Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Integrated Nonlinear complete Characterization of low-Intensity ultrafast optical Pulse In real Time (INCIPIT)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2018-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 271868.4
EU funding (EUR): 271868.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the framework of signal transport, photonics has already demonstrated its superior performance over electronic approaches and it is therefore critical that short optical pulse monitoring will be capable of measuring an optical signal in its whole complex nature – i.e., in both amplitude and phase. With the relentless increase in optical channel bit rates and the recent global trend towards optically coherent communications, standard amplitude characterization using fast photodiodes is becoming insufficient to diagnose pulse propagation, where phase dependent phenomena such as dispersion and the nonlinear field-fiber interaction must be monitored. In addition, many optical fundamental phenomena involve optical pulse characteristics presenting shot-to-shot fluctuations that need to be accessed in real-time – i.e. at the repetition rate of the optical source The main goal of this research project is to develop a technology for the “on-chip” real-time measurement of ultrafast optical pulses in both amplitude and phase, in platforms compatible with electronic fabrication technologies. The proposed approach is based on all-optical sheared interferometry (SPIDER) implemented in nonlinear integrated waveguides allowing direct electric-field reconstruction, completed with a Fourier transform integrated system enabling the real-time single-shot measurement feature of the device. The proposed study will focus on the possibility to integrate this method on electronics-compatible platforms. Taking advantage of the high nonlinearity exhibited by tightly confining waveguides, the “real-time integrated complex optical oscilloscope” we are proposing here will provide an unprecedented performance, according to the needs of next-generation photonic information processing applications (optical communications, ultra-fast computing, etc.).

Keywords: optics,nonlinear optics,ultrafast optics,integrated optics,microsystems,metrology and measurement,optical pulse characterization,real-time measurements,optoelectronic
Functional role of endogenous latent TGF-beta activation in the intrinsic repair of mechanically loaded articular cartilage (CARTILAGE TGF-BETA)

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-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-07
End date: 2016-04-06
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Articular cartilage serves as a load bearing material for synovial joints, transmitting loads while maintaining low friction and wear. Progressive degeneration of the tissue leads to osteoarthritis (OA), a debilitating condition characterized by pain and severe limitations in mobility. OA is highly prevalent amongst the EU population and is associated with significant economic burdens. An improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms that defeat normal tissue maintenance and lead to joint degeneration is critical for the development of successful treatment strategies. This project examines a newly hypothesized intrinsic repair mechanism in articular cartilage, mediated by the extracellular activation of large stores of latent (inactive) TGF-beta through the action of chondrocyte-secreted proteases. This proposal hypothesizes that this mechanism maintains cartilage homeostasis in response to a wide range of physiologic mechanical loading conditions, but is unable to maintain tissue subjected to excessive loading, as seen in OA associated risk factors (e.g., joint instability, high impact activities). This hypothesized mechanism will be investigated through the implementation of an in vitro experimental model system, consisting of the mechanical loading of articular cartilage explants and the sophisticated biochemical analysis of resulting TGF-beta activation and microstructural alterations to the cartilage ECM. This state-of-the-art proposal represents an exciting, unique opportunity to bring together the complementary skillsets of the candidate and the Stevens Group, with their respective expertise in biomechanics and biochemistry, to uncover fundamental mechanisms in cartilage mechanobiology. This mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe and the U.S. can promote the development of successful treatments for OA, including tissue engineering and molecular intervention strategies that will impact the EU community at large.

Keywords: articular cartilage,tgf-beta activation,extracellular matrix turnover,dynamic loading,raman spectroscopy,protease,cartilage repair,osteoarthritis,matrix metalloproteinase,cartilage injury
Body schema learning and adaptation in the iCub humanoid robot using whole-body tactile information (ICUB BODY SCHEMA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-11-01
End date: 2016-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187414.8
EU funding (EUR): 187414.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

State-of-the-art robotic technologies rely on preprogrammed models and largely lack the capacity to adapt to unexpected changes to their bodies or the environment. In order to expand the domain where they can be applied, they need to respond more autonomously, flexibly and robustly. The applicant will use the iCub humanoid robot, recently equipped with whole-body tactile sensing, to address these challenges by developing new methods to (i) autonomously acquire and adapt models of the complete robot’s body; (ii) move in unknown cluttered environments using whole-body awareness, thus preserving the robot and other people’s safety. The flexibility of humans can be, at least partly, attributed to the way the brain represents and updates the properties and current state of the body. However, the mechanisms of the so-called body schema are still not understood. Therefore, modeling and implementing body representations can serve to crystallize known biological facts and simultaneously design robot controllers which can perform with the reliability and adaptability of humans. The iCub robot with a human-like morphology and a corresponding set of sensory and motor modalities is a perfect tool for this task. The host institution - the Italian Institute of Technology - provides a unique environment that combines humanoid robot technology and cognitive science expertise under one roof, plus an outstanding training environment. The applicant will be able to capitalize on his background in cognitive robotics and crucially expand his research and complementary skills. He will directly participate in the transfer of iCub-related technologies to industry and in numerous outreach activities. Upon completion of the project, the applicant will acquire a unique but rare set of multidisciplinary skills essential for an independent career in humanoid or cognitive robotics, and a network of collaborators consisting of leading researchers in the field.

Keywords: intelligent robotics,cybernetics,cognition,artificial cognitive systems,bio-inspired robotics,body representation,self-calibration,tactile sensing,humanoid robotics,body schema
Functional and molecular characterization of excitatory layer IV neurons in mouse visual cortex (BRAIN_WIRE)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 199317.6
EU funding (EUR): 199317.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

What developmental processes are responsible for establishing the sensory preference of cortical neurons? In visual cortex, neurons belonging to a particular class (e.g. morphologically similar neurons in layer IV) are diverse in their functional properties, including receptive field size, and spatial and temporal frequency preference. For each neuron, these response properties are primarily defined by the pattern of inputs it receives. On one hand, these inputs could be selected by stochastic or activity-dependent processes during development. On the other hand, the pattern of inputs may be guided by molecular factors that ultimately determine functionally distinct neuronal subtypes. In other words, an apparently homogeneous cell type may in fact comprise several functionally distinct subclasses established by their patterns of gene expression. Specifically, we will test (i) whether a morphologically homogeneous population of excitatory neurons is diverse at the level of their individual transcriptional profiles, (ii) whether any transcriptional differences between individual neurons are related to their visual response properties, and (iii) whether their molecular identities persist in the absence of structured visual input. To this end, we will extract the mRNAs and determine the transcriptional profile of individual neurons whose visual response properties have been characterised in vivo, using methods developed in the host lab. Together, this proposal will attempt identify the contribution of molecular determinants to shaping connectivity and response properties of cortical excitatory neurons.

Keywords: vision,receptive fields,transcriptome,rna-seq,calcium imaging,cell types,development,neuronal circuits
Preclinical Protocols For Image-Guided Surgery (IMAGE-GUIDED SURGERY)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 243847.8
EU funding (EUR): 243847.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to build upon current developments in molecular imaging by developing a camera system and a tumour margin marker to be used in a first-in-human-trail. Molecular in vivo imaging is a fertile area which harbours a mix of expertise, state-of-art equipment and many different disciplines and inter-sector work environments. It is hoped that in the future it will be implemented as the fourth clinical modality in conjunction with the three already established clinical imaging techniques of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET). The proposed project seeks to demonstrate that ZW800-1 (a novel zwitterionic Near Infra-Red Fluorescence (NIRF) dye), when conjugated onto a cRGD peptide, can be used to identify a minimum tumour margin distance during intra-operative image-guided surgery. These will be optimized to be used with clinical hand-held camera systems ArtemisTM, mini-FLARETM and MSOTTM . The overall aim is to aid the surgeon to visibly demarcate tumour from healthy tissue so that a complete image-guided surgical solution to cancer can be of benefit to patients and the healthcare system.

Keywords: tumors,surgery,imaging,diagnostics,patient outcome,fluorescence,pre-clinical protocols
System-on-Chip Millimeter-wave Radiometers for Space-based Detection of Solar Flares (FLARES)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183504.6
EU funding (EUR): 183504.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of the research fellowship project FLARES is the study, analysis, design, development and experimentally characterization of millimeter-wave system-on-chip radiometers for space-based detection of solar flares. This approach will contribute to reduce significantly the power consumption and weight with respect to the existing instruments for the observation and study of solar flares. The choice of the operating frequency of 35 GHz is due to the following three reasons. First, a miniaturized SoC instrument can be realized with present microelectronic technologies, which are now mature for this region of spectrum. Second, assuming a space-based operation of this instrument, an unprecedented sensitivity limit can be achieved, allowing for the detection of weak events non detectable with the existing observation instruments. Third, this approach will meet the low cost, low power consumption constraints approach required by LEO satellites. It is worth mentioning that the same methodology developed in this project could be then applied to the 90-100 GHz band as soon as space-qualified silicon technologies will be available in the next years for that region of spectrum. This is the first time that the level of integration proposed by FLARES will be achieved. The published receivers do not integrate the digital section, thus they don’t allow for the application of the radiometer to a real world scenario. In particular the video amplifier and ADC sections have never been included in a SoC radiometer. These sections will allow for the first time, a complete and accurate calibration of the instrument. Moreover, it is the first time that a space qualified technology will be used to implement a complete SoC radiometer. The dramatic weight reduction that will follow from the FLARES developed instrument, will have a very high impact for the future nanosatellites mission devoted to the study of the Sun.

Keywords: detector,lna,millimeter-wave,mmic,nano-satellites,radiometer,solar flares,system-on-chip (soc)
Marine microplastics toxicity: investigating microplastics and their co-contaminants in marine organisms (MARMICROTOX)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-16
End date: 2016-06-15
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Among the most prominent and ubiquitous anthropogenic changes in the marine environment has been the accumulation of plastic debris throughout the oceans. The physicochemical properties of plastics, extensive use in products and indiscriminate disposal are the key factors that contribute to the presence and abundance of plastics in marine environments. Larger pieces of plastic ultimately fragment into smaller particulates, and plastics are also manufactured as small particles or fibres that are eventually released into the environment. Small (< 5 mm) pieces of plastic (termed microplastics) have been reported in some coastal areas of Europe, but few areas have been evaluated and the extent of this environmental issue is unknown. Microplastics are ingested by organisms and the prominent concerns of this exposure include physical disruption of tissue surfaces, negative effects on digestive system processes, absorption across epithelial membranes and accumulation in internal tissues, trophic transfer in the food web and increasing the bioavailability of toxic substances (co-contaminants) that may be associated with microplastics. The goal of this project, MARMICROTOX, is to assess abundance and type of microplastics in wild mussels collected from sites on the coast of Scotland, as well as to conduct laboratory studies to investigate 1) accumulation, absorption, and negative effects of microplastics in mussels, 2) trophic transfer of microplastics and pathophysiology in fish and 3) effects of microplastics on co-contaminant bioavailability. These objectives will be met by testing the following specific hypotheses 1) the type of microplastic is related to accumulation, absorption and negative effects in organisms and 2) the physicochemical properties of both the microplastic and co-contaminant influence the effects of microplastics on co-contaminant bioavailability.

Keywords: bioavailability,co-contaminants,ecotoxicology,gene expression,hazard,histopathology,marine organisms,microplastics,physiology,pollution,trophic transfer
Nanophotonics for Quantum Information and Simulation (NANOQUIS)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The growth of classical computational power supported by continued size reduction is expected to find its limit around 2019, when devices will probe the atomic scale. Fortunately, this limit represents an opportunity as systems are ruled by quantum mechanics that may lead to more efficient computation techniques. Many systems have been proposed as candidates to implement quantum computers: trapped ions or cavity and circuit QED,... However, still none of them has emerged as a definite full-fledged and scalable quantum computer. The shortcomings imposed by classical computation appear to be especially critical when studying quantum mechanical systems, since the computational complexity increases exponentially with the system size. To deal with the intrinsic computational complexity of quantum mechanics, without recurring to quantum computation, Feynmann proposed to use quantum systems, already ruled by quantum laws, as analog quantum simulators. In this project, NanoQuIS (Nanophotonics for Quantum Information and Simulation), the applicant will study the possibilities for quantum information and simulation of one promising emergent platform, namely, atoms interfaced by photonic crystals. First, within a semiclassical framework, dielectric structures in one and two dimensions will be designed in order to trap atoms and induce special interactions between them. Then, it will be explored the different hamiltonians and open dissipative evolutions that can be engineered within these structures, to use them for both quantum information and simulation. Particular emphasis will be made in models with long-range interaction, e.g., quantum chemistry problems, due to their important practical implications. Together with the theoretical effort, the proposal aims at creating close collaborations with experimentalists in order to implement the first realizations of the proposed structures.

Keywords: nanophotonics,quantum optics,quantum information and simulation,many-body physics
Identifying host factors involved in staphylococcal infection (STAPHYLOMICS)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 175974.6
EU funding (EUR): 175974.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Staphylococcus aureus is able to cause a wide range of diseases, with no vaccine available and common antibiotic resistance. It is therefore essential to better understand S. aureus pathogenesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that an intracellular infection stage is an important step in the disease progression. However, the mechanism of S. aureus phagocyte parasitism is currently unknown. A key question now arises as to what genes are triggered within phagocytes in response to S. aureus internalisation, which promote the creation of a favourable intraphagocyte environment. The host institution has pioneered cutting-edge technology, where specific phagocytes recovered from zebrafish larvae infected with other pathogens are subjected to transcriptomic analysis by RNA sequencing. I, on the other hand, have extensive experience in studying S. aureus infection using zebrafish. Thus the proposed project will be a great synergy between me and the host laboratory, whilst providing myself with world class training. I will perform an in vivo analysis of transcriptomes of infected macrophages and neutrophils using zebrafish larvae with these cell types specifically labelled. The infected phagocytes will be obtained using fluorescence-activated cell sorting technology. Transcriptomes will be then determined by RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. A set of candidate genes will be short listed followed by functional studies via a loss-of-function, morpholino-mediated approach. Several aspects of staphylococcal infection will be tested on morphants to determine the importance of preselected host genes in S. aureus phagocyte subversion. The project will generate important fundamental data on S. aureus disease mechanisms and provide new insights into finding potential strategies to treat staphylococcal infections. This fellowship will give me an ideal platform for my subsequent reintegration in my own country as a mature and successful scientist on the international stage.

Keywords: staphylococcus aureus,infection,phagocyte subversion,facs,rna-sequencing,transcriptomics,bioinformatics