British Library (BL) Shared Research Repository
Not a member yet
14392 research outputs found
Sort by
Trials and tribulations of Neotropical plant taxonomy: Pace of tree species description.
No full textDada la inédita preocupación por la actual pérdida global de biodiversidad, resulta importante identificar las mejores estrategias para describir nuevas especies de manera más eficiente, completar el inventario de la flora Neotropical e implementar a tiempo estrategias de conservación apropiadas. Este estudio pretende responder la pregunta de cuánto tiempo toma describir una nueva especie en el Neotrópico estimando el lapso que transcurre entre la colección del primer espécimen y la publicación de una nueva especie. Demostramos que incrementar la colaboración internacional y promover el entrenamiento en taxonomía pueden ser las estrategias más eficientes para acelerar la descripción de especies
New insights into the dyes of Central Asian ikat textiles
No full textCentral Asian ikat textiles are characterised by their bold and large abstract patterns, made up of vibrant colours with a characteristic “blurred edge” effect, which makes them some of the most recognisable fabrics worldwide. Eleven ikats from the collection of the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC, USA) and six ikats from the collection of the British Museum (London, UK) were investigated by high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-HRMS/MS) to identify the dyes and expand on recent research focused on the integration of synthetic dyes in ikat dyeing during the second half of the 19th century. The results confirmed that the palette of natural dyes includes cochineal (probably mostly from a local species native to central Asia) for red, larkspur (Delphinium semibarbatum) for yellow, and indigo for blue as the main dye sources. In some of the textiles, madder (Rubia tinctorum) for red and pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) for yellow were also detected as minor components mixed with cochineal and larkspur, respectively. Synthetic dyes, such as scarlet reds (C.I. 16150 and 16155), rose bengale (C.I. 45435), eosin (C.I. 45380), erythrosine (C.I. 45430), fuchsin (C.I. 42510/42520), methyl violet (C.I. 42535/42555), malachite green (C.I. 42000) and brilliant green (C.I. 42040) were detected in eight textiles. In three textiles, natural dyes were identified in the ikat-dyed silk warp threads and synthetic dyes in the red cotton weft threads, highlighting interesting mixtures of materials and textile-making practices. Natural yellow dyes were used in all textiles, even those for which all the other colours are synthetic. These results provide significant new information about the changes in ikat production that occurred during the 19th century in Central Asia
Mathematical examiners at Trinity House: teaching and examining mathematics for navigation in London during the long eighteenth century
No full textThe early years of the Royal Mathematical School (f. 1673), and its relationship with
Trinity House, have been explored in relation to the teaching and examining of
mathematics for navigation. However, there has been confusion over who carried out
the examinations and little or no consideration of the role of the examiner. This
chapter shows how and when external mathematical examiners came to be employed
by Trinity House and tracks the lives and careers of the men who applied for and took
on the position in the long eighteenth century. As typical of mathematical
practitioners, they built their careers from a range of activities: most were private
teachers, several were authors, some had been mariners, while others were computers
or astronomical observers. They include individuals who will be well known to
historians of science and mathematics, and others who are obscure. Of varying social
status, it is difficult to chart clear patterns of change over time but some are
suggested, as are reasons for their decisions to take on the role, revealing networks of
patronage, kinship, and association among mathematical practitioners in early modern
London
Milton’s Sonnet XIV and the poetry of George Thomason
No full textIt has long been recognised that Thomason was well connected, and that his friends included men like John Milton. This essay uses the sonnet that Milton wrote in honour of Thomason’s wife as the springboard for a discussion of a neglected aspect of the Thomason tracts: its poetry. It thus reflects on the fact that Thomason was not just interested in news and polemical pamphleteering, but also preserved a vital body of contemporary verse, in both print and manuscript. This dimension of his collecting highlights that topicality, rather than content, genre or format was central to the process by which he sought to document the tumultuous times through which he lived, and this chapter demonstrates the vital importance that Thomason’s collection has for comprehending English literature during the mid-seventeenth century
Fungal symbiont diversity drives growth of Holcus lanatus depending on soil nutrient availability.
No full textRead the free for this article on the Journal blog
The seed germination spectrum of 486 plant species: A global meta-regression and phylogenetic pattern in relation to temperature and water potential.
No full textOrphan crops of archaeology‐based crop history research.
No full textL'agrobiodiversité est un puissant levier d'action de l'agriculture durable à l'échelle mondiale. La culture, la conservation et la réintroduction de diverses espèces végétales, y compris les cultures ‘oubliées’ et ‘sous‐utilisées’, contribuent à l'agrobiodiversité mondiale, aux écosystèmes vivants et à la production alimentaire durable. Ces actions bénéficient des connaissances traditionnelles et historiques des trajectoires évolutives et culturelles des plantes cultivées. Cette étude représente une première tentative de mesure systématique de la représentativité des espèces dans les études des restes archéologiques de plantes. Les résultats indiquent que, en plus des sources de biais méthodologiques spécifiques à la discipline, les biais agricoles modernes peuvent se répliquer dans la recherche sur l'histoire des cultures et influencer la compréhension des ‘cultures oubliées’. Reconnaître ces biais est un premier pas vers leur rectification et la promotion de l'agrobiodiversité dans la recherche et les applications pratiques.
La agrobiodiversidad es esencial para la agricultura sostenible en todo el mundo. El cultivo, la conservación y la reintroducción de especies vegetales diversas, incluyendo cultivos ‘olvidados’ o ‘infrautilizados’, contribuye a la agrobiodiversidad global, a los ecosistemas vivos y a la producción sostenible de alimentos. Estos esfuerzos se benefician del conocimiento tradicional e histórico sobre la trayectoria evolutiva y cultural de las plantas cultivadas. Este estudio supone un primer esfuerzo de evaluación sistemática de la representatividad de los restos vegetales de origen arqueológico. Los resultados indican que, además de los sesgos específicos de cada metodología, los sesgos propios de la agricultura moderna pueden estar replicándose en la investigación sobre la historia de los cultivos e influencian el conocimiento sobre los ‘cultivos olvidados’. Reconocer estos sesgos es un primer paso para rectificarlos y promover la agrobiodiversidad tanto en la investigación como en sus aplicaciones prácticas.
Nekazaritza‐biodibertsitatea ezinbestekoa da mundu osoan nekazaritza jasangarrirako. Landare‐espezie anitzen laborantza, kontserbazioa eta birsartzeak, ‘ahaztutako’ edo ‘gutxiegi erabilitako’ laboreak barne, mundu mailako nekazaritza‐biodibertsitateari, ekosistema biziei eta elikagaien ekoizpen iraunkorrari laguntzen die. Ahalegin horiek laborantza landareen bilakaera eta kultura‐ibilbideari buruzko ezagutza tradizional eta historikoei etekina ateratzen diete. Ikerkuntza honek jatorri arkeologikoko landare‐aztarnen adierazgarritasuna sistematikoki ebaluatzeko lehen ahalegina da. Emaitzek adierazten dute, metodologia bakoitzaren zeihartasun espezifikoez gain, nekazaritza modernoaren ohiko zeihartasunak laboreen historiari buruzko ikerketetan errepikatu daitezkeela eta ‘ahaztutako laboreei’ buruzko ezagutzan eragina izan dezaketela. Zeihartasun horiek aintzat hartzea da lehen urratsa horiek zuzentzeko eta nekazaritza‐biodibertsitatea sustatzeko bai ikerketan, bai bere aplikazio praktikoetan.
La biodiversità in campo agronomico sta alla base di una agricoltura sostenibile a livello mondiale. La coltivazione, la conservazione e, nel caso, la reintroduzione di diversificate specie vegetali, comprese le colture “dimenticate” o “sottoutilizzate”, sono azioni che contribuiscono all'agrobiodiversità globale, al benessere degli ecosistemi e a una produzione alimentare sostenibile. Queste pratiche traggono beneficio dalla conoscenza delle fonti etnobotaniche e storiche nei percorsi evolutivi e culturali delle piante utilizzate e coltivate dall'uomo. La presente sintesi è un primo tentativo di misurare in maniera sistematica la rappresentatività delle diverse specie alimentari nei lavori di carattere archeobotanico. I risultati indicano che oltre alle problematiche metodologiche tipiche della disciplina, i pregiudizi dell'agricoltura moderna possono influenzare la ricerca sulla storia delle piante alimentari, quindi anche quella delle “colture dimenticate”. Riconoscere che questi pregiudizi esistono è un primo passo verso la loro correzione e sarà utile per promuovere sia la ricerca che azioni concrete sul tema dell'agrobiodiversità.
Ագրոկենսաբազմազանությունն ամբողջ աշխարհում առանցքային նշանակություն ունի կայուն գյուղատնտեսության համար: Բույսերի բազմազան տեսակների, ներառյալ «մոռացված» և «թերօգտագործված» մշակաբույսերի մշակությունը, պահպանությունը և վերաներառումը նպաստում են գլոբալ ագրոկենսաբազմազանությանը, կենդանի էկոհամակարգերին և սննդի կայուն արտադրությանը: Այդ ուղղությամբ աշխատանքների համար կարևոր են մշակաբույսերի էվոլյուցիոն և մշակութային ոլորտներին առնչվող ավանդական և պատմական գիտելիքները: Այս ամփոփիչ աշխատությունը հնագիտական բույսերի մնացորդների ուսումնասիրություններում տեսակների ներկայացուցչականությունը համակարգված չափելու առաջին փորձն է: Արդյունքները ցույց են տալիս, որ, ի լրումն շեղումների այս գիտաճյուղին հատուկ մեթոդաբանական աղբյուրների, ժամանակակից գյուղատնտեսական շեղումները կարող են ընդօրինակվել մշակաբույսերի պատմության հետազոտություններում և ազդել «մոռացված մշակաբույսերը» հասկանալու վրա: Այս շեղումների ճանաչումը սկզբնական քայլ է դրանք շտկելու և ագրոկենսաբազմազանությունը խթանելու ուղղությամբ՝ թե՛ հետազոտական, թե՛ գործնական կիրառություններում:
உலகளவில் நிலையான வேளாண்மைக்கு பயிர் பல்வகைமை மையமானது. 'மறந்துபோன' மற்றும் 'பயன்படுத்தப்படாத' பயிர்கள் உட்பட பல்வேறு தாவர இனங்களைப் பயிரிடுதல், பாதுகாத்தல் மற்றும் மறு அறிமுகம் செய்தல், உலகளாவிய வேளாண் பல்லுயிர், வாழ்க்கை சூழல் அமைப்புகள் மற்றும் நிலையான உணவு உற்பத்திக்கு பங்களிக்கிறது. பாரம்பரிய மற்றும் வரலாற்று அறிவால் வழங்கப்படும் பரிணாம மற்றும் கலாச்சாரத் தகவல்கள் இத்தகைய முயற்சிகளுக்கு பயனாக உள்ளன. இந்த மதிப்பாய்வு, தொல்பொருள் தாவர எச்சங்கள் பற்றிய ஆய்வுகளில் உயிரினங்களின் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை முறையாக அளவிடுவதற்கான முதல் முயற்சியாகும். ஒழுக்கம் சார்ந்த வழிமுறைப் பாரபட்சங்கள் உட்பட, நவீன விவசாய சார்புகள் 'மறக்கப்பட்ட பயிர்கள்' பற்றிய புரிதலில் தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடும் என்று இவ்வாய்வின் முடிவுகள் குறிப்பிடுகின்றன. இந்தச் சார்புகளை அடையாளம் காண்பது, அவற்றைச் சரிசெய்வதற்கும், ஆராய்ச்சி மற்றும் நடைமுறைப் பயன்பாடுகள் இரண்டிலும் வேளாண் பல்லுயிர்ப் பெருக்கத்தை மேம்படுத்துவதற்குமான ஆரம்பப் படியாகும்.
Tarımsal biyoçeşitlilik dünya çapında sürdürülebilir tarımın merkezinde yer almaktadır. 'Unutulmuş' ve 'yeterince kullanılmayan' ürünler de dahil olmak üzere çeşitli bitki türlerinin yetiştirilmesi, korunması ve yeniden üretilmesi küresel agrobiyolojik çeşitliliğe, canlı ekosistemlere ve sürdürülebilir gıda üretimine katkıda bulunur. Bu tür çabalar, mahsul bitkilerinin evrimsel ve kültürel yörüngelerine ilişkin geleneksel ve tarihsel bilgilerden faydalanmaktadır. Bu derleme, arkeolojik bitki kalıntıları üzerine yapılan çalışmalarda tür temsiliyetinin sistematik olarak ölçülmesine yönelik ilk girişimdir. Sonuçlar, disipline özgü metodolojik önyargı kaynaklarına ek olarak, modern tarımsal önyargıların kendilerini bitki tarihi araştırmalarında tekrarlayabileceğini ve 'unutulmuş mahsullerin' anlaşılmasını etkileyebileceğini göstermektedir. Bu önyargıları tanımak, bunları düzeltmeye ve hem araştırma hem de pratik uygulamalarda tarımsal biyoçeşitliliği teşvik etmeye yönelik bir ilk adımdır.
המגוון הביולוגי בחקלאות (המגוון האגרוביולוגי) הוא בעל חשיבות מרכזית עבור קיומה של חקלאות ברת‐קיימא ברחבי העולם. טיפוח, שימור והשבה של מיני צמחים תורם לשיפור המגוון האגרוביולוגי העולמי, התפקוד של מערכות אקולוגיות והייצור של מזון בר‐קיימא. מינים אלו כוללים גידולים "נשכחים" ו"לא מנוצלים" – כאלו שהיו בשימוש בעבר אולם גידולם החקלאי נזנח או הצטמצם באופן משמעותי במהלך ההיסטוריה. מאמצים לטיפוח, שימור והשבת מינים לחקלאות נעזרים במידע מסורתי והיסטורי אודות המסלולים האבולוציוניים והתרבותיים של צמחי התרבות בעבר. מאמר זה סוקר באופן שיטתי את הייצוג של גידולים חקלאיים מגוונים במחקרים על שרידי צמחים בממצא הארכיאולוגי. בנוסף לאבחון הטיות מתודולוגיות, התוצאות מצביעות על כך שהטיות במבחר המינים בחקלאות המודרנית עשויות לשכפל את עצמן במבחר המינים שזכו לחקר גידולי התרבות בעבר ולהשפיע על ההבנות שלנו אודות "גידולים נשכחים". הכרה בקיומן של מכשולים אלו היא צעד ראשוני לתיקונן, ובעקבות כך לקידום מגוון אגרוביולוגי הן במחקר והן ביישומים מעשיים.
A agrobiodiversidade é essencial para uma agricultura sustentável a nível mundial. O cultivo, conservação e reintrodução de diversas espécies vegetais, incluindo culturas “esquecidas” ou “subutilizadas”, contribuem para a agrobiodiversidade global, para os ecossistemas vivos e para uma produção alimentar sustentável. Estes esforços beneficiam dos conhecimentos tradicionais e históricos sobre a trajetória evolutiva e cultural das plantas cultivadas. A presente revisão constitui um primeiro esforço para avaliar sistematicamente a representatividade de espécies concretas em estudos de restos vegetais arqueológicos. Os resultados indicam que, para além dos enviesamentos metodológicos inerentes à disciplina, vieses próprios da agricultura moderna podem estar a reproduzir‐se na investigação sobre a história das culturas e a influenciar o estudo das “culturas esquecidas”. O reconhecimento destes preconceitos é um primeiro passo para os retificar e promover a agrobiodiversidade, tanto na investigação como nas suas aplicações práticas
The genome of the black-footed cat: Revealing a rich natural history and urgent conservation priorities for small felids
No full textHabitat degradation and loss of genetic diversity are common threats faced by almost all of today’s wild cats. Big cats, such as tigers and lions, are of great concern and have received considerable conservation attention through policies and international actions. However, knowledge of and conservation actions for small wild cats are lagging considerably behind. The black-footed cat, , one of the smallest felid species, is experiencing increasing threats with a rapid reduction in population size. However, there is a lack of genetic information to assist in developing effective conservation actions. A de novo assembly of a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of the black-footed cat was made, and comparative genomics and population genomics analyses were carried out. These analyses revealed that the most significant genetic changes in the evolution of the black-footed cat are the rapid evolution of sensory and metabolic-related genes, reflecting genetic adaptations to its characteristic nocturnal hunting and a high metabolic rate. Genomes of the black-footed cat exhibit a high level of inbreeding, especially for signals of recent inbreeding events, which suggest that they may have experienced severe genetic isolation caused by habitat fragmentation. More importantly, inbreeding associated with two deleterious mutated genes may exacerbate the risk of amyloidosis, the dominant disease that causes mortality of about 70% of captive individuals. Our research provides comprehensive documentation of the evolutionary history of the black-footed cat and suggests that there is an urgent need to investigate genomic variations of small felids worldwide to support effective conservation actions
The Politics and Meaning of Thomason’s Tracts
No full textThis article takes as its starting point the reputation of Thomason's collection as royalist in orientation. It examines whether Thomason’s collection reflects 1640s and 1650s press output more broadly - offering a quantitative account of this - and whether the items he chose to purchase, and those he did not, reveal anything about his own political persuasions. As such, it reflects not just upon the scale and completeness of the Thomason tracts, but also upon the thinking involved in its development and preservation, and in exploring the complex political identities of both the collection and its collector it highlights the need to scrutinse very carefully the rhetoric that was used by Thomason and others
Reflections on Rising Tide
No full textIn August 2023 Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania opened at the National Museum of Scotland. Here, members of the exhibition team consider how the design and build of the exhibition reflect its core themes, the Museum’s commitment to sustainability and how working with communities in the construction of exhibitions can help engage people in environmental issues