Mechanical canopy and trunk shaking for the harvesting mechanization of table olive orchards

Table olive harvesting is highly dependent on manual labour and may jeopardize the crop benefit. The introduction of a mechanical harvest system requires a global evaluation of the whole process. A trunk shaker along with shaker combs and a continuous canopy shaker harvester have been tested in two orchards with different tree training and layout to determine their feasibility to mechanical harvesting in table olives. For that purpose, several parameters have been evaluated. Canopy shaker required adapted orchard layout and hedge of canopies for reaching an acceptable harvesting efficiency about 80% and trunk shaker performed a higher efficiency of more than 95% but depended highly on labour. Both systems had a high field capacity about 0.15 ha h-1 but low for the trunk shaker considering the people (0.01 ha h-1 person-1). The vibration pattern that applied on branches was totally different although the quantitative tree damages were no significative different. There were no significant differences in fruit bruising between both systems, but there were between the different sampling points, mainly in the detachment. The fruit bruising index of the remaining fruit on canopy suggests that it is possible to perform a second harvest. Both mechanical systems are suitable for table olive harvesting whilst improving the efficiency of manual systems with bearable damages, but each one has pros and cons that must be considered bearing in mind that require an adaptation of the orchard where there are applied. Highlights Table olives mechanization is possible by integrating with the fruit liquid store. Trunk shaker performed high efficiency in adapted orchards but depended on labour. Canopy shakers require the adaption of orchard and machine for commercial purposes. There were no differences in detached fruit bruising between both mechanical systems. The bruising index of the remaining fruit on trees suggest second harvesting pass.Table olive harvesting is highly dependent on manual labour and may jeopardize the crop benefit. The introduction of a mechanical harvest system requires a global evaluation of the whole process. A trunk shaker along with shaker combs and a continuous canopy shaker harvester have been tested in two orchards with different tree training and layout to determine their feasibility to mechanical harvesting in table olives. For that purpose, several parameters have been evaluated. Canopy shaker required adapted orchard layout and hedge of canopies for reaching an acceptable harvesting efficiency about 80% and trunk shaker performed a higher efficiency of more than 95% but depended highly on labour. Both systems had a high field capacity about 0.15 ha h-1 but low for the trunk shaker considering the people (0.01 ha h-1 person-1). The vibration pattern that applied on branches was totally different although the quantitative tree damages were no significative different. There were no significant differences in fruit bruising between both systems, but there were between the different sampling points, mainly in the detachment. The fruit bruising index of the remaining fruit on canopy suggests that it is possible to perform a second harvest. Both mechanical systems are suitable for table olive harvesting whilst improving the efficiency of manual systems with bearable damages, but each one has pros and cons that must be considered bearing in mind that require an adaptation of the orchard where there are applied. Highlights Table olives mechanization is possible by integrating with the fruit liquid store. Trunk shaker performed high efficiency in adapted orchards but depended on labour. Canopy shakers require the adaption of orchard and machine for commercial purposes. There were no differences in detached fruit bruising between both mechanical systems. The bruising index of the remaining fruit on trees suggest second harvesting pass

Use of "ChemSensor" as an early discrimination tool of Iberian pig semen according to their freezability

Para favorecer el uso de dosis de inseminación de semen de porcino congelado-descongelado a nivel comercial, sería interesante conocer de antemano si el semen de verraco congelará bien o mal. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el 'ChemSensor' (cromatógrafo de gases-masas unido a un software de análisis quimiométrico) como herramienta precoz de discriminación entre eyaculados según su congelabilidad. Para ello se utilizaron 33 eyaculados de verracos de raza Ibérica de los cuales se cogió una alícuota de 1 ml de semen y se analizó con el 'ChemSensor', el resto del eyaculado fue congelado-descongelado usando un protocolo estandarizado, para determinar su congelabilidad (buenos y malos congeladores) en función del porcentaje de espermatozoides con la membrana plasmática intacta y el porcentaje de espermatozoides móviles totales post-descongelación. Para el análisis con el 'ChemSensor', las muestras se volatilizaron e ionizaron descomponiéndolas en diferentes iones con un tamaño determinado, que se usaron como variables de discriminación, para separar los eyaculados en función de su congelabilidad. El 'ChemSensor' fue capaz de discriminar todos los eyaculados de los buenos congeladores; y dentro del grupo de los malos congeladores solamente una muestra fue clasificada erróneamente. Debido al reducido número de muestras, la distancia obtenida entre grupos (2,62), aunque no muy elevada, podría considerarse como significativa, aunque sería necesario un mayor número de muestras para poder crear un modelo matemático más robusto. En conclusión, el 'ChemSensor' es una posible herramienta adecuada para la discriminación precoz de eyaculados de cerdo Ibérico en función de su congelabilidad

Conservation Agriculture: Climate Proof and Nature Positive Approach

The development pathways of countries and regions have impacted land-climate interactions and shaped challenges, opportunities and actions. Adverse impacts of climate change increasingly threaten livelihoods and resilience of people around the globe, food security and the stability of environmental resources. Globally, the current food systems are not fit for purpose. Land-based options such as Conservation Agriculture (CA) were found to mitigate climate change, regenerate soils and ensure durable food systems. Achieving sustained results using CA systems, under climate change and social pressures, while maximizing co-benefits related to food and nutrient security, social and biological diversity, ecosystem restoration and services and sustainable development, requires appropriate country-specific policies and significant investment. CA implementation is challenging and context specific and necessitates an integrated framework and road map to enable deeper ambitions for social equity and development and inclusive economic growth

Metallofluorescent Nanoparticles for Multimodal Applications

Herein, we describe the synthesis and application of cross-linked polystyrene-based dual-function nano- and microparticles containing both fluorescent tags and metals. Despite containing a single dye, these particles exhibit a characteristic dual-band fluorescence emission. Moreover, these particles can be combined with different metal ions to obtain hybrid metallofluorescent particles. We demonstrate that these particles are easily nanofected into living cells, allowing them to be used for effective fingerprinting in multimodal fluorescence-based and mass spectrometry-based flow cytometry experiments. Likewise, the in situ reductions of the metal ions enable other potential uses of the particles as heterogeneous catalysts

Development of Potent Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Long-Term Hemodialysis Patients After 1273-mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients are considered vulnerable and at high-risk of developing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to their immunocompromised condition. Since COVID-19 associated mortality rates are higher in HD patients, vaccination is critical to protect them. The response towards vaccination against COVID-19 in HD patients is still uncertain and, in particular the cellular immune response is not fully understood. We monitored the humoral and cellular immune responses by analysis of the serological responses and Spike-specific cellular immunity in COVID-19-recovered and naïve HD patients in a longitudinal study shortly after vaccination to determine the protective effects of 1273-mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in these high-risk patients. In naïve HD patients, the cellular immune response measured by IL-2 and IFN-ɣ secretion needed a second vaccine dose to significantly increase, with a similar pattern for the humoral response. In contrast, COVID-19 recovered HD patients developed a potent and rapid cellular and humoral immune response after the first vaccine dose. Interestingly, when comparing COVID-19 recovered healthy volunteers (HV), previously vaccinated with BNT162b2 vaccine to HD patients vaccinated with 1273-mRNA, these exhibited a more robust immune response that is maintained longitudinally. Our results indicate that HD patients develop strong cellular and humoral immune responses to 1273-mRNA vaccination and argue in favor of personalized immune monitoring studies in HD patients, especially if COVID-19 pre-exposed, to adapt COVID-19 vaccination protocols for this immunocompromised population.Funding was obtained from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) RICORS program to RICORS2040 (RD21/0005/0001), FEDER funds; Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural (AESI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, grant number AESI PI21CIII_00022 to PP and Healthstar-plus -REACT-UE Grant through Segovia Arana Research Institute Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda-IDIPHIM. JO is a member of VACCELERATE (European Corona Vaccine Trial Accelerator Platform) Network, which aims to facilitate and accelerate the design and implementation of COVID-19 phase 2 and 3 vaccine trials. JO is a member of the INsTRuCT under the MSC grant agreement Nº860003 (Innovative Training in Myeloid Regulatory Cell Therapy) Consortium, a network of European scientists from academia and industry focused on developing innovative immunotherapies.S

Estado del arte del proyecto

La Arquitectura, el espacio público y el arte público del barrio El Prado, ese patrimonio reconocible en Barranquilla, serán, piezas de un gran y particular museo. Un museo vivo. El trazado de un barrio Centenario, con anchos andenes y antejardines, el verde de los parques, la riqueza estilística de las grandes casas, hoy reconvertidas en nuevos usos, evidencia la historia y la memoria de uno de los barrios más importantes de la formación de las ciudades latinoamericanas de principios del siglo XX, con la emergencia de los modelos higienistas de hacer ciudad y los criterios de ciudad jardín. Es vivo, porque sus gentes así lo hacen. Por ello es un museo particular

La diversidad en la Universidad: la innovación docente para la inclusión del alumno con discapacidad auditiva en el Grado de Odontología (DECO)

Depto. de Especialidades Clínicas OdontológicasFac. de OdontologíaFALSEsubmitte

The OTELO survey: A case study of [O III] lambda 4959,5007 emitters at z=0.83

Context. The OSIRIS Tunable Filter Emission Line Object (OTELO) survey is a very deep, blind exploration of a selected region of the Extended Groth Strip and is designed for finding emission-line sources (ELSs). The survey design, observations, data reduction, astrometry, and photometry, as well as the correlation with ancillary data used to obtain a final catalogue, including photo-z estimates and a preliminary selection of ELS, were described in a previous contribution. Aims. Here, we aim to determine the main properties and luminosity function (LF) of the [O III] ELS sample of OTELO as a scientific demonstration of its capabilities, advantages, and complementarity with respect to other surveys. Methods. The selection and analysis procedures of ELS candidates obtained using tunable filter pseudo-spectra are described. We performed simulations in the parameter space of the survey to obtain emission-line detection probabilities. Relevant characteristics of [O III] emitters and the LF ([O III]), including the main selection biases and uncertainties, are presented. Results. From 541 preliminary emission-line source candidates selected around z = 0.8, a total of 184 sources were confirmed as [O III] emitters. Consistent with simulations, the minimum detectable line flux and equivalent width in this ELS sample are ∼5 × 10−19 erg s−1 cm2 and ∼6 Å, respectively. We are able to constrain the faint-end slope (α = −1.03 ± 0.08) of the observed LF ([O III]) at a mean redshift of z = 0.83. This LF reaches values that are approximately ten times lower than those from other surveys. The vast majority (84%) of the morphologically classified [O III] ELSs are disc-like sources, and 87% of this sample is comprised of galaxies with stellar masses of M⋆ <  1010 M⊙

Predictors of adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet in the PREDIMED trial.

BACKGROUND: Determinants of dietary changes obtained with a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean diet have been rarely evaluated. AIM: To identify predictors of higher success of an intervention aimed to increase adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) in individuals at high cardiovascular risk participating in a trial for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) trial. Candidate predictors included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and baseline dietary habits. METHODS: A total of 1,048 asymptomatic subjects aged 55-80 years allocated to the active intervention groups (subjects in the control group were excluded). Participants' characteristics were assessed at baseline among subjects. Dietary changes were evaluated after 12 months. Main outcome measures were: attained changes in five dietary goals: increases in (1) fruit consumption, (2) vegetable consumption, (3) monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio, and decreases in (4) sweets and pastries consumption, (5) and meat consumption. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between the candidate predictors and likelihood of attaining optimum dietary change (improved adherence to a MeDiet). RESULTS: Among men, positive changes toward better compliance with the MeDiet were more frequent among non-diabetics, and among those with worse dietary habits at baseline (higher consumption of meat, higher SFA intake, lower consumption of fruit and vegetables). Among women, marital status (married) and worse baseline dietary habits (high in meats, low in fruits and vegetables) were the strongest predictors of success in improving adherence to the MeDiet. CONCLUSIONS: Some participant characteristics (marital status and baseline dietary habits) could contribute to predicting the likelihood of achieving dietary goals in interventions aimed to improve adherence to a MeDiet, and may be useful for promoting individualized long-term dietary changes and improving the effectiveness of dietary counseling