheres with the simultaneously high conversion efficiency of blue light and strong photoluminescence stability are proposed. These luminescence microspheres exhibit high external photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 46% under 450 nm excitation, along with excellent reliability against blue light, heat, and water-oxygen degradation, owing to the waveguide and spatial confinement effects of the microspheres. The microsphere-based green and red micro-LEDs achieve world-record external quantum efficiencies of 40.8% and 22.1%, respectively, and high brightness values of 1.7 × 10 8 and 7.6 × 10 7  cd m -2 , respectively. Finally, 0.6 inch red, green, and blue monochrome micro-LED displays are demonstrated by integrating microsphere-converted micro-LED arrays with thin-film transistor backplanes, which show a pixel resolution as high as 1700 PPI and brightness exceeding 10 000 cd m -2 ., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Accurately quantifying specific proteins from complex mixtures like cell lysates, for example, during in vivo studies, is difficult, especially for aggregation-prone proteins. Herein, we describe the development of a specific protein quantification method that combines a solid-state dot blot approach with radiolabel detection via liquid scintillation counting. The specific detection with high sensitivity is achieved by using the Twin-Strep protein affinity tag and tritium-labeled 3H Strep-TactinXT probe. While the assay was developed with the recombinant silk protein CBM-AQ12-CBM as a target, the method can be adapted to other recombinant proteins. Variations of the protein tag and Strep-Tactin probe were tested, and it was found that only the combination of Strep-TactinXT and Twin-Strep-tag performed adequately: with this combination, a precision of 95% and an accuracy of 86% were achieved with a linear region from 19 to 400 ng and a limit of quantification at 0.4 pmol. To achieve this, critical optimization steps were preventing nonspecific adsorption and promoting surface adhesion of the target protein to the solid nitrocellulose membrane. The often-overlooked challenges of sample preparation and protein immobilization in quantification assays are discussed and insights into overcoming such issues are provided.

This Letter presents complex coacervation between the biopolymer diethylaminoethyl dextran hydrochloride (DEAE-Dex) and carbon dots. The formation of these coacervates was dependent on both DEAE-Dex concentration and solution ionic strength. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the blue fluorescence of the carbon dots was unaffected by coacervation. Additionally, microrheological studies were conducted to determine the viscosity of these coacervates. These complex coacervates, formed through the interaction of nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes, hold a promising role for future applications where the combination of optical properties from the carbon dots and encapsulation via coacervation can be leveraged.

Paper is an ideal platform for creating flexible and eco-friendly electronic systems. Leveraging the synergistic integration of zero- and two-dimensional materials, it unfolds a broad spectrum of applications within the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT), spanning from wearable electronics to smart packaging solutions. However, for paper without a polymer coating, the rough and porous nature presents significant challenges as a substrate for electronics, and the absence of well-established fabrication methods further hinders its application in wearable electronics. In this study, we present photodetectors (PDs) on a paper substrate composed of graphene and CsPbBr 3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). Hybrid structures that combine PQDs with graphene offer a promising approach for PDs. These structures benefit from robust quantum confinement in PQDs alongside improved light interaction, tunable spectra, high absorption coefficients, and an enhanced photoconductive gain mechanism in graphene, all at ambient conditions. We use a microplotter for the lithographic printing of graphene, silver electrodes, and PQDs, to fabricate PDs on paper. These PDs have an external responsivity of ∼82,000 AW -1 at 520 nm for an operating voltage ⩽1 V. The external responsivity is 3 orders of magnitude higher than state-of-the-art paper-based PDs. Under bending at L 0 /L = 1.15 (L 0 is the arc length and L is the chord length) and after 600 bending cycles, the external responsivity is maintained up to 80%. Thus, the combination of zero- and two-dimensional materials via microplotting on a paper substrate shows promise for wearable and flexible applications.

Background: While vaccination remains crucial in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, several ocular adverse events has been reported, including Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR) complex., Case Presentation: A 31-year-old female presented declined best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and flashes in both eyes three days following second recombinant mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna). Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) illustrated speckled hyper-AF lesions surrounding right eye torpedo maculopathy site and hyper-AF lesions in the left macula. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomography delineated inner and outer segment (IS/OS) line disruption; hyperreflective deposits in the outer nuclear layer (ONL); and undetectable interdigitation zone (IDZ). Her BCVA further declined after 3-month observation, thus she received 8-month oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil treatment. Her BCVA recovered; the hype-AF lesions resolved; and the IS/OS line and ONL resumed., Conclusions: We present a rare case of AZOOR complex following COVID-19 vaccination inciting from torpedo retinopathy where outer-retinal barrier breaks down., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish this case report and accompanying images. Consent to publish: Informed consent was obtained from the subject to publish the study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The performance of lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot (PbS-CQD) solar cells has long been hindered by interface defects in the transport layer. Traditionally, 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT), used in solid-state ligand exchange, has been a common choice as the hole transport layer (HTL) in many PbS-CQD solar cells. However, the rapid reaction rate and chain length mismatch (shorter-chain EDT versus longer-chain oleic acid) during the ligand exchange process often introduce crack defects in the HTL film, resulting in an unexpected low performance. In this work, ethyl acetate (EA) was introduced into acetonitrile (ACN) solution to slow down the ligand exchange rate. With EA's assistance, a high-quality HTL film with fewer cracks was achieved, leading to a reduced trap density from 2.26 × 10 16 cm -3 to 1.85 × 10 16 cm -3 . Consequently, this led to an improved V OC by 27.5 mV and an increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 11.01% to 12.16%.

The capture of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is essential in the separation and detection of MNPs for applications such as magnetic biosensing. The sensitivity of magnetic biosensors inherently depends upon the distribution of captured MNPs within the sensing area. We previously demonstrated that the distribution of MNPs captured from evaporating droplets by ferromagnetic antidot nanostructures can be controlled via an external magnetic field. In this paper, we demonstrate the capture of magnetic nanoparticles from a microfluidic flow by four variants of antidot array nanostructures etched into 30 nm thick Permalloy films. The nanostructures were exposed to 130 nm MNP clusters passing through microfluidic channels with square cross-sections of 400 μm × 400 μm. In the presence of a parallel magnetic field, up to 83.1% of nanoparticles were captured inside the antidot holes. Significantly higher proportions of nanoparticles were captured within the antidots from the flow than when applying the nanoparticles via droplets. In the parallel field configuration, MNPs can be focused into the regularly spaced antidot indents in the nanostructure, which may be useful when detecting or observing MNPs and their conjugates. Conversely, up to 84% of MNPs were caught outside of antidots under a perpendicular magnetic field. Antidot nanostructures under this perpendicular configuration show potential for MNP filtration applications.

Solution-processed quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) hold great potential as competitive candidates for display and lighting applications. However, the serious energy disorder between the quantum dots (QDs) and hole transport layer (HTL) makes it challenging to achieve high-performance devices at lower voltage ranges. Here, we introduce "giant" fully alloy CdZnSe/ZnSeS core/shell QDs (size ~ 19 nm) as the emitting layer to build high-efficient and stable QLEDs. The synthesized CdZnSe-based QDs reveal a decreased ground-state band splitting, shallow valence band maximum, and improved quasi-Fermi level splitting, which effectively flatten the energy landscape between the QD layer and hole transport layer. The higher electron concentration and accelerated hole injection significantly promote the carrier radiative recombination dynamics. Consequently, CdZnSe-based device exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 27.3% and an ultra-low efficiency roll-off, with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) exceeding 25% over a wide range of low driving voltages (1.8-3.0 V) and low heat generation. The record-high luminance levels of 1,400 and 8,600 cd m -2 are achieved at bandgap voltages of 100% and 120%, respectively. Meanwhile, These LEDs show an unprecedented operation lifetime T 95 (time for the luminance to decrease to 95%) of 72,968 h at 1,000 cd m -2 . Our work points to a novel path to flatten energy landscape at the QD-related interface for solution-processed photoelectronic devices., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) near-infrared (NIR) upconversion devices (UCDs) can directly convert low-energy NIR light into higher energy visible light without the need for additional integrated circuits, which is advantageous for NIR sensing and imaging. However, the state-of-the-art CQD NIR upconverters still face challenges, including high turn-on voltage ( V on ), low photon-to-photon (p-p) upconversion efficiency, and low current on/off ratio, primarily due to inherent limitations in the device structure and operating mechanisms. In this work, we developed a CQD NIR UCD based on a hole-only injection mechanism. Our device effectively suppresses electron injection from the cathode without hindering hole injection from the anode. As a result, the dark current of the device is reduced to a low level, which is favorable for the balance of photogenerated carriers and injected charges. Furthermore, we employed a liquid-phase ligand-exchange process to treat the PbS CQD photosensitive layer (PSL), which enhances the uniformity and charge transport capability of PSL, further optimizing the utilization of photogenerated carriers. We achieved a record high current on/off ratio exceeding 3.5 × 10 5 for the CQD NIR UCD. Additionally, the device exhibits a high p-p upconversion efficiency of 12.8% and a low V on of 1.8 V.

This study focuses on the dispersive solid phase extraction technique for the efficient extraction and enrichment of imidacloprid and acetamiprid from pepper samples. A synthesized sorbent was used for this purpose. Once the target analytes were adsorbed, the sorbent was separated using a centrifuge and the analytes were desorbed using a carbon dot solution. After centrifugation, a portion of the eluent was injected into a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system for analysis of the analytes. Several parameters affecting the performance of the method were investigated, such as the amount of sorbent, the type and volume of elution solvent, pH, and so on. By optimizing these parameters, the method showed favorable results under the following conditions: a sample solution volume of 5 mL, a sorbent amount of 10 mg, vortexing for 2 min, 150 μL of carbon dot solution as the elution solvent, a pH of 10, and 3 min of agitation during the desorption step. Notably, this optimized method exhibited high extraction recoveries ranging from 67% to 78% as well as low detection limits (0.44 μg L -1 and 0.32 μg L -1 ) and quantification limits (1.4 μg L -1 and 1.0 μg L -1 ) for imidacloprid and acetamiprid, respectively. To validate the effectiveness of the method, four pepper samples were successfully analyzed and no analyte was detected in any of them using this approach. Overall, the developed DSPE method represents a reliable and sensitive technique for the extraction and analysis of the studied pesticides in pepper samples.

Background: Directly observed therapy (DOT) is the standard method for monitoring adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. However, implementing DOT poses challenges for both patients and providers due to limited financial and human resources. Increasing evidence suggests that emerging digital adherence technologies, such as video directly observed therapy (VDOT), can serve as viable alternatives., Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VDOT compared with usual care directly observed therapy (UCDOT)., Methods: Between July 2020 and October 2021, we conducted a 2-arm, parallel-group, open-label randomized trial with a 1:1 assignment to receive either the VDOT intervention (n=72) or UCDOT (n=72) for treatment adherence monitoring at public health clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Each group was further stratified to ensure equal numbers of males and females. Eligible patients were aged 18-65 years, had a confirmed diagnosis of TB, and were undergoing daily treatment. The VDOT group was provided with a smartphone equipped with an app, while the UCDOT group followed the routine monitoring practices outlined by the Uganda National TB Program. We tested the hypothesis that VDOT was more effective than UCDOT for monitoring medication adherence. The primary outcome was adherence, defined as having ≥80% of the expected doses observed during the 6-month treatment period. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted, and multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of the intervention on adherence monitoring. Adjusted relative risk ratios and their corresponding 95% CIs are presented. Secondary outcomes included treatment completion, loss to follow-up, death, and reasons for missed videos in the intervention group., Results: The intention-to-treat analysis included 142 participants, with 2 excluded due to discontinuation of medication within the first week after enrollment. The median age of participants was 34 (IQR 26-45) years. The median fraction of expected doses observed (FEDO) was significantly higher in the VDOT group compared with the UCDOT group (100, IQR 80-100 vs 30, IQR 10-60, respectively; P<.001). When using a FEDO cutoff of ≥80% to define optimal adherence, 63 of 142 (44%) patients met the threshold, with a significant difference between the VDOT and UCDOT groups (56/71, 79% vs 7/71, 10%, P<.001). After adjusting for confounders, VDOT users were significantly more likely to achieve ≥80% of their expected doses observed compared with UCDOT users (adjusted risk ratio 8.4, 95% CI 4.16-17.0). The most common reasons for failing to submit videos of medication intake were an uncharged phone battery, forgetting to record videos during medication intake, and losing the smartphone., Conclusions: Enhanced VDOT was more effective than UCDOT in increasing adherence monitoring among patients with TB in Uganda. This evidence highlights the potential of digital technologies to improve treatment adherence monitoring and support in high TB burden settings with limited human resources., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04134689; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04134689., (©Juliet Nabbuye Sekandi, Esther Buregyeya, Sarah Zalwango, Damalie Nakkonde, Patrick Kaggwa, Trang Ho Thu Quach, David Asiimwe, Lynn Atuyambe, Kevin Dobbin. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (https://mhealth.jmir.org), 16.01.2025.)

Cadmium ions are considered one of the most dangerous heavy metal pollutants. The human body does not require cadmium for growth and development, yet continuous intake of cadmium ions due to environmental pollution can lead to their accumulation in the body. This accumulation can result in damage to the urinary system and, in severe cases, pose life-threatening risks. The current conventional methods for analyzing heavy metals in the environment primarily include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). These methods are known for their drawbacks such as complex testing procedures, as well as expensive instrumentation and equipment. In this study, a novel technique for detecting cadmium ions using the near-red light carbon spot fluorescence burst method was developed. The near-infrared carbon dots (NIR-CDs) exhibited vibrant deep red fluorescence ranging from 625 to 710 nm, with a prominent peak at 685 nm. At a pH of 7 and a concentration of 0.1805 g L -1 , the linear detection range for Cd 2+ was determined to be 0.15-0.75 μM. The CDs demonstrated selectivity for Cd 2+ detection, boasting an impressive detection limit of 0.397 nM. Mechanistic studies indicated that the interaction between red carbon dots and cadmium ions involved dynamic bursting of the ions. The practical application of the near-red light carbon spot fluorescence burst method for detecting cadmium ions could be further explored through the establishment of a Cd 2+ recovery detection system.

The tunability of the energy bandgap in the near-infrared (NIR) range uniquely positions colloidal lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) as a versatile material to enhance the performance of existing perovskite and silicon solar cells in tandem architectures. The desired narrow bandgap (NBG) PbS QDs exhibit polar (111) and nonpolar (100) terminal facets, making effective surface passivation through ligand engineering highly challenging. Despite recent breakthroughs in surface ligand engineering, NBG PbS QDs suffer from uncontrolled agglomeration in solid films, leading to increased energy disorder and trap formation. The limited NIR transparency of commonly used indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and inadequate NIR radiation from commercially available solar simulators further compromise the true performance of NBG PbS QDs in solar cells. Here, we employ a hybrid ligand strategy based on inorganic cadmium halide and organic thiol molecules, leading to the partial substitution of surface Pb atoms with Cd heteroatoms. This hybrid ligand strategy substantially reduces undesired QD fusion in solid films, improving the photophysical and electronic properties. By modulating the thickness of the ITO layer and managing refraction loss through a ZnO layer coating, we improved NIR transparency to above 80%. We combine an NIR light source with a solar simulator to achieve near-ideal spectral matching for a broader range with standard AM1.5G illumination. Enhancements in surface passivation of QDs, improvements in NIR transparency of electrodes, and a spectral matched light source setup help us achieve solar cell power conversion efficiencies of 12.4%, 4.48%, and 1.37% under AM 1.5G, perovskite filter, and silicon filter illuminations, respectively. A record open-circuit voltage ( V oc ) of 0.54 V and short-circuit current density ( J sc ) of 38.5 mA/cm 2 are achieved under AM 1.5G illumination. We attribute these advancements in photovoltaic parameters to the reduction in Urbach tail states and intermediate trap density originating from superior surface passivation of QDs.

For quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLED), electrical aging commonly introduces collective aging sources across all layers, making it difficult to isolate the impact of each layer on electroluminescence (EL) degradation. In this work, a layer-selective aging method using active photoexcitation is proposed, in which the photoexcitation wavelength is used to selectively target specific layers for exciton generation, and an electrical bias is applied to induce photocurrent and create charges. An iterative aging-sampling (A-S) procedure is used to link aging conditions to EL degradation. It is found that photo-aging leads to strong but reversible quenching of EL intensity, which is interpreted as being caused by electrical field screening due to trapped charges in the quantum dot (QD) layer and requires electrical activation before the sampling (S) step. Repeated A-S cycles in a model red QLED system show that excitations in the QD layer result in negligible EL degradation. In contrast, aging of the hole-transport (HT) layer enables an acceleration of aging rate by 3 orders of magnitude compared to standard aging and is interpreted as a result of photo-charge accumulation in the HT layer, particularly related to electrons and low electron mobility., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The highly efficient red-emissive carbon dots (R-CDs) were synthesized from citric acid, polyethyleneimine, and benzil via a facile solvothermal process. The R-CDs displayed maximum fluorescence properties at excitation and emission wavelengths of 550 and 631 nm, respectively, which fall within the red wavelength range. Moreover, the R-CDs exhibited a high fluorescence quantum yield of 11.3 %, and this fluorescence was effectively quenched by Sunset Yellow (SY). Consequently, a novel fluorescent probe was developed for SY detection. This probe exhibited a linear range of 0.085-11.31 μg/mL and limit of detection of 0.026 μg/mL. The R-CDs were validated for SY quantification in various food samples, including carbonate beverages, powdered beverage, cider vinegar, fruit flavored drinks, chocolate, and hard candy samples, achieving recovery rates of 91.2-122 % and a relative standard deviation of 1.0-3.5 %. The synthesized R-CDs therefore show promise for application as a probe for the detection of SY in foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting inorganic nanocrystals, that have garnered interest in biological and medical spheres due, to their potential benefits in biomedical imaging and drug-delivery systems. Indium phosphide QDs shelled with zinc sulphide (InP/ZnS) are viewed as more biocompatible than previous heavy metal based QDs. However, little is known about how InP/ZnS QDs affect a key blood cell, the platelet. Understanding how platelets interact with QDs is critical as unwanted activation can lead to pathological thrombus formation. Herein, we demonstrate PEGylation of InP/ZnS QDs coated with lipoic acid (QD-LA) or coated with penicillamine (QD-Pen) surface ligands induced markedly less platelet aggregation, platelet-QD interactions, integrin activation, alpha granule secretion and restored platelet spreading in washed platelets in comparison to their non-PEGylated counterparts. Furthermore, in whole blood, PEGylation of QDs reduced the number of QDs in the thrombus, thereby helping to minimise the chance of dysfunctional thrombus formation. Overall, we show that QD PEGylation is important to help prevent QD mediated platelet activation. In combination with the most biocompatible coating, PEGylation markedly reduced platelet activation, widening the concentrations at which QDs were viable for development as potential drug delivery or imaging agents.

The residual carbaryl in crops can cause serious damage to the human kidney and nervous system after entering the human body, which may be metabolized to 1-naphthol (1-NAP) and excreted through urine. 1-NAP is often used as the biomarker for carbaryl exposure, so the intake or leakage of carbaryl can be monitored by detecting the concentration of 1-NAP. Herein, Co, N, P ternary co-doped carbon dots (CoNP-CDs) derived from vitamin B12 were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. CoNP-CDs exhibited oxidase-like activity and excellent peroxidase-like activity, which was attributed to the Fenton-like reaction of Co 2+ /Co 3+ and the presence of pyrrole N and P elements, which together provided multiple active sites for chromogenic substrates. Due to the dual enzyme-like activity of CoNP-CDs, hydroxyl radicals (OH) and superoxide radicals (O 2 - ) were generated during the catalytic process, which could rapidly oxidize colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) to blue oxidation products (oxTMB). The α-carbon in 1-NAP can be attacked by OH, and the catalytic oxidation process of TMB can be inhibited by the consumption of OH, so that the blue color of the solution became lighter. Based on this principle, a smartphone-assisted colorimetric sensing platform was constructed for the detection of 1-NAP, and which resulted in a linear range of 1.07-37.3 μM and a visual detection limit of 0.68 μM. Moreover, the colorimetric sensing system showed satisfactory recoveries in the detection of human urine samples. The colorimetric sensing system owned the advantages of fast response, strong selectivity and simple operation, and provided a potential strategy for the on-site detection of 1-NAP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Despite recent advancements in inorganic and organic phosphors, creating monodisperse afterglow nanocomposites (NCs) remains challenging due to the complexities of wet chemistry synthesis. Inspired by nanoinclusions in opal, we introduce a novel SiO 2 -mediated carbon dot (CD) doping method for fabricating monodisperse, multifunctional afterglow NCs. This method involves growing a SiO 2 shell matrix on monodisperse nanoparticles (NPs) and doping CDs into the SiO 2 shell under hydrothermal conditions. Our approach preserves the monodispersity of the parent NP@SiO 2 NCs while activating a green afterglow in the doped CDs with an impressive lifetime of 1.26 s. Additionally, this method is highly versatile, allowing for various core and dopant combinations to finely tune the afterglow through core-to-CD or CD-to-dye energy transfer. Our findings significantly enhance the potential of SiO 2 coatings, transforming them from merely enhancing the biocompatibility of NCs to serving as a versatile matrix for emitters, facilitating afterglow generation and paving the way for new applications., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This study presents a novel and selective method for the determination of l-asparagine in diverse potato varieties under various storage conditions. L-asparagine levels serve as a crucial indicator for acrylamide formation, a hazardous substance in processed potato products. The fluorometric method utilized blue-emitting CDs (B-CDs), orange-emitting CDs (O-CDs), and the enzyme L-asparaginase for ratiometric detection of L-asparagine. Upon enzymatic hydrolysis of L-asparagine by L-asparaginase, liberated ammonia induced a pH increase in the reaction medium. This pH shift enhanced the fluorescence of B-CDs while simultaneously decreasing that of O-CDs, enabling sensitive and selective L-asparagine quantification. Comprehensive characterization of the CDs was performed using various spectroscopic techniques and transmission electron microscopy. The method demonstrated excellent sensitivity (LOD = 0.31 μM) and a wide linear range (1.0-50.0 μM). When the method was applied to potato samples, high recovery values (98.00-100.33 %) with low relative standard deviations (RSDs) were achieved, confirming the accuracy and precision of the method. The approach was employed to determine L-asparagine levels in three potato varieties (Lady Rosetta, Spunta, and Nicola) under different storage temperatures and durations. This method provides a valuable tool for monitoring L-asparagine content in potatoes, potentially aiding in the mitigation of acrylamide formation during processing. The robust performance and simplicity of the proposed technique make it suitable for routine analysis in both research and industrial applications within the potato industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Integrating quantum dots (QDs) into polymer matrix to form nanocomposites without compromising the QD photoluminescence (PL) is crucial to emerging QD light-emitting and solar energy conversion fields. However, the most widely-used bulk polymerization technique, where monomers serve as the QD solvent, usually leads to QD PL quenching caused by radical initiators. Here we demonstrate high-brightness nanocomposites with near-unity PL quantum yield (QY), through a novel QDs-catalyzed (-initiated) bulk polymerization without using any radical initiators. Different from previous reports where QDs were designed as photo-sensitizers/catalysts (always with cocatalysts) and hence non-emissive in catalytic conditions, our QDs combine high brightness with highly effective catalysis, a combination that was previously considered to be hardly possible. In our case, apart from emitting light (at a large probability), the photoexcited QDs act as 'overall reaction' catalysts by simultaneously employing photoexcited electrons and holes to produce active radicals without the need of any sacrificial agents. These active radicals, though with a small amount, are sufficient to initiate effective chain reaction-dominated bulk polymerization, eliminating the requirement of extra radical initiators. This study provides new insights for understanding and development of QDs for energy applications., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Colloidal quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) have been significantly improved in terms of device performance and lifetime by employing zinc oxide (ZnO) as an electron transport layer (ETL). Although atomic layer deposition (ALD) allows fabrication of uniform, high-quality ZnO films with minimal defects, the high conductivity of ZnO has hindered its straightforward application as an ETL in QD-LEDs. Herein, we propose fabrication of Al-doped ZnMgO (Al:ZnMgO) ETLs for QD-LEDs through a supercycle ALD, with alternating depositions of various metal oxides. The supercycle ALD allows for extensive control of compositions, which is not possible in typical hydrolysis-based approaches. ZnMgO alloys produced by ALD adjust the band gap to match the QDs and suppress the electron injection. However, Mg compositions of >10% lead to a reduction in electron conductivity, limiting the charge balance in the QDs. The Al doping provides Al 3+ ions, oxygen vacancies, and zinc interstitials to compensate for the reduced conductivity of ZnMgO. Composition tuning based on the supercycle ALD enables to realize the ETLs offering optimal electron injection capability without compromising the electrical conductivity. QD-LEDs with the Al:ZnMgO ETLs exhibit a peak external quantum efficiency of 15.7% and peak luminance of 167,000 cd m -2 , on par with typical devices using ZnMgO nanocrystal-based ETLs.

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides and non-ideal reaction kinetics restrict the development of high-energy-density lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Here, we report a graphene quantum dot (GQD)-modified Co 3 O 4 /NiCo 2 O 4 yolk-shell polyhedron as a sulfur host for Li-S batteries. GQDs shorten transport pathways of electrons, while strong binding of Co 3 O 4 and NiCo 2 O 4 to Li 2 S 4 , Li 2 S 6 and Li 2 S 8 are demonstrated from density functional theory calculations. Co 3 O 4 /NiCo 2 O 4 /GQDs@S shows a high capacity of 727 mA h g -1 after 100 cycles, along with a well-recoverable rate performance. A good tolerance at low temperature of -5 °C is also achieved, enabling a potential for applications in various conditions.

Ischaemic stroke and glioma, as leading causes of mortality and long-term disability, pose critical challenges to healthcare systems, necessitating innovative approaches to enable early and cost-effective diagnosis for timely intervention. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocyte-produced protein, is highly responsive to both ischaemic stroke and glioblastoma multiforme, with its levels correlating to the extent of brain damage. In this study, we present the development of an immunoassay probe for the ratiometric fluorescent detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), employing a monoclonal GFAP antibody-conjugated silicon quantum dots (Ab@SiQDs) and rhodamine B dye (RhB)-based immunoprobe. The developed probe exhibited a fluorescence emission shift from 580 nm to 530 nm in response to GFAP, demonstrating a linear detection range from 31.15 pg mL -1 to 243 pg mL -1 , with a limit of detection of 0.7 pg mL -1 . Additionally, the immunoprobe showed high selectivity for GFAP, effectively discriminating it from other potential interfering biomolecules and ions. The probe was also capable of detecting GFAP in spiked serum samples, achieving a recovery rate ranging from 83% to 111%. Notably, a cost-effective paper strip assay was developed, offering significant potential for the visual detection of GFAP under ultraviolet illumination.

Red light emitting perovskite quantum dot (PQD) glass, with narrow-band emission and excellent stability, holds great potential for applications in liquid crystal displays. However, its low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) remains the biggest obstacle limiting its practical application. Additionally, the mechanism behind the enhancement of the PLQY is not well understood, which restricts the further improvement of the PLQY in red light emitting PQD glass. In this work, AgI doped red light emitting CsPbBrI 2 PQDs glass exhibitated significantly improved PLQY. The underlying mechanisms shown that the formation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) promotes a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, which increases the charge carrier density and optical activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate a widening of the PQD bandgap upon AgI doping, which contributes to reduced non-radiative recombination and improved PLQY. Attractively, the optimal doping concentration of 0.4 mol% AgI resulted in a maximum PLQY of 62.4 %. Finally, the PG0.4 sample demonstrated excellent thermal, water, and photostability, maintaining over 88 % of its initial emission intensity under prolonged stress conditions. These results highlight the potential of AgI-doped red light emitting CsPbBrI 2 PQDs for use in high-performance optoelectronic devices, offering both enhanced luminescence and long-term stability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Quantum dots (QDs) light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are gaining significant interest for the next generation of display and lighting applications because of their wide color gamut, cost-effective solution processability, and good stability. The last decades have witnessed rapid advances in improving their efficiency and lifetime. So far, among the three primary colors of QLEDs devices, the performance of blue QLEDs is considerably inferior to that of green and red ones including Cd-based and Cd-free devices, which is a key bottleneck hindering QLEDs' application. This mini-review describes recent advances of blue Cd-based and Cd-free QLEDs from materials to device engineering, in particular, elaborating the essential factors that limit their performance and the degradation mechanisms. We also discuss the progress and challenges of large-scale displays. Finally, we propose possible approaches to improve the performance of the blue QLEDs, including QDs materials and device architecture optimization, and summarize potential applications in this stimulating field.

Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBLG) has emerged as a versatile platform to explore correlated electron phases driven primarily by low-energy flat bands in moiré superlattices. While techniques for controlling the twist angle between graphene layers have spurred rapid experimental progress, understanding the effects of doping inhomogeneity on electronic transport in correlated electron systems remains challenging. In this work, we investigate the interplay of confinement and doping inhomogeneity on the electrical transport properties of TBLG by leveraging device dimensions and twist angles. We show that reducing device dimensions can magnify disorder potentials caused by doping inhomogeneity, resulting in pronounced carrier confinement. This phenomenon is evident in charge transport measurements, where the Coulomb blockade effect is observed. Temperature-dependent measurements reveal a large variation in the activation gap across the device. These findings highlight the critical role of doping inhomogeneity in TBLG and its significant impact on the transport properties of the system.

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are attractive gain media due to their wavelength-tunability and low optical gain threshold. Consequently, CQD lasers, especially the surface-emitting ones, are promising candidates for display, sensing and communication. However, it remains challenging to achieve a low-threshold surface-emitting CQD laser array with high stability and integration density. For this purpose, it is necessary to combine the improvement of CQD material and laser cavity. Here, we have developed high-quality CQD material with core/interlayer/graded shell structure to achieve a low gain threshold and high stability. Subsequently, surface-emitting lasers based on CQD-integrated circular Bragg resonator (CBR) have been achieved, wherein the near-unity mode confinement factor (Γ of 89%) and high Purcell factor of 22.7 attributed to the strong field confinement of CBR enable a low lasing threshold of 17 μJ cm - 2 , which is 70% lower than that (56 μJ cm - 2 ) of CQD vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Benefiting from the high quality of CQD material and laser cavity, the CQD CBR laser is capable of continuous stable operation for 1000 hours (corresponding to 3.63 × 10 8 pulses) at room temperature. This performance is the best among solution-processed lasers composed of nanocrystals. Moreover, the miniaturized mode volume in CBR allows the integration of CQD lasers with an unprecedentedly high density above 2100 pixels per inch. Overall, the proposed low-threshold, stable and compactly integrated CQD CBR laser array would advance the development of CQD laser for practical applications., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) show promise in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, near-infrared (NIR) LEDs employing PQDs exhibit inferior external quantum efficiency related to the PQD emitting in the visible range. One fundamental issue arises from the PQDs dynamic surface: the ligand loss and ions migration to the interfacial sites serve as quenching centers, resulting in trap-assisted recombination and carrier loss. In this work, we developed a chemical treatment strategy to eliminate the interface quenching sites and achieve high carrier utilization. We employ a bidentate and liquid agent (Formamidine thiocyanate, FASCN) with tight binding to suppress the ligand loss and the formation of interfacial quenching sites: the FASCN-treated films exhibit fourfold higher binding energy than the original oleate ligands. Furthermore, the short ligands (carbon chain <3) enable the treated films to show eightfold higher conductivity; and the liquid characteristics of FASCN avoid the use of high polar solvents and guarantee better passivation. The high conductivity ensures efficient charge transportation, enabling PQD-based NIR-LEDs to have a record-low voltage of 1.6 V at 776 nm. Furthermore, the champion EQE of the treated LEDs is ~23%: this is twofold higher than the control, and represents the highest among reported PQD-based NIR-LEDs., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: The author declares no competing interests.

Quantum dots (QDs) have shown great application potential in a variety of optoelectronic devices due to their unique optoelectronic properties, especially playing a key role in the development of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Inorganic ligands, including metal or non-metal chalcogenides, oxoanions, halides, and metal cations, play crucial roles in the synthesis, stabilization, and functionalization of QDs. Compared to long-chain organic ligands, inorganic ligands are shorter and possess higher electron mobility, which facilitates their application in high-performance QLEDs. This review explores the mechanisms of ligand exchange, classifies the types of inorganic ligands, and discusses their impact on the properties of QDs. Special attention is given to the latest research developments in inorganic ligand QDs for LEDs and their prospective applications in optoelectronics. This review highlights the versatility and efficacy of inorganic ligands, showcasing their potential to revolutionize QLED technology for future high-resolution displays and efficient optoelectronic devices., (© 2025 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.)

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal known for its adverse effects on both human health and the environment. In recent years, the industrial utilization of Pb 2+ has surged, underscoring the imperative need for efficient measurement methods. In this study, a rapid and simple photochemical method was used to synthesize thioglycolic acid (TGA)-stabilized CdTe/ZnSe core-shell quantum dots (QDs). These CdTe/ZnSe QDs emit vibrant green fluorescence and exhibit remarkable quenching in the presence of Pb 2+ ions. This property enables the development of an on-site on/off sensor without the necessity of additional modifications. The proposed sensor possesses an outstanding sensitivity to Pb 2+ , with a detection limit and linear range of 31.8 nM and 50 nM-10 µM, respectively. Importantly, the selectivity of this fluorescence-based sensor was validated by analyzing various positively and negatively charged ions. Furthermore, the developed sensor showed reliable performance against real river, agricultural, and tap water, as confirmed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Additionally, CdTe/ZnSe QDs immobilized on glass slides were successfully employed for on-site water sample analysis, providing a versatile solution for environmental monitoring., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Low fluorescence under visible light excitation and catalytic activity limit many applications of graphene quantum dots in optical detection, biosensing, catalysis and biomedical. The paper reports design and synthesis of histidine, serine and folic acid-functionalized and boron and iron-doped graphene quantum dot (Fe/B-GQD-HSF). The Fe/B-GQD-HSF shows excellent fluorescence behavior and peroxidase-like activity. Excitation of 330 nm ultraviolet light produces the strongest blue fluorescence and excitation of 480 nm visible light produces the strongest yellow fluorescence. The specific activity reaches 92.67 U g -1 , which is higher than that of other graphene quantum dots. The Fe/B-GQD-HSF can catalyze oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine with H 2 O 2 to form blue compound. Based on this, it was used for colorimetric and fluorescence detection of H 2 O 2 . The absorbance at 652 nm linearly increases with the increase of H 2 O 2 concentration between 0.5 and 100 μM with detection limit of 0.43 μM. The fluorescence signal linearly decreases with the increase of H 2 O 2 concentration between 0.05 and 100 μM with detection limit of 0.035 μM. The analytical method has been satisfactorily applied in detection of H 2 O 2 in food. The study also paves one way for design and synthesis of functional graphene quantum dots with ideal fluorescence behavior and catalytic activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

In this study, a novel nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot/oxidized gum arabic-gelatin-based fluorescent probe (NAH) was prepared using gelatin (GL) and gum arabic (AG) biomolecules. The primary network structure of this hydrogel consisted of polyacrylamide (PAM), while a secondary network structure was constructed between oxidized gum arabic and gelatin through the reaction of the Schiff base, which significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, the stress and strain of NAH reached 266.47 KPa and 2175.75 %. Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) with yellow fluorescence emission properties were synthesized by hydrothermal method using salicylic acid as the carbon source and o-phenylenediamine as the nitrogen source. The fluorescent sensor obtained by compounding NCDs with hydrogel was able to selectively detect Cr(VI). The linear range of its detection was 0-90 μM, and the detection limit was 0.19 μM. The maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of the NAH hydrogel was 169.4 mg/g, and its adsorption isotherm conformed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, and the adsorption kinetics conformed to the quasi-secondary kinetic model. Compared with the NCDs solution, the NAH hydrogel showed superior comprehensive performance, especially in solving the problem of recovery of NCDs. Meanwhile, this hydrogel provides an effective insight into the efficient detection and adsorption of environmental pollutants., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematologic malignancy, capable of invading the brain, meninges, and nerve roots of the brain and spine, leading to high lethality. Herein, we designed and developed novel nanostructures for the first time by biofunctionalizing chitosan with two specific antibodies (i.e., anti-CD20, anti-CD19, and bispecific biopolymer-antibody) against NHL, conjugated with fluorescent nanoprobes. These bioengineered immunoconjugates formed water-dispersed hybrid colloidal nanostructures consisting of a photoluminescent ZnS-based quantum dots core and an antibody-modified chitosan macromolecular shell. The aim was to apply them simultaneously for the diagnosis, bioimaging, and immunotherapy of NHL cancers. The chitosan backbone was covalently functionalized with anti-CD20, anti-CD19, and both antibodies, resulting in biocompatible immunoconjugates through an eco-friendly aqueous process. Importantly, these biopolymer-antibody nanoimmunoconjugates exhibited bioaffinity for both antigenic membrane receptors, CD19 and CD20, which are overexpressed by NHL cancer cells. They served as fluorescent nanoprobes for bioimaging and specifically killing NHL cells, while remarkably preserving nonmalignant cells. Furthermore, biopsies from tumor tissues of a patient with NHL confirmed the effective anticancer potential for clinical applications in fluorescent ex vivo immunohistochemistry diagnosis of NHL cancers. It can be envisioned that these dual-antibody-modified biopolymer nanoarchitectures offer a new realm to be exploited in immunotheranostic applications for fighting cancer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

In recent years, mushroom poisoning has been one of the most important factors of food poisoning in China, timely identification of the toxins contained in mushrooms is crucial for the treatment of patients. In this study, boric acid carbon dots (BA-CDs) can undergo specific boron affinity reactions with amatoxins toxins containing o-dihydroxyl groups by means of boric acid groups. Functional covalent organic framework (COF) and BA-CDs were combined to design a adsorbent with boric acid group (COF@VBC@BA-CDs) was designed to meet the requirements of both fluorescent and pretreated materials for amatoxins. The mushrooms and urine samples were rapid screening using fluorescence detection, and then, for positive samples, the target analytes on the COF@VBC@BA-CDs are collected and eluted for next liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection. According to the fluorescence characteristics of COF@VBC@BA-CDs, the fluorescence quenching intensity was linearly correlated with the concentration (2-200 μg/L) and the detection limit was 1.2 μg/L. Meanwhile, the detection limit of LC-MS/MS was 0.5 μg/kg for musroom and 0.2 μg/L for urine, as well as the recovery rate was 72.7-110.1%. This noval method meets the methodological requirements and can be used for actual sample analysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

In this study, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIECS) was constructed based on the combination of graphene quantum dots-gold nanoparticles (GQDs-AuNPs), molecular imprinting polymer (MIP), and electrochemical technology for the ultra-sensitive detection of 17β-estradiol (E 2 ). GQDs-AuNPs were synthesized and modified on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Safranine T was used as the functional monomer and E 2 was the template molecule for self-assembly and electropolymerization, thus generating an MIP film on the electrode surface. By elution, a large number of recognition sites for E 2 were left in the polymer matrix. Before and after the combination with the target, there is an obvious change in the peak current signal, which enables the quantitative detection of E 2 to be achieved. Under the optimized conditions, the concentration of E 2 showed a good linear relationship with the peak current of the sensor in the range of 1 × 10 -5 -1 × 10 -14 M, and the detection limit was 2.2 fM. The molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on GQDs-AuNPs established in this study offers the features of simplicity of operation, low experimental cost, and high sensitivity. This method successfully detected E 2 in milk, urine, and human serum, demonstrating its potential for broad application in clinical practice.