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Inproceedings Reference Novel shrew-borne orthonairoviruses from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Inproceedings Reference Urban waste from the medieval river Senne in Brussels
The river Senne has disappeared from the urban landscape since it was vaulted over in the 19th century, but it played a crucial role in the origin and economic development of the medieval city. In 2019 the remains of the medieval port on the river Senne were brought to light during a large excavation (nearly 6000m2) in the city centre of Brussels. Besides the discovery of a 12th-13th century bank reinforcement and an impressive stone quay wall (mainly 14th-15th century), meters thick excellently preserved waterlogged fluvial deposits from different phases of the river were excavated. These layers, dating between the 10th and 15th century, were extensively sampled for archaeobotanical(macrobotanical remains, pollen and phytoliths), archaeozoological and geoarchaeological studies. In this presentation we will discuss the results of the interdisciplinary study of these numerous samples, with a main focus on the plant remains. The assemblages consist of a mixture of naturally deposited material from the vegetation in the Senne valley and waste dumped in the river. Indeed, as urbanisation intensified, the river became used as an open sewer in which all kinds of refuse were disposed of. Thanks to the interdisciplinary approach and comparison with assemblages from several other sites in Brussels diverse types of waste could be distinguished, including artisanal(e.g. textile working and dyeing), domestic and consumption waste as well as remains of fuel and human and animal excrements. The exceptional diversity of the plant material (>300 taxa) recovered from this fluvial urban context and its perfect preservation offer a unique insight into various aspects of daily life in the city.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference Human-cat interactions at different times and geographies: modelling diets and hydrogen isotope analysis of cats from Turkey, Jordan, and Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference Ancient DNA and the dispersal of the domestic cat in Italy.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference The paleogenomics of wild and domestic cats in the ancient Levant and North Africa
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference Feline voyagers: tracing human history through paleogenomics of cats in viking settlements
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference First insights into the ancient oral microbiome of Egyptian cat mummies
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference Toward a Unified Platform for the Digital Twins of the Specimens of Natural History Collections
The digitization of natural history collections is revolutionizing the preservation and utilization of biological and geological specimens. These collections, encompassing diverse ecosystems and time periods, are invaluable for scientific research, education, and conservation. However, physical specimens face challenges such as degradation, limited accessibility, and logistical difficulties. Digitization addresses these issues by converting specimens into high-resolution digital formats, preserving their integrity and making them widely accessible. This presentation explores the development of a unified platform for the digital twins of natural history specimens, focusing on standardization, management, and accessibility of multimedia files. The platform aims to integrate various digitization efforts as the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo ERIC) in Europe. This initiative adheres to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to enhance research capabilities and interdisciplinary studies. Key components of the platform include: 1. Digitization Techniques: High-resolution imaging, 3D scanning, and photogrammetry are used to create digital twins of specimens. These techniques ensure comprehensive documentation and accessibility for scientific research. 2. Metadata: The Darwin Core and ABCD standards for biodiversity data are managed by the institution CMS and DICOM is used for high-resolution and 3D imaging data. Links between CMS and Multimedia server are achieved using UUID/permalinks. This ensures quality, consistency, and interoperability of data. 3. Multimedia File Management: The platform utilizes the Open Source ORTHANC server, which supports various multimedia formats and provides a RESTful API for integration with other systems. Custom plugins and viewers were adapted or developed to enhance the visualization and analysis of digital specimens. 4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By providing a unified structure, the platform facilitates large-scale data analysis including access by AI and fosters collaboration among researchers, educators, and the general public. The integration of digital technologies into natural history collections not only safeguards specimens but also democratizes access to data, enabling global research and education. The proposed platform represents a significant advancement in the field, promoting the preservation and utilization of natural history collections in the digital age using Open Sources technologies. The proposed platform can easily be reused in a CH context.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference 3D imaging showdown: A Comparative Study of high-resolution 3D Imaging Techniques for Museum Collections
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Utilisation du micro CTscan pour la préparation virtuelle et mécanique d’un crâne de crocodilien du Paléocène de Chine
Depuis plusieurs années, la microtomographie à rayons X calculée par ordinateur (CTscan) a pris une place importante dans les laboratoires de paléontologie des vertébrés, jusqu’à remplacer dans certains cas les méthodes traditionnelles de préparation mécanique, pour l’étude de spécimens fossiles. Ces CTscans permettent aux chercheurs d’étudier des caractères autrement impossibles à observer, tout en préservant au maximum le spécimen de toute technique intrusive. Cependant il est souvent nécessaire d’effectuer tout de même une préparation physique du fossile, combinant ainsi les techniques virtuelles et mécaniques afin d’améliorer l’étude d’un spécimen ou encore pour permettre l’exposition de ce dernier. Le crâne de crocodilien de cette étude provient du site paléocène moyen de Qianshan dans la province d’Anhui en Chine. Il a été découvert lors des expéditions sinobelges de l’Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique (IRSNB) qui ont eu lieues de 2008 à 2011. Seule la face ventrale du crâne a été dégagée, présentant un os très fin, fragile et fragmentaire, ainsi que quelques dents encore en position. La finesse de l’os, additionnée à des sutures très marquées suggère un individu juvénile. La face dorsale du crâne étant complètement recouverte par la matrice gréseuse, le spécimen a été scanné à l’aide du micro CTscanner EasyTOM 150 de l’IRSNB, ceci afin de le manipuler virtuellement dans son entièreté, pouvoir l’étudier et aussi le visualiser avant sa préparation physique. En effet, la fragilité des os et le manque de visibilité de la face dorsale rendent la préparation très risquée et demandent un temps considérable. La segmentation virtuelle a été réalisée sur le logiciel Materialise Mimics 19,0 (x64) (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgique) pour séparer l’os de la matrice puis pour modéliser le crâne en trois dimensions. Le contraste entre les os et la matrice est par endroit très faible (dû à un os très fin et une matrice siliceuse) et il a fallu environ une quinzaine d’heures de travail pour obtenir une reconstitutioncomplète du crâne. Au terme de cette segmentation, deux os périphériques au crâne se sont relevés appartenir à une mandibule (angulaire et surangulaire) montrant une large fenêtre mandibulaire. D’autres fragments d'os isolés du crâne ont aussi été identifiés virtuellement dans la matrice. La segmentation du crâne en luimême a révéléun crâne relativement bien conservé, le côté droit étant fragmentaire. Les coupes tomographiques ont également mis en évidence de nombreuses fissures dans la roche, pour beaucoup traversant de part en part le crâne. Toutes ces informations récupérées en amont de la préparation ont permis de faire une analyse complète du travail physique à effectuer et de planifier la meilleure approche possible (localiser les caractères diagnostiques importants à dégager, les fractures dans l'os ou les fragments isolés, stabiliser les fissures ou encore tenir compte de l'épaisseur de l'os). Le tout facilite grandement la préparation et diminue les risques d’endommager le spécimen. Cette étude de cas montre déjà l’intérêt de telles technologies pour les chercheurs mais souligne à quel point cette nouvelle technique de préparation est utile dans la boite à outils déjà bien grande des préparateurs.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018