Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Documentation of lung growth after tracheal occlusion to reverse pulmonary hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Experimental studies in the rat and clinical implications of fetal therapy. (FETALPROJECT2010)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of the “Fetalproject2010” is to advance our knowledge in fetal medicine. We focus on pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and its relatively new prenatal treatment option, tracheal occlusion (TO). TO prevents egress of pulmonary fluid, thus triggering lung growth. Yet, the procedure is invasive, with main risks premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. The question remains as to the optimal occlusion period. We aim to investigate the effects of TO at distinct phases of lung development in the nitrofen (NF) rat. Our results will provide a scientific basis for timing of TO in human CDH fetuses. Patients after fetal surgery are at high risk for tocolysis. One drug frequently used is nifedipine, which inhibits airway small muscle (ASM) contractions in vitro. ASM are believed to be crucial for lung development. We plan to study the impact of nifedipine application on hypoplastic lungs ±TO in the NF rat. Our results will demonstrate potential safety issues. Few centers, including the two host institutions, offer fetal surgery such as TO. We aim to investigate with questionnaires how couples are affected psychologically by interventions. Our results will help to identify the distinct needs of these parents and to tailor support. MRI-spectroscopy (MRS) and fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG) offer new non-invasive methods to study fetal fluid composition, organ function and development. CDH is associated with altered levels of e. g. vitamin A and decreased cerebral perfusion, the functional impact of the latter is unknown. We aim to investigate the potential of MRS and fMEG in studying lung development as well as brain activity in fetuses with CDH. These results will help to define new markers and methods for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in fetuses with CDH. This grant will help to reintegrate an experienced researcher coming from KU Leuven, Belgium, into the new host organization, University Tübingen, Germany.

Keywords: pulmonary hypoplasia,congenital diaphragmatic hernia,fetal therapy,prenatal diagnosis,mri spectroscopy,nitrofen rat,tracheal occlusion,nifedipine,amniotic fluid,fetal magnetoencephalography
Bio-inspired structural materials (BISM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-12-01
End date: 2014-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The development of new technologies in areas as diverse as energy, transportation or healthcare requires new lightweight, high-performance structural materials with unprecedented combinations of strength and toughness. Unfortunately, these two properties tend to be mutually exclusive in synthetic structures. Nature, however, is very effective in designing strong and tough materials through the creation of hierarchical architectures which span multiple length-scales from atomic to macroscopic dimensions. The notion of replicating natural designs (biomimetics) has generated enormous interest but has yielded few technological advances, primarily because of the lack of processing techniques able to achieve, in practical dimensions, such complex structural hierarchy. Recent results have shown how the freezing of ceramic suspensions can be used to replicate Nature’s concept of hierarchical design and create strong ceramic-polymer materials with exceptional toughness, up to 300 times higher (in energy terms) than their constituents. The objective of the present grant is to follow this approach and create a new family of bio-inspired structural materials that will exhibit unprecedented combinations of strength and toughness. This will be achieved by combining new processing techniques based on the concept of ice templating with microstructural with mechanical characterization and modeling at multiple length scales, from the atomic to the macro levels. The work will be supported by basic studies in fields as diverse as the freezing of suspensions or mechanical behavior. The results will have significance in fields as diverse as materials science, chemistry or biology. Particular attention will be placed on the creation of bone-like ceramic-based materials for orthopedic implants and a new generation of ceramic-metal hybrids with potential for applications at very high temperature under extreme environments.

Keywords: materials engineering,ceramics,metals,polymers,composites,processing,solidification,fracture
Transnational networks in European environmental policy – path dependent or learning? (LEARNEURPATH)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This research builds on the results of the initial Marie Curie project on the origins of the environmental policy of the European Communities, and extends its scope significantly up to the Maastricht Treaty. In the MC project I was able to demonstrate that – contrary to the assumptions of the traditional state-centric historiography of European integration – informal networks of actors coalesced to shape and institutionalise the new policy agenda. These networks comprised supranational and member state actors as well as non-governmental actors like the environmental movement, and scientific experts. The goal of the new project is to inquire into the longer-term role of these networks. Historical institutionalist theories suggest that the early establishment of policy networks encouraged closure and institutionalisation, leading to a path dependent development of the network and policy. The project seeks to test this hypothesis, by inquiring into factors of continuity and change affecting the policy network. External factors of change such as the impact of enlargements and institutional reforms will be examined. Factors internal to the network such as changes in composition and in attitudes will also be explored. Most importantly, the ability of the environmental policy networks to “learn” will be explored. This contemporary historical project will trace the networks initially found in three case studies – nature protection, water policy, and at the generic level of the Action Programmes. Conceptually informed by social science network analysis, for the empirical research the project relies on a variety of sources from institutional, national, and NGO archives, published materials and oral history interviews. Its dual impact will consist of its contribution to conceptual and empirical innovation in EU historiography and its provision of empirical temporal insights for the social science analysis of how path dependence and policy learning shape European governance.

Keywords: contemporary history,governance,policy studies,eu environmental policy,scientific advice
Decomposition and Discovery of Complex Networks (DEDINET)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In complex systems, individual components interact with each other often in non-linear ways via a non-trivial network of interactions. The structure of such network of interactions affects that system's dynamics and conveys information about the functional needs of the system, its evolution, and the role of individual units. For these reasons, network analysis has become a cornerstone of fields as diverse as systems biology, economics and sociology. In these fields, the advance of technology has boosted our capacity to gather increasing amounts of data on large complex systems. Unfortunately, our understanding has not grown proportionally. Two of the main reasons for such disparity are: (i) that we lack a complete set of tools to summarize information and transform it into practical knowledge; (ii) he reliability of network data is often a source of concern and poses serious questions about the validity of the conclusions of network studies. The proposed research addresses these the two issues outlined above based on two premises: (i) that group-based models, or more generally block models, are good descriptors of patterns of interactions between nodes in a network, and (ii) that every observed pattern of interactions is the result of the overlay of several block models. The overarching goal of the proposal is to develop a framework that enables the identification of a set of orthogonal block models, and the discovery of complex networks from sparse/incomplete empirical data sets; and to apply this framework to problems in systems biology. The research I propose is innovative in its ideas and will shed light on the mechanisms that shape network structure. Importantly, because the methodology I will develop is based solely on the topology and is independent of network context, the outcomes from this research are bound to have a major impact in a number of areas including social sciences, economics and biology.

Keywords: complex networks,systems biology
The dynamics of pro- and anti-immigrant movements in Italy and Spain (MCM DYNAMICS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 87500.0
EU funding (EUR): 87500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Our proposed research focuses on the interplay between pro- and anti-immigrant movements in Italy and Spain. We attempt to fill a gap in the social movement literature by analyzing the processes and mechanisms by which social movements affect each other. A systematic study will be provided that will shed light on various aspects of the mobilization-countermobilization (MCM) impact. In particular, we will examine how each side affects the forms, development, claims, and efficacy of its opponent, the conditions that allow certain consequences and the processes leading movements to have an impact on each other. The project focuses on three key aspects of the interaction between pro- and anti-immigrant movements. First, we investigate how framing strategies evolve according to the needs of SMOs (social movement organizations) embroiled in MCM-generated conflicts. Second, we examine the ways in which MCM dynamics influence a movement's selection of particular tactics. Thirdly, we scrutinize how the dynamics of movement-countermovement interactions are influencing the construction of activists’ collective identities. The primary aim of the research is to advance our understanding of the polarization of the politics of immigration through the examination of relevant social movement interactions. In order to reach this goal our research project aims to develop a closer connection between migration and social movement research.

Keywords: social sciences,social movements,migration,movement-countermovement dynamics,extreme right,movement outcomes
Attention and Emotion in Decision Making (AED)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2014-08-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 50000.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The general research question concerns directions of attention, how it relates to perceptions of valence and emotional intensity, and its consequences for decision making. The common idea is that people perceive direction of attention and that this affects the valence of the target and the emotional intensity experienced toward the target. This can be based on self perception of directing attention (e.g. the perception that one’s attention is being drawn to some target or event; this is what we started to look at) or it can be based on perceiving someone else’s direction of attention.

Keywords: social sciences,cognitive science,social psychology,experimental psychology,social cognition,behavioral economics,judgment and decision making,clinical psychology,attention,emotion
THE ROLE OF O-GlcNAc IN BACTERIAL SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND VIRULENCE (SUGABACT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2014-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

O-GlcNAc modification of specific serines/threonines on intracellular proteins in higher eukaryotes has been shown to directly regulate important processes such as the cell cycle, insulin sensitivity and transcription. This dynamic modification, which shows interplay with protein phosphorylation, is regulated by two counteracting proteins, which catalyse transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to specific serines/threonines on protein substrates (by O-GlcNAc transferase) and the subsequent hydrolysis (by O-GlcNAcase). Disruption of O-GlcNAc levels within the cell has been shown to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and diabetes. Despite recent biochemical and structural advances in the O-GlcNAc field, our understanding of the precise functional implications of O-GlcNAc is still limited. Furthermore, we do not understand how O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAc hydrolase, recognise protein substrates and achieve selectivity. Interestingly, O-GlcNAc modification of proteins is not restricted to higher organisms. It is now emerging that bacteria, in particular pathogenic bacteria, are able to glycosylate a range of proteins. Many pathogenic bacteria that either have the ability to penetrate and replicate, or inject virulence factors in the host cells, thus disrupting the normal function of the host proteins within the cell. Furthermore, preliminary data suggests that some bacteria glycosylate their own proteins within the cell. With the help of the Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant, I aim to experimentally test the hypothesis that some of these O-GlcNAc modifying proteins are secreted bacterial virulence factors, targeting specific proteins in the host cell. In addition, I intend to investigate bacteria that can O-GlcNAc modify their own intercellular proteins. Thus, both types O-GlcNAc modifications provide an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against bacterial pathogens.

Keywords: health sciences,microbiology,biochemistry,glycobiology,structural biology
Study of the Determinants of Heterochromatin Formation and Maintenance (HETCHROMPROJECT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Heterochromatin is a conserved organizational structure of the genetic material that is indispensable for cell viability. Heterochromatin is associated with the formation of functionally conserved centromeric and telomeric structures. These structures are both essential for the integrity and proper segregation of the genetic material during mitosis and meiosis. Heterochromatin structure is also implicated in programming patterns of genes expression, in particular during cellular differentiation. Several evolutionary conserved molecular pathways have been implicated in the initiation, propagation and maintenance of heterochromatic domains during cell divisions. However, the formation of heterochromatin is an intricate process and despite much research many facets remain to be understood. The overall goal of this proposed research is to gain insight into the formation and maintenance of heterochromatin. The first aim of this study will propose experiments designed to analyze the contribution of the centromere CENP-B proteins to heterochromatin organization and gene expression in the genetically tractable model organism S. pombe. CENP-B are evolutionarily conserved sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that associate not only with centromeric heterochromatin but also with the heterochromatin of silenced genes and the mating-type locus in yeast. Different studies point to an important role of the CENP-B proteins in heterochromatin formation at several locations in the genome, but their exact molecular role(s) is still debated. The second part of this study will aim to identify additional proteins involved in heterochromatin formation by means of a two-step genome-wide screen in the fission yeast. This screen will be based on properties of centromeric heterochromatin and is anticipated to increase our knowledge of the different pathways controlling heterochromatin formation and maintenance.

Keywords: molecular biology,heterochromatin,centromere,gene expression,epigenetic,cenp-b proteins,schizosaccharomyces pombe
Identification by isotopes of human provenancing (IDIS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Isotope ratios from light and heavy elements are used in provenancing studies in ecology, archaeology and forensic sciences to track the origin and movements of humans and animals. The isotopic composition in human and animal tissues, acquired through dietary intake has been shown to have a general correlation with the isotopic composition of the environment (i.e. drinking water, soil, pollution). In forensic sciences isotopic methods, mostly on light elements, have been recently applied to track the place of origin and recent movements of present-day humans in murder cases and in relation to terrorism. Used as forensic intelligence, the isotopic data has been combined with DNA to aid identification of murder victims. Despite the potential of the isotopic methods their application is still limited and the huge potential of combining multiple isotopic systems to provide provenance information is almost unrecognized. This proposal therefore aims to validate a multi-isotopic approach by combining isotopic ratios of both light and heavy elements. In this proposal we will measure H-O-C-N-S-Sr-Pb isotope ratios in human tissues, such as hair, teeth, bones and organs from human volunteers and from samples taken from autopsies in The Netherlands to validate the multi-isotope technique. The human isotopic data will be correlated with environmental isotopic data, such as drinking water, soil, street dust, etc. available from data bases and from samples collected around the country. After the validation of the multi-isotope method, we will apply the multi-isotopic technique on 3-5 blind studies. These studies are murder cases already solved by the NFI. This will allow us to determine the resolution of the multi-isotope method. Later the method will be applied to 3-5 unknown cases. This project aims to establish a robust routine technique that can be applied in forensic investigations to aid the identification of victims when other methodologies are not useful or have failed.

Keywords: isotopes,forensics,provenancing,strontium,lead,hydrogen,carbon. nitrogen,sulfur
Monitoring forest degradation using terrestrial lidar and satellite images (STRUCCHANGE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2010-09-15
End date: 2013-09-14
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Natural resource managers, policy makers and researchers demand knowledge of deforestation and forest degradation over increasingly large spatial and temporal extents for addressing many pressing issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, carbon dynamics, biodiversity, and food security. The scientific community is witnessing a significant increase in the availability of different global satellite derived biophysical data sets (e.g. biomass and surface photosynthesis). However, the use of such data is not supported by accurate in-situ biophysical measurements (e.g. canopy structure) for the monitoring of forest and land dynamics. Consequently, there is an urgent need for methods to measure in-situ canopy structure accurately and better integrate with improved and innovative remote sensing approaches. Major advancements in laser technology and earth observation are offering a revolution in information. An innovative science program is required to fully realise the benefits of these discrete technological advancements. This proposal addresses this need by solving three core challenges. Firstly, methods are developed to retrieve forest canopy structure attributes and biomass using a novel type of ground-based upward-looking laser scanner. Secondly, a physical modelling approach is used which provides a more rigorous framework than prior methods, which largely used regression relationships, to study relationship between the retrieved canopy attributes and satellite data. Finally, these accurate satellite-derived biophysical data sets enable assessment deforestation and forest degradation. However, existing methods to detect changes in satellite data are not able account for seasonal climatic variations. A new approach is therefore proposed to account for seasonality while detecting changes in forest ecosystems. The research efforts are part of a coordinated research activity among groups in Europe, Australia, and USA.

Keywords: natural sciences,terrestrial lidar,optical satellite sensors,vegetation structure,biomass,bidirectional reflectance models,change detection,carbon balance