Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet CONVEYTab (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The EU's GDPR and the new EU AI Act impose strict requirements on AI systems, especially in high-risk domains like healthcare. These regulations demand transparency and meaningful explanations for automated decisions to ensure adequate human oversight. State-of-the-art eXplainable AI (XAI) methods, such as LIME and SHAP, attempt to meet these demands with low-level explanations. However, these methods often yield inconsistent and decoupled results from high-level concepts that domain experts like physicians use in decision making. In contrast, Deep Learning (DL) models that generate concept-based explanations during training offer more robust and consistent outcomes. Despite their promise, concept-oriented DL models for tabular data remain underdeveloped, with the recent Tabular Concept Bottleneck Models (TabCBMs)—a family of interpretable, self-explaining DL models designed to learn and articulate high-level concept explanations for tabular data as an emerging yet unexplored solution. CONVEYTab will advance TabCBMs by creating the first Visual Analytics (VA) framework that enhances interactivity and tests their real-world applicability. This framework will be realized through several VA systems tailored for medical professionals, enabling them to create, refine, explain, and compare DL model concepts in real time. This will ensure AI predictions are transparent, aligned with domain expertise, and compliant with EU regulations. CONVEYTab adopts a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from life sciences, computer science, and cognitive science to meet the needs of the public sector and broader society. The research will be conducted at Utrecht University's Information and Computing Sciences Department under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Alexandru C. Telea, an influential scholar with extensive experience in DL and XAI. This project will help patients with motion disorders and intestinal parasites and position me as a leading VA for XAI researcher.

Mots clés : visual analytics, information visualization, data visualization, explainable ai, human centered ai, concept based explanations, concept learning, tabular deep learning, tabular data, healthcare

Participants :
- Université d'Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet BRAIN-CCC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The energy consumption of machine learning (ML) is doubling every 2 months, outpacing global energy production within the next decade. Neuromorphic computing, in particular, memristive crossbar arrays have shown energy reductions of 2 orders of magnitude in ML. However, the training is typically performed on conventional computers, leading to significant energy losses. Conical microfluidic channels have shown promise as volatile memristors, and there has been early progress toward achieving nonvolatile behavior in these channels. However, the conductance of the channels can only be increased and not decreased, which is crucial for ML. In BRAIN-CCC I will study the interactions of chemically functionalized surface groups, chemical shocks, pressure gradients and electric impulses in simulations to achieve reversible nonvolatile dynamics of the conductivity in these channels. From this, I will develop a model for the conductivity dynamics. To test the feasibility of performing ML training directly in hardware, without relying on conventional computers, I will first design and assemble a prototype using variable resistors. Subsequently, I will replace the variable resistors with iontronic channels and measure the real world advantages of this approach, continuing a collaboration with an experimental group. BRAIN-CCC will be conducted at Utrecht University. Knowledge transfer in BRAIN-CCC will be bidirectional: The host contributes expertise in soft matter systems and ML, while I provide knowledge of designing and building electronic hardware and interdisciplinary knowledge transfer. The combination of these skills is crucial to realizing a prototype of ML hardware, based on iontronic channels. The project combines interdisciplinary approaches from physical chemistry, electrodynamics, electrical engineering, and computer science, to realize significant gains in energy efficiency, addressing one of the most pressing issues facing the EU and the world: the climate crisis.

Mots clés : iontronics, electrolytes, neuromorphic computing, machine learning

Participants :
- Université Sogang (Corée du Sud) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217076.16 €
Projet ELIaD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

A number of associations confirm that a broad spectrum of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can stem from infections, but evidence remains limited. Of particular interest are infections that occur during vulnerable early life stages, as they hold the potential to trigger developmental adaptations of various organ systems with life-long consequences. The "Early Life Infections and NCDs" (ELIaD) project aims to elucidate the role of early life infections on NCDs development by bridging existing data on infections with information on NCDs and their intermediate phenotypes in children across Europe. Leveraging the extensive resources of the EU Child Cohort Network, ELIaD will use existing harmonized prospective data on neurodevelopmental, cardiometabolic, and respiratory health outcomes linked to major NCDs. Simultaneously, the project will pioneer with the development of harmonised variables on infections in the child-cohorts that is currently lacking. Detailed prospective information on sociodemographic, lifestyle and environmental characteristics will be integrated to assess confounding, mediation and effect modification of the associations. Analyses will particularly take into account specific age windows of susceptibility. The project will create and disseminate new knowledge on links between early life infections and NCDs in children and will identify vulnerable groups. A key output of ELIaD will be the creation of a large open dataset on infections and NCDs in children, which will allow further investigation of causal links (e.g. with gastrointestinal diseases), in-depth investigations into the underlying mechanisms and the extension of evidence into adulthood. The outcomes of this research will play a vital role in shaping public health policies geared towards the prevention and control of NCDs. The project combines researcher's skills with those of the supervisor and his team at the host institute facilitating cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange and training.

Mots clés : infections child cohorts ncds dohad neurodevelopment cardiometabolic respiratory diseases children pregnancy early life infectobesity

Participants :
- Université Érasme de Rotterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet PReAcT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Despite treatment, one in four patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) develop chronic symptoms of ankle pain and stiffness lasting more than a decade, thus tremendously impacting their daily lives. As such, this project’s overall objective is to investigate which patient-related factors can hinder these patients’ recovery following the current standard of care. Recently, psychosocial factors have been acknowledged as important to consider when treating AT patients. Also, metabolic disorders have been suggested as influential factors limiting recovery following standard treatment for AT. However, there is little evidence regarding the predictive value of psychosocial and metabolic factors for AT recovery. Therefore, via a longitudinal cohort study, I aim to identify predictive psychosocial and metabolic factors influencing the recovery of persistent AT following standard care. Additionally, I will explore new psychosocial themes and metabolic influences via inflammatory pathways using innovative methods, as well as develop a clinical classification model able to identify patients at risk for poor recovery. The final aim of this project is to utilize the newly gathered insights and design a person-centered treatment approach for at-risk patients with AT. This fellowship will allow me to combine my strong background in (chronic) pain and related psychosocial factors, with the leading expertise of my supervisor and host institution on Achilles tendons. In doing so, it will offer me the ideal learning environment to gain meaningful experiences with this population, develop valuable research and transferable skills, and foster long-lasting scientific collaborations. Ultimately, this fellowship will help me establish myself as an independent researcher who can start and lead a novel research line investigating person-centered treatment strategies for AT.

Mots clés : achilles tendon, tendinopathy, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, hypervigilance, metabolic syndrome

Participants :
- Université Érasme de Rotterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet LinkinCare (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

With a rapidly aging population and a growing shortage of healthcare workers, digital technologies, such as robots, are essential for transforming healthcare. Nurses, the largest group in the healthcare workforce, are key to implementing these technologies. However, up to 80% of technologies fail to be fully implemented in the workplace due to insufficient involvement of end-users in the technology development and implementation process. LinkinCare aims to bridge this gap by aligning the needs of patients and nurses with technology development and implementation. This project will: (i) explore the needs of nurses and patients to co-design robotic functions that integrate seamlessly into nursing workflows; (ii) identify barriers and facilitators to robot implementation and develop tailored strategies to ensure successful integration in healthcare settings; and (iii) evaluate the cost-effectiveness of robot implementation by assessing outcomes such as acceptability, adoption, feasibility, impact on staff workload, patient experiences, and costs. LinkinCare will draw on interdisciplinary expertise from nursing science, robotics, implementation science, social science, and health economics, with a specific focus on compatibility with existing hospital systems and workflows. By collaborating closely with nurses, patients, and the industry partner Welbo (a robot supplier), this approach will ensure that the co-designed robotic functions are fit-for-purpose and suitable for practical use by both patients and nurses. Moreover, promoting needs-driven and cost-effective technological innovations will provide long-term societal benefits by sustaining the workforce and reducing costs. Additionally, the extensive multidisciplinary training in research and transferable skills provided by this fellowship will support my goal of becoming an independent researcher in health technology innovations.

Mots clés : nursing care, technology, implementation science, robotics

Participants :
- Université Érasme de Rotterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232916.16 €
Projet KASSANDRA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Zoonotic spillover and the subsequent global spread of infectious diseases represent an increasing global threat to our society. Projections of future zoonotic spillover events are based on the spatial copresence of human and animal host population and risk assessments of local outbreaks to spread globally rely on observed mobility data. However, human behaviour is a complex phenomenon driven by socio-economic, environmental and demographic factors that altogether shape human mobility patterns and the human-host contact rate, which is key to zoonotic spillover. By impacting these drivers, future global economic, demographic, environmental and climate change will alter the risk of zoonotic spillover and global spread of infectious diseases. Here, focusing on scenarios of future climate and land-use change, demographic and economic development (SSP-RCP), I intend to (i) produce maps of future spillover risk that account for the behavioural determinants shaping human-host contact and (ii) assess the risk of the global spread of future infectious diseases. I will focus on infectious diseases of bat origin and I will estimate the effect of economic, demographic, environmental and ecological drivers in defining human-bat contact rates. Drawing on these results I will produce synthetic human-bat contact data and maps of future risk of zoonotic spillover. Then, I will use the risk maps to assess the risk of the global spread of future infectious diseases. To this end, I will use a global metapopulation model informed by projections of international human mobility patterns that will be obtained from a global international human mobility model that I will develop. In doing so I will include key drivers and behavioural processes (e.g., economic constraints) of human mobility. The outcome of the project will advance our understanding and preparedness to future zoonotic spillover and pandemic risks by accounting for human behaviour drivers in a context of global changes.

Mots clés : zoonotic spillover, infectious diseases importation, human behaviour, scenarios, human mobility, socio economic development, land use change, climate change

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 413379.72 €
- Université George-Washington (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet FlyBal (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Balsa (ochroma pyramidale), is a type of timber that is mostly produced in Ecuadorian Amazonia. In fact, Ecuador is the world’s largest balsa producer 1 and it has been so for decades. Balsa is not the world’s lightest timber, yet it is the most resistant among the light, and it is used in aero-modelism. Planes’ wings usually have a skeleton made of balsa. Yet, that’s not the only enterprise in which it is used, nor is aero-modelling what inspirred this research project. It started with an ethnographic observation: when leaving the Amazonian Kichwa community in which I have been conducting research over the past two years, I found out that some of the fluvial and terrestrial passages from and to the Amazonia were blocked by local communities with the aim of not permitting the entry to balsa “mafias”. I was intrigued and did some research: apparently the demand for balsa has skyrocketed over the past few years, and illegal balsa trade is -indirectly - responsible for some of the Amazon’s illegal deforestation. The – unlikely – reason is green energy: balsa is the core material used in the construction of wind turbin-blades, and since wind-farms have multiplied impressively all over the globe in the quest for green energy solutions, so has the demand for balsa, which is -ironically – bringing about deforestation in the Amazonia.  Through the combination of desk-research on the political economy of global balsa commodity circulation, and ethnographic fieldwork in Ecuador, the “other” side of green energy commodity chain- and focusing on balsa extraction processes and the effects it has on local communities’ livelihoods and well being, this project intends to connect the dots, and tell “the big story” through “the small one.” It is planning to explore the relationship between the global quest for green energy and its local counter-effects, through the case of balsa commodification and commercialization at its main region of supply, Pastaza region of the Ecuador.

Mots clés : global sociology, global ethnography, extractivism, latin america

Participants :
- Université libre d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet NuBridge (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The existence of new physics beyond the Standard Model of particles is firmly established by neutrino data and dark matter phenomenology, however the new physics nature and its energy scale remain elusive today. While significant effort has been put on the theoretical and experimental exploration of high-energy scenarios, the possibility that the new physics is relatively light and feebly coupled with the Standard Model is a valid option that received comparatively fewer attention. The coming years will provide a propitious and timely framework to test this possibility, given a wide array of experiments featuring extremely intense particle beams and massive precision detectors. We propose to exploit the full potential of this experimental program, using it to test low-scale new physics scenarios motivated by neutrino data, dark matter or experimental anomalies, focusing on the Fermilab accelerator neutrino program. We will complement this study with a model-independent search of new-physics effects in global neutrino data. Finally, we will provide the community with modern tools to ease the study and statistical inference of general new physics models in fixed-target experiments, including in the first release the full array of Fermilab accelerator experiments. The project will deliver relevant phenomenological results during its lifetime, looking for and constraining the hypothesis of a low-scale new physics sector, while its legacy will extend beyond this timeframe, by allowing a wider community to perform phenomenological studies in beam-dump experiments, thus increasing the number of independent searches for new physics. In the implementation, the Researcher will train on model building, data analysis and experiment simulation on site at Fermilab, collaborating with world level theoretical and experimental experts. He will then bring this expertise at University of Bologna, joining the newly established group on neutrino and astroparticle phenomenology.

Mots clés : neutrinos, beyond the standard model of particle physics, dark sector, global fit of data, dark matter, software development, simulation software

Participants :
- Université de Bologne (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 288859.2 €
- Uclouvain (Belgique) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Fermi national accelerator laboratory (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet CREDE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

By their own very nature, islands are natural laboratories where evolutionary outcomes seem to exceed the limits of imagination. Stubby and flightless birds, dwarf elephants and hippos, and giant mice are some of the bizarre examples. Those morphological modifications are not the result of random variation but are triggered by the specific ecological conditions of the islands (absence of terrestrial predators and low level of competition for food and space). In some occasions, these conditions do not lead to a particular shift in body size, but instead to a diversification event, resulting in a disparity of forms, such as the case of Darwin’s finches in Galapagos. The island of Crete (Greece) housed one such diversification, that of the enigmatic extinct Pleistocene deer. This genus (Candiacervus) evolved into eight species in six size groups, ranging from ~28 to ~245kg in body mass, in less than 1 million years. In CREDE I will explore this unusual disparity of body size in Cretan deer to understand the evolutionary mechanisms behind species radiations in mammals. Despite advances over the years in knowledge on this lineage, mainly focusing on dwarf or giant species, we know little about the factors underpinning this level of diversity. In CREDE I will employ my expertise in deer bone histology together with the novel application of 3D image analysis to examine bone microstructure of Cretan deer, and thus, obtain data about their life strategies (age at maturity, pace of growth, longevity). Moreover, the use of stable isotope will provide new integrative data on the ecological and dietary preferences of the different species. Finally, the combination of both approaches will shed light on diversification of mammal lineages on a macroevolutionary scale, presenting a comprehensive framework for interpreting mammalian evolution.

Mots clés : palaeohistology, pleistocene, life history traits, cervidae

Participants :
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 217076.16 €
- Université libre d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €