Požadovaný rozpočet: 967.000 EUR

The inappropriate supply and consumption of non-prescribed medicines consists a public health problem of outmost importance for developed as well as for developing countries. The aims to develop new research methods and generate scientific basis to reduce the incidence of drug-related mishaps and maximize the potent effect of medicines in the provision of healthcare. The project utilizes a theory-specific approach to identify and understand primary care physicians’ and primary care patients’ behaviour towards prescription and consumption of medicines. Grounded on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) seeks to identify predisposing behavioural factors that will enable the alteration of the problematic behaviour. This model also provides the basis for theory-guided interventions, tailored to address the behavioural components playing an influential role in the irrational prescription and consumption of medicines. In particular, the project’s objectives include the assessment of the extent of OTC misuse in countries of southern Europe, the identification of influential factors on primary care physicians and patients’ intentions towards irrational prescription and misuse of medicines as well as the design and implementation of certain pilot interventions with the potential to be translated into policy. Qualitative and quantitative research methods will be employed to assess predisposing factors of inappropriate prescription practices and medicine misuse in samples of primary care physicians and primary care patients. Pilot interventions will be also devised and applied. Southern European countries will benefit from the progress and the know-how of northern European countries invited to participate in the current proposal. Another benefit will be the formation of a network consisting of various disciplines that ensures evaluation, discussion and widespread dissemination of emerging knowledge throughout European primary health care settings.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 2.714.000 EUR

The overall aim of the project is to study the biological properties of bioactive compounds of traditional Black Sea region diet and by dissemination and use of the research results, to extend consumption of this food across the EU Member States. Project aims to promote new food-products and healthy diet from the Black sea region across the EU Member States. In doing this, project helps to fight the common misconception of the EU citizens, that on extreme cases leads to over-dose of the organism with so called “nutritional supplements”. BIOPONTINA supports the recovery of traditional food production in the Black Sea region, as well as develops and verifies new food processing technology that would allow widening the offer of ‘healthy food’ at the EU market. The general aim of BIOPONTINA will be achieved through the identification and characterisation of bioactive compounds in traditional food products, which are proven to be beneficial for human health and are typical for the diet of the Black sea region. The project focuses particularly on study of buckwheat and tea, which represent two typical food products of the Black sea region.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.256.000 EUR

While most of the old members of the EU are sufficiently covered in comparative political science and sociology, this is different for the new ones. Few accounts apart, they still are step-children of comparative analysis. Scholars of “transitology” and of “consolidology” have of course produced much valuable material on these cases. Yet, it only addresses a relatively small and marginal scientific public and, moreover, tends to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of development and the constraining forces of past trajectories rather than those properties being relevant from a comparative perspective. At the same time, in many documents produced by the EU or by scholars of Europeanization, the post-communist countries are looked at as if they were just “normal” cases without much regard for the specificity of their past history or present institutions. This creates a paradoxical situation: objectives such as sustainability are believed to be attainable in an indiscriminate manner, i.e. without adjusting the yardsticks of measurement. Conversely, sustainability remains a utopian goal eventually to be achieved in a remote future. The project approaches the question of sustainability and, in particular, of sustainable governance in the Visegrad countries, in a concrete, systematically comparative and empirically verifiable manner. Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia will be studied by incorporating different research perspectives and methods so far only used in a relatively fragmented and hardly reconcilable form. Austria serves as a test case and forms part of the sample, not least because of the numerous historical, cultural and institutional characteristics this country is sharing with the others. A research strategy of analytical de-composition (history, policy domains, policy analysis) and subsequent re-aggregation of evidence (micro-macro analysis and policy recommendations) will be used.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.463.000 EUR

Social exclusion of young people often has its origin at school. School perceived mainly as knowledge acquisition place, serves, in fact, the formation of competencies (via knowledge) with twofold function: (1) cognitive one enabling to succeed at the labour market, (2) broader one, that of the enculturation, enabling to participate in the culture. Thus it is important to identify the sources of underachievement in school knowledge appropriation as well as its transfer to more complex and real-life like problems. Critical moments of school socialization have been studied since last four decades. Now, the progress beyond the knowledge achieved consists in identifying and analyzing (a) individual success/failure in the network of relations between the task (problem) cognitive requirements, his/her specific socio-cultural capital and his/her relationship to school and knowledge (b) ways and obstacles on the path from (particular, school) knowledge to cognitive/cultural competencies (c) models of typical school/educational trajectories and life projects (d) ways of bridging gaps between school requirements derived from the dominant/majority culture and pre-requisites available to the socio-cultural disadvantaged young people. These objectives will be accomplished mainly through qualitative analysis of an amount of individual cases with respect to specific context of individuals‘life positions. Interpretation of the data and its synthesis will be focused on the weak points of understanding to PISA tasks and on the sources of negative relationship to knowledge. The aim is to find out the possibilities of educational and psychological support to underprivileged students.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.538.000 EUR

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases known to man. After several decades of neglect, TB is receiving the increased attention that this global public health problem deserves. Shortening the current six to eight-month treatment to two months or less will improve patient adherence, increase cure rates, and lessen the likelihood of patients developing drug resistance. New drugs will also benefit the growing number of people around the globe who are co-infected with TB and HIV, multidrug-resistant TB, as well as those who have been exposed to TB but are not yet ill with disease. However, many patients experience unpleasant side-effects, and adherence with the relatively long course of treatment is often poor. Such non-adherence commonly leads to treatment failure and the development of drug resistance. The goal of our project is to provide funding for target-directed screening activities, to provide funding for medicinal chemists, particularly those in five Central European countries (Czech and Slovak Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovenia), to pursue TB lead optimization. In the field of the preclinical development to coordinate and support integrated toxicological and pharmacological resources during lead predevelopment. Another goal is to encourage early evaluation of lead compounds in vitro models against M. avium, M. kansasii and M. intracelulare.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 5.897.000 EUR

The main purpose of DIAPLUS is to significantly improve and personalise the treatment (immunoprevention and immunointervention) of autoimmune diseases with a special focus on type 1 diabetes. The proposed project is based on the formulation of a biomathematical model of cell immune reactivity which underlines the autoimmune diseases development. This predictive model will be built on results derived from functional immune response studies conducted within the framework of genetically closely related members of clinically welldefined families where one child suffers from type 1 diabetes and at least one additional family member is treated for another type of autoimmune disease, specifically, either thyroid gland autoimmunity or celiac disease. During the first phase of the project, subjecting imunocompetent cells from all family members to activation by distinct stimuli will allow the identification of key biomarkers using the most modern methods of molecular genomics and proteomics. In the second project phase, these biomarkers will be used to build up a biomathematical predictive model. Finally, the general applicability of this model will be verified on patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a distinct type of autoimmune disease. The model will be instrumental in designing new immunointervention protocols (new drugs development) and useful tool for monitoring and personalisation of currently used immunointervention in autoimmune disease patients. Two bioinformatical partners thus are integral part of the project. These SMEs will also play a critical role in the introduction of newly built predictive software to the market and to daily clinical practice.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.000.000 EUR

Science plays a crucial role in the modern society, and the popularization of science plays a central role in the socioeconomic cultural and environmental development of the European countries. Activities aimed at the popularization of science and technology go in various directions, from the 'distribution' of information in the mass media to formal education, and from the democratizing function of science and technology interactive centres, to the creation of diverse spaces or processes for non-formal public participation. All try to attract the wider, non-scientific public, so that it can be linked actively in the discovery and appropriation of scientific and technological knowledge. Following the latest trends in science communication, the consortium focuses on provision of online access to results of research in Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Heath. ReDis project focuses on development of a multilingual European information network for dissemination of results to the general public via the Internet. The consortium partners offer a well-structured, up-to-date approach, by developing an information network, which pursues a strategy to convey the vast amount of data and knowledge generated by topics relevant to FP6 and FP7 projects 

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.602.000 EUR

The consumption of alcohol among young people in Europe is rising the last years. Several studies indicate that one quarter to one third of all the students has been drinking alcohol during the last month. Also the problematic drinking is a growing issue. Especially in the age group 12 until 14 year the use of alcohol has increased the last decade. The proposed multilevel research project aims to study the different possible effective strategies for the prevention of alcohol abuse among adolescents in different European countries. It will therefore analyse existing environmental strategies of public and private actors at different governance levels and confront these with outcomes of a study to identify and analyse risk factors that influence the initiation of alcohol use among young people in Europe. The study will build upon a unique dataset from a previous survey of self reported delinquency among 74,000 young people in 33 countries, realised with active involvement of the same research consortium. The (intermediate) outcomes of the study will be largely disseminated through experts and stakeholders conferences in different European regions and a web-based prevention policy guidance book. 

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 3.990.000 EUR

The goal of the E=MC³ project is to link modelling tools from the atomistic scale to the scale of concrete structures in order to make quantitative predictions of degradation and improve the reliability of cementitious materials, starting from the improved understanding of their nano- and micro-structure. Modelling studies will be focussed on optimising the existing concretes and facilitating the introduction of innovative concretes, which will make a major contribution to the sustainability, provided that they are implemented into daily use in the construction industry. This will be achieved by bringing together the key experts at each level and thus creating a critical mass of modeling linked to experimental lab evaluation and to field validation. The unique aspect of the project is its multi-scale approach: a nanoscale model of behaviour and degradation will be implemented into building infrastructures. Performance predictions for cementitious materials are generally a challenging task. The combination of experimental methods and computational material models results in the concept of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), which leads to highly predictive capabilities for selected problems. ICME combines scientifically-based multiscale modelling with engineering-based material science.

Žadatel: České vysoké učení technické v Praze

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.467.650 EUR

The future of Europe depends in large part on the capacity of European actors to take coherent positions in an interdependent multi-polar world shaped by interacting and multidimensional driving forces, such as politics, defence, economy (trade, FDI, innovation) dependency on resources, sustainability, demography, cultural and values exchanges or conflicts. The SUNE proposal aims at a better understanding of the complexity of these global driving forces, and their interactions. They emerge from dominations / dependencies evolving through the development of complex networks of flows and no less complex networks of relationships.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 323.000 EUR

The goal of GREOS (Graphical Realtime Embedded Operating System ) is to design an embedded system, able to increase the efficiency of real-time communication platform for industrial application. Real-time industrial communication has to deliver data from A to B within a limited stretch of time and in order to increase its reliability; modern systems are forced to solve redundancies in an integral way. Therefore our project focuses upon development of the system, which would integrate its inner protection through AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) based ciphering. GREOS could be used in many areas of both industry and public interest. It could be used in public transportation system automation, where it could improve safety, maximize traffic throughput and offer higher level of comfort for the passengers. It could also be used in eHealth where it could provide very dependable and predictable real-time communications. Another application could be in aircraft technology, where it is necessary to perform data acquisition, communication and control in real-time. Our project aims to create complete embedded solution, consisting of complete software and hardware, but with using only European Union's components.

Žadatel: T-Industry

Požadovaný rozpočet: 5.472.000 EUR

HEALTH-4-EECA focuses on the assistance to national and regional decision makers to better translate knowledge, empirical data and operational experience into policies and planning for more effective, efficient and equitable health systems and services. The project is targeted at 10 countries from the former Soviet Union, which are further referred to as EECA countries. The key objective of the project is to provide relevant stakeholders in EECA countries with evidence-based guidance on the effective strategies to improve their national and regional health systems. We aim to achieve this through efforts of two types: (i) research and analytical activities in the target region and (ii) development and implementation of extensive and tailored capacity building programme. The research is innovative in several ways. First, thanks to very complex database we have at our disposal, we will be able to focus on analytical research, employ more in-depth and qualitative methods, and identify regional and local causalities. Second, we will study health systems also from a “public perspective”, which has been much less developed compared with studies from a “population perspective”. In particular, not much attention has been paid to legal aspects of health systems. Besides innovations in primary research, the main progress beyond the state-of-the-art is the application of scientific outcomes in the form of assessment of specific training needs and subsequent capacity building programmes, which will be tailored to specific needs of target groups in each of the selected EECA countries. The HEALTH-4-EECA consortium is composed of renowned experts in health systems who have been interested in health system in target countries for a long time. The experience of partners includes participation in several EU funded projects (LLH, HITT-CIS, EECAlink). Moreover, several partners have extensive experience in capacity building activities, which are the key component of the project.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 2.904.000 EUR

The aim of the project is to investigate cross-cultural and ethnic differences of human behaviour in crisis situations in order to better tailor security related communication, instructions and procedures with a view to improving evacuation and protection. The project will provide evidence that will be useful to first responders, building designers and those involved in the development of emergency operating procedures for buildings. The BeSeCu project employs two research strategies: A) A cross-cultural survey of individual experiences will be conducted to identify determinants of inter-individual differences in people who have experienced evacuation situations, fire disaster survivors and survivors of similar crisis situations, but also workers, first responders and those affected in the community. This retrospective study will be carried out across seven European countries with diverse cultural background. B) Experimental trials will be carried out in three countries simulating real time evacuation scenarios in standardized settings having objective measures (e.g. response time) and video-tape analysis as outcomes . Results will be analysed to identify similarities and differences between cultures and ethnic groups as well as a range of socioeconomic factors. The analysis will triangulate findings obtained with objective measures, subjective experiences and behavioural observations. Two types of research findings and products will be provided by the BeSeCu projects: (A) an evidence base that will enable designers of buildings to develop culturally appropriate emergency operating procedures and (B) an evidence base of inter-individual differences that will be employed to develop a culture-sensitive communication training to improve emergency interventions. The research will be carried out by a consortium of 8 European partners including end-users (e.g. fire service colleges) in the process of research.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 310.000 EUR

The main objective of the project is to develop a new approach for the procurement of joint ESA/EU space programmes. It will constitute the first ever attempt for a concentrated, creative and coherent study in this field. The one yer project will elaborate a set of mandatory and facultative criteria for a new European procurement regulation. It will solve the intrinsic conflict of the respective procurement rules. EC rules based on fait competition collide with ESA rules based on the principle of geographic return. This conflict is the main obstacle to the implementation of the ESA/EU cooperation and their European Space Policy (ESP). Its solution will not only facilitate further programme collaboration. Leading eventually to a third way, also the political cooperation will be fostered.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 4.857.000 EUR

The principal objective of NESTOR is to provide scientific evidence to support clinical recommendation related to the effective treatment of the elderly population. We will arrive at these conclusions by conducting multicentre clinical trials, followed by comparative research on concurrent multimodal therapies. The most frequent and significant problems of elderly patients arise from cognitive dysfunction, malnutrition, and polypharmacy treatment. Polymorbid and malnourished elderly patients suffering from neuro-degenerative and sensory diseases will be the main objective of NESTOR. The design of the clinical trials will correspond to these two medical fields: a medical/surgical branch and neurodegenerative branch. The neurodegenerative study will focus on the diagnosis of neurodegenerative and sensory disorders and the effect of optimal treatment of those patients. The medical clinical study will analyse the complex geriatric diagnostics of polypharmacy together with nutritional aspects, and the effect of optimisation of the pharmacologic treatment. The major expected research outcomes of NESTOR are the following: (i) development of approaches for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, especially cognitive dysfunction and the relationship with sensory function in elderly populations (ii) definition of basic principles for relevant modification of treatment for polymorbid patients, (iii) assessment of the costs incurred by the prescription and subsequent consumption of non-effective medicaments, (iv) evaluation of the results in the different EU countries providing an appropriate basis for internationally relevant conclusions on the issue and (v) guidelines reflecting the national specifics for medical specialists, insurance companies, governments. The guidelines will also include recommendation on educating patients and their informal careers to foster their active involvement in the treatment.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 2.740.000 EUR

ARGUS project addresses the targeted distribution of information and intervention materials to a specific clinical practice audience (patients suffering from the Age Related Macular Degeneration - AMD) with the intent to spread knowledge and the associated evidencebased interventions (implantation of the intraocular mirror telescope Lipshitz Macular Implant). Therefore we will focus upon the identification of mechanisms and approaches to effectively package the evidence based information to the identified target groups. Our project will also address the implementation process, as we will adopt and integrate evidence-based health interventions and to innovate the health service delivery patterns in specific settings, through active dissemination of AMD relevant medical information. Such research will help us to assess how interventions are transferred into everyday clinical practice and whether their implementation remains faithful to the original concept. Our project objectives will be achieved through the establishment of an empirically tested theoretical basis for improved understanding of the factors influencing effectiveness of dissemination and implementation strategies of the new knowledge (e.g. clinical guidelines), products, and interventions. Our aim is to develop conceptual model for AMD relevant clinical practice that will be applicable across diverse health care settings. The cooperation among participating medical research centres in Europe will be enhanced to promote integration and excellence of European research. Consortium project partners are led by Charles University in Prague and comprise a medical research network from the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, Slovakia and Germany.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 11.500.000 EUR

With the i2010 vision of a European Digital Library, the EU has launched an ambitious plan for large scale digitisation projects transforming Europe’s printed heritage into digitally available resources. However, lack of institutional knowledge and expertise slows down the pace with which this vision can be realised. The state-of-the-art in OCR performance and machine understanding of the original document is inadequate, especially for historically important material with archaic fonts and spellings, newspapers with complex layouts, bound volumes, microfilm or typescript. Nor are the currently available modern lexica sufficient for the recognition of obsolete words, inflections and orthographic variants in historical texts. The IMPACT project will push innovation in OCR technology and language technology for historical document processing and retrieval, and share expertise to build capacity in digitisation across Europe. During the project a Centre of Competence will be set up in order to provide a central service entry point for all libraries, archives and museums involved in the digitisation of textual material.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 750.000 EUR

Although the elderly account for high drug consumption, they are underrepresented in clinical trials. With an increasingly ageing European population it is essential to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of drugs. Clinical trials need to take into account the relevant issues of this population, i.e. changed metabolism, multiple chronic conditions and poly-pharmacy. To examine this issue and effect a paradigm shift it is necessary to target gatekeepers and stakeholders of clinical trials. The project will be coordinated by the Medical Economics and Research Centre, Sheffield, with guidance from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Ageing at Keele University, UK. The 5 work packages (WP) will be carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of highly qualified experts in Geriatrics, Gerontology and social sciences. WP1 will involve a systematic review of the literature and review of ongoing clinical trials to assess the extent of exclusion of the elderly. Based on these findings WP2 and WP 3 will investigate why the elderly are underrepresented in clinical trials and what can be done to improve their participation. This will be carried out in 9 countries: UK, Spain, Holland, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Israel and the Czech Republic. WP2 will research the views of health professionals and ethicists using structured questionnaires. WP3 will explore the perceptions of older patients and carers using a focus group methodology. For WP4, the recommendations from WP2 and WP3 will be used to develop a charter for the elderly in clinical trials. WP5 will disseminate and implement the findings.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 50.000 EUR

The aim of the ICEM 08 project is (1) to organize a week-long International Ethno-musicological Conference on Music and Minorities in Prague in May 2008 for about 100 participants from all over the world and (2) to publish its results in the forms of (a) conference papers for the scholarly public and (b) a audio-visual material in English for the general public, specifically for secondary-school (high-school) students. Research of music of minorities or of various groups in the contemporary culture of diversified European society requires the international, interdisciplinary, preferably team approach, which the Study Group Music and Minorities provides. By means of applied ethnomusicology, the new knowledge is shared in relevant forms with wider public as well as other interested stakeholders (eg. policy makers or NGO workers). The conference of top ethnomusicologists brings new knowledge about the relations between majorities and minorities and their dynamics (researched in the medium of music), including new research methods and also, by means of applied ethnomusicology, basically influences social reality.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 3.000.000 EUR

MODIFAT investigates the effect of repeating short periods of acute nutrient restriction on insulin sensitivity. This experimental intervention mimics the life-style conditions present during the human genome development and can be understood as “metabolic exercise”. MODIFAT’s main goal is to translate promising results of basic research and animal experiments into clinical practice and validate the efficacy of alternate fasting in the treatment of insulin resistance. To prove the effects by clinically acceptable means, project is designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the effects of experimental alternate fasting intervention versus standard low caloric low fat diet. Major differences between these two dietary interventions are to be found in the fact, that no weight loss is expected after alternate fasting intervention in contrast to low-caloric low-fat diet.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.000.000 EUR

Science plays a crucial role in the modern society, and the popularization of science plays a central role in the socioeconomic cultural and environmental development of the European countries. Activities aimed at the popularization of science and technology go in various directions, from the 'distribution' of information in the mass media to formal education, and from the democratizing function of science and technology interactive centres, to the creation of diverse spaces or processes for non-formal public participation. All try to attract the wider, non-scientific public, so that it can be linked actively in the discovery and appropriation of scientific and technological knowledge. Following the latest trends in science communication, the consortium focuses on provision of online access to results of research in Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Heath. ReDis project focuses on development of a multilingual European information network for dissemination of results to the general public via the Internet. The consortium partners offer a well-structured, up-to-date approach, by developing an information network, which pursues a strategy to convey the vast amount of data and knowledge generated by topics relevant to FP6 and FP7 projects. To this aim, ReDis will develop and deliver the four major outcomes: (i) online communication platform making FP6 and FP7 results accessible to the wider public in five European languages; (ii) e-learning training course dedicated to good practice in science communication; (iii) methodological manual with 30 experiments introducing FP projects to the school children; (iv) international policy conference dedicated to analysis of communication measures in national science funding schemes. By stimulating the debate among the national programme managers, the consortium hopes to achieve our strategic goal, which is improved public perception and acceptance of science in the field of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Health.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 2.995.000 EUR

Our aim is to promote healthy movement and dietary behaviour in the child and adolescent population of the EU. The project concept is based on multidisciplinary analysis of sociological, psychological and economical aspects influencing the development of overweight in children and adolescents. The analysis will be used for design of movement regimes that may be easily embedded into school PE curricula and thus support the acquisition of an active life-style in school children. The effectiveness of proposed non-pharmacological regimes which include movement interventions (NOMCY study) will be examined through and a non-pharmacological population study conducted in the following EU Member States: Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and Ireland. The expected results of the proposed project are three-fold: (i) obtaining comparative data assessment of the actual state of obesity epidemics across the EU, (ii) development of standardized laboratory and field methods for early state of obesity identification and (iii) implementation of obesity management measures in schools and higher-education establishments collaborating upon the project and beyond the project consortium.Within our project, our aim is to verify the effectiveness of different forms of movement regimes, together with management of dietary life-style in children and youth populations in schools. The educational establishments represent a unique environment, where it is possible to “standardize” the movement regimes, asses their influence on the target population and finally implement the effective measures for obesity management. The NOMCY project focuses on a wide diversity of dietary life-styles of the EU societies that are represented also by the project partners. The project results are to be tailored the practical needs of health care and education professionals, who may directly influence the target population and thus further sustain the implementation of the project.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 600.000 EUR

The EECAlink was a coordination action aimed at identification of joint research priorities of the EU and EECA countries and strengthening scientific collaboration among them. International Cooperation Partner Countries targeted by the project are: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. EECAlink represented a measure of active encouragement of the international Health research related cooperation and allowed strengthening of the existing bi-lateral scientific collaboration of all participating university/academia partners. Project consorcium was balanced to be able to act as a pipeline for communication of the research priorities of EECA countries relevant to EU policy makers and vice versa, help to coordinate future joint calls relevant to the Health Theme. Last, but not least, to build capacities for proposal submission in FP7. For the project communication and impact evaluation purposes, we have defined three major target stakeholder groups: 1. Policy makers - this target group is further divided into European and national. The first stakeholder group represents a key element for creation of European added value through identification of joint research opportunities for future calls in the area of Health research. 2. Universities and academia partners - the project is coordinated by the Charles University in Prague and represents a consortium of ten academic partners, who wish to both strengthen and extend their international collaboration in topics identified in FP7-TP Health programme. 3. Wider RTD public - research and innovation managers and individual scientific group leaders from participating countries interested in submitting own FP7 proposals.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.217.360 EUR

A Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry LA-ICP-MS will be optimized for multielemental analysis of size-segregated aerosol sampled with high –time resolution. To sample such aerosol samples, the Streaker with multiple stages based on Lundgren impactor together with the pre-concentration unit based on virtual impactor used upstream the cascade will be developed and constructed. Calibration of the LA-ICP-MS analysis will be done using prepared standard samples. A resuspension chamber will be constructed for standard aerosol sample preparation. An accuracy and precision of multielemental aerosol analysis by LA-ICP-MS will be confirmed by concurrent aerosol analyses by convectional ICP-MS with acid sample dissolution, by PIXE and INAA and S-XRF. An applicability of the multielemental analytical method developed will be tested on aerosol sampled within approximately 14 days of winter and summer intensive campaigns performed at the institutional sampling station in Prague center. Data on short-term elemental composition of size-resolved atmospheric aerosol will be combined with concurrently determined data on isotopic Be7 and Po210 composition, number and mass size aerosol distributions, concentration of gaseous components and meteorology into one database. Then the database will be subjected to the state-of-the-art receptor models to reveal aerosol sources in an urban atmosphere.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.263.000 EUR

The project aims to sustain the flavors of European beers and its sensorial quality. European breweries (mostly enterprises up to 250 employees) are known for their economic prosperity mostly based upon their beer’s individual tastes. Almost every EU citizen has his/her own favorite brand of beer – individual tastes of different beers are the sensorial properties. Sensorial properties of beer are based upon a unique brewing technology and the hops breeding. The HOPS project is focused on the investigation of sensorial properties of beer and their sustainability during product’s shelf life. The HOPS project responds to the call of small European breweries for an innovative technology of hop processing, enabling the production of beers with high-quality sensorial profile even during pro-longed storage. Furthermore, the proposed research also investigates the hop compounds which are beneficial to human health. Our aim is to propose innovations in currently used brewing technologies, in order to preserve these beneficial components, increase their ratio in beer products and deliver these safely to the EU consumer.

Žadatel: Výzkumný ústav pivovarský a sladařský

Požadovaný rozpočet: 882.000 EUR

The Strategic Objective of the USEandDIFFUSE project was to enhance dissemination and exploitation of research results and facilitate the exchange of good practices. The project focused mostly on RTD projects involving SMEs implemented under the Framework Programmes, and within key industrial sectors (ICT, Energy, Health, Environment and Agro-Food). Based on past experiences and reviews of best practices at EU level, this project concentrated on the development and implementation of strategies aimed at reinforcing the exploitation of RTD results, as well as clustering of projects on common topics to improve interaction, joint dissemination and exploitation activities. Support of dissemination and practical exploitation of RTD results were realized via the organization of study visits, exchange of good practices and drawing up of joint plans and strategies for the comprehensive promotion of project results. A central project component was the creation of a practical, freely available Best Practice Manual entitled “Use & Diffuse: European Excellence”, which delivered a close look at the most interesting cases, methods and solutions for the road-mapping of an effective strategy for the dissemination and exploitation of RTD results, as well as methodologies for realistically establishing their true market potential. Suggestions on innovative approaches, used in various branches of the economy were delivered. The Guide was widely disseminated at EU-27 level to key actors and stakeholders, in particular European Technology Platforms, clusters and SME associations. The project counted on the invaluable knowledge and experiences gathered by qualified project partners from Poland, UK, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic and Cyprus, who are all acting as facilitators between the research environment and industry (mainly SMEs).

Žadatel: Technická univerzita v Krakově

Požadovaný rozpočet: 1.341.000 EUR

SUSDEVIS (Sustainable Development in the Visegrad Countries) starts from the assumption that CEE Countries are different from the rest of the EU, differ among themselves and even diverge within smaller groupings such as the Visegrad states (V4). There is a knowledge gap between these differences and the communalities that at the same time connect them and making them similar within and across each of these groupings (EU27, CEEC, V4) that accounts for many of the policy implementation failures. These failures, choices and problems currently converge in the simultaneous occurrence of a social, a political and a post-accession crisis in most members of the V4 grouping. Comparing these countries to a particularly well-suited member state with a longer EU track record (Austria), SUSDEVIS addresses the question how sustainable policies may be achieved under these circumstances. In order to achieve its tasks, SUSDEVIS develops and supplies four major analytical and policy-related products. Firstly, based on a comparison and partial merger of a number of relevant bodies of literature, SUSDEVIS designs a model of postcommunist development that will be of use for the analysis of a wide variety of countries in the region. Secondly, based on grounded theory and thick description, the project presents five broad-based country studies and a comparison across these countries. Thirdly, SUSDEVIDS comes up with the first systematic comparative policy analysis carried out so far within Central and Eastern Europe with also supplies concrete empirical information about the degree of Europeanization achieved over the past one and a half decade. Fourthly and most importantly, drawing from above products SUSDEVIS elaborates a model of strategic governance and translates the implications of that model into concrete policy recommendations addressed to domestic and European policy communities and to other countries such as the CEECs and prospective future candidates for EU accession.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 4.900.000 EUR

The purpose of the LEADER study is to provide clinical data demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of nucleated cells concentrate from bone marrow aspirate (BMAC), produced with the Gradient Density Centrifuge Concentrate System, for treating lower limbs of patients diagnosed with critical limb ischemia due to peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The study will evaluate the hypothesis that BMAC, when injected intramuscularly in lower extremity ischaemic areas, has the potential to improve perfusion within the ischemic limb and reduce limb amputation. Three hundred fifty (350) study subjects will be enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double blinded, controlled, multi-center clinical investigation. Subjects will be randomized (stratified by Rutherford class, renal function, and diabetes) to receive the investigational treatment or a placebo. A total of 240cc of bone marrow aspirate will be collected for the purpose of this study. 40 mL of BMAC will be produced and injected intramuscularly in 1mL aliquots into the areas of ischemia in the lower extremity with optional ultrasound guidance.

Žadatel: FN Ostrava

Požadovaný rozpočet: 5.992.000 EUR

DIAPRINT aims to introduce innovative methods in prevention and treatment of the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), disease whose occurrence increases sharply in last decades. The project’s main goal is to develop new diagnostic tools that would enable identification of the T1D before its clinical manifestation. In DIAPRINT, we focus on methods enabling the monitoring of the cellular autoimmune mechanisms. The research is based on data from the first degree relatives of diabetic patients, as well as the T1D patients themselves. Our aim is to establish a complex and sufficient databank, collecting biological samples across the participating countries. Further analysis, carried out within the project, will enable development of innovative diagnostic tools based on well selected molecular biomarkers. To achieve the effective transfer of the research results into pharmaceutical practice, SME project partners were established as the leaders of the key work packages. Successful implementation of the project would enable remarkable cost-savings connected to the treatment of the T1D itself and its associated complications.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 315.028 EUR

Economic growth in Asia in recent years has fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape. The process has the potential to disrupt long-established patterns in international relations, including transatlantic ties. At the same time, it can serve as a unique moment that will force actors on both sides of the Atlantic to set aside their differences and cooperate more fully in confronting the new issues of global governance that arise in this context. Taking the augmented role of Asia as a given, the project will analyze its effects and consequences for various aspects of transatlantic cooperation. Main emphasis will be on four policy domains, namely geostrategy and geosecurity, economic relations, global governance and environmental issues. The project will thus focus on the following research questions: What is the current state of transatlantic relations? Does the rise of Asia lead to weakening or strengthening of the transatlantic ties? In what areas does rise of Asia lead to increased cooperation between the EU and the US? What are the implications of the rise of Asia for global governance? What should be the most appropriate policy response to the process on the European level? The main thesis that we want to test analytically is whether in the short term the rise of Asia threatens to undermine the transatlantic partnership, which already became less close since the end of the Cold War. In the medium to long-term perspective, however, the same growth in Asia in recent years has fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape. The process has the potential to disrupt long-established patterns in international relations, including transatlantic ties. At the same time, it can serve as a unique moment that will force actors on both sides of the Atlantic to set aside their differences and cooperate more fully in confronting the new issues of global governance that arise in this context.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 4.293.078 EUR

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s leading infectious disease despite the long-time and costly effort of the EU, WHO, developing countries. It is estimated that about 9.4 million incident cases of TB occur in population annually, of whom about 1.7 million people dies of TB (data from 2009). Nearly one third of the world’s population is a carrier of latent form that creates dangerous source of the illness for future. Furthermore, some of the mycobacterium types are associated with AIDS (HIV/AIDS co-infection claims about 3 million deaths annually). Present situation is not improving also due to the increased occurrence of single-drug resistant, multidrugresistant and extensively drug-resistant TB types. In order to develop more potent and safer chemotherapeutical drugs, we propose to synthesise and characterise a series of new pyrazinamide analogues. These have shown to be promising agents due to their suitability for industrial production. Design of new agents is mostly oriented towards synthesis of small molecules and their prodrug forms. Their antimycobacterial properties will be evaluated against the pyrazinamide (PZA), isoniazid (INH) the first line antituberculosis drugs currently available at the pharmaceutical market. SEEK4ANTI-TB project directly involves partners from pharmaceutical chemistry, and expands the IT tools the industry commonly uses for evaluation (e.g. structure–activity relationships and modifications). Close relation of the consortium to the application sector positively (TB) remains the world’s leading infectious disease despite the long-time and costly effort of the EU, WHO, NIH, mostly in the developing countries. It is estimated that about 9.4 million incident cases of TB occur in population annually, of whom about 1.7 million people dies of TB (data from 2009). Nearly one third of the world’s population is a carrier of latent form that creates dangerous source of the illness for future. Furthermore, some of the mycobacterium types are associated with AIDS (HIV/AIDS co-infection claims about 3 million deaths annually). Present situation is not improving also due to the increased occurrence of single-drug resistant, multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB types. In order to develop more potent and safer chemotherapeutical drugs, we propose to synthesise and characterise a series of new pyrazinamide analogues. These have shown to be promising agents due to their suitability for industrial production. Design of new agents is mostly oriented towards synthesis of small molecules and their prodrug forms. Their antimycobacterial properties will be evaluated against the pyrazinamide (PZA), isoniazid (INH) the first line antituberculosis drugs currently available at the pharmaceutical market. SEEK4ANTI-TB project directly involves partners from pharmaceutical chemistry, and expands the IT tools the industry commonly uses for evaluation (e.g. structure–activity relationships and modifications).

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 198.861 EUR

It is the aim of IMAGINE to understand, learn from and take forward innovative strategies and actions for tackling complex forms of sociospatial inequality. The project is based on a threefold process of first seeking out novelty and innovation in multi-level approaches to tackling complex inequalities from across Europe; second, developing a deep comparative and interdisciplinary understanding of these forms of social innovation and their outcomes and implications; and third applying this understanding and learning about social innovation in specific socio-spatial contexts in which there are particularly intense and intractable forms of complex inequality problems. Throughout the project we will employ a transdisciplinary mode of working that integrates across and beyond academic disciplines and involves close involvement and engagement with non-academic stakeholders, NGOs, charities, for-profits, entrepreneurs and activists working in different areas from health, gender, age, education, ethnicity, immigration, employment and environment. In IMAGINE, we have a specific focus on complex, socio-spatial inequalities that deprive the most vulnerable of realising their life chances, and on forms of innovation which seek to act against these inequalities in progressive and effective ways. We build on the understanding developed by social innovation research over recent years, but seek to go beyond this and to take on board the very dynamic and unstable economic, political and social conditions that much of Europe is currently contending with.

Žadatel: Univerzita Karlova

Požadovaný rozpočet: 2.159.504 EUR

Lately, the EGS technology has expanded worldwide as the new branch of geothermal industry. EGS projects are one of renewable energy sources of the future. Consequently, we have defined the main aim of the proposed project, which is to create a tool to select relevant data, measurements and methods applied prior, during, and after EGS project implementation. Collection of local data is a highly actual topic, due to the fact that its availability opens doors for consequent private and industrial investments in geothermal energy in the European states. The methodological process of pre-drilling phase embraces geophysical, geological, tectonic, geothermal, hydrogeological, and geochemical knowledge through an interdisciplinary approach, but structure of data at its evaluation, must respects the needs of geothermal industry. The overall concept of the project proposes also solution to investors or “non-professionals in EGS technology” how to evaluate the project prior to implementation and how to minimize the investment risk into EGS project. The experiences from the ongoing EGS projects worldwide related among others to locality selection, geologic-tectonic, geophysical, geothermal, and hydrological conditions, as well as stimulation process, technology and economic aspects should be summarized and evaluated in detail in the project. This part is common practise in majority of such projects. The practice shows that exploration data and their proper understanding is complicated and difficult to understand for investors and for “nonprofessionals in EGS technology” (but often the decision makers too). Therefore, the easy understanding of data and results is one of the project priorities. .

Žadatel: Petrathermex

Požadovaný rozpočet: 3.748.709 EUR

The project will extend the frontiers of biomaterial, biosensor and biomechanic technologies with the development of a new approach to monitoring of bone cells’ immune reactions and how these reactions are affected by the chemical composition and structure at the outermost atomic layers of the implant. SIMPLIM will bring a better understanding of the local reactions of bone cells on new biomaterials and a novel tool in osseointegration diagnostics. The overarching objective is to: 1) Develop an immunoregulation model of bone tissue remodelling and verify it. 2) Design surfaces at the atomic level to reduce/eliminate immune reactions. 3) Build an idealized smart implant with integrated biosensors to be used as a diagnostic tool for immune reaction of bone tissue. SIMPLIM implementation will progress from theoretical model foundations and development of specific surface and coating and a wireless micro detection system for monitoring of implant integrity. In the following stage of the project, these components will be integrated into an idealized smart implant and tested in vivo on animal models. In the end, analyses of testing results will allow us to draw conclusions and standardize methods of bone tissue immune reaction monitoring. The project will bring conceptual solutions and create new knowledge in basic research. After its termination, research work will progress towards a specific application, smart implant integrating biosensors and newly developed material surfaces. It will enable participating companies to assume position of leading players not only in Europe but also in the global market by introducing a completely new and unique product with potential for widespread utilization in clinical practice.

Žadatel: Technická univerzita v Liberci

Požadovaný rozpočet: 845.410 EUR

The EPCpoly project derives from the strategic aim of the EU to narrow down the technological divide in innovative material technologies between its member states and International Partner Cooperation Countries and thereby enable additional societies to reap the benefits of advanced technologies. EPCpoly aims to contribute to this aim by promoting deployment of novel functional polymer materials with the potential for application in healthcare, environment, energy, or water management in the countries of Eastern Partnership (EPC): Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. This overarching goal is to be reached by pursuing 3 operational objectives: 1. Support the uptake of functional polymer materials in EPC by developing a targeted action agenda tailored for the region. 2. Support new partnerships, mutual exchange of experiences, and technology deployment in the field of functional polymer materials between Eastern Partnership and the EU. 3. Improve the capacities of Eastern Partnership countries for development of functional polymer materials’ societally beneficial applications suitable for the local/regional conditions. The EPCpoly consortium brings together 11 partners, 5 from the EU and 6 from EPC, selected to represent regional scientific excellence as well as to provide outstanding complementary skills and access to national and international policy makers. The activities of EPCpoly are structured into 6 work packages (WP): WP1 and WP2 are set up to develop and support the implementation of regional action agenda, WP3 will establish a competence platform enabling efficient knowledge and technology transfer, WP4 will target network and capacity building in science, WP5 will provide a dissemination framework for the project, and WP6 will comprise of project management and administration.

Žadatel: Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR