The Human Lung Cell Atlas: A High-Resolution Reference Map of the Human Lung in Health and Disease.

Lung disease accounts for every sixth death globally. Profiling the molecular state of all lung cell types in health and disease is currently revolutionizing the identification of disease mechanisms and will aid the design of novel diagnostic and personalized therapeutic regimens. Recent progress in high-throughput techniques for single-cell genomic and transcriptomic analyses has opened up new possibilities to study individual cells within a tissue, classify these into cell types, and characterize variations in their molecular profiles as a function of genetics, environment, cell-cell interactions, developmental processes, aging, or disease. Integration of these cell state definitions with spatial information allows the in-depth molecular description of cellular neighborhoods and tissue microenvironments, including the tissue resident structural and immune cells, the tissue matrix, and the microbiome. The Human Cell Atlas consortium aims to characterize all cells in the healthy human body and has prioritized lung tissue as one of the flagship projects. Here, we present the rationale, the approach, and the expected impact of a Human Lung Cell Atlas.Supported by the Helmholtz Association and the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (H.B.S.); the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement 753039 (L.M.S.); U.K. Medical Research Council grant G0900424 (E.L.R.); National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants ES013995, HL071643, and AG049665, and Veterans Administration grant BX000201 and Department of Defense grant PR141319 (G.R.S.B.); NIH grants HL135124 and AI135964 and Department of Defense grant PR141319 (A.V.M.); NIH grants R01HL141852, R01HL127349, UHHL3123886, U01HL122626, and UG3TR002445, and Department of Defence grant PR151124 (N.K.); and the Netherlands Lung Foundation grants 5.1.14.020 and 4.1.18.226 (M.C.N.)

Efficiency of insurance companies: Application of DEA and Tobit analyses

The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between technical efficiency and profitability of insurance companies. The profitability of insurance companies was expressed by such indicators as ROA, ROE and the size of assets. We analysed 15 commercial insurance companies in Slovakia in the period of 2013-2015. Technical efficiency scores were expressed using DEA models. The relationship between the technical efficiency score and the indicators of profitability was expressed using censored regression, i.e. the Tobit regression model and the Mann-Whitney U-test. The relationship between the technical efficiency score in the CCR and BCC models and all the groups formed on the basis of the return on assets and the group formed basing on the return on equity was not confirmed. Statistically significant difference between average technical efficiency score in the CCR model in the group of insurance companies with RO

JAV lietuvių ekonominio potencialo telkimas 1930 metais

A part of US Lithuanian merchants intended and some of them (V. M. Stulpinas, J. J. Romanas, J. Ambraziejus, J. Rakštis and others) made attempts to create business relations with Lithuanian manufacturers. Lithuanian representatives made attempts, especially in the crisis years of 1929 – 1932, to use the US Lithuanian market for sales of Lithuanian goods. In the thirties several small US Lithuanians businessmen’s import organizations emerged in Chicago and New York. However, they failed to become intermediaries between Lithuanian manufacturers and the market of US Lithuanians, since they lacked capacities to amass significant capital for large orders of Lithuanian goods. In addition, the enthusiasm of US Lithuanian merchants was inhibited both by little interest in the US market, taken by Lithuanian manufacturers and the fact that Lithuanian goods were not suited for the US market. The profits were reduced by the huge distance and the big prices of Lithuanian products, desired by Lithuanian manufacturers. The business relations between the US Lithuanian businessmen and Lithuanian manufacturers (weak as they were) were a certain preparatory work for broader activities, however, WWII and its consequences completely put to rest the start of business relations

Approach to Reduction of Socioeconomic Inequality: Decrease of Vulnerability and Strengthening Resilience

The paper analyses the issue of socioeconomic vulnerability by applying th e concept of strengthening resilience of an individual, society and country to socioeconomic inequality reduction. Traditionally, the concept of vulnerability describes the exposure to risk and risk management including insurance against shocks and threats. However, this paper presents a new approach in which the issue of socioeconomic inequality is addressed not by applying traditional social policy measures, but by strengthening individual and societal resilience: by shaping an educated society characterised by high level of culture and morality and based on solidarity; reducing social tensions; fostering a happy individual who perceives the meaning and fullness of life and is involved in the creation of socioeconomic life. The purpose of the paper is to justify the development of inclusive society and reduction of socioeconomic inequality through examination of socioeconomic vulnerability factors and strengthening of individual and societal resilience. This paper presents the key results of a subjective study which we carried out in January – February 2016

Savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio formos nevyriausybinėse organizacijose, poveikis studentų gyvenimo kokybei

Straipsnio tikslas - ištirti savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio formos nevyriausybinėse organizacijose poveikį studentų gyvenimo kokybei. Straipsnyje išanalizuota savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio praleidimo formos, sąvoka; nurodyta nevyriausybinių organizacijų svarba savanorystei; plačiau aptarta gyvenimo kokybės samprata: nustatyta savanorystės įtaka studentų gyvenimo kokybei. Atlikus tyrimą nustatyta, kad savanorystė - tai laisvalaikio forma, kadangi tai ne privaloma, o savo noru pasirenkama veikla. Tai tiesiog smagus arba itin reikšmingas žmogaus gyvenimo galimybių laikotarpis. Savanoriaudamas žmogus išnaudoja savo teisę į laisvę, pažinimą ir patirtį. Tai nėra paprasta veikla, jos metu žmonėms suteikiamos galimybės realizuoti save - pomėgius, norus, atrasti socialines ir politines vertybes. Savanorystė dažniausiai vykdoma tam tikroje organizacijoje. Nevyriausybinės organizacijos padeda jauniems žmonėms įsitraukti į visuomeninę veiklą, skatinu juos tobulėti įgyjant naujų žinių ir įgūdžių. Nevyriausybinių organizacijų suteikiama vertė yra nematerialioji - tai kultūrinė, šviečiamoji, neformaliojo švietimo vertė, pilietinių vertybių ugdymas. Iki 1990-ųjų gyvenimo kokybė buvo vertinama atsižvelgiant į socialinius - ekonominius aspektus. Nuo 1990-ųjų pradėta skirti dėmesį individo materialiai gerovei, subjektyviam realybės vertinimui ir pasitenkinimui gyvenimu. Gyvenimo kokybė vertinama atsižvelgiant į objektyvius kriterijus, subjektyvų fizinės, materialinės, socialinės, emocinės gerovės vertinimą, asmeninį tobulėjimą ir užsiėmimą kryptinga veikla. Savanorystė suteikia jauniems žmonėms emocinę, socialinę gerovę, kuri atsiskleidžia per pasitikėjimą savimi, didesnę motyvaciją, gebėjimą valdyti stresą, naujas pažintis, draugus, kitų kultūrų pažinimą. Savanorystė padeda asmeniui tobulėti - savanoriaujant įgyjama bendravimo, komandinio darbo, socialinių / tarpasmeninių įgūdžių. Savanorystė turi teigiamą įtaką savanorių sveikatai - ji gerina fizinę ir dvasinę būklę. Visi išvardyti veiksniai užtikrina pasitenkinimą gyvenimu bei patvirtina, kad savanorystė turi teigiamą įtaką studentų gyvenimo kokybei.The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of volunteering as a form of leisure on students’ life quality. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives have been set: to analyse volunteering as a form of leisure; to define the significance of non-governmental organisations to volunteering; to detail the concept of life quality; to establish the impact of volunteering to students’ life quality. Having performed the research, it was established that volunteering provides young people with emotional benefits, social welfare, which manifests in self-confidence, increased motivation, stress control independence, new acquaintances, friends and awareness of new cultures. It also contributes to personal development as communicative, teamwork social/interpersonal skills are acquired. Volunteering has a positive impact on volunteers’ health as it improves physical and mental state. The named factors, taken altogether, guarantee satisfaction of life and evidence thd volunteering has a positive impact on students’ life quality

Savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio formos nevyriausybinėse organizacijose, poveikis studentų gyvenimo kokybei

Straipsnio tikslas - ištirti savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio formos nevyriausybinėse organizacijose, poveikį studentų gyvenimo kokybei. Straipsnyje išanalizuota savanorystės, kaip laisvalaikio praleidimo formos, sąvoka; nurodyta nevyriausybinių organizacijų svarba savanorystei; plačiau aptarta gyvenimo kokybės samprata; nustatyta savanorystės įtaka studentų gyvenimo kokybei. Atlikus tyrimą nustatyta, kad savanorystė - tai laisvalaikio forma, kadangi tai ne privaloma, o savo noru pasirenkama veikla. Tai tiesiog smagus arba itin reikšmingas žmogaus gyvenimo galimybių laikotarpis. Savanoriaudamas žmogus išnaudoja savo teisę į laisvę, pažinimą ir patirtį. Tai nėra paprasta veikla, jos metu žmonėms suteikiamos galimybės realizuoti save - pomėgius, norus, atrasti socialines ir politines vertybes. Savanorystė dažniausiai vykdoma tam tikroje organizacijoje. Nevyriausybinės organizacijos padeda jauniems žmonėms įsitraukti į visuomeninę veiklą, skatina juos tobulėti įgyjant naujų žinių ir įgūdžių. Nevyriausybinių organizacijų suteikiama vertė yra nematerialioji - tai kultūrinė, šviečiamoji, neformaliojo švietimo vertė, pilietinių vertybių ugdymas. Iki 1990-ųjų gyvenimo kokybė buvo vertinama atsižvelgiant į socialinius-ekonominius aspektus. Nuo 1990-ųjų pradėta skirti dėmesį individo materialiai gerovei, subjektyviam realybės vertinimui ir pasitenkinimui gyvenimu. Gyvenimo kokybė vertinama atsižvelgiant į objektyvius kriterijus, subjektyvų fizinės, materialinės, socialinės, emocinės gerovės vertinimą, asmeninį tobulėjimą ir užsiėmimą kryptinga veikla. Savanorystė suteikia jauniems žmonėms emocinę, socialinę gerovę, kuri atsiskleidžia per pasitikėjimą savimi, didesnę motyvaciją, gebėjimą valdyti stresą, naujas pažintis, draugus, kitų kultūrų pažinimą. [...]The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of volunteering as a form of leisure on students' life quality. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives have been set: to analyse volunteering as a form of leisure; to define the significance of non-governmental organisations to volunteering; to detail the concept of life quality; to establish the impact of volunteering to students' life quality. Having performed the research, it was established that volunteering provides young people with emotional benefits, social welfare, which manifests in self-confidence, increased motivation, stress control, independence, new acquaintances, friends and awareness of new cultures. It also contributes to personal development as communicative, teamwork, social/interpersonal skills are acquired. Volunteering has a positive impact on volunteers' health as it improves physical and mental state. The named factors, taken altogether, guarantee satisfaction of life and evidence that volunteering has a positive impact on students' life qualityEkonomikos ir vadybos fakultetasKauno technologijos universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Theoretical and practical fundamentals of scientific and educational projects: a case of Ukraine

Development of educational and scientific spheres in general and project activity of universities in particular, acquire foreground importance in the modern world. In the article approaches to rendering a term “project” and its basic characteristics are analyzed. Scientific and educational projects are a special type: although they represent a subsidiary activity, they are vital to the image, rankings, prosperity and at some point to competitiveness. The major funding opportunities for scientific and educational projects are generalized. The authors have analyzed the official figures of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine which show the levels of cost funding of scientific and educational projects and describe its main sources in 2010-2015. A study of impact factors on the funding levels of Ukrainian scientific and educational projects by foreign sources was conducted using the method of correlation analysis. According to the results of the conducted analysis, it was determined that activity of international mobility of Ukrainian scientists doesn’t influence the levels of international funding. It was also established that there is a strong inverse relationship between such factors as a share of expenditures on scientific and scientific-technical activities in GDP, a number of organizations involved in scientific and scientific-technical activities and a number of grants for scientific research received from international funds

The Human Lung Cell Atlas: A High-Resolution Reference Map of the Human Lung in Health and Disease.

Lung disease accounts for every sixth death globally. Profiling the molecular state of all lung cell types in health and disease is currently revolutionizing the identification of disease mechanisms and will aid the design of novel diagnostic and personalized therapeutic regimens. Recent progress in high-throughput techniques for single-cell genomic and transcriptomic analyses has opened up new possibilities to study individual cells within a tissue, classify these into cell types, and characterize variations in their molecular profiles as a function of genetics, environment, cell-cell interactions, developmental processes, aging, or disease. Integration of these cell state definitions with spatial information allows the in-depth molecular description of cellular neighborhoods and tissue microenvironments, including the tissue resident structural and immune cells, the tissue matrix, and the microbiome. The Human Cell Atlas consortium aims to characterize all cells in the healthy human body and has prioritized lung tissue as one of the flagship projects. Here, we present the rationale, the approach, and the expected impact of a Human Lung Cell Atlas.Supported by the Helmholtz Association and the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (H.B.S.); the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement 753039 (L.M.S.); U.K. Medical Research Council grant G0900424 (E.L.R.); National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants ES013995, HL071643, and AG049665, and Veterans Administration grant BX000201 and Department of Defense grant PR141319 (G.R.S.B.); NIH grants HL135124 and AI135964 and Department of Defense grant PR141319 (A.V.M.); NIH grants R01HL141852, R01HL127349, UHHL3123886, U01HL122626, and UG3TR002445, and Department of Defence grant PR151124 (N.K.); and the Netherlands Lung Foundation grants 5.1.14.020 and 4.1.18.226 (M.C.N.)

Acute Phase Response as a Biological Mechanism-of-Action of (Nano)particle-Induced Cardiovascular Disease

Inhaled nanoparticles constitute a potential health hazard due to their size-dependent lung deposition and large surface to mass ratio. Exposure to high levels contributes to the risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as of lung cancer. Particle-induced acute phase response may be an important mechanism of action of particle-induced cardiovascular disease. Here, the authors review new important scientific evidence showing causal relationships between inhalation of particle and nanomaterials, induction of acute phase response, and risk of cardiovascular disease. Particle-induced acute phase response provides a means for risk assessment of particle-induced cardiovascular disease and underscores cardiovascular disease as an occupational disease