Early cadmium-induced effects on reactive oxygen species production, cell viability and membrane electrical potential in grapevine roots

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most worldwide concerned metal pollutants. It is able to induce reactive oxygen species production through indirect mechanisms causing oxidative stress. Vitis vinifera roots were treated with 100 μM Cd for 0-180 min or 20-100 μM Cd for 24 h. Fluorescence confocal microscopy showed elevated hydrogen peroxide and superoxide levels in the apical root segments. Two phases (after 30 min and 24 h) of the superoxide raised levels were observed. This was accompanied by the decrease in root cell viability. Cd in concentrations between 0.005-10 mM induced significant, but different changes in membrane electrical potential (EM) of the root epidermal cells. The low concentrations of Cd (0.005-0.01 mM) caused transient EM hyperpolarization followed by depolarization, whereas by higher concentrations (0.05-5.0 mM) EM was depolarized. In any case, the depolarization or hyperpolarization were only transient up to 5 mM Cd concentration indicating that the plasma membrane function was not irreversibly destroyed. Hyperpolarization of EM induced by fusicoccin (FC) was completely suppressed only in the presence of 10 mM Cd pointing to the inhibition of H+-ATPase. The results suggest that the Cd interactions, depending on cellular development, result in activation of a complex of various mechanisms such as peroxide and hydrogen peroxide production, which in turn may be a more probable reason for the root cell responses to Cd toxicity than the transient EM changes

Dissimilar responses of membrane potential (EM), permeability properties and respiration to cadmium and nickel in maize root cells

The short-term treatment with Cd2+ and Ni2+ triggered transient depolarization of transplasma membrane potential (EM) in the outer cortical root cells of two maize cultivars (cv. Premia and cv. Blitz), however, both metals changed the EM in a quantitatively different way. The magnitude and duration of EM depolarization were concentration dependent and were greater in the metal susceptible cv. Blitz. The highest EM depolarization was recorded with simultaneous application of Cd2+ + Ni2+ in both maize cultivars. The EM depolarization induced by Cd2+ or Cd2+ + Ni2+ but not Ni2+ alone was accompanied with a tremendous increase of membrane conductivity, but it was not accompanied with the effect of heavy metals (HM) on respiration. Simultaneous application of fusiccocin (FC) with Cd2+ or Cd2+ + Ni2+ during the EM depolarization, inability of FC to stop the depolarization by FC-enhanced proton extrusion and rapid restoration of EM, suggested a transient inhibition of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase by these toxic metals. Our data support the opinion that differences in the effects of the studied ions were not the result of their direct action on PM, but rather of their different influence on intracellular processes within root cells

Fusicoccin Counteracts the Toxic Effect of Cadmium on the Growth of Maize Coleoptile Segments

The effects of cadmium (Cd; 0.1–1000 μM) and fusicoccin (FC) on growth, Cd2+ content, and membrane potential (Em) in maize coleoptile segments were studied. In addition, the Em changes and accumulation of Cd and calcium (Ca) in coleoptile segments treated with Cd2+ combined with 1 μM FC or 30 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) chloride (K+-channel blocker) were also determined. In this study, the effects of Ca2+-channel blockers [lanthanum (La) and verapamil (Ver)] on growth and content of Cd2+ and Ca2+ in coleoptile segments were also investigated. It was found that Cd at high concentrations (100 and 1000 μM) significantly inhibited endogenous growth of coleoptile segments and simultaneously measured proton extrusion. FC combined with Cd2+ counteracted the toxic effect of Cd2+ on endogenous growth and significantly decreased Cd2+ content (not the case for Cd2+ at the highest concentration) in coleoptile segments. Addition of Cd to the control medium caused depolarization of Em, the extent of which was dependent on Cd concentration and time of treatment with Cd2+. Hyperpolarization of Em induced by FC was suppressed in the presence of Cd2+ at 1000 μM but not Cd2+ at 100 μM. It was also found that treatment of maize coleoptile segments with 30 mM TEA chloride caused hyperpolarization of Em and decreased Cd2+ content in coleoptile segments, suggesting that, in the same way as for FC, accumulation of Cd2+ was dependent on plasma membrane (PM) hyperpolarization. Similar to FC, TEA chloride also decreased Ca2+ content in coleoptile segments. La and Ver combined with Cd2+ (100 μM) significantly decreased Cd content in maize coleoptile segments, but only La completely abolished the toxic effect of Cd2+ on endogenous growth and growth in the presence of FC. Taken together, these results suggest that the mechanism by which FC counteracts the toxic effect of Cd2+ (except at 1000 μM Cd2+) on the growth of maize coleoptile segments involves both stimulation of PM H+-ATPase activity by FC as well as Cd2+-permeable, voltage-dependent Ca channels, which are blocked by FC and TEA chloride-induced PM hyperpolarization

Digital data recorder altitude for radio controlled model aircraft

V tomto príspevku sa venujeme návrhu a vyhotoveniu digitálneho zaznamenávača výšky rádiom riadeného modelu lietadla. Zariadenie ukladá namerané dáta z modelu lietadla, každú jednu sekundu po dobu viac ako dvoch hodín. Zariadenie pracuje pomocou mikrokontroléra ATmega 168 PA. ATmega 168 je 8-bit AVR RISC-based mikrokontrolér. Ďalšími dôležitými časťami zariadenia sú tlakový barometrický senzor BMP085 a sériová pamäť EEPROM 24LC256. Zariadenie pracuje s citlivosťou 25cm. Analýza nameraných hodnôt je možná cez MS Excel pomocou prevodníka PLX-DAQ.This post is devoted to design and construct the digital data recorder of altitude for radio controlled model aircraft. The Device stores data of model aircraft, every one second for more than two hours. The device works by using microcontroller ATmega 168 PA. ATmega 168 is high-performance, low-power Atmel 8-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller. Microcontroller supports a throughput of 20 MIPS at 20 MHz and operates between 2.7-5.5 volts. Other important components are Barometric Pressure Sensor - BMP085 and 24LC256 Serial Electrically Erasable PROM. The device operates with sensitivity 25 cm. Analyzation of the measured data is possible via MS Excel, with using converter PLX-DAQ

Pomiar i analiza sił nacisku na pedały na stanowisku kierowcy

This paper describes a method for measuring the pressure forces on the pedals in the bus. Shows the results and the analysis of the measurements, in terms of using them to determine the level of fatigue of the driver and his driving style.W artykule opisano metodę pomiaru siły nacisku na pedały w autobusie. Pokazano wyniki oraz przeprowadzono analizę pomiarów, pod kątem wykorzystania ich do określenia stopnia zmęczenia kierowcy oraz jego stylu jazdy

Poprawa efektywności energetycznej pneumatycznej instalacji odciągowej poprzez automatyzację procesu regulacji prędkości przepływu powietrza

An important problem and a fundamental flaw associated with the operation of pneumatic extraction systems is their high energy consumption. One way to reduce energy consumption is to use a frequency converter to adjust the speed of the fan motor. This paper presents an automatic control system based on feedback from the flow velocity of air in the main pipe system. The solution effectively helps improve the energy efficiency, that is, reduces energy consumption.Istotnym problemem i zasadniczą wadą związaną z eksploatacją pneumatycznych instalacji odciągowych jest ich duża energochłonność. Jednym ze sposobów zmniejszenia zużycia energii jest zastosowanie przetwornicy częstotliwości do regulacji prędkości obrotowej silnika wentylatora. W artykule zaprezentowano układ automatycznej regulacji w oparciu o sprzężenie zwrotne od prędkości przepływu powietrza w przewodzie głównym instalacji. Zastosowane rozwiązanie skutecznie wpływa na poprawę efektywności energetycznej, czyli na zmniejszenie zużycia energii