Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
COMPLEMENT AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS: MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF C1 ACTIVATION BY ENZYMATICALLY MODIFIED LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (COMPLEMENT AND LDL)

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: 2008-05-01
End date: 2010-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171600.91
EU funding (EUR): 171600.91
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory process. Arterial inflammation that precedes plaque development is caused by accumulation of LDL (low density lipoproteins) in the extracellular matrix of the vessels. These LDL particles are modified by a number of processes, including enzymatic degradation, aggregation and oxidation. Complement is also emerging as an important factor in this process: complement activation and formation of the terminal C5b-9 membrane attack complex were shown to occur in atherosclerotic lesions. Recently we have studied the ability of enzymatically modified LDL (E-LDL) to activate C1, the complex that triggers the classical pathway of complement. E-LDL is recognized by the C1q subunit of C1 and triggers direct C1 activation, suggesting that complement activation by E-LDL may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The objective of this proposal is to characterize the mechanisms involved in the recognition of E-LDL by C1q. We aim at (i) identifying the molecules recognized by C1q; (ii) characterizing the molecular mechanisms involved in this recognition; and (iii) analyzing the mechanisms underlying E-LDL-mediated C1 activation. The project is based on approaches at the molecular and structural levels, and will involve protein biochemistry methods, X-ray crystallography, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and functional studies. From a fundamental standpoint, the immediate benefit of this work will be to improve our knowledge of the mechanisms that allow C1q to act as a “sensor” of altered self structures. The biomedical applications of our results could have a considerable impact in the development of new therapeutic strategies against atherosclerosis, because the molecular mapping of the interaction between E-LDL and C1q could help design and synthesize molecules able to interfere with this interaction and thereby to control or prevent complement activation.

Keywords: health sciences,immunology,atherosclerosis,complement system,low density lipoproteins
Biodynamic modelling of toxic metal accumulation by the lugworm Arenicola marina, a keynote deposit feeding polychaete in European estuaries: ecotoxicological and regulatory implications (DYNOLUG)

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: 2010-08-31
Duration (months): 23.0
Total project cost (EUR): 162498.35
EU funding (EUR): 162498.35
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is proposed to model the bioaccumulation of the toxic trace metals zinc (Zn) (essential), cadmium (Cd) and silver (Ag) (both non-essential) by an infaunal benthic invertebrate, the lugworm Arenicola marina, a keynote species in European estuaries, from solution and diet (sediment) using biodynamic modelling. The predictions of a model constructed from biodynamic accumulation parameters (uptake and efflux rates, assimilation efficiencies) measured in the laboratory will be validated against field data (from biological and physical (water and sediment) samples) from reference and metal-contaminated estuaries, particularly in southwest England. The subcellular compartmentalisation of accumulated trace metals in the lugworms will be fractionated into detoxified and non-detoxified components to model the metabolically available metal fraction, thereby predicting the potentially toxic fraction of accumulated metal, and hence toxicity. Toxicity tests will then be used to seek correlations between modelled concentrations of the potentially toxic component of accumulated metal and the environmental exposure conditions causing ecotoxicological effects in the field. The conclusions of the project will contribute to the advancement of our ability to develop a scientifically consistent basis for making a transition from the predictive modelling of bioaccumulation to the prediction of environmental thresholds of ecotoxicological effects. The results have the great potential to contribute to the implementation of environmental quality standards – for example, those for sediments in the Water Framework Directive.

Keywords: risk assessment,aquatic biology,exposure assessment,control of chemicals
Standards for Designing Out Crime in Europe: Roadmap for Standardisation, Implementation and Evaluation of the European Pre-Norm ENV14383-2 (EUDOCS)

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: 2008-08-01
End date: 2010-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161225.98
EU funding (EUR): 161225.98
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This research project will examine the development, content, application and implementation of the European Pre-Norm ENV14383-2 on "Prevention of crime – Urban planning and building design – Part 2: Urban planning". It aims at a thorough analysis of the facilitating and impeding factors for implementation in a range of countries and sites in Europe. It is the overarching objective of the study firmly to establish Europe as a region leading in the development, refinement and implementation of crime prevention through urban planning and building design. The diversity of urban culture, urban policies and crime problems across Europe promise to provide blueprints and good practice for a wide range of countries across the globe, thus taking a leadership in the development and implementation of crime prevention through urban design. The research will provide tools for a crucial period for the implementation and standardization of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. These implementation tools will be derived from and firmly based in multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of urban studies, criminology, political science and architecture, and will be complemented by a data base for research and evaluation. They include 1) a tool for the critical assessment of different perspectives, ideologies and positions. This tool will help security project designers to identify and solve problems of common understandings, shared objectives and disagreement at an early stage. 2) A tool for designing the process and involvement of various partners. This tool will be based on agent models and identify network and collaboration structures that are successful. 3) A tool for using best practice in the implementation of CPTED projects. The project will make a major contribution to European security policies. It will make Europe and its cities safer places for citizens and visitors alike, places for leisure and entertainment industries, and business generally.

Keywords: social sciences,criminology,crime prevention through environmental design,european committee for normalisation,standardisation,implementation,evaluation of env 14383-2,urban planning
Genomic Approach to Study the Role of Bacterioplankton in the Sulfur Cycle (GENS)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-07-01
End date: 2010-12-31
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187504.64
EU funding (EUR): 187504.64
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal aims at using environmental functional genomic tools to expand knowledge of bacterial roles in organic sulfur cycling in ocean surface waters, focusing particularly on biological controls of volatile sulfur exchange across the ocean/atmosphere boundary and links between microbial community structure and cycling of relevant organic sulfur compounds. A better understanding of the fate of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), the precursor of the climatic active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) in marine environments will not only provide insights into climate regulation and ocean-atmosphere interactions but also microbial food web dynamics and C and S biogeochemistry.

Keywords: sulfur cycle,marine ecosystems (climate change),environmental genomics,biogeochemistry (climate change),biochemical and hydrological cycles
Stress and magnetism in chiral surfaces (CHIRAMAG)

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: 2009-01-01
End date: 2010-11-30
Duration (months): 23.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169390.93
EU funding (EUR): 169390.93
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is well known that close packed clean metals, despite of being highly symmetric, exhibit a rich variety of clean surface terminations. Chiral metallic crystalline surfaces have been used for chiral recognition and separation of enantiomer molecules. Traditionally, studies on chiral surfaces have been motivated by chemistry and biochemistry applications, while other intrinsic properties of these substrates have been unnoticed. On this basis, the present proposal aims to understand and exploit elastic and magnetic phenomena in these substrates using Density Functional Theory calculations. We wish to investigate the implications of chirality and reduced symmetry on the surface stress and the magnetic anisotropy, which are physical properties strongly influenced by the surface symmetry and geometry. Potential applications can be foreseen in sensors and data storage devices. More interestingly, chiral non-collinear spin structures can be predicted on these surfaces, which would play a crucial role in the development of spintronic devices.

Keywords: physical sciences,surface science,chirality,surface stress,spintronics,nanostructures,surface magnetism,thin films,magnetocrystalline anisotropy
Sustainable Urban Development: solutions to promote the biological and conservation value of marine urban structures. (MARURBE)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-03-07
End date: 2010-03-06
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171469.36
EU funding (EUR): 171469.36
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Urbanization has been historically widespread and one of the leading causes for habitat and species loss in coastal waters. Today 22,000 km2 of the European coastlines are covered by urban marine structures such as marinas, breakwaters, and seawalls, and development is expected to increase further. However, understanding and mitigating the effects of urban structures on marine life have not been a top priority in marine science and conservation. MarUrbe aims to encourage sustainable management of coastal urban structures by acquiring and disseminating knowledge on methods to promote desired species or prevent nuisance species in order to meet specific management goals, including 1) mitigating loss of species with high conservation value (e.g. Cystoseira spp.), 2) monitoring/controlling the spread of invasive/nuisance species, 3) enhancing fishery resources (e.g. mussels, crabs, and fish stocks) and 4) improving water quality. These goals will be achieved by: 1) exploring, through monitoring and experiments, the relationships between the characteristics of urban marine structures, species distribution and ecological functioning; 2) experimentally testing the effects of fine structural modifications to urban marine structures on the distribution of target species and 3) open communication with the public, local authorities and the scientific community. Expected deliverables include baseline information on the relationships between structure and ecological functioning of urban marine structures, protocols for enhancing or restricting the abundance of target species, and site-specific management guidelines. The links between MarUrbe and the inter-disciplinary international and national research initiatives in which the host laboratory is involved, will be one of the keys to the successful transfer of knowledge and establishment of collaboration, and will contribute greatly to my own scientific knowledge and career.

Keywords: artificial habitats,coastal protection,sustainable management,benthic communities,ecosystem functioning,invasive species,restoration,urban ecology,adriatic sea.
Predicting and managing weld induced distortion in thin-walled, steel structures (DISTORTION)

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: 2008-08-01
End date: 2010-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169390.93
EU funding (EUR): 169390.93
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Experimental measurements and the finite element method will be used to study the relationship between the distortion of thin welded ferritic steel plates used in shipbuilding, the welding parameters and the design of the weldment. By modelling the distortion process using material, design and welding parameters, the parameters can be optimised (for example, by modifying the structural design or the welding process) in order to minimise the resulting distortion. Pre-existing stresses will be measured using neutron diffraction techniques. A novel finite element (FE) model-which includes a description of the austenite to ferrite and bainite phase transformations will be developed, allowing realistic predictions of the residual stresses and distortions to be made. The FE model will disseminated as paradigm into relevant academic and industry communities for routine use. The fellowship will significantly contribute towards the career development of the researcher by providing the opportunities to acquire new skills, thus increasing his competency level in research and diversifying his abilities, and overall increasing professional maturity (as per the FP7 “People” Work Programme objectives). This will be done through: (i) Scientific training-through-research project under supervision and active contribution in the scientific management of the research project, (ii) Active contribution to conferences, (iii) Capacity to build collaborations in academia and corporate sector, (iv) Hands-on training activities for developing scientific and complementary skills, and (v) Acquiring of additional organisational and interpersonal skills.

Keywords: technological sciences,materials engineering,transport,distortion,weld,finite element modelling,steel,phase transformation,technological sciences,physical sciences
MOLECULAR DESIGN OF NOVEL PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS BASED ON TRANSITION STATE STRUCTURES ACCESSED VIA KINETIC ISOTOPE EFFECTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDY (TS-ANALOG)

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: 2008-04-15
End date: 2010-08-14
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 163643.71
EU funding (EUR): 163643.71
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project will contribute towards the molecular design of analogues of transition state structures associated with the degradation of therapeuticals. It will train an essentially computational chemist in experimental techniques, allowing her to become an independent research with broad experience in isotopic studies. The specific experimental training objective of the project is the determination of kinetic isotope effects to interpret the reaction mechanisms of degradation. This will require the synthesis of isotopically-labelled target compounds and the study of their metabolism in vitro in mammalian and bacterial cell cultures. The project is an integral part of a programme researching the molecular mechanisms associated with the metabolism of therapeutic agents and their improvement through enhanced stability. It will focus on nicotine- and tropine-based compounds that are currently medicaments or are in evaluation as potential medicaments. These have a wide range of therapeutic activities: control of tobacco dependency; alleviation of addiction; treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; muscle relaxants. Instability of bioactive compounds presents a serious problem in drug design. The response adopted is frequently the use of higher doses, often associated with deleterious side-effects. A better understanding of the pharmacokinetics can allow a lower dose to be prescribed. Degradation often involves a dominant role for cytochrome P450-dependent oxidases through N-demethylation, oxidation, or ring cleavage. Improved resistance by structural modification or the use of a specific inhibitor will lead to improved therapy. The Host Laboratory has a strong experience in the experimental determination of isotopes in natural products by mass and NMR spectrometries. Acquiring these skills will complement the established abilities of the Researcher in the molecular modelling of reaction intermediates and transition states by in silico calculations of isotope effects.

Keywords: therapeutic chemistry,chemistry in silicio,analytical chemistry,isotope effects,drug metabolism,reaction mechanism and dynamic,physical sciences
The spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East: dangerous scenarios and nonproliferation policies (NUCME)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF, 2007)
Start date: 2009-07-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 226627.22
EU funding (EUR): 226627.22
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The research project aims at providing a thorough and theoretically informed analysis on the question of proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, by looking at three major sub-themes/research questions: a) Proliferation drivers/barriers in the Middle East which lead countries to develop or conversely to renounce nuclear weapons programs. The project will take up a comparative study of the successful case of Libya, which has abandoned its nuclear programme, and the unsuccessful case of proliferation in Iran at present; b) Nuclear terrorism which has emerged as one of the most troubling security issues and renders proliferation in the Middle East much more problematic. The project will assess the motivations of Middle East-based/inspired terrorist organisations and their capacity to acquire nuclear weapons; c) The role of the European Union in nonproliferation, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of the specific European approach in the fight against the spread of weapons of mass destruction in the region. The project will contribute to the ongoing academic debate as to the revision of the classical theory of nuclear proliferation, updating its conceptual categories and analytical tools - starting with the one of ‘deterrence’ - to the new nuclear scenarios post Cold War and post-9/11. The research will adopt an holistic and multicausal methodology which comprises a combination of three theoretical frameworks or models of proliferation: a) the security model, b) the domestic politics model, c) the norms model. The project will use a variety of empirical research tools: quantitative research data, in-depth interviews, participant observation in the field, and comparative case-studies. In the two-year long outgoing phase, the researcher will be hosted by the world’s leading research and training institution in the field of nonproliferation: the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, California, US

Keywords: defence studies,eu policies,peace studies,international relations
The 1948 London Olympic Games. From Peace in Europe to the Cold War (OG48)

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: 2008-04-18
End date: 2009-09-17
Duration (months): 17.0
Total project cost (EUR): 160091.96
EU funding (EUR): 160091.96
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The project aims to study the diplomatic and economic dimensions of the 1948 Olympic Games which were held in London in the aftermath of the Second World War. The researcher is a French-German scholar who has done some research on the history of sport in other European countries before (her PhD looked at sport in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany). The proposition was prepared in close contact with the host institution in the UK, which is a world leading research centre in sports history. The researcher – who has worked on the 1924 (Paris) and 1936 (Berlin) Olympics before – has identified two very important aspects of the 1948 London Games. First is the question of re-establishing values of peace and international relations in the aftermath of the Second World War and, as far as the Olympic movement is concerned, after the ‘Nazi’ Games of 1936. However, this objective was overshadowed by the fact that the British government had its own agenda in terms of establishing international influence and prestige. Second, these Games were held at a time of post-war economic crisis when there were fears that Britain might not even be able to feed itself let alone provide the infrastructure and nourishment for the world’s largest sporting event. The contradiction between Britain’s ambition to appear to have recovered from the war and the reality of her economic vulnerability provide an excellent theme for this research which will fill a gap in the history of Britain and Europe. To bring the project to a successful end, the researcher will consult sources from several British institutions, but also from archives held in Germany and Switzerland.

Keywords: contemporary history,olympic history,britain,cold war,germany