Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Novel Brain Machine Interface to Restore Limb Movement and Promote Recovery from Partial Spinal Cord Injury: Basic Studies and Clinical Application (NEUROPLAST)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2018-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 265263.3
EU funding (EUR): 265263.3
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Spinal cord injury causes alterations in the central nervous system, as well as the sensorimotor and autonomic systems below the injury, and has devastating personal and socioeconomic costs. Although there is currently no cure, new research opportunities offer the prospect of accelerating both our understanding of the disorder, and the design of therapies to promote recovery. I will investigate, in both animal models and patients, a novel rehabilitation technique that consists of a brain-machine interface (BMI) that activates the paralyzed muscles electrically, driven by the subject’s own movement commands. I expect long-term use of the neuroprosthesis (NP) will lead to unprecedented levels of restored movement, while the subject uses the system, and to maintained functional gain, even without the NP, after therapy is complete. This will be possible due to the ability of the nervous system to modify its function (“neural plasticity”), which the NP will exploit. My Ph.D. thesis, finished this year, belonged to the emerging field of neural engineering. It spanned the design and validation, in human patients, of a NP for treating upper limb tremor, and the study of the physiology of tremors by decoding the neural drive to muscle. The studies proposed in this project constitute an unmatchable opportunity for me to develop critical neuroscience, neural engineering, and clinical skills, which will broaden my current competencies in these areas. I will also receive training on management, tutoring, teaching, proposal writing and ethics, which will allow me to assume the expected multiple roles of a researcher. Finally, I expect that this project will allow me to broaden my network of collaborations. On this the basis, I anticipate that my reintegration to Europe will allow me to effectively transfer the skills acquired, establish my research line and a group of collaborators, thus setting the basis for a mature research career.

Keywords: neural engineering,neuroplasticity,brain-machine interface,neuroprosthesis,functional electrical stimulation,spinal cord injury,animal model,neurorehabilitation,neuromodulation
Multifunctional Graphene by means of a Chemical Approach (MULTIGRAPHCHEM)

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: 2014-09-15
End date: 2016-09-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of MultiGRAPHCHEM is to undertake an extensive scientific program on the synthesis and characterization of a broad range of Multifunctional Graphene Systems. The multifunctionality will arise from the combination of -and the interplay between- the outstanding Graphene properties with those arising from the functionalization, which will be magnetic, optical, electrochemical and/or catalytic. The main objectives of the project are: i) the synthesis and characterization of several high-quality soluble functionalized graphene materials, having different organic functional molecules; ii) the tuning of the magnetoresistance by means of chemical design, introducing electronically active molecules and controlling the surface functionalization; iii) the photoswitching of the electronic properties such as electrical conductivity by covalent azobenzene derivatization; iv) the development and characterization of thin films of defective-free graphene through molecular recognition of functionalized graphenes; and v) the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles/magnetic clusters-graphene hybrids for the room temperature tuning of magnetic properties on surfaces. In this sense, the project will require a multidisciplinary work, involving Organic and Supramolecular chemistry, essential for the succesful derivatization of the ubiquitous 2D material, and Physics, which will be employed in the study of the properties exhibited by these systems. As a final result, the project target will allow for an advanced chemical functionalization of G, an understanding of its physical properties and of the mechanisms underlying the proposed switching phenomena, which would lead toward the development of more advanced G-based devices.

Keywords: nanomaterials,organic chemistry,physical chemistry,graphene,magnetoresistance,hybrid materials,photoswitching,supramolecular chemistry,nanoparticles,magnetism,self-assembled monolayers
Value based entrepreneurship: A study of the cultural, organizing and leadership dynamics of social entrepreneurship (ECOPREN)

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,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed study aims to facilitate the development, sharing and transfer of knowledge on the organizing and leadership practices of social ecopreneurs in Poland and the UK. Many fundamental structural and moral foundations of social life are eroding. Social entrepreneurship and activism may provide the much needed thrust for change. Self-organization and social entrepreneurship are on the verge of becoming a massive global phenomenon, which highlights a need for in-depth research into their organizing, leadership and ethical processes and practices. The project aims to examine and propose new ways of theorizing leadership and organizing within the context of value-based ecopreneurship and leadership. The research objectives take on a sharp focus in today’s society because of the challenge social ecopreneurs play in creating viable organizations with a social mission to create and maintain sustainable communities that support well-being. Tasks, relationships and accountability are less clear than in business organizations and require a deeper, more nuanced understanding of leadership and organizing processes. Ethical leadership and action is integral to these community-based organizations. This will require a longitudinal research project, based on in-depth qualitative data collection that will develop and advance theory, practice and potentially methodology. The study will explore and compare Polish and UK organizations adhering primarily to an ethical system concerned with sustainability and ecology. Such a comparison has not been done before, yet is apposite because of cultural, economic and organizational differences. Comparing the value-based organizing and leadership activities in different cultural contexts will provide data for ecopreneurs, who are beginning to organize internationally, educators now developing courses on global organizing and leadership, and policy makers involved in establishing conditions to facilitate international cooperation.

Keywords: social ecopreneurs,organizations,leadership,values,poland,united kingdom,environment,sustainability,ethnography,cultural studies,social and environmental entrepreneurship,ethics,glocal
Optimization of superconducting cavities for CW applications (CW_SRF)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-06-01
End date: 2018-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 252244.8
EU funding (EUR): 252244.8
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Continuous wave (CW) operation of superconducting cavities for particle acceleration is the enabling technology for several projects in research and industry. Minimizing the losses of superconducting cavities is essential for their realization and can yield huge cost savings. The initial investment cost is reduced by the need for a smaller cryogenic infrastructure and the operation costs are lowered due to reduced energy consumption. Currently almost all superconducting cavities used in particle accelerators are made of niobium. In most cases their power dissipation is up to 10 times greater than predicted by theory. An explanation is still lacking. Recent improvements in performance have been achieved through high temperature baking in vacuum or controlled environment, but the results are not always reproducible. Thus there is research on this technology needed for reliable high-yield production of cavities with lowest losses for CW operation. To reach energy consumption below the limit of niobium it has been proposed to coat cavities with nanometre thin alternating layers of superconductors and dielectrics. By this approach the cryogenic load for CW operation may be reduced to a fraction compared to bulk niobium cavities or operation at higher temperatures may become feasible. In this project we plan to push the limit of lowest energy consumption of superconducting cavities in the near and far future. For the optimization of accelerators for the near future we plan to investigate heat treatments on bulk niobium cavities to push this technology even closer to its fundamental limit. Additionally we plan to produce samples of multilayers. These will be tested in two unique RF surface resistance characterization systems to experimentally investigate the potential of this approach. Additionally the shielding performance of the materials will be investigated by three independent techniques; muon spin rotation, beta-NMR and polarized neutron tomography.

Keywords: superconducting cavities,surface resistance,particle accelerators,niobium,multilayers,thin films,musr,polarized neutron tomography,beta-nmr,berlinpro,quadrupole resonator
A multi-wavelength approach to investigate biases affecting galaxy clusters mass (GALCLU _ASTRO_COSMO)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 249242.8
EU funding (EUR): 249242.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The biggest future challenge for astronomers, cosmologists and particle physicists is to determine the nature of the two main components of our universe: dark matter and dark energy. With this goal in mind and fortified by the new results of the Planck satellite, European, American, and Japanese Institutes, space agencies, and governments have invested in new missions that are about to see their first light (e.g. e-ROSITA, DES, EUCLID, CCCAT, SPT-3G, ACT-POL, ASTRO-H). All of them propose galaxy clusters as cosmological probe and/or astrophysical laboratory. The multi-chromatic image collection of these systems will allow determining with unprecedented precision the key cosmological quantity: the cluster mass. Our project, built on previous experience of the Researcher and on the multi-wavelength expertise of the scientists of the Observatory of Trieste, aims at clarifying any possible bias in the mass determination and at offering a powerful procedural strategy to select the optimal sample for cosmological studies. In the specific, by means of large sets of simulations, we propose 1. To characterize in-homogeneity in temperature, pressure, and density maps and their connection with X-ray and millimetric measures. 2. To test triaxility reconstruction techniques of the cluster potential by combining X-ray, millimetric, and optical (via gravitational lensing and galaxy dynamics) observations. The philosophy of our team goes well beyond the standard analysis limited to the numerical models aiming at providing the observers with conclusive models and best strategies for observational campaigns. For this goal, our simulated clusters will be processed through X-ray and optical simulators to generate synthetic images that will be analyzed in an observational-like fashion. In vision of future surveys, the large catalogues that we will produce and share with the community are the most suitable tools to characterize the interconnection between multi-band observations.

Keywords: galaxy cluster,numerical simulations,x-ray analysis,gravitational lensing
Spatially integrated forest carbon accounting system (SIFCAS)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 186783.6
EU funding (EUR): 186783.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project contributes to advancing the state-of-the-art in environmental science and the geosciences in the specific area of applied system analysis and integrating modeling of spatially explicit verified greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory with a focus on forest carbon accounting. GHG (mainly carbon dioxide) emissions and removals in forests considerably vary from one region to another due to the different forests characteristics (bioclimatic zones, plant type, age, soil type, etc.). Spatial inventory of emissions and sinks in forestry at local scale significantly reduces uncertainty in inventory results. The proposal comprises the advantages of using spatial approaches to analyze emissions/removals of carbon dioxide in forestry at different spatial levels (from individual to national forest land). The georeferred integrated forest carbon accounting system will be based on mathematical models of forest carbon account and emissions/removals in forestry and information system for the analysis of scenarios of emissions/removals for various commercial demands for wood, energy and international measures to reduce emissions. It will contain a database of forest parameters, including geographic information to communicate with digital maps, models of carbon balance and algorithms for automatic estimation of forest parameters and a convenient user interface. The spatially integrated forest carbon accounting system can be used for economic and financial analysis of effectiveness of measures to reduce emissions or to increase removals as a tool to support decision making at the local, national and international levels.

Keywords: spatially explicit greenhouse gas inventory,forest carbon accounting,a hybrid map of forest land cover
THE ROLE OF ELASTASE/ELASTASE INHIBITOR IN DIALOG BETWEEN INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL CELLS AND MACROPHAGES IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES CONTEXT (EPIMACASE)

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-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-08-06
End date: 2016-08-05
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 246113.7
EU funding (EUR): 246113.7
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic disorders for which aetiology is unknown and only palliative care is available for patients. In Europe, 2.2 million people suffered of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in Europe, the socio-economic impact of IBD is very heavy. Thus, the development of new and more effective treatments for IBD depends upon a better understanding of the regulation of inflammatory response. The aims of this project are both: firstly, provide evidence of contribution of secreted elastase from intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) to over activation of macrophages in IBD and establish molecular actors of this crosstalk; secondly decipher the protective properties against colitis of ELAFIN, an elastase inhibitor, through modulation of macrophage activities. The fellow will develop in vitro and in vivo experiments to establish the role of elastolytic balance in the dialog between IEC and macrophages in relation to IBD. Our data raise the possibility that intestinal IEC are major regulators of proteolytic homeostasis by secreting proteases and protease inhibitors, which then can interfere with all biological functions of the gut, including immune functions. In IBD, secreted hyperactive elastase could participate to the dialogue between epithelium and other mucosal cells such as macrophages. Our analysis of elastase homeostasis aims to identify control points in the mechanisms of disease that could be addressed by development of a novel therapeutic approach for IBD. The fellow holds a junior investigator position at a French Institution. This program will allow her to develop complementary and transferable skills and to successfully build-up and conduct a ground-breaking research project in the field of human digestive health. This foreign experience is a necessary step on the road to complete independence for her. Thanks to this program, she would be in an optimal position to create an independent research group upon her return to Europe.

Keywords: protease,elastase,protease inhibitor,epithelial cell,macrophage,intestin,inflammatory bowel diseases
Creativity and Goal Modeling (CGM)

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: 2014-09-22
End date: 2016-09-21
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal will exploit the synergies between creativity analysis, and goal modeling and analysis techniques, developing methods, languages, analysis procedures, and tools which provide structured support for creative requirements analysis. Creativity techniques as applied to Requirements Engineering (RE) focus on finding novel and appropriate requirements, facilitating system and business innovation. However, the output of such techniques is not well-structured, and is not amenable to any type of (semi-) automated analysis, including techniques which may help select amongst alternative creative ideas or requirements. Goal modeling and analysis captures stakeholder goals and requirements, with structured models allowing for (semi-) automated analysis, discovering emergent model properties, and finding optimal selections over alternative requirements. In this proposal we will perform a bidirectional integration of approaches, using creativity techniques to populate goal models with creative alternatives, and using the content and structure of goal models to facilitate exploratory, transformational, and combinatorial creativity analysis. Our project places a special focus on techniques which populate goal models with creative alternatives capturing existing available technologies (apps, services). We will assess the capability of existing goal modeling techniques to represent creative concepts and facilitate creative analysis, modifying or extending languages or analysis procedures as necessary. The capabilities of existing creativity and RE modeling tools will be assessed in order to combine and extend tools to facilitate RE creativity. Project outputs will be validated with initial exploratory studies using past project data, experiments testing benefits in controlled environments, and industrial studies using outputs in practice. Project outcomes will better facilitate practitioner’s desire for creative analysis and innovation in systems development.

Keywords: requirements engineering,software engineering,conceptual modeling,creativity,creativity techniques,goal modeling,model analysis,language design,formal methods,human computer interaction
Molecular Electronics aKIn MIcroelectronics (MEKIMI)

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: 2014-10-01
End date: 2017-01-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 299558.4
EU funding (EUR): 299558.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Molecular Electronics (ME) is predicted to match in the beyond CMOS scenario the relevance of Microelectronics. Expectations are remarkable, especially if Molecular Quantum Dot Cellular Automata (MQCA) is the technology of reference: tens of THz in frequency and several order of magnitude of reduction in power consumption. Notwithstanding the promising opportunities, currently studies in the ME field are fragmented and lack of uniformity of methods and approach: this slows down the proceedings of engineers in the ME field and postpone the expected success of ME. MEKIMI (Molecular Electronics AKIn MIcroelectronics) aims at helping the proponent, Mariagrazia Graziano, which holds a solid background in microelectronics, to improve her knowledges at the molecular scale and to set up a methodology for the fabrication and modeling of molecular devices that could fill the gap between micro and nanoelectronics in the near future. The project focuses on a MQCA wire (MQCAW) used as a reference and promising starting point and addresses the following challenges: i) set-up a solid and reproducible technique to fabricate the MQCAW; ii) experimentally characterize its functionality iii) model the MQCAW system with a new simulation CAD tool. The three points are expected to represent a starting point for a more generalized set approaches, techniques and models to be available for other molecular systems in the years to come. The success of the project is assured by: a) the fellow experience on MQCA b) the unique top-class suite of advanced tools at the host institution, London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN), c) the outstanding scientific and training experience (>20 years) of the scientist in charge at LCN. From a multi-disciplinary and top-level training at LCN the MC fellow will boost her research expertise, skills, vision, confidence and research management qualities necessary to become an independent researcher and international leading scientist.

Keywords: molecular electronics,molecular quantum dot cellular automata,molecular wire,nanolithography,nanoimprinting,kelving probe,abinitio simulations,molecular device modeling,hierarchical simulation