Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Ethical aspects of human enhancement and the ownership of biological material (ENHANCEMENT ETHICS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2010-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161225.98
EU funding (EUR): 161225.98
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The main objectives of this project are (i) to address relevant ethical aspects of human enhancement from a virtue ethics perspective and (ii) to identify and explore the philosophical dimensions of ownership of biological material which are related to human enhancement. My host and supervisor will be Professor Julian Savulescu who is the director of ‘The Oxford Uehiro Centre of Practical Ethics’ and the director of ‘The Program of Ethics and the New Biosciences in the 21st Century School’ at University of Oxford. The project has strong interdisciplinary features and will involve: moral philosophy, ethics of technology, medical ethics, neuroethics, enhancement technology and jurisprudence. This broad approach is reflected in the choice of supervisor; Professor Julian Savulescu is qualified in medicine, bioethics and analytic philosophy, as well as host organisation; The Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at Oxford University. In addition I will have the support of Dr. Roger Crisp, a specialist in ancient philosophy at St. Anne’s College in Oxford and Professor Francois Berger, leader of the research group ‘Brain nanomedicine group’ at INSERM U836 at University of Grenoble in France. The research will result in a series of four (4) articles, intended for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Keywords: ethics,moral philosophy,philosophy of law,biomedical ethics,human enhancement,virtue ethics,aristotle,property rights,neuroethics
Complex Projective Contact Manifolds (CONTACT MANIFOLDS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-02-14
Duration (months): 41.0
Total project cost (EUR): 239138.19
EU funding (EUR): 239138.19
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In our project we are interested in the classification of complex projective contact Fano manifolds and of quaternion-Kahler manifolds with positive scalar curvature. Also we want to classify smooth subvarieties of projective space whose dual is also smooth. We divide these problems into the following four objectives: 1) to expand the dictionary between the differential geometric properties of quaternion-Kahler manifolds with positive scalar curvature and algebro-geometric properties of complex contact Fano manifolds; 2) to determine properties of minimal rational curves on contact Fano manifolds and the Legendrian subvarieties determined by these curves; 3) to use the results of 1) and 2) to make progress in establishing or disproving the conjecture of LeBrun and Salamon - we will approach the conjecture from both the differential and algebraic perspectives. 4) to classify smooth varieties whose dual is also smooth via Legendrian varieties.

Keywords: algebraic geometry,differential geometry,contact manifolds,quaternion-kahler manifolds,legendrian varieties,smooth varieties with smooth dual,self-dual varieties
Nanoporous Materials and Supramolecular Clusters for Light Induced Electronic Switches (LIGHT INDUCED SWITCH)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-11-01
End date: 2009-10-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 82388.87
EU funding (EUR): 82388.87
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Molecular framework materials recently have been shown to possess immensely rich host-guest chemistry; their porous lattices are capable of highly selective host-guest properties that include reversible guest and ion exchange, heterogeneous catalysis, and gas storage and separation. It was realized that by further exploitation of the porous nature of metal-organic frameworks in combination with spin crossover centres, molecular sensing materials can be generated, whereby the spin crossover sites can be switched ‘on’, ‘off’ or altered by the presence, absence or exchange of solvent guest molecules. The challenge in this exciting new area is to generate such materials with a focus on real and timely application. Light is one of the most promising ways to reversibly direct and control the physical properties of organic and inorganic materials. Spin crossover materials are a convenient class of compounds to make this possible as they are known to exhibit a light induced transition from a low spin to metastable high spin state, and indeed can show infinite lifetimes of the high spin state under certain conditions. The overall object of this proposal is to develop inorganic nanoporous materials and supramolecular clusters which have inbuilt light initiated switches, in the form of iron(II) spin crossover centers, for use as optical switches and storage devices, molecular sensors, chemical detectors, drug delivery, data storage, displays and other electron devices. The project makes use of the complementary skills and expertise of the research groups in Bordeaux, Melbourne and Sydney to achieve the first detailed investigations of this novel co-existence of spin crossover and nanoporous materials towards ‘nano-scale’ light initiated switching applications. The impact of even a small advance in such materials could translate into a major impact on the environment, economy, public health and national security.

Keywords: inorganic chemistry,spin crossover,magnetism,photomagnetism,framework materials,iron(ii),nanoporous,molecular sensing,electronic switch,multi-functional
Muon reconstruction and trigger optimization towards early beyond the Standard Model discovery at the LHC with the CMS detector. (CMSMURECOTRIGBSM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-05-01
End date: 2010-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180061.61
EU funding (EUR): 180061.61
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The work proposed here has a three-fold scope: 1. Optimize muon reconstruction at CMS on a muon-by-muon basis such that the best possible resolution and efficiency is achieved across all momentum and rapidity ranges. 2. Investigate and implement non-standard use of the information from the muon detectors enabling a time-of-flight measurement. 3. Study the muon trigger requirements and trigger paths in the context of commissioning and integration for the LHC startup. The physics aim of the proposed work is to support and maximize the early discovery potential of CMS in viable beyond the Standard Model frameworks involving muons in the final state (from Supersymmerty to Extra Dimensions and new gauge bosons).

Keywords: physical sciences,particle physics,hadron collider,muon,cms,lhc,trigger,beyond standard model physics,cern
The Astronomical Republic. Emergence of a disciplinary field in early modern Europe, 1700-1830 (ASTRONOMICALREPUBLIC)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2010-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 153777.73
EU funding (EUR): 153777.73
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this historical and sociological project is to analyse the emergence of astronomy as a modern scientific discipline in the golden age of royal academies, i. e. between 1700 and 1830. The study of this historical process, conceived as a broader social and intellectual phenomenon, is designed to test the validity of the concept of Republic of Science as an explanative paradigm for the emergence of modern science, and especially for the crystallization of mathematized disciplines. Conceived as an emerging disciplinary field within the Republic of Science, the so-called «Astronomical Republic» will be examined from four different points of view: 1. The values involved in the scientific cooperation between astronomers and the development of a specific language for the practice of astronomy. 2. The institutions, especially the academies and the observatories, as well as the existence of local communities of scholars, especially through the case-study of Paris. 3. The scholars themselves: their training, career, social identity and intellectual status. 4. The various kinds of networks: training, influences, cooperation, family ties, patronage, institutional links and so forth. The methods involved range from text content analysis (1°) and institutional monographic studies (2°) to sociometric data analysis (3°) and social network analysis (4°). This multidisciplinary research training project is designed to allow the project coordinator to reach a new stage in his career-development and in his life-long analysis of the modernization of Western societies and intellectual life.

Keywords: human sciences,sociological history of science,astronomy,18th century,scientific cooperation,scientific language,academies,observatories,natural philosophers,networks.
The Challenge of Private Urban Governance and the Rise of Gated Communities in Europe (GATEDPUG)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-10-01
End date: 2010-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170709.11
EU funding (EUR): 170709.11
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The European metropolitan regions are facing with the new challenge of the emergence of private urban governance and the rise of gated communities. Despite of the growing number of case studies there is however a lack of comparative studies and of a general theory that could link the main research paradigms (the market-driven process approach conceptualise the rise of gated communities via economic rooted consumer-side choices, while the politics-driven process approach see it as results of exclusionary political behaviour of the affluent). The overall aim of the research project is to fill these gaps with a cross-European comparative study using an innovative research framework. In order to analyse the driving economic, social, and political factors it will be gathered and evaluated a cross-European database about gated communities. To offer policy recommendations the research will use the framework of the trilemma of urban governance developed by the applicant. Its main message is that the objectives low congestion cost, high efficiency in production of public goods and services, and high social cohesion are mutually incompatible. Policymakers have to choose among these desirable elements; however they can have at most two out of these three at the same time, having to decide which one they wish to give up. The main objective of the career development of the applicant is his integration into the European scientific excellence networks. The applicant has a wide-range knowledge in economic geography and research experience in Central and Eastern Europe that is the main basis to carry out the proposed research project with high scientific quality. Because of the multidisciplinary feature of the research projects it is however also needed skills and expertise in urban planning, housing market study, and legal issues related to gated communities, which will be provided trough trainings at the host institute

Keywords: private urban governance,gated communities,urban development in europe,cross-european comparative study,political trilemma of urban governance
NanoPorous Anodic Oxides for Functionalization of Metal Surfaces (NANOXID)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-15
End date: 2010-04-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178307.05
EU funding (EUR): 178307.05
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The project examines the mechanisms of formation of nanoporous anodic oxides. Nanoporous anodic oxides are important to the protection of metals against corrosion and wear. They have attracted renewed interest due to the potential for long range ordering of pores, with applications in nanotechnological systems. Currently, long-range pore order is achieved empirically. However, the proper understanding of growth mechanisms will enable systematic tailoring of oxide properties. The researcher will participate in a collaborative activity, involving the host organization, The University of Manchester, and Institut des NanoSciences de Paris, located within Universités Paris 7 et 6. The experimental work will focus on the relative contributions of oxide dissolution and oxide flow in the generation and ordering of pores. It will adopt tracer procedures, newly-developed in Manchester, with precise determination of compositions, morphologies and structures of porous oxides by a wide range of surface analytical and electron microscopy tools. These will include ion beam analyses, using facilities in Paris, with new methods of data analysis by multi-spectrum fitting. The researcher will be integrated into a large Light Metals activity, providing excellent opportunities for career development, including personal skills, networking, research management, supervision, and international collaboration. Further, the experimental programme provides a major diversification of the researcher's expertise and experience.

Keywords: materials engineering,electrochemistry,anodic oxidation,porous oxides
Novel bioactive glass-ceramic composites for dental restorations (DENTBIOCOMP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-05-01
End date: 2010-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169957.94
EU funding (EUR): 169957.94
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

There is a need for development new bioactive dental glass-ceramics with controlled surface reactivity and mechanical properties as well as aesthetic appearance, which would be capable to establish periodontal tissue attachment similar to the one observed in healthy teeth. To achieve this objective, our work will focus on two important tasks: a) the development and optimisation of processing techniques based on sol-gel and powder technology for the processing of novel bioactive silicate glass-ceramic composites and b) the complete structural, chemical, mechanical and biological characterization of the products. The innovative aspect will be the use of sol-gel technique towards achieving two processes which will lead to synthesis of novel bioactive inorganic materials; the first stage of experiments aims at the development of an intimate and homogeneous mixture of the bioactive glass phase and the dental ceramic inclusions. During the second stage, glass-ceramics in appropriate systems for dental applications will be synthesized fully by a new sol-gel method. To achieve this, the precursor solutions of the different crystalline phases will be mixed with the respective precursors of the bioactive glasses. The composite solutions, following the next stages of the standard sol-gel method, will lead to the fabrication of novel composites, appropriate for dental restorations. The structural, chemical, surface and biological properties of the new glass-ceramics prepared under the above processing conditions will be studied by many different methods like; XRD, DTA, TEM, SEM-EDS, FTIR, BET, ICP, AFM, while the mechanical properties will be investigated by standard testing facilities. Using extensive experience of the host laboratory in the microstructure-property correlation of glass-crystalline composites, we will be able to design the microstructure and composition of the glass-ceramics to optimise their properties for the required performance in vitro.

Keywords: glass-ceramic composites,sol-gel,dental ceramics,bioactivity,mechanical properties,microstructure-property correlations,structural-chemical characterization,xrd,dta,tem,sem,ftir,bet,icp
Interstellar dust in star forming regions of nearby galaxies (STARFORM-INTERDUST)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2010-08-31
Duration (months): 21.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161792.99
EU funding (EUR): 161792.99
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding the formation and evolution of a galaxy requires the knowledge of the properties of its stellar population and its star formation activity. The presence of dust in the interstellar medium is fundamental in the star formation process, and is a by-product of that process, which makes the dust itself a tracer of the star formation rate within galaxies. The interstellar dust absorbs the ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the stars and re-emits it in the infrared (IR). The correction for dust extinction is the main source of uncertainty in the estimation of important characteristics of entire galaxies. The research project has the primary goal of studying the role of interstellar dust in nearby star-forming regions. We will study the physical properties of the dust and how they are affected by its stellar environment, the contribution of the dust to the kinematics of the gas in star-forming regions and the confidence in the use of dust emission as a component tracer of the star formation rate in galaxies. We will use data from SPITZER, which provides mid-IR data at the best available resolution, combined with multiwavelength observations (UV-optical-CO-HI), and Fabry-Perot interferometry, one of the most powerful techniques for studying the kinematics of the interstellar gas. The proposal will lay the groundwork for my participation in the scientific exploitation of the forthcoming IR space telescopes, PLANCK and HERSCHEL, to be launched by the European Space Agency in 2008. They will provide observations in a broader wavelength range than currently available and will contribute to a deeper knowledge of the role of the interstellar dust within star forming regions. My stay in Cambridge will be the best possible preparation for the efficient use of the data from these missions, as well as an opportunity to enhance my ability and produce new results from suitable modelling of existing observational material.

Keywords: physical sciences,astrophysics,galaxies,infrarred,dust,star formation
Levy Random Motion and Fractional Calculus in the Kinetic Theory of Systems Far from Equilibrium (LEFRAC)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF, 2007)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2011-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 233630.02
EU funding (EUR): 233630.02
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of the Project is a combined theoretical, numerical and empirical investigation of anomalous diffusion and relaxation processes which are intrinsic to a broad range of phenomena in complex non-equilibrium systems (in areas of physics, chemistry, environmental and geosciences). An adequate statistical description of these phenomena requires non - Gaussian Lévy statistics and the use of fractional calculus, namely both integrals and derivatives of fractional order. Fractional kinetic equations go beyond Fick’s second law and the Fokker-Planck equation by taking into account memory effects such as the stretching of polymers under external fields and the occupation of deep traps by charge carriers in amorphous semiconductors. Fractional kinetic equations allow physicists to describe complex systems with anomalous behavior in much the same way as simpler systems. We expect to generalize the standard fractional kinetic equations and develop methods to solve them analytically and numerically, and introduce fractional equations for multidimensional, anisotropic and non-homogeneous media. New Monte Carlo algorithms will be developed and applied for modeling anomalous relaxation and diffusion phenomena governed by generalized fractional kinetics. The new fractional equations and random walk models will be applied in order to get insight into various processes: wind fluctuations in surface layers of the atmosphere; underground water pollution (as the result of Chernobyl accident); scale free random search observed in different biological systems ranging from a search by an ensemble of proteins of DNA to intermittent foraging behavior of animals; and rare events studied in biomolecules. Based on the central role played by the Tel Aviv School in the area of fractional kinetics and on the broad spectrum of collaborations of the Tel Aviv group, it is expected that European involvement in research of anomalous diffusion and related phenomena will be strengthened.

Keywords: anomalous diffusion,fractional fokker-planck equation,superdiffusion,subdiffusion,stable probablity law,fractional diffusion-advection equation,optimal search strategy,single molecule