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Two polymers based on thiophene-dione derivatives, PhEH-T and PhBO-T, have been designed and synthesized as donor polymers for polymer solar cells (PSCs), adopting an electron donor (D)–electron acceptor (A) architecture. Alkoxy-substituted benzylidene cyclopenta[c]thiophene-dione units, bearing 2-ethylhexyloxy (PhEH-T) or 2-butyloctyloxy (PhBO-T) side chains, serve as the electron acceptor units, while fluorinated benzodithiophene (BDTF) serves as the electron donor unit. The alkoxy chain exhibits electron-donating character owing to its conjugation, with extended chains enhancing solubility, while the π-bridge unit further tunes donor-acceptor interactions and backbone electronic properties. Inverted-type non-fullerene PSCs (ITO/ZnO/polymer:Y6-BO/MoO3/Ag) were fabricated to evaluate photovoltaic performance. The PhEH-T-based device, benefiting from the strong electron-donating character of its alkoxy group, achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.05%, whereas extending the alkyl chain in PhBO-T yielded a fill factor (FF) of 46.9% and the highest PCE of 7.45%. This gap is consistent with the limited molecular weight and narrower molecular weight distribution of PhEH-T, together with weaker donor-acceptor miscibility, whereas the extended alkoxy chain of PhBO-T simultaneously increases molecular weight and its distribution, improves blend miscibility, and promotes a more well-ordered structure. Notably, although the deeper HOMO level of PhBO-T would be expected to raise the open-circuit voltage (Voc), this shift corresponds to only a modest increase, from 0.72 V to 0.75 V, indicating that HOMO-level modulation alone does not govern performance. The larger gains of PhBO-T appear instead in short circuit current density (Jsc) and FF, pointing to processability-related factors, namely solubility-driven molecular weight, blend miscibility and molecular ordering, rather than energy-level tuning as the more effective handle in this thiophene-bridged platform. Since these factors change together with alkoxy chain length, their individual contributions cannot be separated in this study.
Generational stereotypes in the workplace can hinder effective communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. This chapter explores how multigenerational employee resource groups (ERGs) contribute to reducing generational biases in the workplace, facilitate intergenerational learning, and foster proactive followership. We gathered data from six global companies with active ERGs with a focus on supporting multigenerational workforces and generational diversity as part of their mission within their organizations. Our research found that multigenerational ERGs function as inclusive spaces where individuals frequently engage in mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and leading initiatives that contribute to fostering a more inclusive workplace for a generationally diverse workforce. Our findings reveal both benefits and challenges associated with operating multigenerational ERGs at different stages of their maturity and provide practical insights into how supporting them can contribute to organizational inclusion and business outcomes. These results have several implications for ERG leaders and members, organizational leaders, human resource and learning and development professionals, inclusion practitioners, and academicians who aim to engage employee-led groups such as ERGs to better understand how to support their development and impact.
Positive and influential relationships are essential in shaping the professional achievements of Black children as adults, and this study focused on those of Black female political leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the essence of how intergenerational mentorship contributed to Black women’s political leadership and shaped their political ambition. Through an interpretive phenomenological method, this study explored the lived experiences of 10 Black female political leaders, including 7 elected politicians, an appointed politician, an activist, and a leader of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory, this research revealed that Black female political leaders, who had examples of political leadership during childhood and were exposed to leadership opportunities in their formative years, were inspired to pursue political leadership in adulthood. The participants also explained that having mentors in college and receiving mentorship in the workplace were pivotal in their success. These mentors were Black female leaders who provided guidance on navigating the intersection of being Black, female, and a political leader. These relationships exemplified intergenerational leadership and mentorship in real life. Overall, the participants expressed that parental support, mentorship, and early leadership experiences were crucial in shaping their political ambitions and fostering professional success. Implications for practice include the need for increased visibility and representation of Black women in mentorship roles, serving as powerful motivators for others to engage in similar supportive relationships. Additionally, organizations should provide early leadership opportunities to Black girls during childhood and adolescence.
Marine ecosystems represent a largely untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds with significant pharmacological potential. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic properties of ethanol extracts from four marine species: Padina australis, Spatoglossum asperum, Holothuria (Halodeima) atra, and Hypnea valentiae. Phytochemical screening, along with a comprehensive series of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico assays, was performed to evaluate the extracts' pharmacological activities, including antioxidant potential (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay), anti-inflammatory effect (carrageenan-induced paw edema method), analgesic activity (acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion tests), and anti-arthritic efficacy (protein denaturation assay). The extracts were found to be rich in flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds, which may underlie the observed bioactivities. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, Hypnea valentiae at 400 mg/kg exhibited the highest peripheral analgesic activity, producing 82.51% inhibition of writhing (p < 0.001). In the tail immersion assay, Padina australis at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant central analgesic effects, as evidenced by increased latency time and percentage of maximum possible effect (MPE). In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, several treatment groups, including Padina australis, Hypnea valentiae, Spatoglossum asperum, and Holothuria atra, at both tested doses showed marked suppression of inflammation, with some groups achieving complete inhibition (100%; p < 0.001) at 120 min. The ethanol extract of Holothuria atra exhibited the strongest antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities, with an IC50 value of 88.39 µg/mL in the DPPH assay and 81.35% inhibition of protein denaturation. Additionally, the compounds derived from the four marine species exhibited significant binding affinity to the selected target receptors, thereby validating the experimental findings. The marine species studied possess multifaceted pharmacological properties, supporting their potential as natural sources for developing therapeutic agents supporting the blue economy. Further studies are recommended to isolate active compounds and elucidate underlying mechanisms to support future drug development efforts.
Mangrove ecosystems along the Indian Ocean coast show great biodiversity, adapting to harsh environmental conditions of high salinity and higher organic matter, and they are a host for a range of microbial communities with special features that produce unique secondary metabolites. Of this, mangrove-associated endophytic fungi, the second largest ecological group of marine fungi, show the greater potential, being a diverse pool for discovering novel bio-actives with pharmacological and biotechnological interest. This review summarizes the research findings on structural diversity and the associated pharmacological activities of secondary metabolites produced by mangrove-associated fungi along the Indian Ocean coast reported over the period of 2002–2025, based on the literature retrieved from Google Scholar. The total of 302 secondary metabolites is presented mainly from classes of polyketides (208), alkaloids (34), and terpenoids (60). Interestingly, 164 compounds were identified, as first reported in those publications. These compounds have been reported to show diverse biological activities, and the most prominent activities are cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anti-inflammatory effects. The structural novelty and pharmacological activities of these metabolites highlight the importance of mangrove fungi as promising sources for new drug discovery and advancing industrial biotechnology. Therefore, this review highlights the insight into the possible application of these chemical compounds in the future drug industry, as well as in biotechnology for advancing human well-being. Furthermore, though significant progress has been made in exploring the fungi community from mangroves of the African and Middle Eastern coasts, the Indian coast mangrove fungi are yet to be explored more for novel discoveries.
