Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Environmental and Social Interactions for Tuna fisheries Management (QUAESITUM)

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: Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2014-12-08
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169800.0
EU funding (EUR): 169800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Despite the social and economic importance of fisheries, quantitative approaches capable of predicting the spatial distributions of different fish species and their variations with respect to human activities are still missing. Recently, new proposals for an ecosystem-based fisheries management raised remarkable interests in the scientific community. These approaches demand answering fundamental questions on fish behavior in the presence of social and environmental stimuli, as well as interconnections among different fish species. This project will address some of these questions, aiming at quantifying the respective roles of environmental and social interactions in the spatial distribution of tuna, a topical issue for fisheries management due to the overexploitation of this species. We will base our analysis on acoustic data collected around Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs), a fishing gear employed worldwide in tuna fisheries. We will consider the role played by both intra- and inter-specific interactions to the tuna spatial distribution around FADs. This will require the development of dedicated analytical and modeling tools, capable of deducing social interactions from the experimental data. A multi-and inter-disciplinary approach will be adopted, based on knowledge on animal behavior, fisheries science, statistical physics and modeling. On one side, this project will allow answering fundamental questions on gregarious fish behavior in the presence of spatial heterogeneities. On the other side, it will contribute to constructing a quantitative approach for fisheries management. The Unit of Social Ecology offers strong expertise in animal behavior and ecology, concerning the analysis of both social interactions and responses to environmental heterogeneities. It regularly produces cutting-edge research on collective animal behavior, both at the modeling and experimental level. This combination is unique and perfectly matched to the proposed project.

Keywords: animal behavior,self-organization,fads,tuna,acoustic tagging,social and environmental interactions,spatial heterogeneities,statistical physics,fisheries science,field-based modelling
Invetigating the link between sub-littoral algae habitats and fish communities in the Mediterranean Sea (LINKFISH)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 233705.2
EU funding (EUR): 233705.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Despite the obvious importance of marcoalgae in oligotrophic seas as primary producers their role in sustaining biodiversity and secondary production has thus far only received limited attention. Most research effort to date has been concentrated on shallow water species, in particular sea grasses, while other algae communities in deeper waters (50-100 metres), that are equally widespread but morphologically and chemically very different, have received far less attention. As a consequence little information exist about these habitats, their productivity, biodiversity of associated benthic fauna and how energy is transferred from the algae to higher trophic levels such as fish. The few descriptive studies of these habitats that do exist do, however, indicate a strong link between algae beds and an abundant and diverse fish fauna. A key aim of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management is to identify, conserve and restore habitats critical to fish in order to regenerate and sustain fish populations. Thus knowledge of habitat – fish associations as well as the mechanistic link between them will be an important component towards implementing this approach. Within this fellowship application it is proposed to study the demersal community and food-web structure of three algal model systems, one shallow water system (Cystoseira) and two deep water (Osmundaria - Phyllophora and Peyssonnalia) systems that have a widespread occurrence in the Mediterranean by adopting a multidisciplinary approach, combining traditional benthic community ecology with stable isotope techniques and field as well as laboratory experiments. Furthermore, food-web modelling approaches will be adopted to integrate these results into a wider ecological framework. The expected outcome of the proposal is to increase our understanding of the ecology of macroalgae habitats in the Mediterranean and the role they play in sustaining fish production.

Keywords: coastal zone ecosystems and management,habitat and species restoration and
Generalized Sampling and Infinite-Dimensional Compressed Sensing (GESIDICS)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187888.2
EU funding (EUR): 187888.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Sampling theory is one of the mainstays of modern signal processing and encompasses mathematical theory from harmonic analysis, functional analysis, operator theory, approximation theory and computational mathematics. It is a field with a vast amount of applications ranging from medical imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging and X-ray Computed Tomography) to sound engineering and image processing. The key to a successful mathematical sampling theory for use in applications is to have a model that fits the real world scenarios. And the main focus of this proposal is to emphasize the following: Due to the physical models that are the foundation of modern science one can heuristically say (from a signal processing point of view) that the world is analog (continuous-time or infinite-dimensional) whereas computer science is discrete (finite-dimensional). The gap between how we actually model the world and how we can carry out computations on a computer is a fundamental hurdle. We will in this proposal display and suggest new techniques in sampling theory that will help bridging the gap between the true model and the model used in computations. These techniques stem from recent developments in functional analysis and will ultimately provide tools that allow for improved reconstruction techniques for use in medical imaging, sound engineering and in signal processing in general.

Keywords: computational mathematics,harmonic analysis,sampling theory,compressed sensing
Hybrid approaches to bone regeneration (HABER)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-17
End date: 2014-09-16
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of the proposed project is to produce a new generation of hybrid materials that heal bone defects, reduce the need for transplants, improving quality of life for trauma and cancer patients and the elderly. The new materials will share load with bone, stimulate bone growth and dissolve after the bone is repaired. They will also be able to be cut to shape by a surgeon in theatre. Current bionert implants have a limited lifespan, which is a major problem for traditional materials as human life expectancy continues to increase. Therefore, this project aims to shift emphasis from replacement of tissues to regeneration of tissues to their original state and function. In this proposal new bioactive organic-inorganic hybrids will be created that could, for the first time, fulfil all the criteria for an ideal scaffold. Hybrids are a new way to obtain synergy from materials, where the organic is introduced while the inorganic network is being assembled so that the components interact at the molecular level. The key to success is using polymers that have not yet been exploited for construction of bone scaffolding materials. This is because the degradable polymers that are currently approved for biomedical applications (e.g. polyesters) degrade and lose their mechanical properties too rapidly once degradation begins. Alternatives are naturally occurring polymers that are enzyme degradable and can therefore degrade by natural remodeling mechanisms after implantation. Also key is obtaining controlled covalent bonding between the organic and inorganic components. In addition nanoscale texture will be introduced on the scaffolds surface by the incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes nanostructures, which are non toxic, biocompatable can promote faster osseointegration and provide in situ mechanical stability to the scaffold. In this way the proposed hybrid scaffolds will be optimized from the surface topology to the nano and macro scale.

Keywords: materials engineering
Single-molecule spectroscopy in the near field of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (1MOLECULENEARPLASMON)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183805.8
EU funding (EUR): 183805.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Our project is to combine single-molecule spectroscopy with plasmonic nanomaterials. We will use the fluorescence excitation lines of single molecules in a cryogenic experiment to probe the local field enhancement of single plasmonic antennas, as well as of periodic array of antennas. At low tem-peratures, spectral selection will enable us to address a large number of molecules (typically 100,000) independently in each focal spot, by tuning the excitation laser. Thereby, we will determine the position of the excited molecule by superresolution techniques and correlate it with its emission properties. The linewidth and saturation fluorescence intensity of each molecule will be used to determine the local field enhancement. By selecting many individual molecules, we will map the local field and the associated enhancement of the molecular emission. Compared to previous experiments, this method is non-invasive, non-destructive, and still provides high spatial resolution. The local-field map will be used for further optimization of the nanoantennas in collaboration with a group in charge of the nanofabrication. The optimized antennas will allow us to enhance light-matter interaction and eventually, to manipulate single photons with single molecules.

Keywords: single molecules spectroscopy,optical and dielectric properties,microscopy,molecular physics,spectroscopy,solid state physics,photonic components
Neural substrates of depth perception: from surfaces to complex 3D forms (COMPLEX3D)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-15
End date: 2014-03-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200371.8
EU funding (EUR): 200371.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The ability to retrieve information about three-dimensional (3D) structure in the environment is critical for the recognition of objects and for the execution of actions (e.g., grasping and manipulating objects). One of the strongest cues to depth and shape is binocular disparity, which results from slightly different images of an object seen by the two separated eyes on the head. To date, research that has been dedicated to understanding the processing of binocular disparity cues has mainly used simple surfaces and comparatively little is known about how these cues are used to retrieve more complex 3D shapes. The proposed project will investigate whether the same neural networks implicated in previous studies using simple surfaces underlie the perception of more complex and biologically relevant 3D structures. The experiments in the project will integrate state-of-the-art fMRI and brain stimulation (rTMS) methods with concurrent behavioural measures of perception in order to link neural activity to perceptual states. Findings from this project will not only provide novel insights as to the neural concomitants of depth and 3D shape perception from disparity in humans, but will also have implications extending to clinical settings, artificial systems, and entertainment technologies.

Keywords: cognitive neuroscience,visual perception,depth,fmri,psychophysics
Cross-cultural Encounters – the Travels of Gender Theory and Practice to China and the Nordic Countries (CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 318514.6
EU funding (EUR): 318514.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This interdisciplinary project is concerned with the cross-cultural translation of knowledge and practices that may take place when different cultures interact, and the resulting production of new knowledge. Taking the travelling routes of gender theory and practice to China and the Nordic countries as the empirical object of study, the project will focus on the crucial questions of why and how knowledge travels or fails to travel. The project will explore in which forms and by whom knowledge is sent, received, understood, translated, or even rejected as well as the impact of these travels. The main objective is to develop an alternative travelling theory to facilitate an improved understanding of the cross-cultural translation of knowledge and practices. The project is significant for the European Research Area, as well as for governments, civil society and the general public in light of increased and new forms of cross-cultural interaction between Europe and Asia.

Keywords: cross-cultural encounters,gender,travelling theory,cultural translation,globalization,asia,europe
Investigating the role of adult neurogenesis in spatial memory through optogenetic monitoring of neural activity (NILSBO)

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: Norway
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 217396.8
EU funding (EUR): 217396.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The idea that neurogenesis in the mammalian brain only takes place during development has been abandoned. One of the two regions where neurogenesis takes place in the adult mammalian brain is the sub-granular zone in the dentate gyrus. Although accumulating evidence suggests that newborn neurons in the adult dentate gyrus have a role in learning and memory, current methods using ablation and IEG mapping techniques have not been able to reveal what stimuli new neurons are activated by or what kind of information new neurons’s spiking activity encodes during behaviour, because of controversial results in ablation studies and poor temporal resolution of IEG mapping. In this project, we aim to develop a novel technical approach overcoming this limitation and to determine dynamic neuronal activity of new neurons at temporal resolution of single spikes. We combine multiple single-unit in vivo recording with optogenetics to identify and subsequently measure the activity of adult newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus during behaviour. The Channelrhodopsin gene encoding a light-sensitive cation channel will be delivered into newborn neurons using viral vectors. In this way, we are able to tag the newborn neurons so that they respond to light stimulation by generating action potentials. Light-induced action potentials will be used to identify activity of targeted neurons in behaving animals. Using this method we will be the first to record the natural activity of newborn neurons in the hippocampus. Based on the previous findings suggesting the involvement of new neurons in spatial memory formation, we hypothesize that new neurons are involved in spatial information processing by exhibiting place-cell activity, which fires action potentials corresponding to specific animal’s locations. In order to test this hypothesis, we will examine activity of newborn neurons during spatial exploration. This way we can directly test their hypothesized involvement in learning and memory.

Keywords: neurobiology,adult neurogenesis,place cell,optogenetics,hippocampus,spatial representation,learning,memory
Biophysical study of the coupling between cell proliferation and morphogen gradients (MORPHOGRAD)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2015-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As well as controlling patterning, morphogens such as the Drosophila BMP homolog Decapentaplegic (Dpp) also regulate growth during development, but how they do so remains largely unclear. One privileged hypothesis, called the steepness hypothesis, suggests that cells in a tissue read spatial differences in the morphogen gradient and divide accordingly. However, the host lab recently discovered a novel mechanism by which the Dpp gradient controls growth: in the Drosophila wing disc, cells are able to read temporal differences in the Dpp gradient and regulate their cell cycle accordingly. More precisely, cells divide when their Dpp signalling level has increased by a constant percentage alpha since the start of their current cell cycle. Using biophysical methods, I will expand this work and study the molecular mechanisms coupling proliferation control with temporal changes in the Dpp gradient. I will generate cell cycle biosensors in order to monitor cell cycle parameters and their evolution throughout wing development, using fixed samples but also thanks to live imaging. I will also analyse the cell cycle and Dpp gradient characteristics in different tumourigenic conditions, in the hope to uncover general principles governing tumour formation. Finally, as several interactions have been uncovered between Dpp signalling and the tumour suppressor Hippo pathway, I will assess thanks to cell culture as well as in vivo assays whether the Hippo pathway could mediate the continued sensitivity of cells to the temporal Dpp signalling increase throughout development.

Keywords: biophysics,animal growth,morphogen gradient,tumour suppressor,cell cycle,live imaging,biosensors,drosophila
Building Academic Freedom And Democracy In Africa (BAFADIA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-09-02
End date: 2015-09-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 278807.4
EU funding (EUR): 278807.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This Fellowship’s purpose is a comparative assessment of the protection for, and health of, academic freedom in the African nations, currently a vastly under-researched field, and a subsequent analysis of most relevant best practice for the protection of academic freedom in the EU, which can then aid the derivation of an African model of the concept, which will be disseminated across, and embedded within, universities in Africa. To achieve this, the project will unite the Fellow, who has a wide knowledge of academic freedom and human rights issues in Africa, with the Researcher in Charge, who has experience and expertise in assessing the protection of academic freedom in different states, to produce together new knowledge which will be disseminated across both Africa and the EU. The long-term effect of this research will be to substantially increase the institutional collaboration between universities in Africa and the European Union, enabling greater protection of academic freedom via the joint development of governance structures, processes and protocols. Additionally, through the mobility to the EU of a leading African human rights researcher, the project will facilitate aid and encourage greater teaching links and research collaboration, and academic and scientific outputs between the universities in the two continents. The main academic subject areas which relate to academic freedom are higher education policy and international law. However, by promoting greater collaboration at institutional, rather than subject, level this project will generate greater intercontinental collaboration across a wide range of academic disciplines, via increases in the number of EU-African university collaborations.

Keywords: education,human rights,academic freedom