Lineage replacement and evolution captured by the United Kingdom Covid Infection Survey

The Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey is a large household-based surveillance study based in the United Kingdom. Here, we report on the epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 determined by analysing sequenced samples collected up until 13th November 2021. We observed four distinct sweeps or partial-sweeps, by lineages B.1.177, B.1.1.7/Alpha, B.1.617.2/Delta, and finally AY.4.2, a sublineage of B.1.617.2, with each sweeping lineage having a distinct growth advantage compared to their predecessors. Evolution was characterised by steady rates of evolution and increasing diversity within lineages, but with step increases in divergence associated with each sweeping major lineage, leading to a faster overall rate of evolution and fluctuating levels of diversity. These observations highlight the value of viral sequencing integrated into community surveillance studies to monitor the viral epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, and potentially other pathogens, particularly as routine PCR testing is phased out or in settings where large-scale sequencing is not feasible.

Exploring Blue- and White-Collar Employees' Well-Being at Work System

The aim of this study was to examine occupational group-related differences in well-being at work (WBW) indicators ranging from real accidents, absences and retirement to experienced pleasure at work. Occupational group included two categories: blue- and white-collar employees. The study is based on analysing national statistics or ones of various industrial sectors (Study 1), or bases on findings of questionnaires in Finnish case companies (N=7) (Studies 2 and 3). WBW questionnaires answered by 3500 employees. Analysis utilised data that employees of two occupational groups, or company and national statistics revealed about WBW. Analysis was based on factors related to employee, task, tool, organisation and work environment (traditional work system (WS)), psychosocial factors, and information and communication within WS. The biggest and statistically significant differences were emphasised in results and discussion. Although two groups' roles and tasks provide reasons for many differences, the ones should be measured, thoroughly discussed and consciously managed.

Colombian economy to moderate after impressive rebound

Significance The OECD similarly raised its forecast for Colombia this month to 9.5%, from 7.6% previously. The optimism follows impressive growth of 17.6% and 13.2% year-on-year in the second and third quarters, according to national statistics agency DANE, as the economy emerges from the paralysis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacts The banking sector has proven resilient during the pandemic; solvency risks will remain low and no recapitalisation needs are expected. Additional social, health and education spending will be needed to reverse a sharp increase in the poverty rate, now 43%. Security problems will continue to threaten Colombia’s social and economic development. Congress will remain fragmented after the March legislative elections, making consensus-building crucial to the passing of legislation.

The Shared Economy

The theory of marginal utility describes how consumers choose between goods. However, marginal utility has also found application in a wide range of weightier subjects. For example, marginal utility can be used in the allocation of resources in healthcare programmes. This paper posits that marginal utility is also applicable in the allocation of the national income among corporations, government, and households. Using data from the UK Office for National Statistics, this paper finds that for the most part of the decade, from 2009 to 2018, household disposable income fell short of what might be considered an optimal share of the national income.

Extended Supply-Use Tables

The statistical challenges of globalization are profound. We cannot rely solely on national statistics to understand how economies work and how to create industrial policies focusing on competitiveness. It is necessary to see the whole. National statistics build pictures based on relationships between producers and consumers and the rest of the world. But these relationships, especially those with the rest of the world, have become increasingly more complex. There is an increasing need to consider global production within a global accounting framework. This implies a departure from the traditional role of international organizations as compilers of internationally comparable national statistics to bring together the national tables to create a global table.

Extended Supply-Use Tables

The statistical challenges of globalization are profound. We cannot rely solely on national statistics to understand how economies work and how to create industrial policies focusing on competitiveness. It is necessary to see the whole. National statistics build pictures based on relationships between producers and consumers and the rest of the world. But these relationships, especially those with the rest of the world, have become increasingly more complex. There is an increasing need to consider global production within a global accounting framework. This implies a departure from the traditional role of international organizations as compilers of internationally comparable national statistics to bring together the national tables to create a global table.

The Internal Demand of Cultural Tourism: Understanding Satisfaction and Fidelity to Destination in Spain through a Non-Linear Structural Model

The new habits of tourist consumption favor the rise of cultural tourism, either as the primary or complementary offer of a destination. Therefore, it is necessary to deepen the study of the behavior of cultural tourism demand. This research aims to develop a structural model that allows measuring the main variables that affect the satisfaction and loyalty of the internal demand of the cultural tourist to a heritage destination. The results are helpful for the design of tourism management. The hypotheses posited have been tested using non-linear structural equations (SEM), estimated with data from the National Statistics Institute on internal demand for cultural tourism in Spain (n = 18,024). The results confirm the importance of socio-cultural variables and the tourist’s experience on fidelity to the visited destination. Furthermore, the negative relationship between the repetition of the visit and satisfaction is striking.

Changing the landscape of stroke in Egypt

Egypt, a low–middle-income country, is the most populated nation in the Middle East. In Egypt, the overall crude prevalence rate of stroke is high (963/100,000 inhabitants), and the incidence of stroke annually is approximately 150 000 to 210 000. The official national statistics indicate that diseases of the circulatory system, including stroke, are the primary cause of death in Egypt, where stroke accounts for 6.4% of all deaths and ranks third after cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. Although the number of deaths attributed to stroke have declined in many countries, in Egypt, it was relatively unchanged in the past 10 years.

Mapping accessibility in Norway – a Method to Register and Survey the Status of Accessibility in urban areas and recreational areas

The Norwegian mapping authority has developed a standard method for mapping accessibility mostly for people with limited or no walking abilities in urban and recreational areas. We choose an object-orientated approach where points, lines and polygons represents objects in the environment. All data are stored in a geospatial database, so they can be presented as web map and analysed using GIS software. By the end of 2020, more than 230 out of 356 municipalities are mapped using that method. The aim of this project is to establish a national standard for mapping of accessibility and to provide a geodatabase that shows the status of accessibility throughout Norway. The data provide a useful tool for national statistics, local planning authorities and private users. The results show that accessibility is still low and Norway still faces many challenges to meet the government’s goals for Universal Design.