Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet PARENT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Serotonin plays a prominent role in a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Importantly, serotonin (5-HT) is not only a neurotransmitter but also a neurotrophic factor during brain development, contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). One largely neglected source of 5-HT affecting development is maternal serotonergic genotype, which can influence offspring through the placenta and by changing maternal care behaviour. As a pediatrician, I am interested in the latter, as it -unlike the biological route- can be modified, providing an opening for early intervention for children with NDDs. Here, I will delineate for the first time how maternal serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype affects maternal care behaviour and impacts offspring development from an individual perspective. To understand the influence of maternal 5-HTT genotype on offspring’s development related to sex and genotype, I will use the well-established 5-HTT knockout (5-HTT-/-) rat modeling 5-HTT gene variance in humans and affecting maternal care. First, I will examine maternal care behaviours in wild-type and 5-HTT-/- mothers, and the developmental trajectories of male and female offspring with varying 5-HTT genotypes by tests assessing social and emotional behaviour from infancy to adulthood. Included are highly sophisticated analyzes of ultrasonic vocalizations, which I am an expert in. Second, I will elucidate the offspring’s brain-wide neuronal activity pattern using cutting-edge brain clearing and 3D lightsheet microscopy. To test causality and provide a lead for an early intervention, I will determine if enrichment ameliorates maternal care and improves offspring development. This project is expected to uncover how mother genotype influences offspring development in the context of behaviours relevant to NDDs and whether the developmental trajectory can be improved through a non-pharmacological intervention.

Mots clés : serotonin, maternal care, ultrasonic vocalization, lightsheet microscopy, pup development

Participants :
- Radboud University Medical Centre (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet SHAPE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Obesity is a complex condition that causes around 1.6 million deaths each year. The metabolic alterations to an obesigenic environment are highly dependent on the sex of the individual. In the brain, the hypothalamus controls energy homeostasis by fine tuning feeding and energy expenditure to nutrient availability. Disruption of this regulation results in obesity. While hypothalamic neurons are crucial for the control of energy balance, their activity is tightly dependent on adequate delivery of energy substrates provided by astrocytes, the major type of glial cells in the brain. Whether nutritional challenges evoke sex-specific astrocyte adaptations and its contribution to the sex-dimorphism in the pathogenesis of obesity remains unknown. Interestingly, estrogen signaling is an essential target that mediates sexual differentiation in the brain. This project’s main aim is to determine the role of estrogen signaling in astrocytes in: 1) hypothalamic astrocytic adaptations to obesity, 2) energy metabolism in lean and obese conditions and 3) in the beneficial effects of incretin-based therapies against obesity. The present proposal intends to combine interdisciplinary expertise in astrocyte biology and neural control of metabolism to expand the understanding on the involvement of hypothalamic astrocytes in the development of obesity in a sex-dependent manner. The cutting-edge approach of ex vivo and in vivo astrocyte-selective targeting of estrogen signaling in specific hypothalamic areas, extends beyond the neuro-centrist approach by demonstrating that functional remodeling of hypothalamic astrocytes in response to nutrient overload represents a key step for the development of novel cell-selective therapeutic approaches for treating obesity and associated pathologies.

Mots clés : hypothalamus, astrocytes, obesity, estrogen

Participants :
- Leiden University Medical Center (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet BEAKS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Bite Ecology from Avian Kinematics and Shape (BEAKS) aims to answer the question, “What factors drive bird beaks to converge in shape and function?” Answering this question will not only deepen our understanding of evolutionary processes, but also provide practical guidance in conserving birds and their key functions in modern ecosystems. BEAKS will combine geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, and phylogeneBite Ecology from Avian Kinematics and Shape (BEAKS) aims to answer the question, “What factors drive bird beaks to converge inshape and function?” Answering this question will not only deepen our understanding of evolutionary processes, but also provide practical guidance in conserving birds and their key functions in modern ecosystems. BEAKS will combine geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, and phylogenetic modelling to map patterns of beak form and function evolution and their relationship with aspects like environment, body size, diet, and ectoparasite load. Dr. Miller, the candidate and an expert in avian ecology, and Dr. Marcé-Nogué, the supervisor and an expert in biomechanics, are an ideal pair to head this project and to enrich each other’s knowledge base while doing so. BEAKS will then use these established trends to predict future evolutionary trajectories in response to anthropogenic climate change and identify species whose ecological roles are most likely to be lost without intervention. This type of modelling is a specialty of Dr. Püschel, the secondment supervisor, and will be a valuable new skill for the candidate to learn. The host institution, The Universitat Rovira i Virgili, has established connections with educational institutions, news media, and policy makers to ensure the findings of BEAKS are communicated broadly and disseminated to those who can use the findings to preserve earth’s delicate ecosystems. This will further global efforts to preserve biodiversity, especially the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030.

Mots clés : aves, biomechanics, birds, finite element analysis, functional morphology, geometric morphometrics, machine learning, phylogenetic comparative methods, phylogenetic modelling

Participants :
- Université d'Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université Rovira i Virgili (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 194074.56 €
Projet FATE-SA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Antibiotics (AB), their degradation products and the translocation of resistant genes in the environment poses serious health risks to humans, animals and ecosystems (OneHealth concept). Constructed wetlands (CW) have untapped potential to treat wastewater from agriculture, domestic sewage or contaminated water effluents from waste water treatment plant for eliminating AB. However, the overall distribution, persistence and the contribution of different dissipation processes of AB in CW remain mostly unknown. Here, the project aims to identify degradation processes of AB in wetlands by developing a cutting-edge four-dimensional element isotope (13C, 15N, 2H, and 33/34S) approach and concepts to improve CW use worldwide. Sulfonamides (SAs) are selected as representative AB. Methods of isotope-effect free extraction from environmental matrices and isotope analysis will be developed while a conceptual framework will be tested to isotopically identify degradation processes in wetland, including the direct and indirect photolysis with DOM and nitrate and plant degradation in vitro and in vivo, and to further monitor SAs degradation in the field using isotope concepts. This work will open a new paradigm to better understand and follow up the fate of SAs and other emerging micropollutants in wetlands but also for other field conditions. The applicant has a proven record of experience of isotope concept application supported by 6 first authored publications and has developed independent thinking and problem-solving skills during his past scientific study. The host holds both unique infrastructure for stable isotope analysis (GC/EA-IRMS, MC-ICPMS) and the expertise for implementation, evaluation and interpretation and a rich experience for wetland field work. This project is thus based on the genuine combination of expertise of all contributors to gain new knowledge and experience, enabling the applicant to develop his own research path within this emerging field.

Mots clés : sulfonamides degradation, wetland systems, isotope methods development, photodegradation, plant degradation in vivo and in vitro, four dimensional element isotope analysis,  2h,  15n,  13c,  33 34s

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 211754.88 €
Projet STRESSADHD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

STRESSADHD aims to enhance understanding of sex differences in the persistence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into adulthood, particularly in relation to adverse childhood events (ACEs) and stress exposure. ADHD is a common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder. Research has predominantly focused on boys with ADHD while girls with ADHD are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, potentially leading to adverse consequences later in life. There is still limited understanding of why ADHD sometimes remits yet in the majority of cases persists into adulthood. This holds especially for females. STRESSADHD will address this gap by investigating the extent to which persistence in females, including the onset and course of comorbid conditions, can be explained by ACEs and high stress exposure. STRESSADHD will use very large population-based cohort studies linked with national registries and genomic data, a combination uniquely suited for this research. Improved understanding of differences between males and females in relation to ACEs, stress exposure, persistence and comorbid conditions in ADHD will have important clinical implications. STRESSADHD will highlight the importance of sex differences in ADHD and raise awareness about its substantial burden. Sharing our knowledge with health care professionals, individuals with ADHD, and the general public STRESSADHD will improve identification, diagnosis and treatment in males and females.

Mots clés : adhd, sex differences, adverse childhood events, stress exposure, lifespan, national registries, cohort study, polygenic risk score

Participants :
- Université d'Islande (Islande) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University Medical Center Groningen (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet SocialLearn (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Adapting behavior based on context and past experiences is crucial for social animals. Social cues are key in this process as they help animals learn about their environment in relation to other members of their species. Animals learn to associate sensory cues (conditioned stimuli, CS), such as sounds or lights, with salient stimuli (unconditioned stimuli, US) through higher-order conditioning, also known as mediated learning (ML). Recent studies have implicated two brain areas, the hippocampus (HPC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), in ML. However, how these areas contribute to socially induced ML and which specific cell types are involved remains unknown. The SocialLearn project aims to systematically investigate the neural mechanisms underlying higher-order conditioning using social cues. Specifically, the project will focus on the HPC and BLA and their roles in socially induced ML. I will develop novel higher-order conditioning paradigms that incorporate social cues as unconditioned stimuli, enabling the study of ML in social contexts. Next, I will examine how different cell types in the HPC and BLA encode social higher-order associations by using dual-color, dual-site fiber photometry to record neural activity. Finally, I will manipulate excitatory and inhibitory neurons in these regions to determine their roles in the formation and expression of ML. This approach, combined with unsupervised behavioral analysis, will allow me to investigate ML in social settings, reveal the activity patterns of specific neuronal populations in the HPC and BLA, and clarify their roles in this complex cognitive process. If successful, the project will provide new tools for studying higher-order conditioning in social contexts, deepen our understanding of how social experiences shape behavior, and offer insights into psychotic-like experiences. SocialLearn will also help me develop critical scientific and leadership skills, preparing me for future research leadership roles.

Mots clés : social behavior, higher order conditioning, hippocampus, amygdala, neural circuits

Participants :
- CERCA Institution (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 194074.56 €
Projet ContactlessFramework (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

In ancient times, doctors have followed unorganized practices to diagnose cardiac arrest conditions of healthcare patients. The followed medical procedures were not very organized and accurate even though cardiac patients were diagnosed using devices, such as a stethoscope. However, the latest advancements in the technologies such as contactless remote patient monitoring, AIoMT (Artificial Intelligence of Medical Things), advanced big data and cloud-based analytics and alerts have created a paradigm shift in healthcare and provided 24 x 7 connectivity. The study proposed a VCardiac (Contactless Cardiac Classification and Risk Prediction) Framework to diagnose and identify early stages of heart diseases and forecast their cardiac conditions in advance using the human voice. In this study, a customized dataset termed "Cardiac-2000" with 2000 human voice samples will be designed to classify acoustic heartbeat events such as normal, murmur, extra systole, artifact, and other unlabeled heartbeat acoustic events. The average duration of the recorded heartbeat acoustic events would be 10 to 12 seconds. The primary reason for designing a customized dataset "cardiac-2000" is to balance the total number of samples into categories such as normal and abnormal heartbeat acoustic events. For performance evaluations of the proposed VCardiac Framework, the collected heartbeat acoustic samples will be classified using LSTM-CNN, RNN, LSTM, Bi-LSTM, CNN, K-means Clustering, and SVM methodologies. Furthermore, the proposed VCardiac Framework will also assist in classifying Age and Gender-wise risks using methodologies such as Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression survival analysis. These methodologies will also assist in identifying the probability risk and the 10-year risk score prediction. In the end, the proposed VCardiac Framework will be tested for various Signal to Noise ratio conditions for achieving better accuracy, effectiveness, and throughput.

Mots clés : contactless framework, cardiac arrest, cardiac detection, acoustic assistive framework, human speech based classification

Participants :
- Linnaeus University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 222727.68 €
Projet IMPACT AIR (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This MSCA postdoctoral fellowship project aims to assess the impact of Digitalization and Automation (DA) on the operational and financial performance of manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. The research employs an innovative hybrid approach, combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Retrieval (IR) techniques to analyze both numerical data and unstructured text from company reports and scientific literature. The project's main objectives include:  - Developing and validating text-based measures to quantify DA levels in manufacturing SMEs - Assessing the impact of DA on operational efficiency and financial performance - Identifying optimal levels of DA for manufacturing SMEs  The methodology involves creating a dictionary of DA terms, applying topic modeling to company reports and academic literature, and constructing panel datasets for regression analysis. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of DA's effects on SMEs compared to traditional survey-based methods. The research is structured into six work packages, covering project management, training and career development, data collection, data analysis, dissemination, and public outreach. The project will result in conference papers, journal articles, and book chapters, as well as various public engagement initiatives. Key expected outcomes include:  - A framework for understanding DA in manufacturing SMEs based on scientific literature - A specialized dictionary of DA terms for the manufacturing SME context - Insights into the relationship between DA levels and SME performance - Recommendations for optimal DA implementation in manufacturing SMEs  The project contributes to scientific, technological, and social impacts by advancing AI and IR techniques in business research, informing policy decisions, and supporting SMEs in their digital transformation journey. The researcher will benefit from a multidisciplinary environment at Linnaeus University.

Mots clés : digitalization automation manufacturing sme ai information retrieval big data financial performance operational efficiency impact econometrics investment evaluation advanced manufacturing industry 5 0

Participants :
- Linnaeus University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 252180.0 €
Projet ECOFUN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In modern agriculture, the extensive use of traditional pesticides requires a reevaluation to address the dual challenge of increasing food demand and sustainability. Historically, copper-based fungicides have been crucial in pest management, aiding farmers in the control of fungal or bacterial diseases across a wide range of crops. Additionally, evolving EU regulations are imposing stricter limits on copper-based pesticides use, driven by health and environmental concerns linked to Cu accumulation and in line with the European Green Deal aim of reducing pesticide usage by 50% by 2030. This presents a significant challenge to farmers who must simultaneously manage pests and respect restrictions, especially in vulnerable regions and crops. Currently, few viable alternatives for reformulating Cu-based pesticides are available. ECOFUN proposes a new material based on bioinspired and biocompatible nanoparticles engineered to incorporate copper, with the aim to deliver a more efficient and sustainable fungicide. Moreover, ECOFUN will comprehensively address the efficacy, efficiency, and toxicity of the material through in vitro and in vivo experiments, including field tests. The overarching goal is to reduce copper concentration by a minimum of 50% compared to commercial counterparts. The objectives include the synthesis of the new material and its comprehensive characterization, encompassing the study of Cu release in water, soil, and foliar adherence. Fungicidal activity will be assessed in vitro against three different fungi commonly treated with copper-based fungicides, alongside with cytotoxicity evaluations on target cells. Subsequently, in vivo experiments in field and under controlled conditions, will be performed to validate product efficiency and will involve measuring residue levels in fruits and soil and impacts on harvest. This proposal enables the development of a novel pesticide class using the same technology, owing to the broad-spectrum action of copper.

Mots clés : nanofungicides, multifunctional nanomaterials, safe and sustainable by design nanomaterials copper reduction, eu green deal

Participants :
- Université de Grenade (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165312.96 €
- Nanointec (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet RealSim (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The RealSim project proposal aims to connect machine simulation to reality in the framework of heavy machinery, which is an interdisciplinary application. The results of this project are expected to optimize machine performance, accurately and reliably predict machine failure, and reduce overall development and operation costs, thus, serving the Europe’s priority of green transformation and the United Nation’s sustainable development goal 9. The RealSim project will close the gaps of: (1) Onboard estimations of force and pressure components of heavy machinery; (2) Estimating deformability, cylinder friction, leakage, and valve dynamics of heavy machinery using independent nonlinear Kalman filters; (3) Employing dependent nonlinear Kalman filters in state estimators of heavy machinery; (4) Tuning algorithms for the covariance matrix of plant noise in the state estimation of heavy machinery. I will consolidate and leverage my research career and position as a leading researcher in the field through integration in Assoc. Prof. Mohammad Poursina’s group at the Department of Engineering Sciences of the University of Agder (UiA), Norway. Here, I will acquire hands-on experience of working with actual mechatronic systems and develop efficient control algorithms. I will improve my knowledge of fluid power designing, control theory, instrumentation, and develop efficient coding skills. I will also develop entrepreneurial skills. The skills, knowledge, and international network that I will develop during this fellowship will put me in an excellent position to achieve my long-term goal of becoming a professor with my own independent research group at an esteemed university in EU. This fellowship will help me to prepare a strong ERC Starting Grant application in the future. It will also cater my additional goal of setting-up a research-related start-up in the future.

Mots clés : multibody dynamics, real time simulation, state estimator observers, nonlinear kalman filters, mechatronic systems

Participants :
- Université d'Agder (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 226751.04 €