Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
First-passage times and optimization of target search strategies (FPTOPT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1242800.0
EU funding (EUR): 1242800.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

How long does it take a random walker to reach a given target? This quantity, known as a first-passage time (FPT), has been the subject of a growing number of theoretical studies over the past decade. The importance of FPTs originates from the crucial role played by properties related to first encounters in various real situations, including transport in disordered media, diffusion limited reactions, or more generally target search processes. First-passage times in confinement, their optimization and their relationship to biophysical experiments are at the heart of this project. The following two issues will be investigated. 1) We will determine key first-passage observables of general scale-invariant random walks in confinement, which up to now have remained inaccessible: FPT distribution in the presence of several targets and/or several searchers, statistical properties of the explored territory, FPT distribution of a non-Markovian random walker. Beyond their theoretical interest, these developments will allow us to address in close connection with single-molecule experiments the importance of transport and spatial organization for gene transcription kinetics and stochastic gene expression. 2) We will address the question of the optimization of the search time. We have recently introduced a new type of search strategies, the intermittent strategies, which minimize the search time under general conditions. Here, the objectives are: (i) to determine new first-passage observables of these intermittent processes (eg the full FPT distribution) to allow the comparison of optimal strategies to experimental situations; (ii) to understand the physical mechanisms underlying real intermittent pathways and assess their optimality at the molecular (homologous recombination kinetics), cellular (search for infection markers by dendritic cells) and macroscopic scales (individual search behavior of ants); (iii) to use intermittent strategies to design efficient searches.

Keywords: random walk theory,first-passage times,target search strategies
Freezing Colloids (FREECO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Products and process engineering
Countries involved: France,United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2017-12-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1469034.12
EU funding (EUR): 1469034.12
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The freezing of colloids is an amazingly common phenomenon encountered in many natural and engineering processes such as the freezing of soils, food engineering or cryobiology. It can also be used as a bioinspired, versatile and environmentally-friendly processing route for bioinspired porous materials and composites exhibiting breakthroughs in functional properties. Yet, it is still a puzzling phenomenon with many unexplained features, due to the complexity of the system, the space and time scales at which the process should be investigated and the multidisciplinary approach required to completely apprehend it. The objective is to progress towards a deep understanding of the freezing of colloids through novel in situ observations approaches and mathematical modelling, to exert a better control on the processing route and achieve the full potential of this novel class of bioinspired materials. Materials will be processed and their structure/properties relationships investigated and optimized. This project offers a unique integration of approaches, competences and resources in materials science, chemistry, physics, mathematics and technological developments of observation techniques. For materials science only, the versatility of the process and its control could yield potential breakthroughs in numerous key applications of tremendous human, technological, environmental and economical importance such as catalysis, biomaterials or energy production, and open a whole new field of research. Far-reaching implications beyond materials science are expected, both from the developments in mathematics and physics, and from the implications of colloids freezing in many situations and fields of research.

Keywords: freeze-casting,porous composites,bioinspiration,x-rays computed tomography,confocal microscopy,phase field modeling,linear-stability analysis,antifreeze substances,crack propagation
Structure and scaling in computational field theories (STUCCOFIELDS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Mathematical foundations
Countries involved: Norway
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The numerical simulations that are used in science and industry require ever more sophisticated mathematics. For the partial differential equations that are used to model physical processes, qualitative properties such as conserved quantities and monotonicity are crucial for well-posedness. Mimicking them in the discretizations seems equally important to get reliable results. This project will contribute to the interplay of geometry and numerical analysis by bridging the gap between Lie group based techniques and finite elements. The role of Lie algebra valued differential forms will be highlighted. One aim is to develop construction techniques for complexes of finite element spaces incorporating special functions adapted to singular perturbations. Another is to marry finite elements with holonomy based discretizations used in mathematical physics, such as the Lattice Gauge Theory of particle physics and the Regge calculus of general relativity. Stability and convergence of algorithms will be related to differential geometric properties, and the interface between numerical analysis and quantum field theory will be explored. The techniques will be applied to the simulation of mechanics of complex materials and light-matter interactions.

Keywords: finite elements,lie groups,differential forms,light matter interaction,quantum field theory,lattice gauge theory,regge calculus
Real-time dynamics of correlated many-body systems (DYNCORSYS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1493178.0
EU funding (EUR): 1493178.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Strongly correlated materials exhibit some of the most remarkable phenonomena found in condensed matter systems. They typically involve many active degrees of freedom (spin, charge, orbital), which leads to numerous competing states and complicated phase diagrams. A new perspective on correlated many-body systems is provided by the nonequilibrium dynamics, which is being explored in transport studies on nanostructures, pump-probe experiments on correlated solids, and in quench experiments on ultra-cold atomic gases. An advanced theoretical framework for the study of correlated lattice models, which can be adapted to nonequilibrium situations, is dynamical mean field theory (DMFT). One aim of this proposal is to develop "nonequilibrium DMFT" into a powerful tool for the simulation of excitation and relaxation processes in interacting many-body systems. The big challenge in these simulations is the calculation of the real-time evolution of a quantum impurity model. Recently developed real-time impurity solvers have, however, opened the door to a wide range of applications. We will improve the efficiency and flexibility of these methods and develop complementary approaches, which will extend the accessible parameter regimes. This machinery will be used to study correlated lattice models under nonequilibrium conditions. The ultimate goal is to explore and qualitatively understand the nonequilibrium properties of "real" materials with active spin, charge, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom. The ability to simulate the real-time dynamics of correlated many-body systems will be crucial for the interpretation of experiments and the discovery of correlation effects which manifest themselves only in the form of transient states. A proper understanding of the most basic nonequilibrium phenomena in correlated solids will help guide future experiments and hopefully lead to new technological applications such as ultra-fast switches or storage devices.

Keywords: nonequilibrium systems,correlated electrons,impurity models,impurity solvers,dynamical mean field theory,pump-probe spectroscopy,nano-devices,cold-atom systems
European Consortium for the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (EUROCONDOR)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Spain,Portugal,Denmark,Germany,Italy,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,France,United Kingdom,Italy,Spain,Spain,Belgium
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2011-two-stage, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2016-06-30
Duration (months): 52.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7775178.3
EU funding (EUR): 5998762.0
Participants: 18
Project status: CLOSED

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of blindness among working-age individuals in developed countries has been classically considered to be a microcirculatory disease of the retina. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of DR. For this reason, it is reasonable to hypothesize that therapeutic strategies based on neuroprotection will be effective not only in preventing or arresting retinal neurodegeneration but also in preventing the development and progression of the early stages of DR (ie. microaneurysms and/or retinal thickness). EUROCONDOR (European Consortium for the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy) is a solid and well balanced consortium (ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, basic researchers) which has been created in order to implement the first clinical trial using eye drops for treatment of the early stages of DR. The participants are top leaders in their field and central readings will be performed by the Coordinating Centre of the European Vision Institute Clinical Research Network (EVICR.Net). The main objectives of the project are the following: Primary objective: To assess whether the selected neuroprotective drugs (brimonidine and somatostatin) administered topically are able to prevent or arrest neurodegeneration, as well as the development and progression of the early stages of DR. Secondary objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of functional abnormalities related to neurodegeneration in those patients without or with minimal microvascular damage under ophthalmoscopic examination. 2) To compare the effectiveness of the selected drugs. 3) To evaluate the local and systemic adverse effects of the selected drugs. 4) To identify those patients most prone to progressive worsening (characterization of phenotypes and circulating biomarkers). 5) To determine the molecular mechanisms by which the selected drugs exert their beneficial effects.

Keywords: diabetic complications,diabetic retinopathy,neurodegeneration,eye drops,early diagnosis,somatostatin,brimonidin,multifocal electroretinograhy,optical coherence tomography.
Long-term woodland dynamics in Central Europe: from estimations to a realistic model (LONGWOOD)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: ERC Starting Grant Interdisciplinary Panel
Countries involved: Czechia
Call:  (ERC-2011-StG_20101014, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1413474.0
EU funding (EUR): 1413474.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The vegetation of Central Europe has been directly influenced by humans for at least eight millennia; the original forests have been gradually transformed into today’s agricultural landscape. However, there is more to this landscape change than the simple disappearance of woodland. Forests have been brought under various management regimes, which profoundly altered their structure and species composition. The details of this process are little known for two main reasons. The greatest obstacle is the lack of cooperation among the disciplines dealing with the subject. The second major problem is the differences in spatio-temporal scaling and resolution used by the individual disciplines. Existing studies either concern smaller territories, or cover large areas (continental to global) with the help of modelling-based generalizations rather than primary data from the past. Using an extensive range of primary sources from history, historical geography, palaeoecology, archaeology and ecology, this interdisciplinary project aims to reconstruct the long-term (Neolithic to present) patterns of woodland cover, structure, composition and management in a larger study region (Moravia, the Czech Republic, ca. 27,000 km2) with the highest spatio-temporal resolution possible. Causes for the patterns observed will be analyzed in terms of qualitative and quantitative factors, both natural and human-driven, and the patterns in the tree layer will be related to those in the herb layer, which constitutes the most important part of plant biodiversity in Europe. This project will introduce woodland management as an equal driving force into long-term woodland dynamics, thus fostering a paradigm shift in ecology towards construing humans as an internal, constitutive element of ecosystems. By integrating sources and methods from the natural sciences and the humanities, the project will provide a more reliable basis for woodland management and conservation in Central Europe.

Keywords: historical ecology,interdisciplinarity,large-scale,holocene,woodland management,woodland history,woodland ecology,palaeoecology,gis database
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL POLICIES ON HEALTH INEQUALITIES AND THEIR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND FOSTERING CHANGE (SOPHIE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Optimising the delivery of healthcare to European citizens
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Spain,United Kingdom,Canada,Belgium,Italy,Sweden,Netherlands,Slovakia,Czechia,United Kingdom,Spain
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2011-two-stage, 2011)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2015-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3360067.49
EU funding (EUR): 2535757.0
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

The need to deal with health inequalities is now on the agenda of key supranational institutions, such as the European Commission (EC). To tackle the so-called “causes of the causes of health inequity”, the focus should be put on structural policies, policies that – especially in the current times of financial and employment crisis – influence patterns of social stratification, living and working conditions, and thus people's health. The SOPHIE project aims to generate new evidence on the impact and effectiveness of structural policies in reducing health inequalities, and to develop innovative methodologies for the evaluation of these policies in Europe. We will study major policy areas, including macro-economy, welfare state, labour market and employment relations, built environment, housing, as well as gender-oriented and immigration-related policies. Examples of these policies at the European, national and local levels will be examined, in addition to their impacts on health inequalities by social class, gender and migrant status. The project will develop theoretical frameworks as well as quantitative and qualitative methods for evaluating the effectiveness of such policies in different contexts. Novel methods that are useful for evaluating the impact of complex social interventions will be employed, including realist reviews, explanatory case studies and concept mapping. Particular attention will be given to increasing the involvement of affected stakeholders (civil society and deprived population groups) in the identification, design and evaluation of policies to tackle health inequalities. Affected communities and stakeholders will work with responsible policymakers in activities of dissemination of results, knowledge transfer and translation of findings into policy recommendations. Through SOPHIE, the EC will gain knowledge on the impact on health and health inequalities of social and economic policies which may be implemented or recommended to Member States

Keywords: structural policies,impact evaluation,health inequalities,macroeconomic policies,welfare state,labour market,urban renewal,housing,gender,migration,socioeconomic position,knowledge transfer
Cities speeding up the integration of hydrogen buses in public fleets (HIGH V.LO-CITY)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Collaborative project
Partnership: FCH (Art-185)
Countries involved: Denmark,Belgium,Belgium,Belgium,Italy,Italy,United Kingdom,Netherlands,Italy,Netherlands
Call:  (FCH-JU-2010-1, 2010)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2019-12-31
Duration (months): 96.0
Total project cost (EUR): 30494110.49
EU funding (EUR): 13491724.0
Participants: 16
Project status: CLOSED

Several European bus manufacturers consider the hybrid fuel cell (FCH) bus as the most promising technology to facilitate the decarbonisation of public transport. By leveraging the experiences of past fuel cell bus projects, implementing technical improvements that increase efficiency and reduce costs of FCH buses, as well as introducing a modular approach to hydrogen refuelling infrastructure build-up, the High V(Flanders).L(Liguria) O(ScOtland)-City project aims at significantly increasing the “velocity” of integrating these buses on a larger scale in European bus operations. • The project will address the following key issues: Increase energy efficiency of the buses and reduce cost of ownership: o hydrogen consumption down to 7–9 kg H2/100km o integrating latest drive train and battery technologies o availability of 90% without the need of permanent support o >12.000 hours warranty and decreased additional warranty cost o increase lifetime of key components as fuel cells and batteries. o investment cost <1,3 million euro • Reduce the cost of hydrogen supply: o Liguria: linking with renewable hydrogen sources o Antwerp: using by-product hydrogen from industry o Aberdeen: making use of an existing hydrogen production and distribution mechanisms and eventually Scotland’s extensive wind energy resources o Groningen: by using H2 taken by a pipeline as a by-product from chlorine production • Consolidate past, current and future fuel cell bus demonstration activities by creating an active dissemination network of Hydrogen Bus Centres of Excellence in collaboration with the Hydrogen Bus Alliance, Global Hydrogen Bus Platform, CHIC Dissemination task force and JTI hydrogen bus demonstration projects. More specifically High V.LO City will: o Building on the experience of Van Hool the USA (21 buses 2005-2010) o Link Liguria, Antwerp, Aberdeen and Groningen, with already existing activities in United Kingdom (London), the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Arnhem), Germany (Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona) and Italy (Bolzano and Milano).

Keywords: fuel cells,clean technology centre of excellence,three demonstrators,15 buses and 3 refuelling stations
High Throughput Systematic Single Cell Genomics using Micro/Nano-Fluidic Chips for Extracting, Pre-analysing, Selecting and Preparing Sequence-ready DNA (CELL-O-MATIC)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Denmark,United Kingdom,Netherlands,Germany,Belgium,Finland,France,Denmark,United Kingdom,Switzerland,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2011-two-stage, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8434176.51
EU funding (EUR): 5998788.0
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

We propose a technology that will sit at the front-end of sequencing pipelines, present and future, and will significantly enhance the quality and throughput of DNA sequencing. Although much attention has been given to throughput/cost of the sequencing process itself, the same cannot be said for the preparation of samples. Identified bottlenecks are (1) sequencing technologies require days of upfront sample preparation which is further increased when sequencing selected parts of the genome; (2) genome assembly relies on computationally intensive comparisons to the reference genome because existing technologies produce short sequence reads; (3) it is difficult to begin with small amounts of sample material comprising micro-biopsies and single cells. The CELL-O-MATIC project will synergize efforts from SMEs, academics and large companies to address these bottlenecks by developing chip-based systems that process DNA from individual cells, ready for next generation high-throughput sequencing. Single cell analysis has numerous applications in systems biology but we will emphasize DNA isolation and sequencing from circulating tumor cells (CTC), which have a strong prognostic value in cancer management. A second innovation will be to develop methods that enable up to whole chromosome lengths of DNA to be contiguously mapped using nanofluidics. The inclusion of nanofluidics makes the project particularly distinctive and introduces European SMEs to an area that so far has been the domain of US companies. A modular prototype comprising, a chip, fluid and thermal control, sonication and optical detection will be developed. Samples prepared using CELL-O-MATIC technology will be benchmarked in a high throughput environment with samples prepared by existing methods. Finally, the information obtained from the CELL-O-MATIC processed sample material will be validated for its utility as an aid to clinical decision making.

Keywords: high throughput systematic single cell genomics using micro/nano-fluidic chips for extracting,pre-analysing,selecting and preparing sequence-ready dna