Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Conflict, Identity and Markets (CIDAM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Individuals, institutions and markets
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 429480.0
EU funding (EUR): 429480.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The developing world has been plagued by many civil conflicts in the past thirty years. Understanding the roots and the consequences of these conflicts is crucial to fight poverty. This project will take an economic approach to investigate the interplay between cultural, political and economic determinants of conflict in poor countries. I will assess the role of domestic and international factors. Domestic factors include variables such as cultural identity, income inequality, resource endowments and geography. I will re-examine the role of ethnic diversity using original multi-dimensional indicators. These take into account that the salience of ethnic identity may depend on how much it overlaps with categories based on income, education, etc. I will also re-assess the role of natural resource abundance from a theoretical and empirical standpoint. I will develop a theory of how rebel groups are organized drawing on the theory of incentives and test it using detailed geographic information on the location of mineral deposits in Africa. I will also analyze the role of international players using a methodology based on financial markets’ reactions to news. This methodology will allow me to address questions such as: Which companies gain or lose from violent conflict? How can we detect violations of international embargoes? What are the private incentives of complying with international norms, i.e. can reputation costs be quantified? These are questions of paramount importance from a policy perspective and on which almost no academic research exists in economics. Overall, the project should help integrate economic, social and political explanations for the occurrence of conflict in developing countries. I expect that its outcome should comprise the creation of new datasets, propose new methodological tools and offer some insights for designing economic policies to prevent conflict and fight poverty.

Keywords: economic development,civil war,ethnic diversity,event study
Communication between Functional Molecules using Photocontrolled Ions (COMMOTION)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1250000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1250000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of COMMOTION is to establish a strategy whereby functional molecular devices (e.g. photo-/electroactive) can communicate with one another in solution and in organized, self-assembled media (biotic and abiotic). Despite intense research, no single strategy has been shown to satisfactorily connect artificial molecular components in networks. This is perhaps the greatest hurdle to overcome if implementation of artificial molecular devices and sophisticated molecule-based arrays are to become a reality. In this project, communication between distant sites / molecules will be based on the use of photoejected ions in solution and organized media (membranes, thin films, nanostructured hosts, micellar nanodomains). Ultimately this will lead to coded information transfer through ion movement, signalled by fluorescent reporter groups and induced by photomodulated receptor groups in small photoactive molecules. Integrated photonic and ionic processes operate efficiently in the biological world for the transfer of information and multiplexing distinct functional systems. Application in small artificial systems, combining “light-in, ion-out” (photoejection of an ion) and “ion-in, light-out” processes (ion-induced fluorescence), has great potential in a bottom-up approach to nanoscopic components and sensors and understanding and implementing logic operations in biological systems. Fast processes of photoejection and migration of ions will be studied in real-time (using time-resolved photophysical techniques) with high spatial resolution (using fluorescence confocal microscopy techniques) allowing evaluation of the versatility of this strategy in the treatment and transfer of information and incorporation into devices. Additionally, an understanding of the fundamental events implicated during the process of photoejection / decomplexion of coordinated ions and ion-exchange processes at membrane surfaces will be obtained.

Keywords: molecular devices,self-assembly,photochemistry,photophysics
What is the molecular mechanism of mechanosensation? Mechanosensitive channel of large conductance, MscL, as a model (MECHANOSENSATION)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1449236.0
EU funding (EUR): 1449236.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure science” E.P. Hubble It is amazing how much we have learned about the working of our universe by using our five senses and how little we still know about the working of these senses themselves! Even though the molecular mechanism of sight, taste, and smell is known, we still don’t know how the mechanical sensations of touch and hearing function at the molecular level. Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels, present in membranes, are the molecules that sense membrane tension in all species ranging from bacteria to man. They stay functional even in artificial membranes, indicating that mechanosensation occurs at the protein-lipid interface. In an effort to understand the mechanism of force sensation, the major limitation has been the inability to ‘observe’ the molecular changes occurring in MS channels from the onset of the force. The aim of this proposal is to understand how channel proteins sense mechanical force at the molecular level. A bacterial channel, MscL, will be used as a model for its natural function to couple tension in the membrane to protein conformational changes. Here, on the basis of my recent findings, I propose to build on synthetic biology approaches to develop unique tools to specifically address the MS channel, allowing controlling its activity extrinsically and reversibly. In combination with the spectroscopic techniques, I want to elucidate the mechanism of mechanosensation in MscL by measuring structural changes in the protein and its interaction with the surrounding lipids, starting from the onset of the force. The research will clarify not only the long-standing question of how MscL senses tension, but it will also shed light on the common property of mechanosensitivity among nature’s sensors in higher organisms; transient receptor-potential (TRP) channels, which are involved in hearing, touching and other sensory actions.

Keywords: mechanosensation,mscl,chemical modification of proteins,synthetic biology
New Results on Structural Change Tests: Theory and Applications (CHANGE-POINT TESTS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Individuals, institutions and markets
Countries involved: Cyprus
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 517200.0
EU funding (EUR): 517200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The research project has two broad objectives and provides novel results in the literature of structural change or change-point tests. The first objective is to provide two new methods for restoring the non-monotone power problem of a large family of structural breaks tests that have been widely used in econometrics and statistics, as well as to show that these methods have additional contributions and can be extended to: (i) tests for a change in persistence, (ii) partial sums tests of cointegration and (iii) tests for changes in dynamic volatility models. The significance of these methods is demonstrated via the consistency of the long-run variance estimator which scales the change-point statistics, the asymptotic properties of the tests, their finite sample performance and their relevance in empirical applications and policy analysis. The second objective is threefold: First, to show that ignoring structural changes in financial time series yields biased and inconsistent risk management (Value at Risk, VaR and Excess Shortfall, ES) estimates and consequently leads to investment misallocations. Second, to propose methods for evaluating the stability of financial time series sequentially or on-line which can be used as a quality control procedure for financial risk management as well as to show that monitoring implied volatilities yields early warning indicators of a changing risk structure. Moreover we show that model averaging in the presence of structural breaks as well as other model uncertainties involved in risk management estimates, can provide robust estimates of VaR and ES. New results are derived on the optimal weights for model averaging in the context of dynamic volatility models and asymmetric loss functions. Third, we propose a novel way to construct prediction-based change-point statistics that reduce the detection delay of existing sequential tests and provide a probability about the likelihood of a structural change.

Keywords: change-point tests,heteroskedastic and autocorrelation consistent estimator,model uncertainty,rank statistics,risk management,volatility models
Biomimetic Organocatalysis – Development of Novel Synthetic Catalytic Methodology and Technology (BIMOC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Germany,Germany
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 999960.0
EU funding (EUR): 999960.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Biomimetic Organocatalysis – Development of Novel Synthetic Catalytic Methodology and Technology The objective of the proposed research is the design and development of unprecedented preassembled, modular, molecular factories. Inspiration comes from nature’s non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthetases (PKSs). These large multifunctional enzymes possess catalytic modules with the capacity for recognition, activation and modification required for sequential biosynthesis of complex peptides and polyketides. Using nature as a role model we intend to design and prepare such catalyst “factories” synthetically and apply them in novel cascade reaction sequences. The single catalytic modules employed will be based on organocatalytic procedures, including enamine-, iminium-, as well as hydrogen bonding activation processes, but the potential scope is limitless. Organocatalysts have so far never been applied in a combined fashion utilizing their different activation mechanisms in multiple reaction cascades. Therefore, it is our intention to firstly demonstrate that such a production line approach is feasible and that these new catalyst systems can be applied in the synthesis of valuable enantiopure, biologically active, building blocks and natural products. Additionally, the extensive possibilities to vary organocatalyst modules in sequence will lead to science mimicking nature in its diversity.

Keywords: organocatalysis,biomimetic catalysis,reaction development,chemistry of biological systems
Multiscale and Distributed Computing Algorithms for Biomolecular Simulation and Efficient Free Energy Calculations (ERIKLINDAHLERC2007)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Sweden
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 992413.0
EU funding (EUR): 992413.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The long-term goal of our research is to advance the state-of-the-art in molecular simulation algorithms by 4-5 orders of magnitude, particularly in the context of the GROMACS software we are developing. This is an immense challenge, but with huge potential rewards: it will be an amazing virtual microscope for basic chemistry, polymer and material science research; it could help us understand the molecular basis of diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob, and it would enable rational design rather than random screening for future drugs. To realize it, we will focus on four critical topics: • ALGORITHMS FOR SIMULATION ON GRAPHICS AND OTHER STREAMING PROCESSORS: Graphics cards and the test Intel 80-core chip are not only the most powerful processors available, but this type of streaming architectures will power many supercomputers in 3-5 years, and it is thus critical that we design new “streamable” MD algorithms. • MULTISCALE MODELING: We will develop virtual-site-based methods to bridge atomic and mesoscopic dynamics, QM/MM, and mixed explicit/implicit solvent models with water layers around macromolecules. • MULTI-LEVEL PARALLEL & DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION: Distributed computing provides virtually infinite computer power, but has been limited to small systems. We will address this by combining SMP parallelization and Markov State Models that partition phase space into transition/local dynamics to enable distributed simulation of arbitrary systems. • EFFICIENT FREE ENERGY CALCULATIONS: We will design algorithms for multi-conformational parallel sampling, implement Bennett Acceptance Ratios in Gromacs, correction terms for PME lattice sums, and combine standard force fields with polarization/multipoles, e.g. Amoeba. We have a very strong track record of converting methodological advances into applications, and the results will have impact on a wide range of fields from biomolecules and polymer science through material simulations and nanotechnology.

Keywords: molecular dynamics,proteins,gpu,multiscale modeling,free energy,computer architecture
Istanbul Urban Earthquake Test Site (URBANQUAKE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-09-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Acceleration records obtained during recent earthquakes have demonstrated that geological and geotechnical site conditions have significant influence on strong motion characteristics on the ground surface. Therefore earthquake hazard studies should be able to generate site specific earthquake characteristics on the ground surface to be used for engineering analyses and design. The first option to account for the effects of local soil conditions in hazard analysis is to use contemporary attenuation relationships formulated in terms of site and source classifications. The second option is to use empirical amplification factors. The third option is to adopt a more comprehensive approach in estimating site specific earthquake characteristics based on 1 or 2 dimensional site response analysis using detailed site characterisation. The first phase of the proposed project involves the effective monitoring of the vertical array installed very recently down to depth of 150m, and further development of Istanbul Network composed of 100 strong motion stations as Urban Earthquake Test Site. Full support will be given by the Department of Earthquake Engineering by securing additional funds from Bogazici University and the Istanbul Metropolis Municipality for the installation of additional deep borehole accelerometers. 25 deep boreholes were prepared within the large scale project financed by the Istanbul Municipality including all the soil and site characterisation. The installation and monitoring of these additional vertical arrays will be the responsibility of the researcher Dr.Kurtulus. In the second phase numerical and analytical studies will be conducted using the data from the Urban Earthquake Test Site to further develop contemporary attenuation relationships, to formulate empirical amplification factors, to develop and calibrate computer codes to evaluate site response analyses. Dr. Kurtulus will coordinate and perform these analytical studies.

Keywords: earthquake engineering,seismology,soil mechanics,geotechnics
Monitoring with and for raptors in Europe (EURAPTOR)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-2-ERG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-10-01
End date: 2010-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The two complimentary objectives of this ERG project are: 1) To further develop and establish an emerging European network for monitoring with and for raptors; 2) to further advance monitoring with and for the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggi in Sicily, Italy. These build on the activities and outputs of Dr Movalli Duke’s Intra-European Fellowship (IEF) which ended Jan 2007. Expected results are: 1) a European network for monitoring with and for raptors established, contributing to enhanced understanding of raptors as sentinels of environmental health, contamination and environmental change and to strengthened recovery plans for endangered European raptor species; 2) enhanced understanding of environmental pressures on the lanner in Sicily, and of the ability of the lanner to cope with these pressures, contributing to strengthened recovery plans for this endangered species. Objective 1 will be achieved by: a) coordinating publication of a Special Edition of Ambio (contract already signed) on monitoring with and for raptors in Europe; b) building on a network proposal produced and strongly supported by a core group of leading research and conservation organisations, at a workshop convened by the applicant under her IEF. Objective 2 will be achieved by ecological fieldwork, sampling and laboratory analysis of contaminants in lanner and their prey. The project is highly relevant to the work programme in that it will significantly consolidate the applicant's reputation and opportunities for longer-term re-integration through original research and high profile publications and by placing her at the centre of a network of leading groups. The project is highly realistic, building on solid outputs and relationships established during the applicant's IEF, notably between CEH UK and the University of Palermo, with the signatory groups to the Ambio and network initiatives, and with national and regional authorities in Italy.

Keywords: ecotoxicology,environmental monitoring,anthropogenic pressures on species and habitats,species status and trends,species recovery
Adversarial Models in Sensor Networks (AMSN)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-09-01
End date: 2010-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Sensor nodes are very weak computers that get distributed at random on a surface. Once deployed, they must wake up and form a Radio Network called a Sensor Network. Although Sensor Networks is a very active research area, most of this work is either empirical or includes unreallistic assumptions regarding the capabilities of the sensor nodes. Hence, there are still many open basic questions. A Sensor Network is a good example of an emergent communication system, i.e. a communication system where a consistent global behaviour has to be reached without the use of a centralized controller. In a context where messages between sensor nodes are exchanged by means of packet forwarding, a suitable model for adversarial packet arrival in Sensor Networks is the Continuous AQT model since each pair of nodes communicates at different speeds. We propose to study various open problems in Sensor Networks under adversarial models. Among other important problems, we propose to study: Routing and scheduling in the CAQT model, Deterministic transmissions under adversarial behavior, Routing in the Weak Sensor Model, Improve the bounds for the Clear Transmission and Group Therapy problems in Sensor Networks, Non-uniform Sensor Network initialization, Improve the bounds for the broadcast and wakeup problems in radio networks. If the grant is awarded, the candidate will conduct the proposed lines of research, in collaboration with the rest of the research group. Additionally, he will participate in the thesis direction of some of the group members. The candidate is also planning to apply for additional research grants to national and international institutions.

Keywords: technological sciences,theoretical computer science,algorithms,sensor networks,radio networks,adversarial queueing theory,computer networks.