Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet INTERFOR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The protection of forests is recognised to be of utmost importance in the agenda of the United Nations, and in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the climate change goals. SDG15 aims to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems [and] sustainably manage forests”. Despite this recognition, forest protection is, in legal terms, rather scattered. In the context of forest environmental and climate governance, a mix of various layers of legal instruments with different goals exists, at the local, regional and global levels. As a result, tha main current challenge is to make sure that the implementation of existing layers of legal protection runs smoothly, in order to prevent further environmental degradation of forested lands. Against this background INTERFOR will investigate how the implementation of existing laws can be enhanced, with a view to creating a better protection of forested lands and the people inhabiting them. Through this, INTERFOR will further knowledge on the implementation methods that take place on forested lands and contribute significantly to the understanding of the interactions between different legal fields and systems that apply on forested lands. More specifically, INTERFOR will: 1. Investigate interactions between EU and international law to understand how implementation between different instruments can be coordinated in order to achieve better environmental protection (WP1); 2. Investigate interactions between international environmental, development and human rights law with the aim of reconceptualising key environmental tools in light of needs of specific communities affected in forested lands (WP2); 3. Investigate the interactions between ‘global’ and ‘local’ law to assess the possibilities for greater global action in the pursuance of better forest protection (WP3); 4. Provide for a solid theoretical framework to organise the various legal interactions present in forests (WP4).

Mots clés : global environmental law, legal protection of forests, regime interactions, multi level implementation

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet CReDItIs (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The protection of international investments by international agreements such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and its enforcement by Investor-State Dispute Settlement is currently subject of an important political debate. That debate pits the goal of attracting and protecting international investments against that of avoiding the exploitation of host countries and undermining their domestic law. CReDItIs will develop a new theoretical foundation for international investment law, putting particular emphasis on systematic and theoretical rigour and using expropriation as a case-study. It challenges the dominant stance of legal scholarship by using both legal theory and legal-empirical research. For orthodox scholars, the law in international treaties is authoritatively defined by what 'authorities' have said. Ad hoc investment tribunals adjudicate on investment disputes on the basis of mostly bilateral investment agreements. These awards do not have formal precedential value, and the agreements they rely upon are similar, but not identical. Yet not only are awards of great factual importance, legal scholarship believes that they can somehow be applied even to treaties on which they do not adjudicate. In contrast, for legal-realist empiricism, the law is what the courts decide. CReDItIs will contrast these views with the Pure Theory of Law, which is a legal theory arguing that seeing law as norms is possible without admixing it with nonlegal norms, or reducing law to facts. It will highlight the factual importance of awards and treaties through the use of empirical tools such as citation network analysis while distinguishing this from false designs to unify and concretise these results as law. The law remains fragmented; the law remains unspecific, even if and when judicial pronouncements and treaties are similarly worded.

Mots clés : international investment law and arbitration, general public international law, legal theory, theory of legal, scholarship, jurisprudence

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet SWLCONNECTIVITY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of the proposed Marie Sklodowska-Curie action is to enable Paolo Palladino, Professor of History and Theory in the Department of History at Lancaster University, to advance his scientific career by means of further training through research. The programme of research, which Luis Lobo-Guerrero, Professor of History and Theory of International Relations in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Groningen will supervise, and around which the action will develop, focuses on the processes involved in the evolution of three regional economies and the commodification of their agro-biological heritage, specifically as this relates to sheep and the production of woollen textiles (these regions are the Lake District and Dales of northern England, the Catalonian Pyrenees, and the Piedmontese Alps). A trans-national, comparative approach allows for investigation of the diversity of local responses to the transformation of agro-biological products into commodities traded on a global scale; an extended chronological perspective also allows for the investigation of the similarly complex relationship between the creation of bio-economic value and the passage of time (WP1, WP2 and WP3). The results of such investigation then serve as the basis for the development of an empirically grounded, critical understanding of socio-cultural structures and their transformation (WP4). The action thus allows Palladino to advance his understanding of research skills and methods at the intersection of historical, philosophical and sociological modes of inquiry. At the same time, the hosting organisation and beneficiary of the action, the Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) at the University of Groningen, will expand its programme of research on the political economy of global integration, on the importance of biological and ecological resources to such integration, and on the role of the past in the construction of a more sustainable future.

Mots clés : networks, heritage, bioeconomy, biopolitics, historical epistemology, cultural geography

Participants :
- University of Groningen (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177598.8 €
Projet FAANon (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of the research plan is the development of the method called Functional Analytical Approach (FAA) for the analysis of singular perturbations of nonlinear transmission problems. The techniques proposed are based on potential theory and functional analysis and aim at describing the effect of perturbations in terms of real analytic functions. Both perturbations of the shapes of the domains of definition and of the coefficients of the operators will be considered. A special attention will be paid to the case of perforated and periodically perforated domains with shrinking holes and inclusions. The problems addressed are of interest also in view of inter-sectorial applications to the analysis of physical models in fluid dynamic, in elasticity, and in thermodynamic. Concrete applications will be shown in the study effective properties of composite materials, in inverse problems in acoustic and electromagnetic scattering, and in inclusion detection problems. The results obtained represent a novelty with respect to the existing literature for the following reasons: • the techniques of FAA are innovative with respect to the classical approaches existing in literature and allow the implementation of analytic functions in the description of the effect of perturbations; • we treat non-linear boundary value problems and transmission problems, which are relevant in application and present challenging difficulties; • we will obtain new results of pure mathematics in the frame of potential theory. In particular we will study the analyticity of certain nonlinear integral operators related to the layer and volume potentials; • we will show how to obtain explicit calculations and we will show concrete applications in continuum mechanics. The final goal within the action is the realisation of a complete theory based on the FAA which will represent in future a key tool for the analysis of perturbed boundary value problems.

Mots clés : boundary value problems in singularly perturbed domains, nonlinear transmission problems, perforated domains, applications, functional analytic approach, potential theory

Participants :
- Aberystwyth University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet MEDINI (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of this project is to study mechanism design under incomplete information with an emphasis on the design of voting procedures. Mechanism design is the commonly used term for the design of games with a certain objective. For instance, an auctioneer may wish to design an auction with the purpose of maximizing his own revenue. The usual assumption is that the mechanism designer does not know the preferences of the players, but the players do have this information. In this project, the latter assumption is dropped. For instance, in national elections voters have a tendency to vote strategically, and in general only have limited information about the preferences of the other voters. In that case, the objective of mechanism designer (designer of the voting system) is to elicit as much as possible the true votes (preferences), knowing that the voters have beliefs but no complete information about the preferences of the other voters. Specifically, the project will concentrate on three issues: how does correlation between the voters’ beliefs effect the result of voting and how should the voting system be designed in order to elicit the true votes under this assumption of correlation; can we improve on the results of the first issue by allowing for probabilistic mechanisms, i.e., involve chance; and, following up on this, if truthful voting is out of reach, can we at least get the truthful voting result as an equilibrium outcome. The project is theoretical in nature but can lead to the design of experiments in particular testing the role of belief formation in voting. Further, the results of the project may lead to the design of improved smaller and larger scale voting procedures.

Mots clés : mechanism design, incomplete information, voting procedures

Participants :
- Maastricht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet IPTM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The recent classification of symmetry-indicated band structure topologies for all crystallographic structures has led to the prediction that one third of all materials are topological. We are thus at a very exciting crossroad where the theory of topological materials (TM) is gaining enough maturity to transform material science, opening the way to real settings and potential long term applications. There are however key challenges remaining for the building of efficient topological quantum devices. Indeed, little is known on the microscopic origin of topology in TM because (i) the general analytical conditions for nontrivial topology is unknown even for simple tight-binding models, (ii) there is a big jump in complexity towards the modeling of real materials (including all sub-lattices, orbitals, and spins), and (iii) the quantum interactions are hidden in the effective one-body (tight-binding) parameters. The aim of this “Inverse Problem for Topological Materials” (IPTM) proposal is to address these issues concretely and practically; (A) by establishing the inverse map for generic few-band lattice models, and then by refining to the most representative crystalline symmetric structures; (B) by establishing the inverse map in real settings through the state-of-the-art modeling of (families of) real materials from the combination of first principles computational results (Density Function Theory and optimized wannierization) and with lattice models systematically derived from group theory; (C) by extracting the contributions of the quantum interactions (electron-electron, electron-phonon, exchange) to the microscopic tight-binding parameters. Aiming at a fundamental understanding of topology in materials, this proposal aims to culminate in the prediction of completely new physics and functionalities, allowing the design of future quantum technology. Consequently this timely action is anticipated to start a new chapter in this active and impactful branch of science.

Mots clés : electronic band structure theory, first principle modeling of materials, classification of topological phases of matter, group and representation theory for crystals, applied algebraic topology

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet ComEPT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The recent discovery of correlated insulating states and unconventional superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene triggered an intense research effort to understand the properties of moiré materials. The ability to manipulate electronic properties through the twist angle between two two-dimensional materials has given rise to the new field of twistronics. Besides novel electronic properties, moiré materials also feature unconventional vibrational properties, such as novel phason modes. The ability to control vibrations by twisting gives rise to the new field of twistnonics. Despite much progress, many experimental observations in moiré materials are not yet well understood. For example, the microscopic origin of the “strange” metal phase with a resistivity which is linear in temperature and the nature of pairing glue that induces superconductivity are hotly debated. To answer these questions, I propose to combine the fields of twistronics and twistnonics and study the role of electron-phonon interactions in twisted bilayer materials. Specifically, I plan to + develop a computational framework to study electron-phonon interactions in moiré materials. Because of the large unit cells of moiré materials, standard implementations of this approach cannot be used. To overcome this challenge, I will combine force-field approaches for phonons with tight-binding methods for electrons and develop a new parallelized computer code. + understand electron transport experiments in different twisted bilayer materials, including twisted bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides and twisted bilayer graphene. + study the electron-phonon mediated superconductivity in twisted bilayer materials. The results of these calculations will enable a detailed understanding of the interactions between electrons and phonons in moiré materials and enable the control of exotic quantum phenomena with the twist angles.

Mots clés : electron phonon coupling mediated transport in moire materials, combining twistronics and twistnonics

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet StrokeCare (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The recovery of the functional use of the upper limb is a main goal of rehabilitation in stroke survivors. Despite the development of many rehabilitation programs, upper limb paresis following a stroke still results in disability and a great societal cost. Attention deficits are also common in these patients. Here we propose two mixed-reality (MR) interventions to improve functional outcomes of the rehabilitation interventions as compared with classic rehabilitation programs. MR interfaces allow patients to use real world objects while interacting with virtual images, which enhances the use of real world objects. Virtual Reality allows recreating an ecological setting, which is key to the transfer of the rehabilitation outcomes. In the first intervention, patients will be able to train with real and also the same virtual objects and that in an enriched environment. To better understand how MR contributes to the mechanisms of neuroplasticity, in this first experiment, we also seek to compare cinematic measures of object manipulation (virtual vs. real). In the second MR intervention, an avatar will mimic the patient’s gestures and movements with real objects. This will give the patient an allocentric perspective of their movement. Moreover, these interventions will allow us to test the hypothesis that a MR motor training environment might have a beneficial effect on attention. Participants will be recruited from the pool of patients from the stroke outpatient program of NISA Hospital and clinical staff will contribute to data collection. The outcomes of those interventions will be compared with the outcomes of the conventional rehabilitation program (i.e. occupational therapy and physiotherapy without virtual or MR). We will not only assess motor function, but also attention and motivation. We expect to find better outcomes by following the MR interventions.

Mots clés : mixed reality, stroke, rehabilitation, attention deficits, upper limb

Participants :
- Unidad neuro-rhb sociedad limitada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet LYSOTRACK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The reduced ability of skeletal muscle to grow, termed anabolic resistance (AR), is thought to be a major cause of age-associated muscle loss (sarcopenia). At the cellular level, AR is caused by an impaired activation of the protein kinase mTORC1, which in turn blunts protein synthetic responses to anabolic stimuli. Lysosomal trafficking is critical for the full activation of mTORC1, with the blocking of this event creating anabolic resistance in otherwise healthy cells. However, to date, this phenomenon has not been examined in human skeletal muscle. Therefore, our working hypothesis is that alterations in lysosomal trafficking may be an underlying mechanism to explain impaired mTORC1 activity and AR in elderly individuals. To address this hypothesis, we will define, for the first time, the role and regulation of lysosomal trafficking in age-associated AR in human skeletal muscle. Through a combination of in-vitro and in vivo studies we will examine (1) whether genetic induction of lysosomal trafficking can activate mTORC1 and overcome chemical/nutrient induced AR in human primary myotubes, (2) whether genetic knockdown of proteins that stimulate lysosomal trafficking can inhibit mTORC1 activity and cause AR, and (3) examine whether lysosomal trafficking differs between young and elderly subjects, in vivo, in response to anabolic stimuli such as amino acids and resistance exercise. The importance of this work should not be understated, given that the number of individuals aged over 60 and 80 years is expected to triple and quadruple respectively by 2050. By advancing the understanding of why elderly individuals exhibit AR and how this phenomenon may contribute to the development of sarcopenia, the work proposed herein has great potential for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or reduce the occurrence of AR, reduce the severity of sarcopenia which in turn will dramatically improve quality of life.

Mots clés : muscle wasting, sarcopenia, anabolic resistance, lysosomal trafficking, muscle protein synthesis in ageing, mtorc1 localisation

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet MeaSuRe (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The regulated diffusion of light-harvesting complexes in photosynthetic membranes is essential for photosynthesis, for instance for the redistribution of light-harvesting complexes between Photosystems I and II. To date, however, little is understood about the mobility of these proteins through the highly crowded membrane environment. In contrast to the huge amount of structural research that has been performed on biomolecules in the past, research on the dynamics is lagging far behind. The major limitation is the fact that the nanometer size regime of biomolecules is not accessible by classical optical techniques owing to the diffraction limit of light. To overcome this problem, we propose to use plasmonic nanoantennas, which are able to confine light at the nanoscale. In combination with Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) this will allow measuring protein mobility in photosynthetic membranes with high, tens of nanometers, resolution. Directional and functional protein movement will be induced by illumination of the chloroplasts using specific light conditions; simultaneously following the protein movement will give new insights in how plants optimize their light harvesting capacity under fluctuating light conditions. The new nanoantenna-FCS based method, which we will develop to measure the diffusion of membrane proteins with nanometer resolution, has the potential to become widely used for nanobioimaging and ultrasensitive biosensing. This research will be performed by Dr. E Wientjes in the Laboratory of Biophysics of Wageningen University led by photosynthesis expert Prof. H van Amerongen. A long-term collaboration will be started with Wientjes current supervisor Prof. NF van Hulst and Prof. MF Garcia-Parajo from the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona who are leading scientists in nanophotonics. The outcome of this project will provide biophysicists with a new method to study membrane protein dynamics with super resolution.

Mots clés : photosynthesis, membrane, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, nanoantenna, plasmonics, diffusion

Participants :
- Wageningen University & Research (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177598.8 €