Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet CP-FunMoD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

One of the most striking demonstrations of experience-dependent neuroplasticity comes from studies of deaf individuals in whom the temporal ‘auditory’ cortex changes its functional tuning to support visual or tactile functions. Age-of-onset and duration of deafness is thought to affect the extent of cross-modal plasticity (CP) in auditory cortex, with earlier onset and longer durations being associated with increased CP. Importantly, previous studies have suggested that the presence of such CP may negatively influence clinical outcomes of cochlear implantation. This has notably resulted in clinicians discouraging parents from teaching sign-language to deaf children for fear that the use of a visual language will promote CP and interfere with the development of auditory abilities, including spoken language, after cochlear implantation. However, recent models have proposed that CP may exert pressure on regions to maintain their cognitive function irrespective of the type of sensory input, and that such maintenance of functional units (e.g. for language) might be positively harnessed in cases of sensory restoration. This is supported by recent research that suggests maintained functional modularity of the visual cortex may be beneficial to the outcome of sight restoration in blind subjects – a finding that will have important implications on the development of guidelines for sight restoration when a technique becomes available. Ironically, the situation is reversed in the deaf, in which guidelines for a widely used technique is based upon limited understanding of the potential benefits of CP and its influence on functional modularity. It is therefore crucial to obtain a more complete picture as to how age-of-onset and duration may affect CP and functional modularity. This project aims to bridge this gap, and specifically seeks to test whether earlier and longer durations of deafness positively correlate with CP and functional modularity in auditory cortex of the deaf.

Mots clés : deaf, auditory cortex, crossmodal plasticity, functional mri, functional connectivity

Participants :
- University of Trento (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 37557.75 €
- University of Nottingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 142719.45 €
Projet SUPRAforORGANS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

One of the most urgent challenges in medicine is to devise new strategies for replacing organs. The most promising approach to tackle this limitation is the use of stem cells. These cells have the capacity to proliferate and to differentiate into mature cells of various types. In fact, embryonic stem cells can become any organ, therefore, in principle, stem cells could be used to replace any part of the body. The fate of stem cells is governed by the microenvironment they foster, which offers the main point of control. Unfortunately, the lack of an optimum extracellular matrix that closely mimics the in vivo microenviroments to promote differentiation of stem cells is the main limitation of this technology. The SUPRAforORGANS uses a radically different strategy for designing an ideal artificial extracellular matrix. This approach consists of applying a dual network hydrogel formed by two different synthetic supramolecular polymers. One of the polymers will form a stiff and fairly stable fibre that takes care of optimize the mechanical properties of the gel, and will have binding cell surface receptors required for cell expansion. The second phase will be a weaker dynamic component in which biological cues are intercalated to bind and stabilize growth factors and other nutrients necessary for the cells to grow and organize into organoids. This matrix can actively be adapted by the cell, inducing both depolymerisation and reassembly to continuously support the growing organoids. Furthermore, some of cell receptors will be protected with photo-labile groups to possess user-defined spatio-temporal control, thereby this could control the three-dimensional growth of the organoid.

Mots clés : supramolecular polymer, hydrogels, artificial extracellular matrix, self assembly, organoids

Participants :
- Eindhoven University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177598.8 €
Projet collActionStatus (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

One of the most widespread social phenomena that we witness nowadays is the emergence of collective action movements in which low-status groups mobilize in order to trigger social change (e.g. Arab Spring, Indignados, the Occupy Movement). Interest in collective action has mushroomed in the last decade, as confirmed by the fact that from the 1602 hits found in Psycarticles using the “collective action” term, more than 70% of them date from 2000 or later. However, this research is almost exclusively focused on low-status groups without taking into account high-status groups’ reactions. Existing literature on high-status groups either puts the emphasis on individual psychological processes linked to prejudice reduction or on the reinforcement of status quo. Yet, the likelihood of social change and, ultimately, the unfolding of intergroup conflict cannot be understood without considering both low-status groups’ actions and high-status groups’ reactions. This project directly targets high-status groups’ role in social change. We analyze high-status groups’ support for normative (i.e., socially accepted protest such as demonstrations) vs. nonnormative collective action behaviors (i.e., radical protest such as the use of violence). This research project main goals are to examine: 1) psychological mechanisms explaining high-status groups’ support for normative and nonnormative collective action; 2) disentangle two theoretically contrasting perspectives by analyzing moderating conditions at different levels that lead to higher support from high-status groups in response to normative and nonnormative collective action. The main idea developed is that normative and nonnormative collective action will prove effective in eliciting high-status group support in different situations. In general, this will depend on a matching between the type of action and the individual (Question 1), the type of low-status demand (Question 2) and the socio-structural context (Question 3).

Mots clés : social psychology, experimental psychology, high and low status groups, collective action, normative and nonnormative behaviour, social change

Participants :
- University of Groningen (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet FISHEARS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

One of the predominant riddles of sensory biology is the diversity in fish auditory systems. It is widely accepted that fishes are well adapted to utilising underwater sounds as sensory cues in key life-history events. However, the functional significance and the driving force leading to the differences in fish inner ear sizes and structures are unknown. A complex interplay of physical, evolutionary, functional and ecological factors may shape the different elements: a multiscale environment too complicated for human conceptualisation. I propose to address this question by applying novel bioimaging and computational tools to investigate elasmobranch fish ears. Firstly, diffusible iodine-based contrast enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) will be used, co-registered with MRI data, to build 3D high resolution models of the inner ears. Secondly, a Finite Element (FE) model will be created to digitally replicate a fish ear and understand the biomechanics of its structure. Finally, a statistical framework will be developed to incorporate the factors that may shape the hearing system of elasmobranch fishes, including the collected data, together with the available physiological, ecological and biogeographical information on each species, as well as species’ acoustic environmental parameters. A Machine Learning algorithm will be applied to infer patterns and relationships between the factors, to perform both cluster and prediction analyses. Thus, a reliable model will be developed, which can predict the hearing capability of any elasmobranch species based on the ear morphology and the first evidence of the function of fish ear diversity.

Mots clés : neuroecology, underwater acoustics, bioacoustics, bioimaging, bioengineering, hearing system, fish, elasmobranchs

Participants :
- University of Exeter (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 272084.16 €
- University of Auckland (Nouvelle-Zélande) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet QUAKE4PRELIMAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

One of the research forefronts in quantum many body physics, is represented by the non-equilibrium dynamics of strongly interacting photons coupled to quantum matter. However, while tools to deal with quantum optics systems of few constituents are available, many particle effects require the development of advanced and timely methods. The QUAKE4PRELIMAT project will: (i) provide a new technique to confront with the dynamical evolution of a many body photon system coupled to an ensemble of atoms, exporting the quantum kinetic equation method (based on the two-particle irreducible effective action) from the domain of high energy physics; (ii) look for the onset of pre-thermal non-equilibrium states in quantum optics systems, where light and matter equilibrate at different temperatures; (iii) extend concepts tailored for pre-thermalization in isolated systems, as the Luttinger Liquid model and the Generalized Gibbs Ensemble, to driven open low dimensional quantum many body systems; under the supervision of two world renowned experts on strongly correlated physics, in Harvard and Geneva. The outcomes of this research project will pave the way to pre-thermalization in driven open systems, with a multitude of applications, and will provide to the quantum optics and condensed matter communities, the (previously lacking) tools to handle the dynamics of many body photon systems. The European Union will make a step forward in a field with tantalizing technological perspectives, as photon logic gates, quantum computing based on interacting photons, molecules and crystals of quantum light. A number of outreach activities are planned to increase the awareness of the general public on such potentialities. Finally, the experienced researcher will learn how to apply his theoretical background to concrete physical platforms, will grow in scientific leadership, will learn how to drive a new research trend into the condensed matter and quantum optics areas.

Mots clés : out of equilibrium many body quantum optics, quantum kinetic equations, pre thermalization, quantum quenches, driven open systems, strongly correlated systems in one dimension

Participants :
- University of Geneva (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 265840.2 €
- Harvard University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet NANO-GLASS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Doctoral Networks - Industrial Doctorates
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Optical displays and communication have a tremendous impact on modern life. We routinely interact with tactile smart phones and tablets, televisions, laser projection panels and constantly use internet services. Glass is the constituent material of transparent screens and optical fibres, which are essential elements of optical displays and communication. CORNING and ICFO, the industrial and academic partners, respectively, of the proposed ITN action (NANO-GLASS), aim at introducing disruptive nano-structuring designs and methods for glass display screens and optical fibres, with the PhD students (ESRs) playing a pivotal role in undertaking challenging projects with high industrial relevance. Potential outcomes of the research programme include optical screens without reflections, improving visibility in sunlight, self-cleaning tactile display that do not leave finger-prints, car windows that enable head up laser projection whilst still being transparent, optical fibres that generate quantum signals with high efficiency and highly secure encryption of sensitive information over the internet. CORNING has created Gorilla glass, the premier material for any kind of display screen today, and introduced the first low loss optical silica fibre which, among the others, has allowed the data transmission powering internet. ICFO and the participating groups are world-leaders in nano-photonics and quantum technologies, central topics to NANO-GLASS. Starting from an ongoing collaboration, the ESRs will face ambitious scientific and technical challenges, with the unique opportunity to bridge academic (fundamental) research to product (industrial) development. They will become leaders in highly relevant fields for the future society, which is increasingly permeated by ever more sophisticated display and communication technologies.

Mots clés : nano structured materials, optical fibres and displays, tactile screens, secure communications

Participants :
- Institute of Photonic Sciences (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 1003619.52 €
- Corning sas (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MENTOR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Doctoral Networks - Industrial Doctorates
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Optical fiber networks is one of the major drivers of our societal progress and a key enabler of the global telecommunication infrastructure. Optical networks underwent considerable changes over the past decade, as consequence of a continuous growth (exceeding 20% per year) of bandwidth demand. The current growth sets strong requirements in terms of capacity and costs for the operators, which seek to decrease the cost per transmitted bit. Several solutions have been proposed, and among them wide-band is more favourable to network operators, compared to more/or novel fibers. However, wide-band optical system presents new major challenges: optical components must guarantee similar performance over a broad spectrum, network optimization is carried out on a non-flat spectrum and with a much larger number of channels making design, optimization and control a complex problem. Therefore, application of machine learning (ML) techniques is of the growing importance for high-capacity multi-band (MB) optical systems. ML is becoming the technique of choice to solve complex nonlinear technical problems, such as, advance component design and management of wide-band networks. The European Industrial Doctorate MENTOR presents a timely proposal to train 6 ESRs in the interdisciplinary field of high industrial importance: ML applications in multi-band optical communications. As ML can properly works only when a large amount of real data is available, it is crucial to bring together academic partners and the industry that provide access to the data. MENTOR consortium offers the strong industrial commitment of four large companies (CORIANT Germany and Portugal, ORANGE Labs and TELECOM ITALIA MOBILE) that significantly contributed in defining the research and training topics to be studied together with the world-leading academic partners in MENTOR. MENTOR will contribute to the European economy by design of the next generation of high-capacity optical networks.

Mots clés : wideband optical amplification, machine learning in optical networks, multi band fiber transmission

Participants :
- Coriant r&d gmbh (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Aston University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 303172.56 €
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 522999.36 €
- Technical University of Denmark (Danemark) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 297522.0 €
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 501809.76 €
- Infinera unipessoal lda (Portugal) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet Multiplex (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Optical quantum memory, a device that enables the storage and retrieval of photonic qubits, is an essential component for a wide range of applications in quantum information science. The host demonstrated state-of-the-art memory based on large ensembles of cold atoms, with a storage-and-retrieval efficiency close to 90% for single photons. With this milestone reached, a timely and crucial effort is to develop multiplexed memories. This, in turn, should lead to higher-capacity network channels, bringing quantum networks one step closer to reality. In this context, the proposed research will uniquely adapt and exploit Space Division Multiplexing, a booming approach in classical telecommunications, to create and harness parallelized quantum links. The fellow, with a strong background in atomic physics and light shaping, will use his expertise to develop the project efficiently while expanding his skill-set to quantum information networks and developing his independence and leadership during the fellowship.

Mots clés : quantum memory, structured light, atomic ensembles, space division multiplexing

Participants :
- Sorbonne Université (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet VLS-QPP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Optical systems operating at the quantum regime have recently enabled the detection of gravitational waves; new forms of ultra-secure communications; and high-fidelity manipulation of quantum states for quantum computing. Maintaining this progress requires breakthroughs in quantum photonic architectures to process many optical modes with exceptional speed and precision. Fortunately, progress in optical interconnects has culminated in the development of silicon photonic integrated circuits, enabling photonic devices to be combined virtually losslessly at orders of magnitude higher component density than possible with traditional methods. Here, we propose to leverage these advances to meet the stringent requirements of optical quantum information processing bringing together state-of-the-art single photon source technologies and large-scale silicon photonic circuits: (1) Leveraging state-of-the-art silicon photonics fabrication processes to build a large-scale 10-photon quantum photonic processor; fully integrated with on-chip photon sources, pump engineering and reconfigurable circuitry. (2) Interfacing solid-state quantum emitters with silicon photonic circuitry, enabling deterministic generation and large-scale manipulation of single photon states. These very-large-scale quantum photonic processors (VLS-QPP) will provide several orders of magnitude speedups compared with current technologies, demonstrate practical quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry and machine learning, and provide a clear route towards scalable photonic quantum technologies. To enable these advances this fellowship proposes a clear training plan, at two world-leading institutions, towards developing the necessary diverse skill set to propel the field forward in new directions.

Mots clés : integrated quantum photonics, linear optics, quantum computing, quantum technologies, quantum simulation

Participants :
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260227.8 €
Projet NanoORC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Organic Rankine cycles have gained great interest over the last decade as an efficient technology to convert low-temperature heat, from renewable energy or industrial waste, to electrical power. For this reason, they are expected to play a substantial role in the future European energy system, as they will contribute to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and the CO2 emissions associated to power generation. However, recent regulations that limit the use of ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases will phase out most of the working fluids currently used in organic Rankine cycles. As a result, there is an urgent necessity to search for alternative fluids that meet the thermodynamic requirements of the replaced ones, and offer better environmental and safety features. The addition of nanoparticles to fluids (nanofluids) can enhanced their thermal properties, thus making them an optimal solution for their use in organic Rankine cycles. The main barrier for the introduction of these innovative fluids comes from the lack of an accurate knowledge of their behavior. NanoORC aims at developing a general model for the estimation of the thermophysical and transport properties of nanofluids, to evaluate their potential for organic Rankine cycles. The novelty of the project lies on the use of group contribution methods to develop a generalized model that will be integrated as a property library into simulation software. The host will provide the fellow established knowledge on organic Rankine cycles, and train her on state-of-the-art simulation and optimization tools. The fellow will bring expertise on thermophysical properties of fluids, not currently available at the host institution, to introduce the research on innovative working fluids. The fellow will complete her training through a collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and a secondment at Turboden, which will be essential for the transfer of the knowledge derived from NanoORC.

Mots clés : organic rankine cycles, renewable energy, nanofluids, thermophysical properties, power generation, waste heat recovery

Participants :
- Technical University of Denmark (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €