Project acronym ADDECCO
Project Adaptive Schemes for Deterministic and Stochastic Flow Problems
Researcher (PI) Remi Abgrall
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE EN INFORMATIQUE ET AUTOMATIQUE
Country France
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The numerical simulation of complex compressible flow problem is still a challenge nowaday even for simple models. In our opinion, the most important hard points that need currently to be tackled and solved is how to obtain stable, scalable, very accurate, easy to code and to maintain schemes on complex geometries. The method should easily handle mesh refinement, even near the boundary where the most interesting engineering quantities have to be evaluated. Unsteady uncertainties in the model, for example in the geometry or the boundary conditions should represented efficiently.This proposal goal is to design, develop and evaluate solutions to each of the above problems. Our work program will lead to significant breakthroughs for flow simulations. More specifically, we propose to work on 3 connected problems: 1-A class of very high order numerical schemes able to easily deal with the geometry of boundaries and still can solve steep problems. The geometry is generally defined by CAD tools. The output is used to generate a mesh which is then used by the scheme. Hence, any mesh refinement process is disconnected from the CAD, a situation that prevents the spread of mesh adaptation techniques in industry! 2-A class of very high order numerical schemes which can utilize possibly solution dependant basis functions in order to lower the number of degrees of freedom, for example to compute accurately boundary layers with low resolutions. 3-A general non intrusive technique for handling uncertainties in order to deal with irregular probability density functions (pdf) and also to handle pdf that may evolve in time, for example thanks to an optimisation loop. The curse of dimensionality will be dealt thanks Harten's multiresolution method combined with sparse grid methods. Currently, and up to our knowledge, no scheme has each of these properties. This research program will have an impact on numerical schemes and industrial applications.
Summary
The numerical simulation of complex compressible flow problem is still a challenge nowaday even for simple models. In our opinion, the most important hard points that need currently to be tackled and solved is how to obtain stable, scalable, very accurate, easy to code and to maintain schemes on complex geometries. The method should easily handle mesh refinement, even near the boundary where the most interesting engineering quantities have to be evaluated. Unsteady uncertainties in the model, for example in the geometry or the boundary conditions should represented efficiently.This proposal goal is to design, develop and evaluate solutions to each of the above problems. Our work program will lead to significant breakthroughs for flow simulations. More specifically, we propose to work on 3 connected problems: 1-A class of very high order numerical schemes able to easily deal with the geometry of boundaries and still can solve steep problems. The geometry is generally defined by CAD tools. The output is used to generate a mesh which is then used by the scheme. Hence, any mesh refinement process is disconnected from the CAD, a situation that prevents the spread of mesh adaptation techniques in industry! 2-A class of very high order numerical schemes which can utilize possibly solution dependant basis functions in order to lower the number of degrees of freedom, for example to compute accurately boundary layers with low resolutions. 3-A general non intrusive technique for handling uncertainties in order to deal with irregular probability density functions (pdf) and also to handle pdf that may evolve in time, for example thanks to an optimisation loop. The curse of dimensionality will be dealt thanks Harten's multiresolution method combined with sparse grid methods. Currently, and up to our knowledge, no scheme has each of these properties. This research program will have an impact on numerical schemes and industrial applications.
Max ERC Funding
1 432 769 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2013-11-30
Project acronym AGRIWESTMED
Project Origins and spread of agriculture in the south-western Mediterranean region
Researcher (PI) Maria Leonor Pena Chocarro
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Country Spain
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH6, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary This project focuses on one of the most fascinating events of the long history of the human species: the origins and spread of agriculture. Research over the past 40 years has provided an invaluable dataset on crop domestication and the spread of agriculture into Europe. However, despite the enormous advances in research there are important areas that remain almost unexplored, some of immense interest. This is the case of the western Mediterranean region from where our knowledge is still limited (Iberian Peninsula) or almost inexistent (northern Morocco). The last few years have witnessed a considerable increase in archaeobotany and the effort of a group of Spanish researchers working together in different aspects of agriculture has started to produce the first results. My proposal will approach the study of the arrival of agriculture to the western Mediterranean by exploring different interrelated research areas. The project involves the
application of different techniques (analysis of charred plant remains, pollen and non-pollen microfossils, phytoliths, micro-wear analyses, isotopes, soil micromorphology, genetics, and ethnoarchaeology) which will help to define the emergence and spread of agriculture in the area, its likely place of origin, its main technological attributes as well as the range crop husbandry practices carried out. The interaction between the different approaches and the methodologies involved will allow achieving a greater understanding of the type of agriculture that characterized the first farming communities in the most south-western part of Europe.
Summary
This project focuses on one of the most fascinating events of the long history of the human species: the origins and spread of agriculture. Research over the past 40 years has provided an invaluable dataset on crop domestication and the spread of agriculture into Europe. However, despite the enormous advances in research there are important areas that remain almost unexplored, some of immense interest. This is the case of the western Mediterranean region from where our knowledge is still limited (Iberian Peninsula) or almost inexistent (northern Morocco). The last few years have witnessed a considerable increase in archaeobotany and the effort of a group of Spanish researchers working together in different aspects of agriculture has started to produce the first results. My proposal will approach the study of the arrival of agriculture to the western Mediterranean by exploring different interrelated research areas. The project involves the
application of different techniques (analysis of charred plant remains, pollen and non-pollen microfossils, phytoliths, micro-wear analyses, isotopes, soil micromorphology, genetics, and ethnoarchaeology) which will help to define the emergence and spread of agriculture in the area, its likely place of origin, its main technological attributes as well as the range crop husbandry practices carried out. The interaction between the different approaches and the methodologies involved will allow achieving a greater understanding of the type of agriculture that characterized the first farming communities in the most south-western part of Europe.
Max ERC Funding
1 545 169 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-04-01, End date: 2013-03-31
Project acronym AHRIMMUNITY
Project The influence of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands on protective and pathological immune responses
Researcher (PI) Brigitta Stockinger
Host Institution (HI) MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Country United Kingdom
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS6, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is an evolutionary conserved widely expressed transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of a substantial variety of exogenous toxins, but is also stimulated by endogenous physiological ligands. While it is known that this receptor mediates the toxicity of dioxin, this is unlikely to be its physiological function. We have recently identified selective expression of AhR in the Th17 subset of effector CD4 T cells. Ligation of AhR by a candidate endogenous ligand (FICZ) which is a UV metabolite of tryptophan causes expansion of Th17 cells and the induction of IL-22 production. As a consequence, AhR ligation will exacerbate autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Little is known so far about the impact of AhR ligands on IL-17/IL-22 mediated immune defense functions. IL-22 is considered a pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine, which is involved in the etiology of psoriasis, but it has also been shown to be a survival factor for epithelial cells. AhR is polymorphic and defined as high or low affinity receptor for dioxin leading to the classification of high and low responder mouse strains based on defined mutations. In humans similar polymorphisms exist and although on the whole human AhR is thought to be of low affinity in humans, there are identified mutations that confer high responder status. No correlations have been made with Th17 mediated immune responses in mice and humans. This study aims to investigate the role of AhR ligands and polymorphisms in autoimmunity as well as protective immune responses using both mouse models and human samples from normal controls as well as psoriasis patients.
Summary
The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is an evolutionary conserved widely expressed transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of a substantial variety of exogenous toxins, but is also stimulated by endogenous physiological ligands. While it is known that this receptor mediates the toxicity of dioxin, this is unlikely to be its physiological function. We have recently identified selective expression of AhR in the Th17 subset of effector CD4 T cells. Ligation of AhR by a candidate endogenous ligand (FICZ) which is a UV metabolite of tryptophan causes expansion of Th17 cells and the induction of IL-22 production. As a consequence, AhR ligation will exacerbate autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Little is known so far about the impact of AhR ligands on IL-17/IL-22 mediated immune defense functions. IL-22 is considered a pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine, which is involved in the etiology of psoriasis, but it has also been shown to be a survival factor for epithelial cells. AhR is polymorphic and defined as high or low affinity receptor for dioxin leading to the classification of high and low responder mouse strains based on defined mutations. In humans similar polymorphisms exist and although on the whole human AhR is thought to be of low affinity in humans, there are identified mutations that confer high responder status. No correlations have been made with Th17 mediated immune responses in mice and humans. This study aims to investigate the role of AhR ligands and polymorphisms in autoimmunity as well as protective immune responses using both mouse models and human samples from normal controls as well as psoriasis patients.
Max ERC Funding
1 242 352 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-02-01, End date: 2014-01-31
Project acronym ALBUGON
Project Genomics and effectoromics to understand defence suppression and disease resistance in Arabidopsis-Albugo candida interactions
Researcher (PI) Jonathan Jones
Host Institution (HI) THE SAINSBURY LABORATORY
Country United Kingdom
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS6, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary This project focuses on two questions about host/parasite interactions: how do biotrophic plant pathogens suppress host defence? and, what is the basis for pathogen specialization on specific host species? A broadly accepted model explains resistance and susceptibility to plant pathogens. First, pathogens make conserved molecules ( PAMPS ) such as flagellin, that plants detect via cell surface receptors, leading to PAMP-Triggered Immunity (PTI). Second, pathogens make effectors that suppress PTI. Third, plants carry 100s of Resistance (R) genes that detect an effector, and activate Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). One effector is sufficient to trigger resistance. Albugo candida (Ac) (white rust) strongly suppresses host defence; Ac-infected Arabidopsis are susceptible to pathogen races to which they are otherwise resistant. Ac is an oomycete, not a fungus. Arabidopsis is resistant to races of Ac that infect brassicas. The proposed project involves three programs. First ( genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics ), we will use next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods (Solexa and GS-Flex), and novel transcriptomics methods to define the genome sequence and effector set of three Ac strains, as well as carrying out >40- deep resequencing of 7 additional Ac strains. Second, ( effectoromics ), we will carry out functional assays using Effector Detector Vectors (Sohn Plant Cell 19:4077 [2007]), with the set of Ac effectors, screening for enhanced virulence, for suppression of defence, for effectors that are recognized by R genes in disease resistant Arabidopsis and for host effector targets. Third, ( resistance diversity ), we will characterize Arabidopsis germplasm for R genes to Ac, both for recognition of Arabidopsis strains of Ac, and for recognition in Arabidopsis of effectors from Ac strains that infect brassica. This proposal focuses on Ac, but will establish methods that could discover new R genes in non-hosts against many plant diseases.
Summary
This project focuses on two questions about host/parasite interactions: how do biotrophic plant pathogens suppress host defence? and, what is the basis for pathogen specialization on specific host species? A broadly accepted model explains resistance and susceptibility to plant pathogens. First, pathogens make conserved molecules ( PAMPS ) such as flagellin, that plants detect via cell surface receptors, leading to PAMP-Triggered Immunity (PTI). Second, pathogens make effectors that suppress PTI. Third, plants carry 100s of Resistance (R) genes that detect an effector, and activate Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). One effector is sufficient to trigger resistance. Albugo candida (Ac) (white rust) strongly suppresses host defence; Ac-infected Arabidopsis are susceptible to pathogen races to which they are otherwise resistant. Ac is an oomycete, not a fungus. Arabidopsis is resistant to races of Ac that infect brassicas. The proposed project involves three programs. First ( genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics ), we will use next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods (Solexa and GS-Flex), and novel transcriptomics methods to define the genome sequence and effector set of three Ac strains, as well as carrying out >40- deep resequencing of 7 additional Ac strains. Second, ( effectoromics ), we will carry out functional assays using Effector Detector Vectors (Sohn Plant Cell 19:4077 [2007]), with the set of Ac effectors, screening for enhanced virulence, for suppression of defence, for effectors that are recognized by R genes in disease resistant Arabidopsis and for host effector targets. Third, ( resistance diversity ), we will characterize Arabidopsis germplasm for R genes to Ac, both for recognition of Arabidopsis strains of Ac, and for recognition in Arabidopsis of effectors from Ac strains that infect brassica. This proposal focuses on Ac, but will establish methods that could discover new R genes in non-hosts against many plant diseases.
Max ERC Funding
2 498 923 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2014-06-30
Project acronym ALK7
Project Metabolic control by the TGF-² superfamily receptor ALK7: A novel regulator of insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance
Researcher (PI) Carlos Ibanez
Host Institution (HI) KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS4, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The aim of this proposal is to understand a novel regulatory signaling network controlling insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance centered around selected components of the TGF-² signaling system, including Activins A and B, GDF-3 and their receptors ALK7 and ALK4. Recent results from my laboratory indicate that these molecules are part of paracrine signaling networks that control important functions in pancreatic islets and adipose tissue through feedback inhibition and feed-forward regulation. These discoveries have open up a new research area with important implications for the understanding of metabolic networks and the treatment of human metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes and obesity.
To drive progress in this new research area beyond the state-of-the-art it is proposed to: i) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Activins regulate Ca2+ influx and insulin secretion in pancreatic ²-cells; ii) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of GDF-3 on adipocyte metabolism, turnover and fat accumulation; iii) Investigate the interplay between insulin levels and fat deposition in the development of insulin resistance using mutant mice lacking Activin B and GDF-3; iv) Investigate tissue-specific contributions of ALK7 and ALK4 signaling to metabolic control by generating and characterizing conditional mutant mice; v) Investigate the effects of specific and reversible inactivation of ALK7 and ALK4 on metabolic regulation using a novel chemical-genetic approach based on analog-sensitive alleles.
This is research of a high-gain/high-risk nature. It is posed to open unique opportunities for further exploration of complex metabolic networks. The development of drugs capable of enhancing insulin secretion, limiting fat accumulation and ameliorating diet-induced obesity by targeting components of the ALK7 signaling network will find a strong rationale in the results of the proposed work.
Summary
The aim of this proposal is to understand a novel regulatory signaling network controlling insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance centered around selected components of the TGF-² signaling system, including Activins A and B, GDF-3 and their receptors ALK7 and ALK4. Recent results from my laboratory indicate that these molecules are part of paracrine signaling networks that control important functions in pancreatic islets and adipose tissue through feedback inhibition and feed-forward regulation. These discoveries have open up a new research area with important implications for the understanding of metabolic networks and the treatment of human metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes and obesity.
To drive progress in this new research area beyond the state-of-the-art it is proposed to: i) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Activins regulate Ca2+ influx and insulin secretion in pancreatic ²-cells; ii) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of GDF-3 on adipocyte metabolism, turnover and fat accumulation; iii) Investigate the interplay between insulin levels and fat deposition in the development of insulin resistance using mutant mice lacking Activin B and GDF-3; iv) Investigate tissue-specific contributions of ALK7 and ALK4 signaling to metabolic control by generating and characterizing conditional mutant mice; v) Investigate the effects of specific and reversible inactivation of ALK7 and ALK4 on metabolic regulation using a novel chemical-genetic approach based on analog-sensitive alleles.
This is research of a high-gain/high-risk nature. It is posed to open unique opportunities for further exploration of complex metabolic networks. The development of drugs capable of enhancing insulin secretion, limiting fat accumulation and ameliorating diet-induced obesity by targeting components of the ALK7 signaling network will find a strong rationale in the results of the proposed work.
Max ERC Funding
2 462 154 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-04-01, End date: 2014-03-31
Project acronym ALMA
Project Attosecond Control of Light and Matter
Researcher (PI) Anne L'huillier
Host Institution (HI) MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE2, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Attosecond light pulses are generated when an intense laser interacts with a gas target. These pulses are not only short, enabling the study of electronic processes at their natural time scale, but also coherent. The vision of this proposal is to extend temporal coherent control concepts to a completely new regime of time and energy, combining (i) ultrashort pulses (ii) broadband excitation (iii) high photon energy, allowing scientists to reach not only valence but also inner shells in atoms and molecules, and, when needed, (iv) high spatial resolution. We want to explore how elementary electronic processes in atoms, molecules and more complex systems can be controlled by using well designed sequences of attosecond pulses. The research project proposed is organized into four parts: 1. Attosecond control of light leading to controlled sequences of attosecond pulses We will develop techniques to generate sequences of attosecond pulses with a variable number of pulses and controlled carrier-envelope-phase variation between consecutive pulses. 2. Attosecond control of electronic processes in atoms and molecules We will investigate the dynamics and coherence of phenomena induced by attosecond excitation of electron wave packets in various systems and we will explore how they can be controlled by a controlled sequence of ultrashort pulses. 3. Intense attosecond sources to reach the nonlinear regime We will optimize attosecond light sources in a systematic way, including amplification of the radiation by injecting a free electron laser. This will open up the possibility to develop nonlinear measurement and control schemes. 4. Attosecond control in more complex systems, including high spatial resolution We will develop ultrafast microscopy techniques, in order to obtain meaningful temporal information in surface and solid state physics. Two directions will be explored, digital in line microscopic holography and photoemission electron microscopy.
Summary
Attosecond light pulses are generated when an intense laser interacts with a gas target. These pulses are not only short, enabling the study of electronic processes at their natural time scale, but also coherent. The vision of this proposal is to extend temporal coherent control concepts to a completely new regime of time and energy, combining (i) ultrashort pulses (ii) broadband excitation (iii) high photon energy, allowing scientists to reach not only valence but also inner shells in atoms and molecules, and, when needed, (iv) high spatial resolution. We want to explore how elementary electronic processes in atoms, molecules and more complex systems can be controlled by using well designed sequences of attosecond pulses. The research project proposed is organized into four parts: 1. Attosecond control of light leading to controlled sequences of attosecond pulses We will develop techniques to generate sequences of attosecond pulses with a variable number of pulses and controlled carrier-envelope-phase variation between consecutive pulses. 2. Attosecond control of electronic processes in atoms and molecules We will investigate the dynamics and coherence of phenomena induced by attosecond excitation of electron wave packets in various systems and we will explore how they can be controlled by a controlled sequence of ultrashort pulses. 3. Intense attosecond sources to reach the nonlinear regime We will optimize attosecond light sources in a systematic way, including amplification of the radiation by injecting a free electron laser. This will open up the possibility to develop nonlinear measurement and control schemes. 4. Attosecond control in more complex systems, including high spatial resolution We will develop ultrafast microscopy techniques, in order to obtain meaningful temporal information in surface and solid state physics. Two directions will be explored, digital in line microscopic holography and photoemission electron microscopy.
Max ERC Funding
2 250 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2013-11-30
Project acronym ALPAM
Project Atomic-Level Physics of Advanced Materials
Researcher (PI) Boerje Johansson
Host Institution (HI) KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Most of the technological materials have been developed by very expensive and cumbersome trial and error methods. On the other hand, computer based theoretical design of advanced materials is an area where rapid and extensive developments are taking place. Within my group new theoretical tools have now been established which are extremely well suited to the study of complex materials. In this approach basic quantum mechanical theories are used to describe fundamental properties of alloys and compounds. The utilization of such calculations to investigate possible optimizations of certain key properties represents a major departure from the traditional design philosophy. The purpose of my project is to build up a new competence in the field of computer-aided simulations of advanced materials. The main goal will be to achieve a deep understanding of the behaviour of complex metallic systems under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions at the atomic level by studying their electronic, magnetic and atomic structure using the most modern and advanced computational methods. This will enable us to establish a set of materials parameters and composition-structure-property relations that are needed for materials optimization.
The research will be focused on fundamental technological properties related to defects in advanced metallic alloys (high-performance steels, superalloys, and refractory, energy related and geochemical materials) and alloy phases (solid solutions, intermetallic compounds), which will be studied by means of parameter free atomistic simulations combined with continuum modelling. As a first example, we will study the Fe-Cr system, which is of great interest to industry as well as in connection to nuclear waste. The Fe-Cr-Ni system will form another large group of materials under the aegis of this project. Special emphasis will also be placed on those Fe-alloys which exist under extreme conditions and are possible candidates for the Earth core.
Summary
Most of the technological materials have been developed by very expensive and cumbersome trial and error methods. On the other hand, computer based theoretical design of advanced materials is an area where rapid and extensive developments are taking place. Within my group new theoretical tools have now been established which are extremely well suited to the study of complex materials. In this approach basic quantum mechanical theories are used to describe fundamental properties of alloys and compounds. The utilization of such calculations to investigate possible optimizations of certain key properties represents a major departure from the traditional design philosophy. The purpose of my project is to build up a new competence in the field of computer-aided simulations of advanced materials. The main goal will be to achieve a deep understanding of the behaviour of complex metallic systems under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions at the atomic level by studying their electronic, magnetic and atomic structure using the most modern and advanced computational methods. This will enable us to establish a set of materials parameters and composition-structure-property relations that are needed for materials optimization.
The research will be focused on fundamental technological properties related to defects in advanced metallic alloys (high-performance steels, superalloys, and refractory, energy related and geochemical materials) and alloy phases (solid solutions, intermetallic compounds), which will be studied by means of parameter free atomistic simulations combined with continuum modelling. As a first example, we will study the Fe-Cr system, which is of great interest to industry as well as in connection to nuclear waste. The Fe-Cr-Ni system will form another large group of materials under the aegis of this project. Special emphasis will also be placed on those Fe-alloys which exist under extreme conditions and are possible candidates for the Earth core.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-03-01, End date: 2014-02-28
Project acronym ALREG
Project Analysing Learning in Regulatory Governance
Researcher (PI) Claudio Radaelli
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Country United Kingdom
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH2, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary This four-year interdisciplinary project addresses the question what has been learned through the use of better regulation ? Better regulation is a flagship policy on the Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs. Its aims are to provide new governance architectures for law-making, to increase the competitiveness of the regulatory environment, and to secure wide social legitimacy for multi-level systems of rules. Whilst most of the research has looked at how better regulation is changing, this project will produce findings on what has changed because of better regulation. Theoretically, the project will use (and significantly improve on) theories of policy learning. Empirically, it will cover Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK and the EU including multi-level analysis and analysis by sector of regulation. Methodologically, the project will draw on comparative analysis of types of learning, experiments with regulatory policy-makers in six countries and the European Commission, large-n analysis of impact assessments, backward-mapping of legislation (to appraise the role played by better regulation in the formulation or laws in the UK and the EU), meta-analysis of case-studies and co-production of knowledge with better regulation officers. Dissemination will target both stakeholders (i.e., policy officers, civil society organizations, and business federations) and academic conferences in political science, law, and risk analysis, with a major research monograph to be completed in year 4 and a final interdisciplinary conference.
Summary
This four-year interdisciplinary project addresses the question what has been learned through the use of better regulation ? Better regulation is a flagship policy on the Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs. Its aims are to provide new governance architectures for law-making, to increase the competitiveness of the regulatory environment, and to secure wide social legitimacy for multi-level systems of rules. Whilst most of the research has looked at how better regulation is changing, this project will produce findings on what has changed because of better regulation. Theoretically, the project will use (and significantly improve on) theories of policy learning. Empirically, it will cover Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK and the EU including multi-level analysis and analysis by sector of regulation. Methodologically, the project will draw on comparative analysis of types of learning, experiments with regulatory policy-makers in six countries and the European Commission, large-n analysis of impact assessments, backward-mapping of legislation (to appraise the role played by better regulation in the formulation or laws in the UK and the EU), meta-analysis of case-studies and co-production of knowledge with better regulation officers. Dissemination will target both stakeholders (i.e., policy officers, civil society organizations, and business federations) and academic conferences in political science, law, and risk analysis, with a major research monograph to be completed in year 4 and a final interdisciplinary conference.
Max ERC Funding
948 448 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-09-01, End date: 2013-09-30
Project acronym AMIMOS
Project Agile MIMO Systems for Communications, Biomedicine, and Defense
Researcher (PI) Bjorn Ottersten
Host Institution (HI) KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE7, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary This proposal targets the emerging frontier research field of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems along with several innovative and somewhat unconventional applications of such systems. The use of arrays of transmitters and receivers will have a profound impact on future medical imaging/therapy systems, radar systems, and radio communication networks. Multiple transmitters provide a tremendous versatility and allow waveforms to be adapted temporally and spatially to environmental conditions. This is useful for individually tailored illumination of human tissue in biomedical imaging or ultrasound therapy. In radar systems, multiple transmit beams can be formed simultaneously via separate waveform designs allowing accurate target classification. In a wireless communication system, multiple communication signals can be directed to one or more users at the same time on the same frequency carrier. In addition, multiple receivers can be used in the above applications to provide increased detection performance, interference rejection, and improved estimation accuracy. The joint modelling, analysis, and design of these multidimensional transmit and receive schemes form the core of this research proposal. Ultimately, our research aims at developing the fundamental tools that will allow the design of wireless communication systems with an order-of-magnitude higher capacity at a lower cost than today; of ultrasound therapy systems maximizing delivered power while reducing treatment duration and unwanted illumination; and of distributed aperture multi-beam radars allowing more effective target location, identification, and classification. Europe has several successful industries that are active in biomedical imaging/therapy, radar systems, and wireless communications. The future success of these sectors critically depends on the ability to innovate and integrate new technology.
Summary
This proposal targets the emerging frontier research field of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems along with several innovative and somewhat unconventional applications of such systems. The use of arrays of transmitters and receivers will have a profound impact on future medical imaging/therapy systems, radar systems, and radio communication networks. Multiple transmitters provide a tremendous versatility and allow waveforms to be adapted temporally and spatially to environmental conditions. This is useful for individually tailored illumination of human tissue in biomedical imaging or ultrasound therapy. In radar systems, multiple transmit beams can be formed simultaneously via separate waveform designs allowing accurate target classification. In a wireless communication system, multiple communication signals can be directed to one or more users at the same time on the same frequency carrier. In addition, multiple receivers can be used in the above applications to provide increased detection performance, interference rejection, and improved estimation accuracy. The joint modelling, analysis, and design of these multidimensional transmit and receive schemes form the core of this research proposal. Ultimately, our research aims at developing the fundamental tools that will allow the design of wireless communication systems with an order-of-magnitude higher capacity at a lower cost than today; of ultrasound therapy systems maximizing delivered power while reducing treatment duration and unwanted illumination; and of distributed aperture multi-beam radars allowing more effective target location, identification, and classification. Europe has several successful industries that are active in biomedical imaging/therapy, radar systems, and wireless communications. The future success of these sectors critically depends on the ability to innovate and integrate new technology.
Max ERC Funding
1 872 720 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym AMSTAT
Project Problems at the Applied Mathematics-Statistics Interface
Researcher (PI) Andrew Stuart
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Country United Kingdom
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Applied mathematics is concerned with developing models with predictive capability, and with probing those models to obtain qualitative and quantitative insight into the phenomena being modelled. Statistics is data-driven and is aimed at the development of methodologies to optimize the information derived from data. The increasing complexity of phenomena that scientists and engineers wish to model, together with our increased ability to gather, store and interrogate data, mean that the subjects of applied mathematics and statistics are increasingly required to work in conjunction. This research proposal is concerned with a research program at the interface between these two disciplines, aimed at problems in differential equations where profusion of data and the sophisticated model combine to produce the mathematical problem of obtaining information from a probability measure on function space. Applications are far-reaching and include the atmospheric sciences, geophysics, chemistry, econometrics and signal processing. The objectives of the research are: (i) to create the systematic foundations for a range of problems at the applied mathematics and statistics interface which share the common mathematical structure underpinning the range of applications described above; (ii) to exploit this common mathematical structure to design effecient algorithms to sample probability measures on function space; (iii) to apply these algorithms to attack a range of significant problems arising in molecular dynamics and in the atmospheric sciences.
Summary
Applied mathematics is concerned with developing models with predictive capability, and with probing those models to obtain qualitative and quantitative insight into the phenomena being modelled. Statistics is data-driven and is aimed at the development of methodologies to optimize the information derived from data. The increasing complexity of phenomena that scientists and engineers wish to model, together with our increased ability to gather, store and interrogate data, mean that the subjects of applied mathematics and statistics are increasingly required to work in conjunction. This research proposal is concerned with a research program at the interface between these two disciplines, aimed at problems in differential equations where profusion of data and the sophisticated model combine to produce the mathematical problem of obtaining information from a probability measure on function space. Applications are far-reaching and include the atmospheric sciences, geophysics, chemistry, econometrics and signal processing. The objectives of the research are: (i) to create the systematic foundations for a range of problems at the applied mathematics and statistics interface which share the common mathematical structure underpinning the range of applications described above; (ii) to exploit this common mathematical structure to design effecient algorithms to sample probability measures on function space; (iii) to apply these algorithms to attack a range of significant problems arising in molecular dynamics and in the atmospheric sciences.
Max ERC Funding
1 693 501 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2014-11-30
