Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Transceiver Design for Distributed Wireless Networks (TRADENET)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-08-16
End date: 2016-06-15
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230144.5
EU funding (EUR): 230144.5
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Due to the demand for high data transmission rates in modern wireless communication networks, recently there has been research interest in distributed systems operated through cooperation between network nodes. In contrast to contemporary centralized systems, there are certain issues that appear especially in distributed systems, such as node synchronization in terms of time/frequency, uncertainty due to local only channel state knowledge in the network, and power/bandwidth allocation among the network nodes, that require further study and optimization. This proposal aims at developing advanced signal processing techniques for the design of distributed wireless schemes that are robust to time/frequency asynchronism among network nodes, focusing specially on distributed space-time coding, low-complexity receivers that incorporate channel uncertainty at different nodes in the network, and appropriate power/frequency allocation schemes. This will be achieved through the determination of relevant distributed optimization criteria, development of a novel methodology to obtain practical optimal schemes, and real-time evaluation of the proposed schemes to demonstrate their quality. The PI's long-term research experience on several aspects of wireless communications is indicated by international journal and conference articles as well as participation in European and international research projects. Through the proposed project, the PI's interests and activities will be complemented and expanded towards the dimension of advanced optimization techniques in distributed wireless networks. The training and experience the PI is expected to receive from the outgoing host which is a major research institute in the US in the field of wireless networks will boost PI's career, professional maturity and independence, and long-term contribution to European research community through the return host institution which is a leading European research center in communications systems.

Keywords: telecommunications engineering,cooperative wireless systems,distributed wireless systems,relay communications,space-time block-codes,optimization,tranceiver deign
Quantum Phenomena in Optomechanical Systems (QPOS)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cavity optomechanics is a flourishing research field concerned with the study of macroscopic objects in a regime where quantum mechanical effects become apparent. A strong interaction between the optical field and the mechanical motion of optomechanical resonators, usually mediated by radiation pressure, enables both new photonic technologies as well as fundamental experiments that are at the heart of quantum mechanics. This proposal aims to study micro- and nano-optomechanical systems cooled close to their ground state of motion to advance both fundamental and applied concepts in quantum optomechanics. A first aim is to study a recently developed optomechanical device based on a 2D photonic crystal defect cavity. In particular, we aim to cool this device down to its ground state of motion by embedding it in a Helium-3 cryostat and using radiation pressure induced laser cooling to reach its ground state of motion. The high optomechanical coupling strength measured on these devices promises to allow ground state cooling with moderate efforts. A second objective is to implement the technique of motional side-band spectroscopy, adapted from ion trapping experiments, to characterize the degree of occupancy of the ground state of motion of optomechanical resonators, providing a definite quantum-mechanical signature in these macroscopic objects. Finally, we will use the recently observed effect of optomechanically-induced transparency (OMIT) in microresonators, in which the optomechanical coupling induces a very narrow transparency window accompanied by a strong group velocity reduction, for storing and stopping light pulses in optomechanical modes. This proposal will allow the applicant, a physicist recently graduated with distinction from the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Barcelona, to join the Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements in the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), a group with high recognition in this field of research.

Keywords: quantum optics,quantum optomechanics,nonlinear optics
Defining the pathways and mechanism of misfolded protein triage and quality control in eukaryotic cells (FOLDEG)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-01-01
End date: 2017-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 263660.7
EU funding (EUR): 263660.7
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Proteins need to be correctly folded to carry out their biological function. Failure to fold leads to aberrant protein conformations that have an increased tendency to aggregate and have deleterious effect on cell viability. Eukaryotes have developed a sophisticated protein quality control (QC) system that protects cells from misfolded or incompletely synthesized polypeptides that would otherwise interfere with normal cellular functions or even induce cellular death. The QC system may promote refolding of these non-native proteins by molecular chaperones, enhance their degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system or autophagy, or terminally sequester these misfolded proteins in inclusion bodies called IPODs. Impairment of the activity of this QC system, for instance due to ageing or disease, is thought to underlie the growing number of age-related aggregation disorders, such as Parkinson, Alzheimer and Huntington disease, all of which are characterized by accumulation of misfolded aggregated proteins. At present, it remains largely elusive how the quality control machinery recognizes misfolded proteins, and how the triage decision is implemented: i.e. why certain misfolded proteins are refolded whereas others are targeted for degradation or sequestered in cellular inclusions. The goal of this project is therefore to identify the played of the QC machinery and define how the interplay between molecular chaperones and degradation pathways maintain cellar protein homeostasis. The proposed work will build on the large body of work of the host laboratories and will combine systems approaches with cell biology and biochemistry to address these important questions.

Keywords: degenerative diseases,molecular chaperones,protein quality control system,ubiquitin-proteasome system,huntington disease,co-chaperones,misfolded protein,protein aggregation,protein degradation
Tetrapods Rising: Linking changes in mandibular form with function across the fish-tetrapod transition (TETRAPODS RISING)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200371.8
EU funding (EUR): 200371.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The invasion of the land by vertebrates is one of the great transitions in the history of life. Numerous fossils document the metamorphosis from aquatic, lobe-finned fishes to terrestrial tetrapods. Anatomical and phylogenetic studies have focused on changes in the limbs and cranium during this transition; in contrast, the mandible has received little attention. Furthermore, while comparative anatomy has been used to predict function and ecology in early tetrapods, these inferences have not been tested using biomechanical techniques. This project will address how specific changes in mandibular morphology (arrangement and relative size of bones, loss of the Meckelian ossification, changes in tooth distribution and size) are related to changes in jaw mechanics and function across the fish-tetrapod transition. We will also explore how release from some functional constraints (breathing, hydrodynamic streamlining) may have allowed feeding to exert stronger selective pressure on mandibular morphology. Mandibular anatomy and function in the living Esox (pike) and Sphenodon will serve as end members to a series of fossil taxa that span the transition, including Eusthenopteron, Acathostega, Ventastega and Crassigyrinus. This study will combine biomechanical techniques (finite element analysis, in vitro validation and material properties testing) with comparative anatomy and geometric morphometrics (including both morphologic and functional characters) to quantitatively test the link between form and function, including the degree to which the mandible is “optimized” for feeding. The incoming researcher has experience collecting in vivo feeding data, reconstructing fossils and finite element modeling. This will be integrated with experience conducting in vitro experiments, and modeling/engineering expertise at the University of Bristol; additionally, this project will utilize tetrapodomorph specimens and extensive knowledge of these animals at the University of Cambridge.

Keywords: functional biology,animal morphology,paleontology,computational biology,biomechanics,finite element analysis
Needs and requirements for independent living for older people (NARILOP)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-15
End date: 2014-10-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 278807.4
EU funding (EUR): 278807.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The NARILOP project will develop effective methodologies to elicit the needs and preferences of older adults for technologies to help them live independently. Currently methodologies developed for use with young people are used without regard to their appropriateness for older people and there is evidence that they are indeed not appropriate for use with this group. Developing new technologies for older people is vital, given the ageing of society in Europe and beyond. This timely research will fill an important gap in both research and practice in how to best engage with older adults in the design of technologies that will help them in independent living. The fellow on the NARILOP project will review the literature from human-computer interaction and other related disciplines for elicitation methodologies that have the potential to be used with older adult users and propose appropriate adaptations to make them fit for purpose. The project will then use five adapted methods to undertake requirements elicitation work on a range of technologies related to cooking, food shopping and nutrition, an important but underrepresented area of technology innovation for older people. Each method will be applied with five different groups of users. The data recorded during these elicitation sessions will be analysed for the attributes that lead to the most effective and acceptable elicitation methods for older adult users and for user requirements for the design of new technologies in the nutrition area. The project will create a manual of research methods and procedures for working with older people in the area of new technologies as well as a corpus of information about their needs for technological support in the kitchen.

Keywords: ageing,disability,user centred methodology,ambient assisted living,assistive technology,universal design,independent living
Ribosome dynamics analysed by novel cross-linking/mass spectrometry (RSDYN)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-12-01
End date: 2014-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ribosomes, large and dynamic particles made of RNA and proteins, are amongst the most complex macromolecular machines known to man. High resolution tools have provided exciting views of the ribosome structure. Revealing dynamics of ribosomal complexes in solution, however, has so far been challenging due to the restricted stability and homogeneity of ribosomes. A set of new tools developed by the Rappsilber lab, partly by me over the last few months, changes dramatically the feasibility of investigating ribosome dynamics. I aim to use these new mass spectrometry-based technologies to determine accurate sites and changes in yield of cross-linking between proteins and between RNA and proteins. Thereby, using protein-protein and RNA-protein cross-linking/mass spectrometry approaches, I aim to answer: 1. Is the final and rate-limiting step in the biogenesis of 50S ribosomal subunits a conformational rearrangement? This will prepare the subsequent analysis of the other steps during the biogenesis of ribosomes in E. coli and in future also in the eukaryote S. cerevisiae. 2. How does the structure and extra-ribosomal protein content of translating ribosomes change in response to different stress conditions? This will complement electron microscopy data and lead into the analysis of how translation links to virulence in pathogenic bacteria. My project will showcase the potential of cross-linking/mass spectrometry for the study of ribonucleoprotein complexes and, indeed, for protein-nucleotide interactions in general, i.e. encompass DNA-protein interactions. Furthermore, results of this study may facilitate the development of next-generation antibacterial drugs, targeting assembly factors and conformational rearrangements during ribosome biogenesis. For my academic career, acquiring knowledge in cutting edge proteomics approaches will be a stepping stone and further strengthen my role as gatekeeper of proteomics knowledge and a catalyst of biological sciences in Estonia.

Keywords: mass spectrometry,protein-protein cross-linking,rna-protein cross-linking,ribosome assembly,ribosome structure,quantitative proteomics (silac)
Dynamic and Plasticity of Spatial Perception and Attention Neural Processes (DYNPSPANP)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-11-01
End date: 2017-10-01
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 252218.33
EU funding (EUR): 252218.33
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Spatial attention is vital for interacting with the surrounding environment. Recent studies in cognitive neuroscience suggest that the fronto-parietal regions may exert a top-down attentional influence on early sensory processing areas. However the dynamics and the role of these cortical interactions remain poorly understood. Furthermore, spatial perception was shown to be modulated by subtle knowledge about our previous, on-going and up-coming action. The current project aims to provide direct evidence for the causal influences of the fronto-parietal cortex on primary and secondary visual areas (such as visual areas V1-V4) and to show their role in action-based modulation of spatial perception. Notably, it will address whether and how these top-down neural processes may contribute to flexibly modulate space perception e.g., by biasing sensory processing toward specific locations in space. To specifically test for causality, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) will be combined with concurrent Electroencephalography (EEG) in order to modify neural activity through stimulation over a precise region of the fronto-parietal cortex while recording with high temporal resolution the different stages of the cortical response to TMS over the whole cortex, in particular in the posterior occipital (visual) areas. The outgoing phase of the project aims to establish the cortical reactivity and functional connectivity of the fronto-parietal network, and to show its role in action-induced perceptive plasticity. During the return phase, the applicant will exploit her abilities on EEG/TMS co-registration to study the neural functional plasticity of the above described network induced by subtle features of our previous sensori-motor experience. EEG/TMS co-registration will be achieved before and after a short task performed in a Virtual Reality set-up, in which the spatial properties (direction and localization) and coherence of the sensorimotor activity will be manipulated.

Keywords: cognitive science,psychology,experimental psychology,neurosciences,brain research,neuroinvestigation (eeg,tms),interface technology,virtual reality,augmented reality
Enigma – Histone Deacetylase protein complex controls cardiac hypertrophy (ENIGMA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2016-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A variety of cardiovascular disorders provoke the heart to enlarge through hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes, resulting in heart failure and sudden death. Based on in vivo and in vitro models of cardiac hypertrophy, it is apparent that histone-modifying enzymes act as key regulators of cardiac growth. Although their upstream regulation has been studied, the mechanism whereby class IIa Histone deacetylases (HDACs) repress transcription has not been elucidated. In preliminary studies, we performed an association screen with the Class IIa HDAC4 and a heart cDNA library, and identified the protein ENIGMA as an HDAC4 binding partner. Further studies showed that other PDZ and LIM proteins do not bind class IIa HDACs, and that ENIGMA can bind class I HDACs with its PDZ domain and class IIa HDACs with its 3LIM domain. These novel preliminary results give rise to our main hypothesis that Enigma is a protein scaffold anchoring class I HDACs to class IIa HDACs to create a complex with high deacetylase activity that represses cardiac hypertrophy. A combination of detailed studies will be conducted to gain an understanding of the composition of this protein complex and its biological role. Specifically, I propose to (1) map the interactions between class IIa HDACs and ENIGMA in detail; (2) determine the endogenous class I HDACs-ENIGMA-Class IIa HDACs' ternary complex; and (3) determine the role of the ENIGMA complex in suppressing hypertrophy in vivo. Multidisciplinary approaches will be used to examine this hypothesis. Biochemical and molecular biology methods, as well as yeast assays, will be used to assess the interaction between ENIGMA and the HDACs. Further cell biology studies will examine the biological role of the ENIGMA ternary complex in cardiomyocytes in primary cultures, using a novel tissue engineered cardiac construct, and using a gene targeted mouse model. These studies will provide important insights into the mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy.

Keywords: cardiovascular,cardiac hypertrophy,histone deacetylases,enigma,hdac4,deacetylase
STESS: Socio-Technical and multilevel perspectives on Energy Services Security (STESS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2016-01-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Public and Government’s concerns about energy security have been increasing in recent years due to rising demand for energy, resources depletion as well as different types of political, social, technological and environmental constraints on energy systems. The traditional approach for energy security is narrow and focuses on the security of supply. It concentrates on economics, international relations and technical aspects of the system. The proposed research, STESS, applies for the first time socio-technical and multi-level perspectives for studying energy security. It focuses on energy services and introduces an innovative research approach that aims to broaden the scope of energy security studies and to develop new criteria for the examination, analysis and evaluation of energy services security (ESS), and strategic responses to energy services threats. This done in the context of the transition to a low carbon economy and vis-a-vis traditional approaches to energy security. STESS will contribute to: (1) The theoretical development of the energy security literature which is currently dominated by energy supply and top-down approaches. (2) The development of ESS measurements and evaluation criteria, which are currently supply biased. (3) The development of resilience indicators and new strategic responses to ESS threats, which are currently supply oriented and involve a small set of actors. STESS is a comparative (Israel - UK) research and is composed of five stages: Stage 1 examines users practices, perspectives and perceptions of ESS; Stage 2 examines the institutional structure of energy service and ESS; Stage 3 examines roles that middle agents play in providing ESS; Stage 4 draws the governance structure of ESS, and develops multi-level criteria for the measurement and evaluation of ESS sustainability, resilience, robustness, durability and stability; Stage 5 examines results against selected transition scenarios for the energy system.

Keywords: energy security,energy policy and management,energy services,societal behaivour,socio-technical systems,eu energy policy