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Unpublished Reference Update from the MARPOL Annex VI Working Groups on strategic and operational issues (MAVI SOWG) and on technical issues (MAVI-TWG). Document presented by the co-convenors of the SOWG (France and The Netherlands) and the TWG (Belgium and Germany) at the Mee
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Unpublished Reference Updated concept for a comprehensive BA MARPOL Annex VI project outline related to strategical-operational and technical aspects of MAVI monitoring activities. Document presented by the co-convenors of the SOWG (France and The Netherlands) and the TWG (Bel
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Unpublished Reference Recommendations from the MARPOL Annex VI Working Groups on regulations regarding air pollution from ships. Document presented by the co-convenors of the SOWG (France and the Netherlands) and the TWG (Belgium and Germany) at the Meeting of the Working Grou
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Article Reference A review of Stenostylus Pilsbry, 1898 and Drymaeus Albers, 1850 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Orthalicoidea: Bulimulidae) from Colombia, with description of new species
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Article Reference Reconstructing science networks from the past: eponyms between malacological authors in the mid-19th century
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Article Reference Faunal report. In: Jimenez Serrano, A. et al. Proyecto Qubbet el-Hawa: Trabajos arqueólogicos en las tumbas QH32, QH33, QH34aa, QH34bb, QH122, QH35p y QH36. Novena Campaña (2017)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017
Article Reference Met zulk mooi zand kun je alleen maar winnen
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Resurrection and neotype designation of Pilumnus spinulosus Kessler, 1861 (Crustacea: Decapoda)
ABSTRACT. The scientific name Pilumnus spinulosus Kessler, 1861 is resurrected for the representatives of the brachyuran genus Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pilumnidae), occurring along the northern coastal line of the Black Sea. This species has been mistakenly identified as P. hirtellus (Linnaeus, 1761) and recently, based on DNA data, referred to as P. aestuarii Nardo, 1869. Furthermore, a neotype of P. spinulosus Kessler, 1861 is designated as the original material is presently considered as lost. P. hirtellus ponticus Czerniavsky, 1868, P. aestuarii Nardo, 1869, P. hirtellus intermedia Czerniavsky, 1884 are considered as junior synonyms of P. spinulosus Kessler, 1861. РЕЗЮМЕ. Научное название Pilumnus spinulosus Kessler, 1861 восстановлено для представителей рода Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pilumnidae), встречающегося вдоль северной бере- говой линии Черного моря. Ранее этот вид был ошибочно идентифицирован как P. hirtellus (Linnaeus, 1761), а позднее, на основании данных ДНК, отнесён к P. aestuarii Nardo, 1869. Видовые назва- ния P. hirtellus ponticus Czerniavsky, 1868, P. aestuarii Nardo, 1869, P. hirtellus intermedia Czerniavsky, 1884 рассматриваются как младшие синонимы P. spinulosus Kessler, 1861. How to cite this article: Marin I.N., d’Udekem d’Acoz C. 2019. Resurrection and neotype designation of Pilumnus spinulosus Kessler, 1861 (Crustacea: Decapoda) // Arthropoda Selecta. Vol.28. No.4. P.545– 548. doi: 10.15298/arthsel. 28.4.06
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Techreport Reference ICES VIEWPOINT: Scrubber discharge water from ships – risks to the marine environment and recom-mendations to reduce impacts
New global standards on sulphur content in marine fuels have led to an increasing number of ships installing exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as scrubbers, to reduce air emissions of sulphur oxides. Ships equipped with a scrubber can continue to use heavy fuel oil, resulting in significant discharge of acidified water containing several contaminants, such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs; mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and nitrogen compounds.The simplest and most common type of scrubber system, the open-loop scrubber, directly discharges the contaminated water in to the sea. The use of scrubber systems by ships is an emerging global problem and an additional pressure on the marine environment. The substances found in scrubber discharge water can cause acute effects on marine biota and may have further impacts, through bioaccumulation, acidification, and eutrophication, on the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems.The number of ships with installed scrubber systems is increasing, but legislation on scrubber discharge is lagging, inconsistent between countries, and often insufficient to protect the environment. ICES recommends the use of cleaner low-sulphur fuels, such as marine gas oil, to eliminate scrubber use and associated impacts on the marine environment.Until this is possible, ICES proposes a set of measures to mitigate scrubber impacts
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Inproceedings Reference X-ploring new tools for paleontologists: the RBINS-RMCA micro-CT lab at your service!
X-ray computed tomography (CT-) scanning is revolutionizing the study of extinct organisms. Its non-invasive and non-destructive character makes it currently by far the most potent method to allow fossils to be studied in three dimensions and with unprecedented detail. More importantly, and differing from other 3D techniques, CT-scanning looks through and inside objects, revealing hidden structures and characters. Recent innovations in the field of CT-scanning allow obtaining details up to a few micrometers in resolution, and higher quality images of relatively dense materials, like fossils, even when wholly encased in hard sediment (Keklikoglou et al., 2019). In 2016, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) acquired two high-end X-ray CT machines: the micro-CT RX EasyTom and the nano-CT XRE-Tescan UniTom. Both scanners are currently nearly full time in use to help accomplishing the gigantic task of the digitization of the RBINS and Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) type collections, the aim of two multi-year Belspo funded projects, DiSSCo-Fed (2018-2023) and DIGIT-4 (2019-2024). With about 300.000 types and 48.000.000 general specimens, 46.000 and 3.000.000 respectively in their paleontology collections, the results of nearly two centuries of intensive collecting and research, these two Belgian Federal Scientific Institutions (FSI’s) are major players in the European framework of scientific research infrastructures for natural history. Digitizing this large number of types, spread across almost the entire Tree of Life, and exhibiting an entire array of differing taphonomies, results in a steadily growing expertise of the RBINS-RMCA micro-CT lab (Brecko et al., 2018). While the newly acquired infrastructure and ongoing digitization projects are primarily oriented towards the digitization of type and figured specimens, these also offer great opportunities for researchers and teachers in various disciplines of paleontology. Targeting on researchers interested in incorporating micro-CT as a technique in their research projects, the current digitization workflow of the RBINS-RMCA micro-CT lab will be presented. While micro-CT offers many advantages, there are also pitfalls and limitations that need to be considered. Based on our expertise, and illustrated by some of our scanning results, important constraints that may block the pathway between your expectations and perfect micro-CT-imaging results that can be fully incorporated into research projects will be presented. Possible effects of some of the most important parameters that may influence the quality of the output, and thus can increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) will be reviewed, such as the size and shape of the specimen to be scanned, the density of its matrix the specimen is made of or encased in, the presence of certain minerals (e.g. pyrite) and how these may be distributed inside the specimen (e.g. finely disseminated, dense masses or crystals), the best possible resolution in relation to the specimen and preferred output, the time needed to scan a specimen, the choice between machines to be used and their limits and different possible scan settings (e.g. beam power, filters…). Post-processing parameters to be considered are the size of the image stack output (will the computer be able to handle the amount of Gigabytes?), the time needed to render and segment regions of interest and optimize 3D-models, and which format suits best to visualize and export the data (renderings, meshes, videos, virtual sections…). While segmentation may be a time-consuming task, new developments like the incorporation of artificial intelligence (e.g. the Deep Learning function in Dragonfly ORS) offer great potential to reduce the workload in complex segmentation. Many researchers are also teachers. The reason why they may also be particularly interested in the 3D models of the already digitized types that are available on the Virtual Collections platforms of the RBINS (http://virtualcollections.naturalsciences.be/) and RMCA (https://virtualcol.africamuseum.be/). While 3D models are not intended to replace physical specimens, they may become significant teaching aids in both the physical and virtual classroom. In addition, the presence of a steadily growing number of 3D-models and animations of extant animals that are also added to these Virtual Collections, would allow teachers to connect fossils (in general incomplete) with extant (more complete) relatives. Last but not least, while the focus of this communication is largely on micro-CT, some of the many other new techniques that are being tested, used and improved will be highlighted (see e.g. Brecko & Mathys, 2020; Brecko et al., 2014, 2016, 2018; Mathys et al., 2013, 2019 for some examples). Interested in our work, expertise, techniques, equipment, or scans-on-demand? Please do not hesitate to reach out! References Brecko, J., Lefevre, U., Locatelli, C., Van de Gehuchte, E., Van Noten, K., Mathys, A., De Ceukelaire, M., Dekoninck, W., Folie, A., Pauwels, O., Samyn, Y., Meirte, D., Vandenspiegel, D. & Semal, P. 2018. Rediscovering the museum’s treasures: μCT digitisation of the type collection. Poster presented at 6th annual Tomography for Scientific Advancement (ToScA) symposium, Warwick, England, 10-12 Sept 2018. Brecko, J. & Mathys, A., 2020. Handbook of best practice and standards for 2D+ and 3D imaging of natural history collections. European Journal of Taxonomy, 623, 1-115. Brecko, J., Mathys, A., Dekoninck, W., De Ceukelaire, M., VandenSpiegel, D. & Semal, P., 2016. Revealing Invisible Beauty, Ultra Detailed: The Influence of Low-Cost UV Exposure on Natural History Specimens in 2D+ Digitization. PLoS One 11(8):e0161572. Brecko, J., Mathys, A., Dekoninck, W., Leponce, M., Vanden Spiegel, D. & Semal, P., 2014. Focus stacking: Comparing commercial top-end set-ups with a semi-automatic low budget approach. A possible solution for mass digitization of type specimens. Zookeys, 464, 1-23. Keklikoglou, K., Faulwetter, S., Chatzinikolaou, E., Wils, P., Brecko, J., Kvaček, J., Metscher, B. & Arvanitidis, C. 2019. Micro-computed tomography for natural history specimens: a handbook of best practice protocols. European Journal of Taxonomy, 522, 1-55. Mathys, A., Semal, P., Brecko, J. & Van den Spiegel, D., 2019. Improving 3D photogrammetry models through spectral imaging: Tooth enamel as a case study. PLoS One, 14(8): e0220949. Mathys, A., Brecko, J., Di Modica, K., Abrams, G., Bonjean, D. & Semal, P., 2013. Agora 3D. Low cost 3D imaging: a first look for field archaeology. Notae Praehistoricae, 33/2013, 33-42.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2021