Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Feedback and Tow-Way Communication Systems (FDBKCOMM)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal investigates the role of feedback in communication networks, with the ultimate goal of providing architecture-level guidance in the design of robust and efficient communication systems. Many common communication situations are over inherently two-way channels, such as wireless networks, digital subscriber lines (DSL), and the Internet, even when the information transfer is only in one direction. Thus we can receive feedback from the other end of the channel, which we can use to improve the quality of communication. Even though feedback is present in many communication systems and is used in certain primitive forms, such as channel estimation and automatic repeat request (ARQ), the theory underlying its use has not been completely developed. We propose new approaches for several communication settings, such as single-user channels with memory, multiple-user channels with feedback, compound channels with feedback, and two-way channels, in which two or more users simultaneously exchange information through a shared channel. The proposed research is based on integrating new mathematical and engineering tools into the communication problems. In particular, we will integrate the idea of causality and directed information and use optimization tools from operational research to derive schemes that achieve that capacity. Overall, the proposed research aims to advance a theoretical understanding of feedback in communication and to give practical guidance for robust feedback communication systems. While positive results will provide a novel communication system design, negative results will prevent over-engineering and allow more confidence in simple and modular implementations. Since feedback and causality also constitute a pivotal concept in biology and economics, a deeper understanding of the role of feedback in communication will lead to a better understanding of the role of feedback in a broader interdisciplinary context.

Keywords: technological sciences,communication,information theory,wireless communication,channel with feedback,two-way channel,dynamic programming
Modulation of CFTR stability and function from the extracellular space (LOOP ABC)

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: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2012-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) is a unique ABC protein functioning as a chloride channel. It consists of two transmembrane and two nucleotide binding domains, and a regulatory region. The cftr gene is mutated in cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease of high morbidity and mortality mostly affecting people with European ancestors. So far more than 1,500 mutations are known affecting the stability or the function of the protein that results in the lack of functional channels in the cell membrane. This leads to imbalanced water and salt homeostasis affecting the function of all organs with secretory epithelia. Therefore it is important to develop therapeutic agents to stabilize CFTR and restore its function. This is being done by blind screening resulting in compounds that are hydrophobic and act on either the transmembrane or intracellular parts of the protein. In this study we aim to modulate the stability and function of CFTR from the extracellular side. The advantage of this approach is the targeting of the hydrophilic extracellular loops that enable structural studies and design of water soluble drugs with advantageous toxological properties. We will employ cutting-edge computational approaches combined with solid experimental methods to gain insights in the structure and dynamics of the larger extracellular loops in CFTR. The effects of the extracellular loops on the conformation of the transmembrane region and the protein function will be studied that will establish a basis for rational drug design. Our preliminary results indicate that the extracellular loops possess stable secondary structural elements and changes in their conformation can either stimulate or inhibit the protein function. Together, the extracellular loops will provide a focused target to restore CFTR stability and function. Moreover, this approach can be also applied to rationally modulate the function of other ABC proteins involved in human diseases.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis,abc proteins,transmembrane proteins,molecular dynamics,ab initio folding,nmr,chemical cross-linking,channel function,therapeutic target,multi-drug transporters
CONCERTO communities towards optimal thermal and electrical efficiency of buildings and districts, based on MICROGRIDS (PIME'S)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Energy efficiency and savings
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Norway,Hungary,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Germany,Hungary
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-2008-TREN-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-12-01
End date: 2015-11-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 15353958.71
EU funding (EUR): 9454555.0
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

PIME’s is a CONCERTO joint proposal from Salburua community in Vitoria (ES), Dale community in Sandnes (NO) and Szentendre community in Szentendre (HU). The three communities will work together on RTD, demonstration and dissemination in order to maximise the effect of the measures implanted and the impact of the individual projects. The project has 14 partners from 4 countries. The proposal unites around some central principles, being the implementation of large scale solar thermal and associated heat storage, the application of intelligent energy management through microgrids and the development of new ESCO models by increase ownership of the inhabitants.

Keywords: concerto,community,social,renewable,energy,sustainable,refurbishment,construction
Molecular, cellular and metabolic neuronal pathways of Fragile X Syndrome (FRAGILE X PATHWAYS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Mental retardation (MR) is a major cause of serious handicap, as well as an important medical and social issue, affecting 2-3% of the population. The Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent hereditary cause of MR affecting 1/4000 males and 1/7000 females, due to the inactivation of the X-linked Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 gene (FMR1). In FXS patients and the Fmr1 knock-out mouse, the lack of the gene product, the RNA-binding protein FMRP, induces behavioural and cognitive abnormalities, coupled to alterations of synaptic plasticity and morphology, most probably due to alterations of the transport and localized synaptic translation of specific mRNA targets of FMRP. To better understand the role played by FMRP in this processes, I propose to first systematically identify the mRNA specifically targeted by FMRP in RNA granules, the mRNP particles that transport mRNA towards the synapse, using a transcriptomic approach. In addition, I will identify the protein partners of FMRP in the neuronal RNA granules, using mass-spec analysis of the proteins coimmunoprecipitated with FMRP in biochemical preparations of RNA granules. Finally, I will use proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and multivariate pattern recognition to characterize the neurochemical perturbations and define a metabolic signature of FXS in Fmr1 KO mice, that will further enable a pharmaco-metabonomic study of FXS treatment efficacy. This project will essentially be developed at the IPMC, in Dr Bardoni's laboratory (Aim 1 and 2) but also in close collaboration with a Canadian laboratory (Prof. Khandjian, Univ. Laval, Québec) and with a French laboratory (Aim 3, Dr Dumas, ENS Lyon) and. By integrating the molecular and metabolic data obtained following this trans-disciplinary approach, I expect to contribute significantly to the understanding of the neuronal alterations induced by the absence of FMRP in FXS patients, and to validate therapeutical molecules.

Keywords: health sciences,neurobiology,mental retardation,fragile x syndrome,rna-binding protein,dendritic rna transport,localized synaptic translation,rna granules,ribonucleoprotein complex
GENETIC, BEHAVIOURAL, AND DEMOGRAPHIC CONSEQUENCES OF LONG-TERM HYBRIDIZATION IN SAVANNA BABOONS (HYBRIDBAB)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2012-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The process and consequences of hybridization are of interest to evolutionary biologists because of the importance of hybridization in understanding reproductive isolation, speciation, and the influence of introgression on population genetic structure. Although many instances of naturally occurring hybridization in primates have now been documented, we still lack a holistic understanding of how hybridization impacts individual life-histories in the short term, and population and species evolution in the long term. The goal of the proposed project is to address this gap by gaining a detailed understanding of the genetic, behavioural, and demographic consequences of hybridization in the well-studied wild Amboseli baboon population in particular and across the boundary of the southern Kenyan baboon hybrid zone as a whole. To properly realize this project I will compute long-term data on life-histories, behaviour, and mate choice already available on one of the best known wild primate populations and I will combine these data with environmental data collected through GIS analyses and with genetic data collected non-invasively from over a thousand of individuals (around 730 have already been collected) located throughout the yellow-anubis hybrid zone. The originality of this project lies in the investigation of the effects of hybridization on multiple scales: the individual baboon (effects of hybridity on individual life-history traits), the population (population genetic structure), and the meta-population (genetic differentiations between baboon populations). The results of this research will serve as a model for how hybridization can influence the population dynamics and evolution of primate species.

Keywords: behavioural biology,population genetics,hybridization,baboon
Increasing efficiency of wind power plants for the production of energy (WINGY-PRO)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Energy
Destination: Renewable electricity generation
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Romania,Netherlands,Germany
Call:  (FP7-ENERGY-2008-TREN-1, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4323363.2
EU funding (EUR): 2478530.4
Participants: 6
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of Wingy-Pro is to demonstrate the first ever large size transversal flux generator in an existing wind turbine. A determining factor for increasing the profitability of an offshore wind farm is the installation of wind turbines with a significantly high power capacity and low weight. Until now, the designs of large capacity turbines for offshore applications have been an up scaling of the existing smaller models. This has led to the construction of wind turbines with huge physical dimensions (e.g.: The E-112 has a hub height of 124 m and a rotor diameter of 114 m). Consequently, the weight of the turbines has increased considerably and the material-resistance of the blades, has been taken almost to its limits (rotor blades can reach a length of up to 61 m). These large dimension and weight have a negative influence on the economic efficiency of those offshore applications, because of the high costs for the foundation, transport and installation of the wind turbines. The objective of the project is to carry out the design and development of an improved generator technique through the transverse flux generator (TFG) with permanent magnets in the rotor. There are single-, two- or multi-phase machines, depending on the number of independent stator windings, which are mounted axially on the machine shaft. This technique has been known in the electro-field for years, but due to its strong vibrations and high noise emissions, it has been hardly used. Nowadays however, thanks to new and innovative manufacturing methods and to the development in modern micro-processing controls, the TFG can be used in practical applications.

Keywords: transversal flux generator,large scale demonstration,high torque,small size generator
Scales and Hierarchies in Geomorphometry (SCALA-PLUS)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-16
End date: 2011-10-15
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 37500.0
EU funding (EUR): 37500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This research aims at contributing towards increasing knowledge on scale and hierarchies in geomorphometry and related disciplines. The overall objective of this project is to provide a coherent framework of nested hierarchical organization of topography for modelling purposes. In order to address this important topic, not only for geomorphometry, but for all fields that need morphometry as a boundary condition, innovative techniques supported by fieldwork will be developed and applied. The research objectives are: 1. to develop methods for identifying characteristic scales associated with specific combination of terrain parameters; and 2. to set up a procedure for integrating terrain information into nested hierarchies of landforms, both morphometric and morphologic relevant. To accomplish project objectives, we apply a methodology that comprises two distinct steps. Firstly, morphometric and statistical techniques will be carried out to develop scaling procedures for terrain derivatives. In contrast with previous techniques, this approach is built on image segmentation concept. The work will be carried out in four test areas, covering different degrees of terrain roughness, i.e. nearly flat, hilly, mountain, and combined. Secondly, morphometric information will be integrated with geomorphological knowledge to develop multi-scale hierarchical classification schemes specific for selected process-domains. The research in this step will be carried out in broader test areas, covering five distinct topographies, i.e. fluvial, karst, glacial, arid, and landslide. The expected results of this project have a great potential of improving geomorphological and environmental modelling across scales, which is an issue that has not been adequately addressed so far.

Keywords: physical geography,topography,modeling tools,earth observation technology,cartography,geography,geomorphometry,geomorphology,geographic information systems,object-based image analysis
Longevity assurance genes in tumor suppression (SKINCAAGE)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-01-01
End date: 2012-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

DNA damage has been implicated as a causal factor of cancer development and is thought to contribute to aging. The effect of DNA damage both in cancer and aging becomes particularly apparent in patients that are defective in nucleotide excision repair (NER). NER comprises two distinct branches that differ in the initial damage recognition and lead to distinct clinical outcomes. Global genome (GG) NER recognizes damages throughout the genome, whereas transcription-coupled repair (TCR) specifically removes damage during transcription. GG-NER deficiencies lead to the skin cancer susceptibility syndromes xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) whereas TCR deficiencies lead to progeroid conditions Cockayne syndrome (CS), trichothiodystrophy (TTD) and XPF-ERCC1 progeria (XFE). Recently, we have identified specific cellular response programs to persistent transcription-blocking lesions. We showed that persistent transcription-blocking lesions lead to attenuation of IGF-1R and GHR resulting in cellular IGF-1 resistance. IGF-1R and GHR are central regulators of somatic growth and their attenuation leads to extended longevity and stress resistance. IGF-1R has been shown to act as oncogene and pharmaceutical interventions targeting IGF-1R are in advanced clinical trials for cancer treatment. We have found that, in contrast to cells from tumor prone XP mice, primary cells from progeroid CS or XFE mouse models induce a prolonged IGF-1R and GHR attenuation. We proposed that somatotropic attenuation might be the critical determent of the progeroid but tumor free outcome of TCR deficiencies and the tumor prone outcome of GG-NER deficiencies. In this proposal we aim at investigating genetic interactions of skin cancer models of XP and IGF-1R knockout mutants. We thus aim at investigating tumor suppression strategies in skin cancer models to gain novel insights into the biology of skin cancer development and the biology of aging as well as giving rise to novel anti-cancer treatment strategies.

Keywords: molecular genetics,molecular biology,biology
Cavity QED at the One-Dimensional Atom Regime with Chip-Based Micro-Resonators (CQODAR)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the branch of physics which involves resonantly confining light to small volume, high-quality resonators, thereby enhancing the electric field associated with even a single photon to a level that enables coherent interactions with material systems such as single atoms. The primary goal is forming a link between "flying Qubits", namely photons, to "stationary Qubits" such as single atoms, which can perform the nonlinear interactions required for quantum computing and function as quantum memory. I suggest harnessing the most recent and advanced cavity QED capabilities with chip-based micro-cavities to achieve atom-mediated nonlinear photon-photon interactions, such as single-photon switches, quantum non-demolition measurement (QND) of photons and quantum gates. Such interactions allow the study and generation of non-classical states, and are a long sought-for technological goal in itself.

Keywords: cavity qed,quantum optics,single photons,single atoms,atomic physics
Photoinduced Catalysis in a Nanoparticle System (PHOTOCAT)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied intensely in the last decade due to their novel optical, catalytic and electronic properties. Because of the nanoscopic size of NPs, self-assembly has been by far the most important means of generating higher-order architectures. Light is a particularly attractive means to self-assemble of NPs because it can be delivered instantaneously and into a precise location. In order to render NPs photoactive, their surfaces need to be functionalized with photoresponsive ligands. As an incoming Independent Researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Applicant wishes to develop new nanomaterials resulting from this marriage of nanoscience and organic chemistry. The Applicant has extensive experience in the fields of nanoscience and organic chemistry, acquired during the last several years at Northwestern University, USA. In the proposed project, he would like to develop a NP-based system, in which catalysis is regulated by light. This system takes advantage of his previous research, which has shown that NPs can be reversibly assembled and disassembled using light (PNAS 2007, 104, 10305; Science 2007, 316, 261). For NPs decorated with mixed monolayers comprising photoswitches and molecular catalysts, disassembly of such aggregates will result in a drastic increase of a catalytic surface area exposed to the solvent, and therefore in effective catalysis of a model reaction. As a result, self-assembly process will be transduced into catalytic activity. The system will then be extended to include various types of NPs functionalized with mixtures of different photoswitches and catalysts. These NPs will assemble / disassemble when exposed to different wavelengths of light. The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate that in a complex mixture of mutually incompatible chemicals, reactions can be turned "on" and "off" using light of different wavelengths, in a way similar to enzymatic regulation of reactions in living cells.

Keywords: homogeneous catalysis,inorganic chemistry,molecular chemistry,macromolecular chemistry,photochemistry,surface chemistry