Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Technical Capabilities for Research and Development (R&D) Related to Separation, Determination and Preliminary Production of different Rare Earth Elements. (REESEP)

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: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IIF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2011-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 251507.63
EU funding (EUR): 251507.63
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Currently, there is a growing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) production technology to satisfy many characteristics economically and industrial activities. In this respect, expanding needs are therefore requested for production of lanthanides, which is considered as one of our primary industrial objectives. In general, the proposed project is oriented to gather the new idea during the mutually beneficial research cooperation in the field of inter and intra separation as well as production of lanthanide elements. This could be particularly fulfill through the following items:- • Development and improvement of a reliable and reproducible analytical method for rapid separation and accurate determination of (REEs) based on the new development in ion chromatographic technique and new ion exchange resins which offer a separation mechanism by which this objective could be accomplished. • Combination of wet chemistry based ion exchange chromatography and advanced detection instrumentation to get sufficient separation and measurement of REEs will be tested using simi-automated method including ion chromatographic column separation and on-line post column derivatization measuring system. • Detailed study of the interferences arises between lanthanides themselves and the interferences arises due to the presence of heavy metals that present in such real samples such as minerals and rocks. • Production of rare earths on a large scale is an application of the ion exchange chromatography technique, whereas the recovery of individual rare earth metals with high degree of purity is available using various types of commercially stationary phases. • The use of well established own analytical method based of on-line ion chromatographic technique to assess the product purification and quality. • Extensive geological prospection and exploration, including field mapping, core drilling and sampling will be carried out in a various interesting location in Finland plateau t

Keywords: technological sciences,lanthanides separation,lanthanides production,economic and industrial importance of rees.
Alveolar macrophage involvement in the pathogenesis of influenza A virus (FLU-MACROPHAGE)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180216.74
EU funding (EUR): 180216.74
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Influenza viruses are among the most common causes of respiratory infections in humans, and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Lung or alveolar macrophages (AM) are among the first cells to react to influenza A challenge, and their activation causes increased phagocytosis and production of numerous proinflammatory cytokines. Targeting of the AM by incoming influenza virus may be important because of the macrophage role in limiting viral replication and in the immune response to viral infection. We propose to determine the role of AM in the early response and the pathology of influenza. We conjecture that (i) infection of AM by influenza is among the first steps of viral establishment in the lung alveolae and is a determining event in the course of productive infection; (ii) AM are responsible for the major debilitating effects of highly pathogenic influenza infection through exacerbated cytokine expression; and (iii) improved understanding and prevention of AM infection should provide means to reduce the lethality of influenza human infections and contribute to influenza pandemic preparedness plans. Our specific aims are: (i) to determine the role of AM as a host for influenza during the early steps of lung infection; (ii) to determine the response of AM to influenza infection and their role in the evolution of disease; (iii) to evaluate the impact of alveolar influenza infection on the susceptibility to bacterial co-infection and to investigate the underlying mechanisms ; and (iv) to define ways in which AM can be protected from influenza infection and limit systemic damage caused by the massive cytokine response. Experiments will be performed in vitro using human blood macrophages and in vivo using AM from lungs of infected mice or cotton rats, Effects of low and high pathogenic influenza strains will be compared.

Keywords: virology,immunology,influenza a,macrophages,lung,h5n1,cytokines,apoptosis,bacterial co-infection,phagocytosis,mice,cotton rats
Philosophy of Risk: An evaluative account of risk and safety and the methodological consequences for risk research (PHIL-RISK)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-07-01
End date: 2011-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172618.8
EU funding (EUR): 172618.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed project intends to use current developments in analytic philosophy to investigate philosophical issues of risk and safety. The main objectives of the project are (i) to develop a philosophical account of risk and safety, and (ii) to investigate the methodological consequences of the account and to construct a framework for guideline development in risk analysis. My host and supervisor will be Simon Blackburn, Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge University, who is one of the world’s foremost experts of the fundamental issues in current analytic philosophy of interest for the project. Risk research is a rapidly growing discipline with contributors from many areas of the natural and social sciences. This reflects a growing concern about risks in society. Both professional and non-professional awareness of risks is increasing, and much effort is put into risk assessment, risk managing and risk communication. In the European Community, specifically, increased effort is being paid to issues around risk: examples include the FP7 initiative of Risk assessment and patient safety, and the implementation of the chemical REACH regulation programme, arguably the most complex legislation in the Union&apos;s history. However, the basic concepts of risk and safety are under-theorised. Reaching a better fundamental understanding of these concepts is important not only for professional risk analysts but for risk acceptance among the public. The current project aims to provide a conceptual framework for approaching the assessment and management of risk, adding to the vibrant research around risk.

Keywords: applied philosophy,philosophy of risk,moral philosophy,risk analysis,metaethics,conceptual development,the concept of risk,thick concepts
Characterization of a rodent model of impulsivity with implications for drug addiction (MODEL OF IMPULSIVITY)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-06-01
End date: 2011-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171867.63
EU funding (EUR): 171867.63
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As a chronically relapsing brain disorder drug addiction places a major social and economic burden on society, not least on crime rate and health care provision. It is increasingly accepted that drug addiction results from complex interactions between pre-disposing behavioural variables or traits (e.g., sensation-seeking, impulsiveness), chronic drug exposure and environmental influences including learning experiences. Recently, ‘trait-like’ impulsivity in rats has been reported to be highly predictive of the development of compulsive (or habitual) cocaine-seeking behaviour that persists despite adverse consequences, a hallmark feature of addiction (Dalley et al., 2007; Belin et al., 2008). The proposed research aims to investigate the hypothesis that impulsive rats are more prone to habit-based behaviour than non-impulsive rats, a propensity postulated to depend on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and impaired processing of contextual (environmental) attributes by the PFC and associated brain regions. The central objective of this research is to better understand the interaction between individual differences in impulsivity and contextual learning experiences and how this interaction facilitates the transition to habitual or compulsive patterns of drug-seeking. Specifically, this research will compare impulsive rats and non-impulsive rats in their sensitivity to outcome devaluation (OD), a test of habit-based learning and the role of the context in this process. This research will also investigate the role of PFC DA in the modulation of context-dependent OD by administering DA as well as selective DA receptor agonists and antagonists directly into the PFC of impulsive and non-impulsive rats. Overall, this research project integrates behavioural theories of learning (Bouton, 2002) with state-of-the-art drug addiction hypothesises (Everitt &amp; Robbins, 2005) to elucidate how innate and environmental factors play a role in maladaptive behaviours relevant to drug addiction.

Keywords: health sciences,neuroscience,drug addiction,animal model,impulsivity,prefrontal cortex,striatum,behaviour,overtraining,context,goal-directed,habit-based,outcome devaluation,dopamine
Innovative Software for Advanced PET Imaging (INSPET)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-01-18
End date: 2012-01-17
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 153535.05
EU funding (EUR): 153535.05
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The need for detecting smaller lesions, earlier stage cancer, and test new radiopharmaceuticals ask for new PET imaging devices, especially in terms of improved spatial resolution and sensitivity. AX-PET is a novel PET concept, with an unprecedented design and unique features. Several layers of axially-oriented crystals are read out by WLS strips located underneath each crystal plane, providing a 3D parallax-free reconstruction of the gamma interaction point in the crystal matrix. The layered structure and the high spatial and energy resolution of AX-PET allows a high identification and reconstruction of inter crystal scattering events, resulting in a higher achievable sensitivity. However, the potential homogeneous spatial resolution and the higher sensitivity need to be supported by dedicated and advanced software. The aim of the presented project is the development of a complete system model, and of dedicated algorithms for image reconstruction and inter-crystal scatter identification, to support and to boost the development of the AX-PET demonstrator as well as to fully exploit its characteristics. Many innovative approaches are required and foreseen, all based on a strong multidisciplinary platform: High Energy Physics, Instrumentation, Applied Physics, and Computer Sciences. The outcomes of the project, in spite of being conceived for AX-PET, will be able to be applied to other high resolution systems. Therefore, the project will have a direct impact on the accuracy of medical diagnosis and in biomedical research.

Keywords: positron emission tomography,axial pet,monte carlo simulation,image reconstruction,inter-crystal scattering
SUMOylation and kainate receptor synaptic plasticity (SUMOKAINATE)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2011-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172434.64
EU funding (EUR): 172434.64
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the role of SUMO (Small Ubiquitin like MOdifier) in synaptic plasticity. Specifically, my goal is to show that synaptic kainate receptors (KARs) are regulated in an activity-dependent manner that involves their SUMOylation. Recently, Mellor and Henley have discovered that the KAR subunit GluR6 is a substrate for SUMO and that SUMOylation of GluR6 causes KARs to be endocytosed. This was demonstrated for synaptic KARs at mossy fibre synapses in the hippocampus, suggesting that it is a mechanism for activity-dependent regulation of KARs at this synapse. In the post-synaptic density, PDZ-domain-containing proteins play a prominent role in organizing synaptic elements. My hypothesis is that SUMOylation of GluR6 influences the interaction of KARs with PDZ binding proteins, thus leading to KAR plasticity. In addition, phosphorylation of GluR6 by protein kinase C (PKC) could potentially regulate SUMOylation itself. To test these hypotheses, I intend to employ electrophysiological techniques (patch-clamp recording) in acute and cultured thalamocortical and hippocampal slices, combining them with biochemical techniques to block specific protein-protein interactions and modulate the level of GluR6 SUMOylation. Since the role of SUMOylation is largely unknown outside of the nucleus, its involvement in synaptic plasticity constitutes a major new function for SUMO. Therefore, SUMOylation provides a novel and intriguing mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity.

Keywords: neurophysiology,brain research,kainate receptors,sumoylation,synaptic plasticity,patch clamp
Understanding the role of transition metals in Alzheimer's disease on a molecular level (METALZCOMP)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2010-09-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 83572.78
EU funding (EUR): 83572.78
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aggregation of the amyloid-beta peptide (A-beta) into fibrils and successively in plaques is the main event in Alzheimer&apos;s disease. The A-beta originates from a membrane protein called amyloid-precursor protein. In healthy brain A-beta is present as soluble form and the predominant chains are formed by 40 or 42 amino acids. The oligomers of A-beta, rather then fully formed fibrils, are suspected to have nerotoxic properties. The transition metal zinc, copper, iron are present in amyloid plaques in abnormally elevated concentrations. It has been experimentally observed that Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions bind at A-beta(1-16) N-terminal sequence and influence aggregation behaviour: in particular Zn triggers and accelerates aggregation and Cu slows down or accelerates aggregation, dependently on conditions. Moreover A-beta bonded to Cu or Fe is able, probably by reducing oxygen, to produce reactive-oxygen species that are widely accepted to play a key role in most of neurodegenerative diseases. Afterwards there are several open questions about the metals/A-beta interaction: coordination chemistry, reactivity of these complexes, different behaviour of metals, peptide structure prone to aggregation, mechanisms of metal-induced aggregation. We propose to use computer simulations (both semiempirical and first principles) to understand the metal/A-beta system. Quantum mechanics methods (DFT) will be used to investigate the nature of metal bond and reactivity but statistical mechanics methods will be also necessary to obtain accessible peptide conformations in water. The Car-Parrinello method, that was successfully applied to similar systems in applicant&apos;s previous work, will be used. The project includes the acquisition of new relevant experiments on the kinetics of ROS production catalysed by Cu and Fe complexes of Abeta. Experiments will be based on the expertise of the host institution and specific training of the applicant is planned.

Keywords: neurochemistry,computational chemistry,inorganic chemistry,quantum chemistry
Fictions and arguments of Plato’s dialogues (PLATO’S FICTIONS)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-21
End date: 2011-09-20
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 228551.42
EU funding (EUR): 228551.42
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The project examines the modalities, place, status, and roles of fictional elements in Platonic dialogues. The Applicant proposes an inquiry into the nature of Platonic fiction based on a selection of characteristic themes offered as fictional by characters in various Plato’s dialogues. The analysis will aim at a better understanding of the modes of fictionality Plato used, and, as a result, of the Platonic dialogue as a whole. The work hypothesis to be examined is: (1) Plato used various false or unproved claims, frequently put into images, in a manner very different from modern literary fictional modes of writing; (2) Plato needed fictions in philosophy. He replaced arguments with structured pictures and complex rhetorical structures involving images and pictures, with the aims like constructing and testing holistic vision out of fragmentary conclusions, or like creating a cognitive laboratory for building abstractions he needed in philosophy. The Applicant hopes for an elucidation of the manner in which the abstract thinking was constituted as a method of inquiry through a practice of non-abstract forms of thinking. The results of the project will be a book manuscript, conference and journal papers, and a detailed project of an accessible and attractive textbook of logic, using the method of imaginations in order to introduce students to abstract thinking. The project will allow the Applicant to move to the stage of mature research, and will give him the capacities and additional skills (like career and research group management) necessary to compete in the European intellectual market, and to transfer the practices of the modern research in humanities to Eastern Europe. It will help to foster European competitiveness by offering a new approach to teaching abstract thinking in the universities.

Keywords: history of philosophy,ancient philosophy,epistemology,aesthetics
Pancreatic stellate cells - sentinels for tissue damage? (PANCREATIC CANCER)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171300.62
EU funding (EUR): 171300.62
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal disease killing about 7000 people in the United Kingdom every year. PDA is resistant to conventional therapy. A hallmark of PDA is the abundance of desmoplastic stroma, which is thought to originate by activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). Unfortunately, little is know about the precise role of PSC in the physiology of the pancreas. In this proposal I will investigate the function of the pancreatic stellate cell in health and during tumour development using a murine model of PDA. I hypothesize, that PSC function as antigen-presenting cells surveying the microenvironment for tissue damage. I postulate, that PSC induce repair processes as well as immunosuppressive responses by means of retinoic acid signalling (PSC are a major vitamin A storage) and the secretion of TGFbeta. This anti-inflammatory program may serve to prevent the autoimmune destruction of the pancreas, an organ indispensable for survival. However, during cancer development this default program may be detrimental as it inhibits the mounting of a proper anti-tumour response.

Keywords: cancer biology,pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,tumourimmunology
Magnetic Biomaterials: Magnetically Loaded Stem Cells as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Vectors for Lung Cancer (BIOMAG)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-05-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 181350.76
EU funding (EUR): 181350.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the world today. There are limited options for clinicians when treating patients, with only 10-15% of lung cancer patients surviving their malignancy. Despite the introduction of new chemotherapies, lung cancer survival is unchanged from thirty years ago. New ways of treating this disease are needed. We hypothesise that modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be used to deliver magnetic nanoparticles through their engraftment, killing both tumour epithelium and tumour vasculature, while preserving normal tissue. We propose to introduce bio-compatible tailored magnetic nanoparticles into the MSCs to enable localised cellular-level sensing and heating while retaining the full viability and functionality of the MSCs. We will examine the kinetics of MSC engraftment and compare histological samples to in vivo quantification of engraftment using contrast-enhanced small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on sensing the MRI signal of the introduced nanoparticles. MSCs will subsequently be locally heated by applying a time-varying electromagnetic field to induce heating of the nanoparticles (a process similar in principle to that used in microwave ovens) and consequent tumour destruction. MSC delivered therapy is particularly attractive. MSCs are easy to culture, expand and genetically manipulate. They are immuno-privileged, and also home preferentially to tumour tissues allowing systemic delivery to widespread tumour and metastases. As such they offer a uniquely bio-compatible, patient-derived therapeutic solution to the life-threatening disease of lung cancer.

Keywords: healthcare biomagnetics,translational r&d,mesenchymal stem cells,magnetic resonance imaging,hyperthermia,magnetic nanoparticles,lung cancer,analytical trasmission electron microscopy