Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Non-Equilibrium Processes in Galaxy Clusters (NEPAL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2015-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

I propose to study the dynamical and nonthermal processes in the intracluster medium (ICM) by combining a phenomenological analysis of observational data, a theoretical study, and dedicated numerical simulations. The proposed research is designed to address the central open questions in the theory of clusters, resolve the present tension between observations and simulations, distinguish between different theoretical models, and prepare for future observations. One main goal of the research is to disentangle the distributions of cosmic-rays, magnetic fields, and turbulence in the ICM, and identify their origins, evolution, and implications. A second goal is to facilitate a self-consistent model for the cool cores observed in the centers of most clusters, by identifying the mechanism that stabilizes the core against cooling, the feedback processes that render it robust, and the role played by active galactic nuclei and global flows. The research is motivated in part by the apparent lag of ICM theory behind the recent observational progress and the present numerical capabilities. In particular, it would utilize the recent observations of cold fronts, spiral patterns, and radio minihalos, that appear to exist in most cores.

Keywords: astrophysics,cosmology,computational physics,3 d modelling,relativity
Role of cytosolic ascorbate-peroxidases (cAPXs) in heat stress (HS) perception and in systemic HS-signaling (CAPX IN HS SIGNALING)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The heat stress (HS) response is a highly conserved response characterized primarily by rapid induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and is regulated by heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs). The HS response is also closely associated with accumulation reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage and acclimation of plants to elevated temperatures involves induction of activation of ROS scavenging enzymes in addition to activation of HSPs. Recently we have shown that ROS production and signals are required for the HS response in Arabidopsis, having a novel role in mediating systemic HS responses. Nevertheless, the role of ROS metabolism and signaling in HS-perception and HS-acclimation in plants is still poorly understood. Moreover, the role of ROS scavenging enzymes in HS-signaling and - acclimation is still largely unknown. In this proposal, we will use Arabidopsis plants deficient in the HS-responsive cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases (cAPXs) to study the relationship between cytosolic H2O2 metabolism and systemic HS signaling, and explore the contribution of APX1, 2 and 6 to HS sensing and HS acclimation. Our long-term goal is to elucidate ROS-mediated systemic signaling events triggered by abiotic stress stimuli and identify genes and mechanisms that confer systemic acquired acclimation (SAA) to the stresses. Specific objectives 1. Study the function of the cAPXs in the heat stress response Arabidopsis thaliana. 2. Unravel the role of cytosolic H2O2 metabolism in systemic heat stress signaling. 3. Use cAPX mutants to determine whether heat shock transcription factors (HsfA2 and HsfA4a) are direct sensors of ROS. Impact: The use of cAPX mutants as an experimental platform and our novel experimental approach would further advance the new field of systemic HS acclimation. Elucidating the involvement of ROS signals in HS acclimation would have a profound impact on agriculture and would provide new approaches to improve crop tolerance and yield.

Keywords: agricultural sciences,climate change,heat stress,reactive oxygen species,ros,abiotic stress,acclimation,systemic signal,ascorbate peroxidase,heat shock transcription factor
Synthesis and characterization of NANOstructured materials with LumInescent properties for diaGnostic and tHerapeuTic applications (NANOLIGHT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2014-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of the present project is to explore different synthesis strategies to obtain silicon nanocrystals and carbon nanodots with luminescent properties as alternative to conventional fluorescent biomarkers or other light-emitting semiconductor nanoparticles containing heavy metals known as quantum dots. Nanostructured silicon can provide appealing properties such as size and wavelength-dependent luminescence emission in the red/near infrared window, resistance to photobleaching, and robust surface chemistry for grafting of bio-molecules without incurring the burden of intrinsic toxicity or elemental scarcity of quantum dots. Carbon-based nanostructures with fluorescent properties remain relatively unexplored but similar behaviour and properties can be envisaged. The production of silicon nanocrystals will be approached by means of two different methods: i) thermal processing of silesquioxanes to produce an encapsulating oxide matrix for the silicon nanocrystals and ii) laser pyrolysis of silicon precursors either in gas phase or in the form of aerosols containing organometallic precursors. Both methods are quite novel and offer great possibilities for scaling up the batch production of silicon nanocrystals offered by current methodologies. Likewise, the synthesis of carbon nanodots will be explored by both thermal decomposition and laser ablation of carbon-containing precursors. To stabilize the nanoparticles and render them biocompatible for in vitro and in vivo diagnostic imaging experiments, different passivating and encapsulating agents like alkyl or alkoxy-groups and micelle-forming polymers and phospholipids will be evaluated. Finally, fluorescent labelling of cells, evaluation of cytotoxicity, drug-loading, circulation and degradation of selected samples will be carried out.

Keywords: biomedical engineering,materials engineering,surface chemistry,nanobiotechnology,inorganic chemistry,nanosystems,biomedical materials,carbon chemistry
Security and the Politics of Belonging: Homegrown terrorism, counter-radicalization and the “end” of multiculturalism? (COUNTERADICAL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2015-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

What is the impact of counter-radicalization policies on multiculturalism and migrant membership in Europe? Many observers see state responses to homegrown terrorist threats as emphasizing assimilation in a way that marks the end of multiculturalism. This project argues instead that current anti-terror practices are producing an increased division of European societies along ethno-religious lines. Media and political discourse in European countries have announced the “end” of multiculturalism. The main reason behind this “backlash” being the need of fighting “homegrown terrorism”, a danger understood as linked to diaspora ghettoization and ethnic and religious separateness. In this sense, counter-radicalization policies and practices should be at the vanguard of an assimilationist and anti-multiculturalist turn. Yet is it the case? Several recent studies have shown that multicultural practices continue under different guises. Building on these findings, and through a comparison of Britain, France and the Netherlands, the project explores the hypothesis that counter-radicalization policies do not mark a return to assimilationist policies. Instead, through everyday practices of policing, they perpetuate and reinforce the ethno-religious division of national “communities”. The consequence of these policies is to remove fundamental questions about pluralism and citizenship from the political debate, casting them instead in the technical and depoliticized language of security. The proposed research is based on a discourse analysis of policy documents, in-depth qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation.

Keywords: radicalization,security,multiculturalism,diasporas,transnationalism
Study of Endothelial and Osteoclastic cells cooperation for Bone Tissue Engineering applications (EOBOTE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2014-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are affecting an increasing number of people worldwide. The short- and long-term consequences are an increasing risk of fractures, total joint replacement and bone grafting. Current treatments of osteoporosis are based on inhibition of bone resorption and at best preserve bone volume but do not improve bone formation together with a high risk of complications like an osteonecrosis of the jaw. Furthermore, in clinical cases of bone loss or during osteoarticular prostheses surgeries, bone autograft remains the ‘gold standard’ for surgeon as bone substitutes or bone filler, respectively. In fact, despite the good clinical results of calcium phosphate materials in the same applications and their advantages over bone autograft, their lack of biological properties is still a major drawback. These examples clearly demonstrate the actual limits of the current clinical solutions in the field of treatment of bone disorders and bone tissue regeneration. A key factor for bone repair is the creation of the vascular network allowing optimal cell colonization and mineralized tissue formation. Recent studies have shown the crucial role of cells responsible of bone resorption (osteoclastic cells) in the initiation bone remodeling but also in the recruitment of blood vessel forming cell (endothelial cells). Taking together, this data can explain major issues caused by bisphosphonates as well as the limited application of synthetic materials for the treatment of bone defect. Thus a better knowledge of the communication between cells would highlight the mechanisms of the vascularisation process. This project aims to characterize the specific interactions between osteoclastic and endothelial cells in order to provide a new route both for the treatment of bone healing disorders and for the functionalization of synthetic bone substitutes. We believe that this strategy will accelerate vascularisation and improve bone tissue regeneration.

Keywords: health sciences,cell biology,biomaterial engineering
First-principles engineering of thermal and electrical transport at the nanoscale (COOL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2015-11-30
Duration (months): 44.0
Total project cost (EUR): 91666.67
EU funding (EUR): 91666.67
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

There is great hope to tackle serious global issues related to energy consumption and waste by developing technologies based on efficient nanoscale materials and devices. For this to happen, we need breakthroughs in our ability to control electrical and thermal transport at the nanoscale. Ab-initio materials modelling will play a central role in this, providing microscopic understanding and the materials parameters needed to bridge the macroscopic performance and the microscopic mechanisms that determine transport properties. In this project I will use ab initio techniques based on density-functional theory to calculate the electronic and vibrational properties of materials as well as the carriers' relaxation times due to carrier-carrier and carrier-defect interactions. These are the key ingredients that will then be used in the Boltzmann transport equation to simulate transport in devices, taking into full account the coupled electron-phonon dynamics in complex geometries, and in the presence of interfaces or defects. The research will proceed in three main directions. First, toward engineering materials and devices for high-performance nanoelectronic applications. Here I will study the detailed mechanisms of carrier-induced heating in silicon- and carbon-based electronic devices: this is a key technological issue that is becoming dominant as we race toward the nanoscale. Second, toward identifying new optimal thermoelectric materials, which are of great relevance to energy conversion or cooling applications. To this end, I will perform a systematic study of the thermoelectric properties of promising materials, starting from ternary and filled CoSb3-based skutterudites. Third, toward characterizing structural and spectroscopic properties of materials and devices. Here I will place particular effort in building a database of thermo-mechanical and spectroscopic properties of the materials that show the most promising transport characteristics.

Keywords: computational physics,physics of semiconductors,electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties,mechanical and thermal properties,thermal engineering,materials engineering,electrical engineering
The manufacturing of a biological tissue: REgeneration of the JOINt by Developmental engineering. (REJOIND)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Belgium
Call:  (ERC-2011-ADG_20110310, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3057673.0
EU funding (EUR): 3057673.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The general aim of REJOIND is to provide proof-of-principle for the in vitro manufacturing of a growing bone, with a bioartificial growth plate as a “driving engine” at its core. To achieve this, we propose a developmental engineering approach, based on the modular design of in vitro processes consisting of sequential units corresponding to in vivo developmental stages. These processes follow a gradual and coordinated progression of tissue growth and cell differentiation that leads to organization of cells into intermediate tissue forms. At every step of the developmental engineering process, computational models will be applied, in order to form a quantitative foundation for every process and to optimize these. After establishment of a manufacturing process of a growth plate, REJOIND will combine this tissue with osteoblasts or articular chondrocytes to build osteochondral tissues or bioartificial joints. Ultimately, REJOIND aims to achieve an autonomous process of in vitro tissue growth allowing guided size expansion. A close interaction between biologists and engineers will make this possible. Pre-clinical applications that will be explored in animal models range from the repair of deep osteochondral defects in a joint surface, to a total joint replacement for small arthritic joints. We expect that a number of these implants will provide a cartilaginous template for bone formation, therefore some will be tested in vivo in appropriate models for healing of long bone defects. In conclusion, REJOIND aims to provide evidence that through the use of developmental engineering, we can build a tissue in vitro, moving the boundary from manufacturing and control at the cellular level to tissue organization and function. This methodology will result in a more reliable in vivo outcome of tissue engineered products, and thus a more predictable and sustainable clinical outcome in the patient.

Keywords: tissue engineering
Role of the chromatin architecture in the regulation of gene transcription (CHROMATRANSCRIPT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The complex architecture displayed by the chromatin inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells plays an important role in several key cellular processes such as the regulation of gene expression, DNA replication and DNA repair. The dynamics of this chromatin architecture remains however poorly characterized. While at “steady state” the chromatin organization is thought to be relatively stable along the entire interphase, dramatic modifications of this architecture has been observed in response to external stimuli. In particular, the activation or repression of gene transcription is often associated with local changes in the level of chromatin compaction and with gene repositioning inside the nucleus. A precise understanding of the mechanism underlying this chromatin reorganization is impeded by the lack of a complete description of the dynamics of the restructuring process. With the “ChromaTranscript” project, the researcher proposes to investigate the process of nuclear restructuring in association to transcriptional activation or repression of estrogen-regulated genes using an original approach at the interface between biology, physics and advanced microscopy. The three following questions will be investigated: 1) What is the dynamic of the nuclear reorganization process at the scale of a single chromosome ? 2) What are the changes in the fine chromatin structure underlying the micron-scale nuclear reorganizations studied in 1) ? 3) Is nuclear reorganization the cause or the consequence of the change in transcription activity ? The interdisciplinary approach which is proposed in the project combines tagging methods, used to label in fluorescence single chromosome or specific gene loci in living cells, and advanced light microscopy methods allowing the monitoring, at different scales in space and time, of the process of nuclear restructuring in association to transcription modulation.

Keywords: biophysics,cell biology,chromatin,nucleus,gene expression,gene transcription,estrogen,fluorescence microscopy
Impact of Proteasome Subpopulations on Cardiac Remodeling (PROCARE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Europe and the world. Cardiac remodeling involving cardiac hypertrophy is associated with higher morbidity as well as mortality due to heart disease. Cardiac muscle mass is potentially influenced by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). At the heart of the UPS is the proteasome, which specifically degrades targeted proteins into peptides. The candidate has identified that the cardiac proteasomal core, the 20S proteasome, is a heterogenic group of highly similar multiprotein complexes with different functionality. During the development of cardiac hypertrophy, the assembly and thus the composition of 20S proteasome complexes is distinctly regulated. In consequence, proteasomal activities change non-uniformly. The objective of the proposed study is to analyze the impact of this regulatory mechanism on cardiac remodeling.

Keywords: proteomics,cardiology,physiology,functional biology
New Frontiers in (Trans)esterification Pervaporation Membrane Reactors (NEW-PMR)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Belgium,Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2015-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Pervaporation membrane reactors (PMRs) have shown extraordinary potential to separate continuously water from water-organic solvent mixtures. They are applied to the separation of water in esterification reactions to shift the equilibrium towards the production of the ester. In this work, a PMR will be set up and studied to perform the esterification reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and remove the water produced in order to increase the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). This involves the separation of water from acetic acid in the reaction medium, which is a challenge significantly beyond the current state-of-the-art. A second challenge in which PRMs will be developed as a leap frog technology is in developing membrane reactors for transesterification reactions. They are even much more challenging than esterification reactions, because the separation to be achieved in this case is between an ester and an alcohol (in the reaction medium), which is a difficult organic-organic separation that currently is being done by reactive distillation, at high cost. In this work, the transesterification of methyl acetate and n-butanol to yield n-butyl acetate will be studied among others. The overall study comprises two specific objectives: i) development of an in-depth experimental study for esterification and transesterification reactions, which includes the construction of the lab-scale plant and the synthesis of novel membranes based on polyphenylsulfone; and ii) development of system modeling based on reaction kinetics, reactor configuration and transport through pervaporation membranes. In this way, a fully integrated approach from membrane development to modeling and simulation is proposed. This project explores new frontiers in PRMs and opens a new field of research that will allow the intensification and integration of processes in the chemical industry.

Keywords: pervaporation membrane reactors,(trans)esterification reactions,polyphenylsulfone membranes,membrane synthsis,mass transfer modeling