Improving transparency in data access processes: Developing best practice standards and promoting system-wide change through a competitive funding call

Introduction Transparency in the use of data for research benefits the public and researchers by fostering trust and enabling efficient data sharing. Public support for access to their data for research depends on robust data security, the absence of conflicting interests, and a clear demonstration of public benefit, all of which must be evident through transparent practices. A lack of clarity in data access processes can delay research, highlighting the need for clear and streamlined approval procedures. To maintain what is often referred to as a `social license to operate', organisations must meet and uphold societal expectations, with transparency being a key dimension of that responsibility. Objective To develop and foster adoption of a set of transparency standards for the data science community, supporting trustworthy and streamlined data use for health and socio-economic research and planning. Methods A multi-stakeholder deliberation was undertaken, informed by two reviews of existing data access procedures across participating organisations. Stakeholders included healthcare and research organisations, data custodians, regulators, industry representatives, academic experts, and members of the public. Results The review and deliberation identified missed opportunities to inform and involve the public in data access procedures, along with inconsistencies in data access processes and supporting materials across the organisations. In response, we developed the Transparency Standards, comprising 28 recommended actions grouped into four themes: provision of clear data access guidance; clear website navigation designed to meet the needs of public and research users; regular review and iterative improvement of processes; and reporting of data access outcomes and information security findings. A targeted funding call facilitated the adoption of standards in 19 organisations, resulting in reusable transparency materials and transferable knowledge to support wider implementation. Conclusion The Transparency Standards support data custodians in strengthening openness and accountability in data access processes, helping to build public trust while simplifying procedures for researchers. Their broad adoption demonstrates a shared commitment to the ethical use of data. However, varying levels of implementation point to the need for continued investment to sustain progress and respond to public and researcher expectations

Estimating Grizzly and Black Bear Population Abundance and Trend in Banff National Park Using Noninvasive Genetic Sampling

We evaluated the potential of two noninvasive genetic sampling methods, hair traps and bear rub surveys, to estimate population abundance and trend of grizzly (Ursus arctos) and black bear (U. americanus) populations in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Using Huggins closed population mark-recapture models, we obtained the first precise abundance estimates for grizzly bears ( = 73.5, 95% CI = 64–94 in 2006;  = 50.4, 95% CI = 49–59 in 2008) and black bears ( = 62.6, 95% CI = 51–89 in 2006;  = 81.8, 95% CI = 72–102 in 2008) in the Bow Valley. Hair traps had high detection rates for female grizzlies, and male and female black bears, but extremely low detection rates for male grizzlies. Conversely, bear rubs had high detection rates for male and female grizzlies, but low rates for black bears. We estimated realized population growth rates, lambda, for grizzly bear males ( = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.74–1.17) and females ( = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.67–1.20) using Pradel open population models with three years of bear rub data. Lambda estimates are supported by abundance estimates from combined hair trap/bear rub closed population models and are consistent with a system that is likely driven by high levels of human-caused mortality. Our results suggest that bear rub surveys would provide an efficient and powerful means to inventory and monitor grizzly bear populations in the Central Canadian Rocky Mountains

Multiple Invasions into Freshwater by Pufferfishes (Teleostei: Tetraodontidae): A Mitogenomic Perspective

Pufferfishes of the Family Tetraodontidae are the most speciose group in the Order Tetraodontiformes and mainly inhabit coastal waters along continents. Although no members of other tetraodontiform families have fully discarded their marine lives, approximately 30 tetraodontid species spend their entire lives in freshwaters in disjunct tropical regions of South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. To investigate the interrelationships of tetraodontid pufferfishes and thereby elucidate the evolutionary origins of their freshwater habitats, we performed phylogenetic analysis based on whole mitochondrial genome sequences from 50 tetraodontid species and closely related species (including 31 newly determined sequences). The resulting phylogenies reveal that the family is composed of four major lineages and that freshwater species from the different continents are independently nested in two of the four lineages. A monophyletic origin of the use of freshwater habitats was statistically rejected, and ancestral habitat reconstruction on the resulting tree demonstrates that tetraodontids independently entered freshwater habitats in different continents at least three times. Relaxed molecular-clock Bayesian divergence time estimation suggests that the timing of these invasions differs between continents, occurring at 0–10 million years ago (MA) in South America, 17–38 MA in Central Africa, and 48–78 MA in Southeast Asia. These timings are congruent with geological events that could facilitate adaptation to freshwater habitats in each continent

Extension of the storage life of plums (Prunus salicina) using controlled atmosphere shipping

The original publication is available at http://www.actahort.org/books/682/682_225.htmSouth Africa is an important supplier of stone fruit to the northern hemisphere in the months of November to March. The voyage by sea to the main markets in the UK and Continental Europe necessitates production of cultivars that are able to maintain an acceptable eating quality for a period of at least four weeks from the time of harvest. Four Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) cultivars were examined with the view to extend their storage life under regular atmosphere (RA) conditions at -0.5°C following either RA or controlled atmosphere (CA) shipping, using either the commercial dual temperature (-0.5°C, 7.5°C, -0.5°C) or a single high temperature (7.5°C) regime. The cultivars included the locally bred ‘Sapphire’, ‘Songold’ and ‘Laetitia’ as well as ‘Angeleno’ which is well known in plum producing countries internationally. Storage life of all four cultivars could be extended for an additional two to three weeks under RA conditions at -0.5°C without adverse effects on quality, provided that CA was applied during the shipping phase, either under the dual or single high temperature regimes. Fruit firmness was best retained under CA (dual temperature) conditions. These fruit also showed the lowest respiration rates, ethylene production rates and internal ethylene content. Skin colour development was better under single high than under dual temperature conditions, and also better under RA than CA shipping

Novel electronic devices incorporating Langmuir-Blodgett films

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