Conducting polymers (CPs), such as poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT), are widely recognized for their exceptional electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and environmental durability, making them promising candidates for protective coatings on metal surfaces. In this study, PEDOT coatings were electrochemically deposited on mild steel and platinum electrodes using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in a non-aqueous acetonitrile medium containing tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate. The deposition conditions—including scan rate, initial and final potentials, monomer concentration, and temperature—were optimized to achieve a homogeneous, compact, and adhesive polymer layer. The optimal conditions involved an EDOT monomer concentration of 0.01 M, a scan rate of 100 mV/s, and a potential range from− 0.5 to 1.8 V (SCE) at 30 C. The electropolymerization process was found to be more …

The taxonomic ambiguity of North African Rhabdias Stiles & Hassall, 1905 requires a deep revision and re-evaluation to define the genuine taxa. Based on newly gathered specimens, the African/Saharo-Arabian Rhabdias aegyptiaca El-Garhy & Garo, 2006 is redescribed for specimens collected from the lungs of the common African toad, Sclerophrys regularis (Reuss) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Egypt, northeast Africa. The species characterization is investigated through detailed morphology using light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as in-depth morphological and morphometric comparisons against closely related Rhabdias spp. The problematic morphological/taxonomic status of the original description of R. aegyptiaca is elucidated, discussed, and treated. Additionally, species identification is confirmed by genetic divergence, phylogenetic, and species delimitation analyses using the mitochondrial gene (cox1 mtDNA) and ribosomal genetic markers (28S rDNA + ITS rDNA). Rhabdias aegyptiaca differs from other African congeners in the combination of the following characteristics: truncate anterior end, buccal capsule 11–17 (15 ± 0.4) µm wide, four submedian circumoral lips with two lateral pseudolabia, esophagus with dilatation at end of first third and tail wholly covered with inflated cuticle except for its end tip. Present investigations on the validity of the Saharo-Arabian record of R. africanus sensu Abdel-Hakeem, Fadladdin, El-Sagheer & Adel, 2022 regard it as another record of R. aegyptiaca. The confusing status of the Saharo-Arabian record of Rhabdias bufonis sensu Morsy, Mohamed, Abdel-Ghaffar, Fayoumi & Abdel-Haleem, 2018 is discussed and assigned as belonging to another genus, Thubunaea Seurat, 1914. Rhabdias bufonis sensu Moravec, Baruš & Ryšavý, 1987 is considered a highly likely stand-alone Saharo-Arabian species, distinguished from the complex of Rhabdias bufonis (Schrank, 1788) Stiles & Hassall, 1905 by its pre-equatorial vulva, and largely sized buccal capsule and eggs. However, their specimens still need futural re-investigation for an appropriate description and designating type specimens.

This book explains microbial roles for agricultural sustainability, especially under climate changes, including the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture. Major coverage entails microbial enzymatic roles in agriculture, microbial phytohormones as promising sustainable plant bioagents, and phosphate-, potassium-, and calcium-solubilizing microbes as alternative biofertilizers. It introduces microbial solutions to mitigate the biotic and abiotic stress, with high attention to rising temperature and water limitation due to the climate changes. This book Presents a summarized insight into important roles of microbes in facing the climate changes; Describes plant–microbe interaction in sustainability; Highlights roles of microorganisms in limited agriculture water sources; Provides an insight into microbial phytohormones as promising plant-sustainable bioagents; provides comprehensive overviews of microbial bioremediation roles for soil reclamation. This book is aimed at researchers and graduate students in microbiology, agriculture, and sustainability.