Integral olive harvesting systems: characterization, adjustment and improvements

La presente tesis doctoral aborda el estudio conjunto de la recolección mecanizada y la poda del olivo para mejorar el uso de las cosechadoras, actuales y en desarrollo, por medio de la adaptación del árbol y el diseño de la plantación. Se han considerado tres de las principales tipologías de cultivo del olivo presentes en España: tradicional, intensivo y superintensivo. Las adaptaciones del árbol a la máquina se han centrado en el olivar tradicional, ya que apenas se realizan nuevas plantaciones de esta tipología de cultivo, mientras que, el diseño de plantación se ha estudiado para el olivar superintensivo, En caso del olivar intensivo se han tenido en cuenta ambos factores. Para determinar la influencia del diseño de plantación sobre el funcionamiento de las cosechadoras de olivar se ha desarrollado un sistema de seguimiento remoto y una metodología de análisis de tiempos, junto con un monitor de rendimiento. Estos desarrollos han permitido la obtención y análisis de un gran volumen de datos para tres cosechadoras comerciales de olivar. En cuanto a la adaptación del árbol a las cosechadoras, se ha estudiado la distribución de la producción de aceite en la copa del árbol, tanto en calidad como en cantidad, para establecer las zonas prioritarias donde debe actuar un sistema de recolección mecanizada. Además, se han establecido tres tratamientos de poda para evaluar la adaptación del olivar tradicional a la recolección con cosechadoras, tanto actuales como en desarrollo. La caracterización de la estructura del árbol se ha completado con una metodología para evaluar la porosidad de copa basada en la radiación transmitida. Finalmente, a nivel de fruto se ha determinado el efecto que genera la aplicación de esfuerzos torsores en el pedúnculo del fruto, de cara a mejorar el porcentaje de derribo que podría obtenerse con una cosechadora en futuros desarrollos. Actualmente, el olivar superintensivo cuenta con un sistema de cosecha muy eficiente y con una alta capacidad de trabajo, aunque sensible a distintos parámetros de diseño de la plantación como son el ancho de calle de servicio o la longitud de línea de árboles. Al igual que el olivar superintensivo, las explotaciones intensivas requieren una adaptación del árbol a la cosechadora, mientras que el sistema de derribo se diseña para obtener una mayor eficiencia en aquellas zonas de la copa de mayor interés, como la zona exterior y superior del árbol. Del mismo modo, el olivar tradicional requiere una adaptación importante de la estructura del árbol para mejorar la eficiencia de la cosechadora. La adaptación de la estructura del árbol no ha influido en la producción de frutos en el periodo estudiado. Sin embargo, en algunos casos se ha producido una reducción de la producción de frutos en zonas de la copa que son difícilmente accesibles para algunos sistemas de derribo, como ocurre con la producción de las ramas interiores. Todo ello, a pesar de que la aplicación de diferentes tratamientos de poda si ha generado diferencias en la porosidad de la copa y, por lo tanto, en la radiación transmitida. Por último, se ha determinado que es recomendable generar giros superiores a 180º en los frutos para facilitar su desprendimiento, variando los resultados en función de la variedad.This doctoral thesis addresses the related studies of mechanised olive harvesting and pruning of olive trees, in order to improve their use by present and developing harvesters, through the adaptation of the tree and the layout of the orchard. In the research, the three main orchard categories currently in use in Spain have been considered: traditional, intensive and super high density olive orchards. On one hand, the adaptation of the tree to the harvester by pruning has been focused in traditional orchards, since very few new orchards are planted in this way. On the other hand, orchard layout was mainly considered for super high density orchards: whilst for intensive orchards, both factors were studied. A remote tracking system, a time elements methodology and a yield monitor were developed for the study of olive harvesters. Using these devices, a large data set from three olive harvesters was gathered and analysed. This data set was used to assess the influence of orchard layout on harvesting performance. Regarding the adaption of the tree to the harvesting system, the distribution of olive oil yield in the tree canopy has been studied – regarding quality as much as quantity – in order to establish a system to increase harvesting efficiency. Furthermore, three pruning treatments were tested, in order to evaluate the adaptation of traditional olive trees to different harvesting systems. A methodology for the measurement of olive tree crown porosity was developed and tested, based on radiation transmittance, in order to describe olive tree structure. Finally, the effects of twisting forces on fruit stalks were assessed in order to improve harvesting efficiency for further harvester developments. Currently, super high density olive orchards have an efficient and highly effective harvesting system, although this is influenced by orchard layout, mainly alley width and row length. The adaptation of trees to the harvester is required by both super high density and intensive olive orchards. Furthermore, the fruit detachment system should be designed to obtain high harvesting efficiency in those canopy areas which are more productive to harvest, such as the outer canopy and upper canopy. In the same way, traditional olive trees require important adaptations in order to increase harvesting efficiency, although it was found that debris production is not related to pruning treatments. Tree pruning did not influence the total fruit yield, although in some cases, fruit distribution has been modified by pruning, reducing yield within the inner canopy, which is more difficult to reach with some harvesting systems. Despite this, crown porosity and thus radiation transmittance were affected by pruning treatment. Finally, it was found that it is advisable to apply stalk twisting angles over 180 º in order to improve fruit detachment process although different cultivar behaviour was observed

Anti-aging therapy through fitness enhancement

Physical exercise is proposed as a highly effective means of treating and preventing the main causes of morbidity and mortality – most of which are associated with aging – in industrialized countries. Low physical fitness is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and all-causes morbidity and mortality; indeed, it is even a predictor of these problems. When properly measured, the assessment of physical fitness can be a highly valuable indicator of health and life expectancy and, therefore, should be performed routinely in the clinical setting. Individually adapted training programs could be prescribed based on fitness assessment results and an adequate knowledge of patient lifestyle and daily physical activity. Such training programs would allow people to develop their maximum physical potential, improve their physical and mental health, and attenuate the negative consequences of aging

Experimental energy performance assessment of a solar desiccant cooling system in Southern Europe climates

Solar desiccant cooling systems, SDEC, could be an effective alternative to conventional cooling systems, which mainly depend on electrical energy. The main objective of this work was to determine experimentally the seasonal coefficient of performance, SCOP, of a SDEC system composed of a desiccant wheel, an indirect evaporative cooler and a thermal solar system, to control indoor conditions in a research lab room. The dependence of coefficient of performance on outdoor air conditions and percentage of renewable energy used by the SDEC system were also analysed. Experimental tests were carried out for six weeks during spring and summer seasons in Martos, Spain. The experimental results showed that the SDEC system independently adjusted the temperature and humidity of the supply air. 75% of the energy consumed by this air handling system comes from renewable sources. A seasonal coefficient of performance of the SDEC system of 2 was obtained for the period analysed. It is shown that the higher the outdoor temperature, the higher instantaneous COPs is. These results suggest that the use of SDEC systems in hot climates, such as southern European climates, could contribute to achieve the EU's energy goals within the frame of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings

Hidratació i rendiment: pautes per a una elusió efectiva de la deshidratació per exercici

El rendiment de les capacitats físiques i mentals durant la pràctica esportiva o la competició, es troba disminuït sota condicions de deshidratació. La pèrdua de pes es deu a la pèrdua d’aigua (suor i respiració) i quan aquesta és important, afecta de manera decisiva els sistemes nerviós, cardiovascular, termoregulador, endocrí i/o metabòlic, i pot provocar fins i tot la mort. Per eludir aquests efectes negatius de la deshidratació així com la disminució del rendiment, l’atleta haurà de beure prou quantitat de líquid abans, durant, i després de la competició o la pràctica d’exercici. Idealment, la beguda serà una solució composta d’aigua, electròlits i carbohidrats, en quantitat adequada per garantir, d’una banda, un rendiment òptim durant la competició i, d’una altra, reposar eficaçment i completament les pèrdues hídriques, electrolítiques i energètiques. La composició i el volum de la beguda tindrà en compte els factors extrínsecs (temperatura, humitat, altitud, vent, etc.) que envolten la competició, els factors intrínsecs de l’atleta (nivell de deshidratació, problemes gastrointestinals, tipus de competició) i les pròpies característiques de la beguda (gust, temperatura, composició). En termes generals, els atletes no acostumen a beure, durant la pràctica esportiva, el volum necessari per reemplaçar la pèrdua de fluids i electròlits, cosa que fa que calgui establir pautes perquè ho facin. En aquest treball es presenten aquestes pautes i la base fisiològica que les sosté

Hidratación y rendimiento: pautas para una elusión efectiva de la deshidratación por ejercicio

El rendimiento de las capacidades físicas y mental durante la práctica deportiva o la competición, está mermado bajo condiciones de deshidratación. La pérdida de peso se debe a la pérdida agua (sudor y respiración) y cuando ésta es importante, afecta de manera decisiva a los sistemas nervioso, cardiovascular, termorregulador, endocrino y/o metabólico, pudiendo provocar incluso la muerte. Para eludir estos efectos negativos de la deshidratación así como la disminución del rendimiento, el atleta deberá beber suficiente cantidad de líquido antes, durante y después de la competición o la práctica de ejercicio. Idealmente, la bebida será una solución compuesta de agua, electrolitos y carbohidratos en cantidad adecuada para garantizar, por un lado, un óptimo rendimiento durante la competición y, por otro, reponer eficaz y completamente las pérdidas hídricas, electrolíticas y energéticas. La composición y el volumen de la bebida tendrá en cuenta los factores extrínsecos (temperatura, humedad, altitud, viento, etc.) que rodean la competición, los factores intrínsecos del atleta (nivel de deshidratación, problemas gastrointestinales, tipo de competición) y las propias características de la bebida (sabor, temperatura, composición). En términos generales, los atletas no suelen beber, durante la práctica deportiva, el volumen necesario para reemplazar la pérdida de fluidos y electrolitos, lo que hace necesario establecer pautas para que lo hagan. En el presente trabajo se presentan esas pautas y la base fisiológica que las sustentan

Development of a Telemetry and Yield-Mapping System of Olive Harvester

Sensors, communication systems and geo-reference units are required to achieve an optimized management of agricultural inputs with respect to the economic and environmental aspects of olive groves. In this study, three commercial olive harvesters were tracked during two harvesting seasons in Spain and Chile using remote and autonomous equipment that was developed to determine their time efficiency and effective based on canopy shaking for fruit detachment. These harvesters work in intensive/high-density (HD) and super-high-density (SHD) olive orchards. A GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) device was installed to track these harvesters. The GNSS receiver did not affect the driver’s work schedule. Time elements methodology was adapted to the remote data acquisition system. The effective field capacity and field efficiency were investigated. In addition, the field shape, row length, angle between headland alley and row, and row alley width were measured to determinate the optimum orchard design parameters value. The SHD olive harvester showed significant lower effective field capacity values when alley width was less than 4 m. In addition, a yield monitor was developed and installed on a traditional olive harvester to obtain a yield map from the harvested area. The hedge straddle harvester stood out for its highly effective field capacity; nevertheless, a higher field efficiency was provided by a non-integral lateral canopy shaker. All of the measured orchard parameters have influenced machinery yields, whether effective field capacity or field efficiency. A saving of 40% in effective field capacity was achieved with a reduction from 4 m or higher to 3.5 m in alley width for SHD olive harvester. A yield map was plotted using data that were acquired by a yield monitor, reflecting the yield gradient in spite of the larger differences between tree yield

Association of basal metabolic rate and fuel oxidation in basal conditions and during exercise, with plasma S‐klotho: the FIT‐AGEING study

S‐klotho, the shed form of α‐klotho, is thought to be an ageing suppressor with functions related to the physiology of energy metabolism. However, it remains unknown whether ageing biomarkers such as S‐klotho and/or chronological ageing are associated in any way with basal metabolic rate (BMR) and fuel oxidation in basal conditions and during exercise. The present work investigates the association of BMR and fuel oxidation in basal conditions and during exercise, with plasma S‐klotho in middle‐aged, sedentary adults. BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry in 74 such subjects (53% women; age 53.7±5.1 years) following standard procedures, and their fuel oxidation estimated via stoichiometric equations. The maximal fat oxidation during exercise (MFO) and the intensity of exercise that elicits MFO (Fatmax) were determined using a walking graded exercise test. No relationship was seen between BMR and plasma S‐klotho (P>0.1), although both basal fat oxidation and MFO showed positive associations with this protein (both P<0.001); these relationships persisted after controlling for age, sex and fat mass. However, no significant associations were seen between BMR, basal fat oxidation or MFO and chronological age (all P>0.1). The present findings suggest that basal fat oxidation and MFO are strongly associated with plasma S‐klotho in middle‐aged sedentary adults. These results support the idea that metabolic flexibility is a powerful predictor of biological ageing.The study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU14/04172 and FPU15/03960), by the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigación 2016 (Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health [UCEES]), by the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR

Use of whole-body vibration as a mode of warming up before counter movement jump

This study was conducted without any conflict of interest, without financial assistance, and supported by grants from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (109/UPB31/03, 13/UPB20/04), the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (AP2003-2128, AP-2004-2745; AP2005-3827; AP2005-4358) and the HELENA study (European Community Sixth RTD Framework Programme, FOOD-CT-005-007034)