Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The europeanisation of the Organised Civil Society in Turkey. The case of the Youth organisations in the prospect of the European Integration. (EUROCS)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224462.4
EU funding (EUR): 224462.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal fits with the overall research that in recent years has focused on the role of the European Civil Society in the prospect of creating the European Public Sphere. It investigates the process of europeanisation the Organised Civil Society in Turkey, by taking the organisations active in the Youth sector, as a key case study. The overall objective is to shed new light regarding their positioning in a country that has since long negotiating its access to the EU. The project will be based on a policy analysis of the Youth policies, by employing an innovative methodological approach that takes into consideration the operationalisation of the analytical concept of europeanisation into four main typologies (that are ‘policy europeanisation’, ‘political europeanisation’, ‘societal europeanisation’, and ‘discursive europeanisation’) that will drive the field work to be conducted along two years of time. The combination of different qualitative modalities of data collection and the reference to insights coming from different disciplines that are overall grounded in the European Studies area, but bring their own specific contribute into the field (such as political sociology, public policy analysis, international relations, social psychology) is going to characterize the approach to policy analysis that will be employed in this project. The final goal, and the results outcoming from this proposal are to identify a set of best practices to be converted into practical suggestions and policy recommendations for policy makers both at the supranational and at the national levels, in order to 1) improve the strategic planning of European Funding in Turkey 2) find out the best strategies to engage with Civil Society activists 3) unpack the best options and employ the best policy outputs in order to adapt the EU’s policy making to a peculiar political, social and cultural context such as the Turkish one.

Keywords: civil society / europeanisation / public sphere / turkey / youth policy
Developing Improved Estimations of Soil CO2 Effluxes at ecosystem Level (DIESEL)

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: 2015-01-01
End date: 2017-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 254474.1
EU funding (EUR): 254474.1
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Most studies consider soil CO2 effluxes as directly corresponding to soil respiration. However, in the short term the soil CO2 efflux can deviate from instantaneous soil respiration whenever a change occurs in the amount of CO2 stored in the soil pore-spaces. Gaps in soil CO2 efflux measurements usually are filled using the soil temperature as a predictor. The relationship between soil temperature and soil CO2 efflux has been defined using exponential functions, most commonly the Arrhenius functions or Q10 models. However, growing evidence suggests that the soil CO2 efflux does not always follow the expected Arrhenius or Q10 temperature response; rather, soil CO2 effluxes show a hysteretic response. This hysteretic response has generated a growing call for deeper understanding of the different factors and processes limiting soil carbon metabolism and the soil CO2 efflux. The objective of this proposal is to use a combination of field and controlled environment experiments to identify and quantify the causes and consequences of temperature hysteresis and soil CO2 storage with regard to the soil CO2 efflux, which will lead to improved ecosystem models for regional-to-global carbon cycle quantification.

Keywords: photosynthesis,soil respiration,co2 effluxes,soil-atmosphere exanges,temperature optima,hysteresis,soil co2 storage
Sensory learning-induced changes of neuronal population activity in the olfactory bulb of awake mice (ODORLEARNINGCIRCUIT)

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: 2014-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 277296.8
EU funding (EUR): 277296.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

How sensory information is encoded by neuronal population activity in the brain, and how the pattern of activity is reshaped by experience constitute the fundamental questions in neuroscience research. In the current project, ‘OdorLearningCircuit’, we will address these questions with the rodent olfactory bulb (OB) as a model system. Although the odor-evoked neuronal activity in the OB has been extensively studied, less is known about how the population activity of each cell type is spatially organized in the OB, and how the organization is modified when animals actively use odor information to optimize their behavior. In this project, we aim to tackle these important issues by a combination of cutting-edge techniques: we will deliver genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) specifically to major types of neurons in the OB, and use 2-photon microscopy to map the neuronal population activity from awake mice performing an odor discrimination task under head-restrained condition. We will analyze how spatio-temporal pattern of odor-evoked population activity is dynamically remodeled in awake learning mice, at single-cell resolution and with cell-type distinction. The knowledge to be gained in the project will not only be important in the field of olfactory physiology, but also provide useful implications for understanding the general mechanisms underlying learning in other neural circuits.

Keywords: sensory learning,olfaction,olfactory bulb,in vivo imaging,genetically encoded ca2+ indicators
Oocyte activation and human infertility: Identification and characterisation of a critical oocyte-borne receptor, and effects of laboratory procedures upon key proteins involved in oocyte activation (OOCYTE ACTIVATION)

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: 2014-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 299558.4
EU funding (EUR): 299558.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Mammalian sperm activate the oocyte at fertilisation by triggering a calcium-mediated pathway via PLCζ, a sperm-specific phospholipase. PLCζ deficiency is linked to human infertility, a condition that affects 1 in 7 couples. While intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can rescue many types of male infertility, 1 – 5% of cases fail due to PLCζ-deficiency. While artificial activating agents are available, such chemicals do not initiate activation in an endogenous manner. Recombinant PLCζ thus represents a safer therapeutic option. However, we do not yet know how PLCζ interacts with oocyte-based factors in order to regulate functionality. Current opinion is that an unidentified protein resides within the ooplasm upon vesicles containing the substrate for PLCζ. Identifying this factor, and optimising the manner in which oocyte activation deficiency (OAD) can be diagnosed and treated, is a key clinical remit. Of equal concern is that the host laboratory showed that clinical treatments, such as cryopreservation, can cause detrimental effect upon PLCζ in human sperm. Consequently, this proposal has two objectives: 1) identify the oocyte-factor that interacts with PLCζ via the use of protein-protein interaction technologies, and 2) evaluate the impact of clinical procedures upon gamete proteins that play a critical role during activation. Research will involve human gametes sourced from the Oxford Fertility Unit, along with murine and bovine animal models. The proposal is targeted to (a) improve our understanding of PLCζ function, (b) establish whether the oocyte-interacting protein represents a novel diagnostic marker for OAD, and (c) develop our understanding of how clinical procedures can influence proteins in human gametes. While the proposal is primarily targeted to human reproductive medicine, results will be equally applicable to animals of economic interest, such as the controlled breeding programmes used for equine and bovine species.

Keywords: plc-zeta,human sperm,oocyte,insp3-r,infertility,iatrogenic damage
Lipid-mediated activation of b-catenin in melanoma biology (LAMB)

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: 2014-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tumors contain multiple subpopulations of cells some of which may contribute to therapeutic resistance. Moreover phenotypic states in cancer (stem-like; invasive; proliferative; and differentiated) are dynamic and reversible, yet use many of the same signaling pathways implicated in activation and self-renewal of physiological stem cells. Of these, the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway plays a major role in stem cell activation and differentiation, and is frequently constitutively activated in cancers. My preliminary results indicate that surprisingly, oleic acid can substitute for Wnt in activation of b-catenin signaling. Adipocytes can play a key role in stem cell activation, can transfer lipids to cancer cells, and are frequently encountered during cancer cell invasion. I hypothesize that lipid uptake by cancer cells will alter metabolism and drive phenotype-switching via b-catenin signaling. This project therefore aims to investigate the biological and metabolic consequences of lipid uptake by cancer cells and will use melanoma as a model system since the key regulators of phenotype-switching in this cancer are known to be targeted by b-catenin signaling. Specifically, I will use standard cell biology techniques to identify the repertoire of lipids able to trigger nuclear localization of b-catenin and the biological consequences of lipid uptake (invasiveness; proliferation; differentiation etc); integrative genomics (ChIP-seq and RNA-seq) to identify direct b-catenin target genes and their relationship to those targeted by the master regulator of the melanocyte lineage, MITF, that is known to interact directly with b-catenin; and metabolomics to identify how lipid uptake and de-regulation of b-catenin signaling affect cellular metabolism. The results will provide a key insight into how lipid signalling can impact on cancer biology and potentially activate physiological stem cells, as well as provide high-level training in emerging technologies.

Keywords: lipid,melanoma,mitf,b-catenin,cancer
Seismic Analysis of Liquid-Storage Tanks with a Focus on Tank-Base Uplift (LIFTING TANKS)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-12-01
End date: 2016-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 167390.4
EU funding (EUR): 167390.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Liquid-storage tanks are crucial parts of industrial facilities and public water supply systems. Earthquake damage to tanks in earthquake prone regions can result in severe social, economic, and environmental problems since they are used to store crucial liquids such as water for drinking and fire fighting, petroleum products, and fertilizers. In addition, failure of such tanks leads to devastating effects including destroyed fishing industry, damage to environment, poisoning of water supplies, and health problems, which affect European excellence in protecting environment and public health-safety. However, the seismic response of liquid-storage tanks is highly nonlinear and much more complex than implied in current design standards including European. Tank-base uplift seismic provisions have very little technical verification, become less accurate as the displacement increases, and generally not included in the codes. The literature on seismic performance of tanks indicates that there is an urgent need to evaluate applicability of current seismic provisions and to develop tools for calculating tank-base uplift and its effects on seismic performance of tanks. This is the main objective of the proposed research. Detailed 3D tank finite element (FE) models considering liquid-structure interaction will be developed and verified. The FE models will be used to investigate seismic performance of various liquid-storage tanks using a large number of earthquake records using time-history analysis. A parametric study including effects of earthquake characteristics, tank geometry and liquid content level, and tank site soil properties will be performed. The results will be used to distinguish effects of individual parameters, evaluate adequacy of spring-mass mechanical models and seismic design provisions of tanks from various international codes, and develop simple models for predicting tank-base uplift and its effects on seismic performance of liquid-storage tanks.

Keywords: industrial and public structures,liquid-storage tanks,base uplift model,earthquakes,time-history analyses,seismic design
The Role of Mixotrophs in the Oceanic Carbon Cycle (MIXOCARB)

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: 2015-04-01
End date: 2018-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 254474.1
EU funding (EUR): 254474.1
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Oceanic life plays a major role in global biogeochemical cycles and the oceans act as sink for atmospheric CO2. How an ecosystem influences the carbon cycle depends on its balance between primary production and respiration. Primary producers convert inorganic carbon into their biomass, thereby removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Conversely, consumers take up organic material to fuel their respiration and release CO2 back into the environment. The two key processes in this cycle, primary production and consumption of organic material, are usually considered as being performed by different groups of organisms, autotrophs and heterotrophs. However, some organisms, the so-called mixotrophs can perform both of these processes simultaneously and hence, can have opposing effects on the carbon cycle depending on their balance between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition. Mixotrophic eukaryotes have recently been found as both abundant and important for key ecosystem processes in the ocean. However, the basic biology of mixotrophs is not well understood, particularly the environmental drivers that influence their nutritional balance. The goal of this project is to gain a mechanistic understanding of the role mixotrophs play in the marine carbon cycle. To achieve this, mixotrophs will be studied at all relevant organizational levels, ranging from gene expression patterns at the molecular level to the diversity and activity patterns on the ecosystem scale. In particular (i) a molecular study using transcriptome and proteome analysis will elucidate the metabolic integration of their nutritional pathways, (ii) their contribution to biogeochemical cycles will be quantified by NanoSIMS technology, and (iii) ecological factors controlling their distribution and diversity in the ocean will be assessed. This multidisciplinary approach will provide the foundation necessary for linking molecular processes to the contribution of mixotrophs to the marine carbon cycle.

Keywords: mixotrophs phytoplankton microbial food web
Evolution of Dust in Turbulent Protoplanetary Disks (EDIT)

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: 2015-03-02
End date: 2017-03-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 299558.4
EU funding (EUR): 299558.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Protoplanetary disks (PPDs) are the birthplace of planets like our Earth. In recent years hundreds of planetary systems have been detected, where some planets appear to be in the habitable zone and show best conditions to retain water, a prerequisite for life. So far the formation of planets and planetary systems is not totally understood. It is known that planet formation takes place in PPDs and that dust particles are the basic modules for planet construction. With the growth of dust grains, which have their origin in the interstellar medium, planet formation starts. To study these first steps of dust growth, which are closely coupled to the dynamics in the disk, is therefore of relevance to understanding planet formation and the origin of life. Studying the dynamical effects of dust in PPDs is so far based on simple dust models, which fail in many aspects to explain observations and planet formation. The need to include a realistic dust model is expressed in many studies. In collaboration with researchers at Queen Mary University, I have developed a science program which together will allow us to address the key questions of the influence of the dust properties on the spatial distribution, the dust evolution and on the planet formation processes in turbulent PPDs. In the interstellar medium, single dust grains are of core-mantle composition which coagulate into aggregates in dense regions. Implemented in PPDs, these aggregates undergo evolutionary processes which are influenced by turbulence in the disks. In PPDs, ionised gas is magneto-hydrodynamic turbulent due to magneto-rotational instabilities. The gas drag affects the dynamical behaviour of dust which is strongly dependent on the grain properties. The results of my model calculations which consider realistic aggregate dust particles in a realistic PPD environment are anticipated to be key for understanding the dust evolution and the early processes of planet formation.

Keywords: cosmic dust,protoplanetary disks,magnetohydrodynamic turbulence,magnetorotational instability
Analysis of Boolean Functions for Algorithms and Complexity (TCSTURKEY)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-31
End date: 2015-03-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 115773.6
EU funding (EUR): 115773.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The researcher, Dr. Ryan O'Donnell, received his Ph.D. from the Mathematics Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is now an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Both departments are ranked #1 by the U.S. News & World Report. The host institution will be Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey. Broadly speaking, Dr. O'Donnell's area of research expertise is Theoretical Computer Science ("TCS"), in the sense of Algorithms and Computational Complexity Theory. More precisely, Dr. O'Donnell's work takes an interdisciplinary approach, developing new tools and ideas in mathematics in order to understand the design, analysis, and limitations of basic computational algorithms. Dr. O'Donnell's mathematical research is primarily in the newly emerging area of Analysis of Boolean Functions (also known as Discrete Fourier Analysis), a subfield of of probability theory and real analysis. The overarching goal of the research proposed herein is to innovate new discrete-analytic tools for application in Theoretical Computer Science. Key research objectives: AAC: Prove the Aaronson-Ambainis Conjecture regarding influences of low-degree bounded polynomials. This conjecture has important consequences for Quantum Computation. FEI: Prove the Fourier Entropy-Influence Conjecture of Friedgut and Kalai. This conjecture has important consequences for Computational Learning Theory. SOS: Investigate the power and limitations of the Sum-of-Squares Method in combinatorial optimization. This is a very recently developed, extremely powerful optimization technique. NPH: Prove new NP-hardness-of-approximation results for the most basic CSPs like Max-Cut and 2Sat. This is plausible in light of recently developed Boolean analysis techniques due to Dr. O'Donnell and S.O. Chan. SSE: Explore the Small-Set Expansion Conjecture. The goal is to find new families of hard instances or to show that the SOS method succeeds.

Keywords: theoretical computer science,analysis of boolean functions,optimization,constraint satisfaction problems,computational complexity theory,algorithms,probability,np-hardness