Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet INVASIVE_ARMS_RACE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Cognition is often assumed to be beneficial, as it allows individuals to adjust to all kind of environmental challenges. However, which exact environmental challenges drive the evolution of animal cognition remains an open question. Predation is often raised as an important driver of cognitive evolution, because animals that can improve their antipredator behaviour through learning may survive better, especially in dangerous environments. How environmental predation risk influences prey cognition is, however, only scarcely studied, with conflicting results. Here, I plan to make use of an unique opportunity to investigate the role of predation in cognitive evolution. I will examine how changes in predation pressure, caused by an invasion of alien snakes into the island of Ibiza, affect the cognition of endemic lizards. I will test how predation risk affects cognitive variation among and within populations of prey, and specifically the trade-off between learning speed versus accuracy (i.e. cognitive style), an understudied aspect of cognition in this context. Another gap in our knowledge is how exactly cognitive abilities help individuals to avoid being predated, and hence as a second goal I will test whether individual's cognitive performance and style relate to their ability to recognize and respond to predators. Finally, one aspect that has rarely been taken into consideration in the past, is how the cognitive abilities of the predator itself affect prey cognition and vice versa. As a final goal, I will test the exciting unexplored hypothesis of a cognitive arms race between predator and prey. In addition, this project will also integrate neuroscience with cognitive ecology, and delve deeper into the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying cognitive changes in prey and predator.

Mots clés : behavioural ecology, animal cognition, predation, predator prey arms race, invasive alien species, brain size evolution

Participants :
- Wageningen University & Research (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- CERCA Institution (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet FAJANS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Two-dimensional (2D) Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (Janus 2D TMD) are specific planar materials with different top and bottom termination layers. This new class of materials thus exhibits broken structural symmetry in the out-of-plane direction, predicted to result in exotic new properties, such as vertical piezoelectricity, Rashba spin splitting and unexpected exciton behavior. However, fabrication of Janus 2D TMD is an extremely challenging task, owing to the need of an epitaxial atomic replacement within classical 2D TMD. This project is designed to achieve chalcogenide exchange within classical TMDs by two novel approaches. In the first approach, we will utilize an electron beam as tool to alter the top layer, allowing its selective selenization/sulfurization. In the second approach, we aim to utilize increased reactivity in the van der Waals gap to allow for selective chalcogenide exchange within the gap. This requires careful set of experimental conditions. These will be sought with in-situ electron microscopy, which allows to overcome the common experimental "black box" approach. Data from in-situ microscopy allow to determine kinetic constants, potentially allowing to generate general growth protocols for Janus TMDs. The growth will be followed analysis of structural, optical and electrical properties of the grown materials. The proposal builds on an established know how of the Host institution (CEITEC) and the Supervisor (Miroslav Kolibal), providing the Aplicant (Estácio Paiva de Araújo) with relevant scientific training, as well as widening his skillset via Career Development Plan. The project emphasizes the two-way knowledge transfer; the Applicant is expected to bring both the scientific know-how, as well as to open new ways to communicate the results to the different audiences and, as such, increase the visibility of CEITEC within the scientific community and general public.

Mots clés : electron microscopy, 2d materials, in situ, janus

Participants :
- Université des technologies de Brno (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet HyCoWanDoCoDyn (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Complex dynamics is a subfield of dynamical systems, where the systems in question are generated by the iteration of a holomorphic function on a complex manifold. This proposal concerns itself with the following question: What is the equivalent of a hyperbolic component for parameter families of entire functions with wandering domains? Both hyperbolicity and wandering domains are the subject of much research in the area, and lie at the core of some of the field's major open questions. This project attempts to link them by focusing on three separate objectives: - Investigating generalisations to wandering domains of the multiplier map, a central tool in understanding hyperbolic components for parameter families of rational functions. - Fully classifying the structure of the Teichmüller spaces associated to wandering domains of entire functions. - Obtaining quasiconformal invariants for the boundary dynamics of wandering domains.

Mots clés : dynamical systems, complex dynamics, wandering domains, hyperbolic geometry

Participants :
- CERCA Institution (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 209914.56 €
Projet YPB (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Recent discoveries of numerous and diverse exoplanetary systems and their debris discs have revolutionized our understanding of how planets and planetesimals form. One of the exciting recent developments is detection of a large number of young systems which appear to be hosting belts of planetesimals, yet also unexpectedly show high amounts of gas. To explain these observations novel computational models must be developed, which take into account all key physical processes shaping the distribution of dust in these systems. I propose to use a kinetic model of collisional evolution of planetesimals and dust, combined with models of dust evolution due to gas drag and radiation pressure, and models of gas structure shaped by viscous evolution and dispersal. To do this I will extend the capabilities of a kinetic model previously used in studies of gas-free debris discs to account for dynamics of small dust grains in the presence of a gaseous disc. This will allow to model the entire range of body sizes, from dust to planetesimals, in a self-consistent way. The project will require knowledge of collisional planetesimal belts as well as of the proto-planetary environment, and this knowledge will be directly drawn from the existing research experience of the candidate. The project will generate a transfer of knowledge to the host institution while developing the candidate’s theoretical and technical expertise. The results of the project will be of wide use to the planetary science community, as they will help to interpret future observations of young planetary systems, to constrain the process of protoplanetary disc dispersal, and determine properties of dust and gas that may be accreted onto planets in the last stages of their formation.

Mots clés : protoplanetary discs debris discs planetesimal belts

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Belgrade (Serbie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 140187.84 €
Projet FeriMag (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

I aim to develop a novel material system with intrinsically nonreciprocal spin-wave dispersion relation, based on ferrimagnetic insulator bilayers. Nonreciprocity is a crucial property in signal processing, as it can be used to design e.g. circulators - devices that allow to use the same antenna for receiving and transmitting signals. Current technology uses bulk ferrite materials and permanent magnets to achieve this behavior. However, this makes the circulators too big for applications in personal devices such as mobile phones or smart watches. For this reason, the current technology uses different frequencies for transmitted and received signal, effectively halving usable bandwidth. Strong nonreciprocity has been achieved in synthetic antiferromagnets made of metallic bilayers, relying on the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction to stabilize the noncolinear configuration. However, the high attenuation in these layers prevents any real industrial application. On the other hand, the lack of easily accessible RKKY interaction in low-damping magnetic insulators, such as yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG), makes it difficult to achieve nonreciprocal properties in these materials. My idea is to overcome this lack of RKKY interaction in YIG by stabilizing the noncolinear magnetic configuration by altering the direction of the magnetic anisotropy separately in each layer. Such a material system can be exploited to design multifunctional devices integrated on micrometer-sized chips for mmWave in 5G and future 6G technologies. These devices can be subsequently utilized in e.g., autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and thus help to overcome challenges connected to dense communication networks.

Mots clés : mangonics spin waves non reciprocal dispersion relation heterostructures yttrium iron garnet mmwave technology wave based computing circulators

Participants :
- Institut de technologie du Massachusetts (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université des technologies de Brno (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 419888.52 €
Projet MagStents (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Cardiovascular diseases represent a critical global health challenge, affecting millions through the obstruction of blood vessels. Existing interventions, particularly conventional stents, are hindered by significant limitations such as rigidity and a high risk of restenosis. This proposal introduces MagStents, an innovative fusion of soft polymers and magnetic nanoparticles, designed to overcome these challenges. While traditional metal stents restore blood flow, they are constrained by inflexibility and potential vessel damage. In contrast, MagStents offer a biocompatible, flexible, and self-expanding alternative, constructed from dual crosslinked hydrogels.  A key advancement of MagStents is their magnetic actuation, enabling precise positioning, adjustment, and post-deployment control using an external magnetic field. This capability introduces a novel dimension in cardiovascular intervention, reducing the need for surgical procedures by allowing real-time non-invasive adjustments.  The research will focus on the development of Magnetic hydrogels (MagGels), engineered with controlled magnetic and mechanical properties. Advanced additive manufacturing technique will be employed to fabricate MagStents that incorporate these MagGels, ensuring both structural integrity and magnetic responsiveness. Comprehensive evaluations will assess biocompatibility, mechanical performance, and magnetic behavior, alongside the potential for controlled drug release in vitro.  MagStents offer a significant advancement in interventional cardiology by enabling remote, non-invasive manipulation and enhanced adaptability. The research aims to establish a new standard for stent performance, improving patient outcomes and addressing the current limitations of cardiovascular disease treatments. Through their unique combination of magnetic control and biocompatibility, MagStents hold the potential to revolutionize stent technology and patient care.

Mots clés : magnetic nanoparticles, spin dynamics, magnetic anisotropy

Participants :
- Université des technologies de Brno (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207758.16 €
Projet SOLgenbio (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The nightshade family, Solanaceae, at once illustrates the common challenges of molecular dating and presents a prime opportunity for expanding knowledge of biogeography and evolutionary history. Its most widely diverse tribe, Physalideae, contains roughly 300 species mostly distributed in South America, half of them with fruit key innovations known as the inflated fruiting calyx. The same structures are present in the oldest fossils of the family, recently discovered in the south of South America, reinforcing the idea of this area as the ancestral zone of origin and diversification for Solanaceae. After decades of molecular phylogenetics and fossil discoveries, I aim to introduce an integrative approach to disentangle the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the physaloids in the light of fossils, morphology, and museum genomics. To approach this, I will first infer a calibrated total-evidence phylogeny for the Physalideae including fossils and extant taxa. Building on these results, I will estimate diversification rates to test whether phenotypic changes in the fruiting calyx inflation affected them. Finally, and also using the calibrated phylogeny, I will reconstruct the ancestral areas of distribution of Physalideae, and I will test whether there is a correlation between the inflated calyx and the macroevolutionary dispersal rates. The convergence of genomics, paleobotany, and evolutionary morphology will allow us to test if the inflation of the fruiting calyx may have spurred the diversification and distribution of physaloids over the Americas and across continents, shaping the biogeographic patterns we see today.

Mots clés : biogeography, evolution, nightshades, plant fossils, genomics

Participants :
- Université d'Helsinki (Finlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 215534.4 €
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet WHY-AD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

White matter (WM) is being increasingly studied in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a possible key pathological driver. In-vivo, WM health can be measured through several metrics derived from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). While these metrics provide information about the WM micro- and macro-structural alterations, the biological processes determining such changes is often unclear. Characterizing these biological pathways is crucial for a more refined use of MRI in the clinics and for building accurate disease models for individualized prediction. In this work, we will use several cohorts covering the AD spectrum with both available MRI and biological data (genetics, proteomics). We will first perform a characterization of the biological pathways that provoke WM dysfunction in different stages of AD. Subsequently, we will use this information to build data-driven models of disease progression and spreading. Finally, we will test the applicability of these models in data from memory clinics.

Mots clés : multi omics, white matter, diffusion imaging, biomarkers, disease modeling

Participants :
- Université de Gênes (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 193643.28 €
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (Italie) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet NL2Optic (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Understanding the light-matter interactions taking place inside a crystalline solid is a challenging task, but of great significance both for fundamental science and technological applications. When laser light shines on a crystal, light waves and electric currents interact and give rise to a multitude of interesting and relevant nonlinear optical (NLO) effects: harmonic generation, current injection, the Kerr effect, and many more.1 Their study forms a rich and broad subject that sits at the intersection of nonlinear optics and condensed matter physics. Most of these effects are captured by a perturbative expansion of the current density on the optical fields. The coefficients of the expansion are the linear, second, third and higher order conductivities. They are in general functions of time and space (or frequency and momentum) and, for light intensities that are not too extreme, encapsulate the entire optical response of the material. Indeed, the nonlinear conductivities provide a unifying framework for understanding the aforementioned nonlinear phenomena, with each nonlinear effect being ascribed to a particular frequency component of a conductivity. Material-specific calculations of the nonlinear conductivity remain difficult, however, mostly relying on the electric-dipole (infinite wavelength) approximation, whereby the spatial dependence of the conductivity is neglected (local response) on account of the approximate uniformity of the optical fields at the scale of the unit cell. This approximation leaves out important magneto-optical and magnetoelectric effects, as well as the possibility of second order nonlinearities in centrosymmetric materials. The proposed project (NL2Optic) aims to overcome this limitation by developing and applying a theory of the nonlocal nonlinear optical response of bulk crystalline solids. The proposal merges perturbative methods introduced by the applicant and a well established ab initio approach developed by the host.

Mots clés : nonlinear optics solid state physics ab initio nonlinear conductivity wannier functions multipoles quantum geometry altermagnets moir magnetoelectric effect optical rotation

Participants :
- Université du Pays basque (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 194074.56 €
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet FEMBOOKS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This research project is framed at the intersection between the history of publishing, sociology and literature studies, with specific focus on gender, bibliodiversity in the creative economy of publishing, and the narrative shaping of democracy. It proposes a comparative study of the yet-to-be-explored archives of two small, independent publishing houses established and led by women in mutual contexts of post-dictatorship transition to democracy: Ada Korn Editora, founded by Ada Korn in 1984 in Buenos Aires, in the immediate aftermath of the 1976-1983 civic-military dictatorship in Argentina; and Ediciones Torremozas, founded by Luzmaría Jiménez Faro in 1982 in Madrid, following Franco’s 36-year dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975). During this period of social effervescence, AKE and ET expanded the limits of the literary field challenging whom and what is considered published literature supporting cultures of democracy within the publishing sector. Scholars have announced the crisis of print culture aggravated with the increasing power of digital platforms and the erosion of the authority of public intellectuals. Nonetheless, the economic and cultural weight of creative industries is significant and the publishing industry remains a privileged space to spread ideas, and affect the social and political landscape. The current democratic deficit various countries experience, such as Argentina following the 40th anniversary of the return of democracy, reinforce inequalities within creative industries that reproduce disparities when deciding which narratives circulate. This endangers bibliodiversity and gender equality. The case studies will be analysed within the transnational field of literature by focusing on material, aesthetical, and social dimensions.

Mots clés : sociology of literature history of publishing

Participants :
- Université de Newcastle upon Tyne (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet NARFIB (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The Novel and the Refugee: Contemporary Global Fiction and the Imaginary of Border Regimes (NARFIB) will investigate an emerging trend in contemporary fiction which engages with the global escalation of harsh border regimes since 9/11 that have sanctioned the state’s capacity for extraordinary measures against ‘outsiders’ to protect ‘insiders’. The rise of what I identify as the ‘global border novel’ coincides with the acute mass displacement around the globe, with an unprecedented one hundred million refugees as of May 2022, exceeding the previous year’s statistics by an alarming 10 million (Siegfried, UNHCR). NARFIB conceives of the border novel as a cultural product that mediates and is mediated by the contemporary border imaginary. The border novel iterates fictional spaces in which characters live out the affective and material impacts of the border’s disciplinary power. For these characters—on both ends of the spectrum of citizenship, whether refugees or ‘core’ citizens of Global North—the border signals the psychic and material exposure to the internal contradictions and limitations of liberal democracies in the face of their precarious futures, while the figure of the refugee points to precisely where a greater number of citizens will end up, that is, a victim of the border. NARFIB dwells in this problem by assuming an interlinked relationship between refugee fiction, the recent escalations of border control, and the ways that the border imaginary renders the political panic about unsettling the residual myth of the mono-cultural state.NARFIB will develop a transdisciplinary methodology by synthesizing the latest research in border studies, literary studies, surveillance studies and political psychology. NARFIB will be conducted in the Department of Literature, Area Studies, and European Languages (ILOS) at the University of Oslo (UiO), and in collaboration with the supervisor of the project, Professor Johan Schimanski.

Mots clés : global border novel, refugee, transdisciplinary methodology, critical border studies, literary studies, surveillance studies, political psychology

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