Climate causes shifts in grey seal phenology by modifying age structure.

There are numerous examples of phenological shifts that are recognized both as indicators of climate change and drivers of ecosystem change. A pressing challenge is to understand the causal mechanisms by which climate affects phenology. We combined annual population census data and individual longitudinal data (1992-2018) on grey seals, , to quantify the relationship between pupping season phenology and sea surface temperature.

Census data aggregation decisions can affect population-level inference in heterogeneous populations.

Conservation and population management decisions often rely on population models parameterized using census data. However, the sampling regime, precision, sample size, and methods used to collect census data are usually heterogeneous in time and space. Decisions about how to derive population-wide estimates from this patchwork of data are complicated and may bias estimated population dynamics, with important implications for subsequent management decisions.

Descriptive survey of non-commercial randomised controlled trials in the United Kingdom, 1980-2002.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of randomised controlled trials supported by the main non-commercial sources of funding in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 2002.

Design: Descriptive survey.

Setting: Randomised controlled trials funded by the Medical Research Council, NHS research and development programme, Department of Health, Chief Scientist Office in Scotland, and medical research charities.