Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Geometry and Topology of Singularities (Durfee Conjectures) (DURFEE)

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-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2017-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Much of geometry and topology of algebraic varieties is hidden in their singular points. To extract this information one typically compares invariants of a singular variety to those of its smoothing deformation or resolution. This gives two fundamental invariants of a singular point: the Milnor number and the singularity genus. They were studied by many geometers and topologists. In particular, the relation between the Milnor number and singularity genus has been a hot topic since 50's. The case of curve singularities is elementary. Already for normal surface singularities these two invariants are related via combinatorial invariants of resolution graph and topological invariants of the link. Thus for a long time there has been a quest for a simple relation/inequality involving only Milnor number and singularity genus. In 1978 A.Durfee stated a conjectural bound for isolated surface singularities that are complete intersections. After a long chain of partial confirmations and verifications the conjectural bound was stated for isolated complete intersections in arbitrary dimension. Surprisingly, we found counterexamples to this conjecture. We succeeded to formulate the asymptotically sharp form of the bound and proved it for a large class of singularities. In the current project I intend to prove the (corrected) Durfee bound for complete intersection surface singularities. In higher dimensions I hope to prove the bound for those hypersurface singularities that admit especially nice resolutions (by blowing up at centers of a particular type). This will be done by tracing the change of invariants at each blowup, reducing the problem to some particular singularities, "building blocks". In parallel I intend to develop methods to trace the change-under-modification for other singularity invariants, such as the signature of the singularity and the zeta functions. This will open the possibility to establish for them various new bounds/relations.

Keywords: invariants of singularities,hypersurface singularities,complete intersections,milnor number,singularity genus,signature of singularity
Structure-property characteristics of graphene materials with controlled nanoscale rippling (GRANARIP)

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: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The development of novel functional nanodevices based on graphene is of great interest for many technological applications. Transferring the bunch of exceptional properties of this highly promising two dimensional carbon material (light, strong, flexible, semi-metal, etc.) is currently one of the hot topics in material science. The objective of this project is the realisation of functional graphene materials by controlling their rippling at nanoscale. A comparative study will be performed to investigate the microscopic structure and charge transport properties of graphene layers transferred onto different nanostructured surfaces. These surfaces will be prepared by ion beam irradiation techniques and by dispersing nanoparticles on appropriate substrates. Transport measurements will be performed in the view of potential gas sensing applications. We expect to identify correlations between the corrugation of graphene layers and their gas sensing property. We aim also to characterize individual nanocrystals located under the graphene sheets. Focus lies on measuring the electronic band gap of semiconducting nanocrystals by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS), since these techniques are sensitive to the surface states below the one-atom-thick graphene. A more comprehensive study of graphene/nanocrystal heterostructures is envisaged by STM/STS, because not only geometric effects but also electronic effects (spatially dependent doping) can influence the gas sensing properties. The project thus will contribute to enhance the knowledge on the properties of strained graphene/nanoparticle hybrid systems and additionally, will result in novel graphene based materials with own proper characteristics and potential interest to technological applications. This project will serve as a platform for timely and multidisciplinary research in the field of nanoscience and will help the long term integration of the research fellow by putting him into a leading position.

Keywords: p212 nanophysics,p213 mesoscopic physics,p321 surface physics,p304 spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques,p204 transport properties of condensed matter,nanosystems,experimental physics,microscopy
Stomatin proteins and olfactory transduction (OLF-STOM)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In vertebrate the initial steps of olfaction occur in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), located in the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity. OSNs are responsible for the detection of odorant molecules present in the environment and the generation of the neural signal that is transmitted to the brain. OSNs are bipolar neurons with a single dendrite that terminates with a knob, from which protrude several tiny cilia, where the transduction of the olfactory signal takes place. Data obtained from different approaches have shown that several stomatin-proteins (stomatin, STOML-2, STOML-3) are highly expressed by OSNs and are localized on the cilia of OSNs. Proteins of the stomatin family are membrane-associated proteins characterized by the presence of a structurally conserved core domain called stomatin-domain of about 120 residues. They can form oligomers and can modulate ion channel activity, although the precise mechanisms of this regulation are still unclear. Here we will clarify the physiological role of stomatin-proteins in the olfactory system by using different knock-out mouse line for stomatin-proteins genes. We will examine if the lack of stomatin-protein alters the development of the olfactory system and in particular the sensory transduction apparatus. We will evaluate the olfactory sensitivity by using electrophysiological recording of odorant-evoked response by OSNs in the absence of stomatin-proteins and we will test the odorant-driven behaviors in null mice. Moreover, we will analyze the electrophysiological properties of transduction ion channels in mutant mice to test a direct modulation by stomatin-proteins. We will not only contribute to increase the understanding of olfactory transduction at the molecular level, but we will also identify possible new mechanisms of stomatin-protein function useful to clarify the physiological role of these proteins in other cellular systems.

Keywords: l502 molecular and cellular neuroscience,l308 signal transduction,l504 sensory systems
Defining the cellular interactions that control the retention of and tolerance induction in CD4 T cells at inflammatory sites (CD4INEAR)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2017-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Inflammatory sites contain a number of different cell types that contribute to the swelling and the destruction of surrounding tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis this inflammation occurs at joints. The cells implicated in coordinating and amplifying this damage are CD4 T cells. Much is known about the mediators responsible for attracting CD4 T cells into inflammatory sites. However, the signals responsible for retaining these cells are only poorly characterised. Understanding which key signals control the retention of CD4 T cells could lead to novel treatment strategies that force CD4 T cells to leave inflammatory sites and thereby reduce inflammation. Reducing the numbers of CD4 T cells at inflammatory sites may not be sufficient to reduce inflammation. It will be important, therefore, to specifically tolerise the CD4 T cells that perpetuate the inflammatory response. I have found that the induction of tolerance in previously activated or memory CD4 T cells located in secondary lymphoid organs is possible. However, whether it is possible to induce tolerance in CD4 T cells located in inflammatory milieus at peripheral site is unknown. This project will use novel, cutting edge in vivo mouse models to examine CD4 T cells and the immune cells which they interact with at inflammatory sites. By manipulating the cells and signals present in inflammatory sites and determining the effect this has on CD4 T cells, the project will examine the signals that contribute to the retention of the CD4 T cells. In addition, these studies will examine whether tolerance can be induced in CD4 T cells located at inflammatory sites. This will provide critical information about whether improvements in chronic inflammation are only possible following treatments that reduce CD4 T cell retention to inflammatory sites and simultaneously induce tolerance. These studies will provide an innovative framework for alternative therapeutic targets that alleviate chronic inflammation.

Keywords: l605 immunological memory and tolerance,autoimmunity,inflammation,cd4 t cell,cell migration
Investing in Europe (EURO-INVEST)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2017-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The financial crisis of 2008 quickly turned into a debt crisis of Europe by 2010. On one hand, there are millions of people suffering due to austerity measures, which results in severe cuts both in public and private spending, on the other hand, there are economies which find it, extremely hard to grow. Unfortunately, there is a big dilemma and a self fullfilling probhecy regarding this huge economic crisis. The problem of Europe is simple. There are staggering national debt of european countries, there are huge budget deficits, and shrinking economies do not supply enough money to the system. What is urgently needed is attracting investment to the. However, to pay national debt, governments need to cut spending, which in turn, sharply cuts into the growth of the companies, and which in turn, stops investment to the eurozone due to lack of confidence. This is a deadly loop, which proves harder by the day to get out. There is one point, which every economist and academic agrees upon; that is, Eurozone needs investment that will flow into the private companies. However, world wide investors have other options such as investing in emerging countries. Even though there is no academic rationale, investors put significant amount of their investment to the emerging economies, rather than where it is needed: Europe. Despite an admirable performance of equity markets in emerging economies, the classical portfolio selection rules (such as the mean-variance and stochastic dominance rules) cannot identify a preference between emerging and European markets, creating an inconsistency between investors' asset allocation decision and modern portfolio theory. The main research objective of this project is to use recently developed investment rules and identify specific European markets, sectors and companies as efficient investment alternatives. In a rational framework, this study should in turn create foreign direct investment at least to selected European markets and companies.

Keywords: e104 financial markets,e103 econometrics,portfolio allocation,investments,almost stochastic dominance,asset pricing,emerging and developed markets,investing in europe
Involvement of astrocyte-neuron interactions in the endogenous oxytocin modification of amygdala microcircuits and the emotional aspects of pain. (ASTROTAMY)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Pain and anxiety disorders are taking a large toll in our society both in loss of productivity and total cost of healthcare. Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. This definition highlights the complexity and the subjective character of such a sensation as well as one of its major aspects: the emotional component of pain. Neuroscience research has identified the amygdala as a key target nucleus in the brain that is involved in both anxiety and pain feeling. Amygdala is thus considered as the basis of the autonomous, behavioural and emotional integrated response to pain. The present project aims to characterize in vitro and in vivo involvement of astrocytes in the effects of endogenous oxytocin (OT) release in the amygdala microcircuitry. For this purpose, channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR-2) will be expressed under the OT promoter in order to induce release from OT containing fibers in the amygdala by blue light exposure. In vivo effects will be assessed on both naive and neuropathic animals through a functional exploration of pain i) symptomatic (nociceptive and anxiety tests) and ii) physiologic (radiotelemetry and behaviour). In vitro effects will be measured using i) patch clamp recordings of central amygdala neurons after astrocytes inactivation and ii) confocal cell-live calcium imaging in horizontal rat brain slices. Finally, the cellular localization of the OT receptor will be determined by i) in situ hybridization and ii) RT-PCR. The results of this project will contribute to the comprehension of the mechanisms behind the emotional impacts of a chronic pain. Moreover, a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of neuropeptides as well as the evaluation of new potent therapeutic target will contribute to the elaboration of new human and veterinary clinical use.

Keywords: amygdala,oxytocin,emotional aspect of pain,astrocyte
Computational Studies of the Biogenic Amines of the Brain for Targeting Neurological Diseases (COMPBAND)

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: Croatia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The main purpose of this computational research is to improve the understanding of a relation between features, metabolic pathways and signal transduction of amine neurotransmitters and the treatment of neurological diseases. Brain monoaminergic systems have been extensively implicated in the etiology and course of various neurodegenerative disorders, and their binding proteins such as receptors, transporters and common metabolic enzymes are the starting points for development of tools to diagnose and drugs to treat specific clusters of symptoms. Therefore, the research described here will be focused on two particular biological systems: monoamine oxidase enzymes (MAOs) responsible for regulating amine levels in the synaptic region, and histamine H1 and H2 receptors that regulate the activity of allergic and inflammatory mediator histamine. The work on MAO should aid in revealing molecular mechanisms of MAO-catalyzed amine degradation to their corresponding aldehydes, as well as of irreversible MAO inhibition related to the pharmacotherapy of depression, Parkinson disease and age-related cognitive disorders. This should help improve efficiency and reduce adverse effects of commercially available drugs, and should suggest novel classes of active compounds as transition state analogues. In joint computational/experimental efforts, studies on histamine receptors should unlock the secrets of receptor's distinction between agonist and antagonist binding using receptor deuteration, being of major relevance for molecular pharmacology. Overall, it is intended to identify ubiquitous trends and features that are applicable well beyond the scopes of these individual investigations. The proposed research is in general highly interdisciplinary with the promise of industrial applications, since it bridges the gap between fundamental understanding of biological systems and preclinical medicine combining modern methods of computational biochemistry with pharmacological approaches.

Keywords: c101 physical chemistry,c112 catalysis,c113 physical chemistry of biological systems,c115 theoretical and computational chemistry,c134 biological chemistry,l102 general biochemistry and metabolism
Conformations and Interactions of Biologically Relevant Molecules (CONFBIO)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2017-06-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Biological processes like molecular recognition, membrane transport, and folding and unfolding of proteins occur when the molecules involved have appropriate structures and interact in a specific way. However, a detailed knowledge of the structures of biologically-relevant molecules and the forces that give rise to them is still lacking for many processes. The aim of this project is to determine the structures of biologically relevant molecules and their interactions. We will examine the conformational space of several chiral odorants to explore the possible link between conformational flexibility and enantiomeric discrimination of odorants. We will study carvone, nootkatone and methyl-gamma-cyclogeranate, with enantiomers that smell differently, and fenchone, gamma-octathionolactone and tetrahydronootkatone, with enantiomers that smell the same. Interactions between these odorants and receptors in the ligand-binding site will be modeled by studying complexes formed between odorants and mimics of amino acid residues. The results will help gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of olfaction. We will also study changes induced by post-translational modifications, specifically glycosylation, phosphorylation and acetylation. Post-translational modifications of proteins that alter amino acid side chains exert a great influence in overall protein conformation, function, stability and dynamics. We will investigate the conformational landscape of several modified amino acids to determine their preferred structures and the relevant intramolecular forces that stabilise them. The results will yield new experimental data of immediate use for the bioinformatics community. To conduct this research a novel instrument combining broadband rotational spectroscopy with heating and laser ablation will be built. This instrument will be an invaluable resource for structural studies that will outlast the duration of this research project

Keywords: c101 physical chemistry,c103 spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques,c108 chemical instrumentation
Towards the opeRAtioNal Surface Fluxes and sOil Moisture Retrievals from Earth Observation data (TRANSFORM-EO)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2017-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Remote sensing provides the only viable solution for obtaining estimates of both surface fluxes and soil moisture content (SMC) at the spatiotemporal scales and accuracy levels required by many applications. Despite the wide range of methods available and the recognition by the space agencies globally for the necessity in estimating those parameters, global operational mapping of the above parameters from remote sensing is lacking or is underdeveloped, particularly so in Europe. Generally, these methods vary including also methods based on the information derived from a scatterplot developed between satellite-derived vegetation index (VI) and surface radiometric temperature (Ts) measures. The latter group also includes some approaches based on the combined use of a Ts/VI scatterplot with simulations from a biosphere model, specifically a Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model, the so-called “triangle” method. The operational potential capability of the technique is seen and by the fact that variants of it are currently investigated in deriving operational products by Space agencies in both Europe (ESA) and United States (NPOESS). In TRANSFOrM-EO, recognising the gap that currently exists in the operational retrieval of both surface heat fluxes and Mo from remote sensing sensors as well as the strong relevance of the so-called Ts/VI-based “triangle” method to a number of key efforts ongoing for the operational retrieval of those parameters, we propose to develop a fundamental understanding of the ability of the “triangle” in deriving LE/H fluxes as well as of SMC. In addition, we aim to provide a first investigation of the ability of the technique in deriving the above parameters when using advanced technologically remote sensing sensors, specifically the EUMETSAT SEVIRI radiometer on-board the recently launched MSG-3 platform as well as of the GMES Sentinels 2 and 3 that have already been planned to be launched in 2013/2014.

Keywords: v201 earth observations from space - remote sensing