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Project acronym ANGEOM
Project Geometric analysis in the Euclidean space
Researcher (PI) Xavier Tolsa Domenech
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA
Summary "We propose to study different questions in the area of the so called geometric analysis. Most of the topics we are interested in deal with the connection between the behavior of singular integrals and the geometry of sets and measures. The study of this connection has been shown to be extremely helpful in the solution of certain long standing problems in the last years, such as the solution of the Painlev\'e problem or the obtaining of the optimal distortion bounds for quasiconformal mappings by Astala. More specifically, we would like to study the relationship between the L^2 boundedness of singular integrals associated with Riesz and other related kernels, and rectifiability and other geometric notions. The so called David-Semmes problem is probably the main open problem in this area. Up to now, the techniques used to deal with this problem come from multiscale analysis and involve ideas from Littlewood-Paley theory and quantitative techniques of rectifiability. We propose to apply new ideas that combine variational arguments with other techniques which have connections with mass transportation. Further, we think that it is worth to explore in more detail the connection among mass transportation, singular integrals, and uniform rectifiability. We are also interested in the field of quasiconformal mappings. We plan to study a problem regarding the quasiconformal distortion of quasicircles. This problem consists in proving that the bounds obtained recently by S. Smirnov on the dimension of K-quasicircles are optimal. We want to apply techniques from quantitative geometric measure theory to deal with this question. Another question that we intend to explore lies in the interplay of harmonic analysis, geometric measure theory and partial differential equations. This concerns an old problem on the unique continuation of harmonic functions at the boundary open C^1 or Lipschitz domain. All the results known by now deal with smoother Dini domains."
"We propose to study different questions in the area of the so called geometric analysis. Most of the topics we are interested in deal with the connection between the behavior of singular integrals and the geometry of sets and measures. The study of this connection has been shown to be extremely helpful in the solution of certain long standing problems in the last years, such as the solution of the Painlev\'e problem or the obtaining of the optimal distortion bounds for quasiconformal mappings by Astala. More specifically, we would like to study the relationship between the L^2 boundedness of singular integrals associated with Riesz and other related kernels, and rectifiability and other geometric notions. The so called David-Semmes problem is probably the main open problem in this area. Up to now, the techniques used to deal with this problem come from multiscale analysis and involve ideas from Littlewood-Paley theory and quantitative techniques of rectifiability. We propose to apply new ideas that combine variational arguments with other techniques which have connections with mass transportation. Further, we think that it is worth to explore in more detail the connection among mass transportation, singular integrals, and uniform rectifiability. We are also interested in the field of quasiconformal mappings. We plan to study a problem regarding the quasiconformal distortion of quasicircles. This problem consists in proving that the bounds obtained recently by S. Smirnov on the dimension of K-quasicircles are optimal. We want to apply techniques from quantitative geometric measure theory to deal with this question. Another question that we intend to explore lies in the interplay of harmonic analysis, geometric measure theory and partial differential equations. This concerns an old problem on the unique continuation of harmonic functions at the boundary open C^1 or Lipschitz domain. All the results known by now deal with smoother Dini domains."
Project acronym CATGOLD
Project ADVANCING GOLD CATALYSIS
Researcher (PI) Antonio María Echavarren Pablos
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT CATALA D'INVESTIGACIO QUIMICA
Summary We plan to chase new goals by exploring the limits of gold chemistry and organic synthesis. A major goal is to promote copper to the level of gold as the catalyst of choice for the activation of alkynes under homogeneous conditions. Another major goal is to develop enantioselective reactions based on a new chiral catalyst design to overcome the inherent limitations of the linear coordination of d10 M(I) coinage metals. We whish to contribute to bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous gold catalysis discovering new reactions for C-C bond formation via cross-coupling and C-H activation. We will apply new methods based on Au catalysis to fill the gap that exists between chemical synthesis and physical methods such as graphite exfoliation or laser ablation for the synthesis of nanographenes and other large acenes.
We plan to chase new goals by exploring the limits of gold chemistry and organic synthesis. A major goal is to promote copper to the level of gold as the catalyst of choice for the activation of alkynes under homogeneous conditions. Another major goal is to develop enantioselective reactions based on a new chiral catalyst design to overcome the inherent limitations of the linear coordination of d10 M(I) coinage metals. We whish to contribute to bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous gold catalysis discovering new reactions for C-C bond formation via cross-coupling and C-H activation. We will apply new methods based on Au catalysis to fill the gap that exists between chemical synthesis and physical methods such as graphite exfoliation or laser ablation for the synthesis of nanographenes and other large acenes.
Project acronym CHIRALLCARBON
Project Chiral Allotropes of Carbon
Researcher (PI) Nazario Martín
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
Summary The aim of the present project is to answer fundamental questions about how to introduce chirality into a variety of carbon nanostructures and how it modifies the properties in the search for new applications in materials science and nanotecnology. Thus, it describes a fundamental and technological research program designed to gain new knowledge for the development of novel covalent and supramolecular chiral carbon nanoforms, and their further chemical modification for the preparation of sophisticated supramolecular 3D nanoarchitectures. Our research activity should reinforce and integrate the strong position of Europe in the knowledge of carbon nanoforms. This important scientific challenge has not been properly addressed so far due to the inherent difficulties to work on these materials and, particularly, to the lack of an efficient chemical protocol to prepare chiral carbon nanoforms.
The aim of the present project is to answer fundamental questions about how to introduce chirality into a variety of carbon nanostructures and how it modifies the properties in the search for new applications in materials science and nanotecnology. Thus, it describes a fundamental and technological research program designed to gain new knowledge for the development of novel covalent and supramolecular chiral carbon nanoforms, and their further chemical modification for the preparation of sophisticated supramolecular 3D nanoarchitectures. Our research activity should reinforce and integrate the strong position of Europe in the knowledge of carbon nanoforms. This important scientific challenge has not been properly addressed so far due to the inherent difficulties to work on these materials and, particularly, to the lack of an efficient chemical protocol to prepare chiral carbon nanoforms.
Project acronym COMP-DES-MAT
Project Advanced tools for computational design of engineering materials
Researcher (PI) Francisco Javier (Xavier) Oliver Olivella
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE INTERNACIONAL DE METODES NUMERICS EN ENGINYERIA
Summary The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the consolidation of the nascent and revolutionary philosophy of "Materials by Design" by resorting to the enormous power provided by the nowadays-available computational techniques. Limitations of current procedures for developing material-based innovative technologies in engineering, are often made manifest; many times only a catalog, or a data basis, of materials is available and these new technologies have to adapt to them, in the same way that the users of ready-to-wear have to take from the shop the costume that fits them better, but not the one that fits them properly. This constitutes an enormous limitation for the intended goals and scope. Certainly, availability of materials specifically designed by goal-oriented methods could eradicate that limitation, but this purpose faces the bounds of experimental procedures of material design, commonly based on trial and error procedures. Computational mechanics, with the emerging Computational Materials Design (CMD) research field, has much to offer in this respect. The increasing power of the new computer processors and, most importantly, development of new methods and strategies of computational simulation, opens new ways to face the problem. The project intends breaking through the barriers that presently hinder the development and application of computational materials design, by means of the synergic exploration and development of three supplementary families of methods: 1) computational multiscale material modeling (CMM) based on the bottom-up, one-way coupled, description of the material structure in different representative scales, 2) development of a new generation of high performance reduced-order-modeling techniques (HP-ROM), in order to bring down the associated computational costs to affordable levels, and 3) new computational strategies and methods for the optimal design of the material meso/micro structure arrangement and topology (MATO) .
The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the consolidation of the nascent and revolutionary philosophy of "Materials by Design" by resorting to the enormous power provided by the nowadays-available computational techniques. Limitations of current procedures for developing material-based innovative technologies in engineering, are often made manifest; many times only a catalog, or a data basis, of materials is available and these new technologies have to adapt to them, in the same way that the users of ready-to-wear have to take from the shop the costume that fits them better, but not the one that fits them properly. This constitutes an enormous limitation for the intended goals and scope. Certainly, availability of materials specifically designed by goal-oriented methods could eradicate that limitation, but this purpose faces the bounds of experimental procedures of material design, commonly based on trial and error procedures. Computational mechanics, with the emerging Computational Materials Design (CMD) research field, has much to offer in this respect. The increasing power of the new computer processors and, most importantly, development of new methods and strategies of computational simulation, opens new ways to face the problem. The project intends breaking through the barriers that presently hinder the development and application of computational materials design, by means of the synergic exploration and development of three supplementary families of methods: 1) computational multiscale material modeling (CMM) based on the bottom-up, one-way coupled, description of the material structure in different representative scales, 2) development of a new generation of high performance reduced-order-modeling techniques (HP-ROM), in order to bring down the associated computational costs to affordable levels, and 3) new computational strategies and methods for the optimal design of the material meso/micro structure arrangement and topology (MATO) .
Project acronym CORTEXFOLDING
Project Understanding the development and function of cerebral cortex folding
Researcher (PI) Victor Borrell Franco
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Summary The mammalian cerebral cortex was subject to a dramatic expansion in surface area during evolution. This process is recapitulated during development and is accompanied by folding of the cortical sheet, which allows fitting a large cortical surface within a limited cranial volume. A loss of cortical folds is linked to severe intellectual impairment in humans, so cortical folding is believed to be crucial for brain function. However, developmental mechanisms responsible for cortical folding, and the influence of this on cortical function, remain largely unknown. The goal of this proposal is to understand the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control the developmental expansion and folding of the cerebral cortex, and what is the impact of these processes on its functional organization. Human studies have identified genes essential for the proper folding of the human cerebral cortex. Genetic manipulations in mice have unraveled specific functions for some of those genes in the development of the cerebral cortex. But because the mouse cerebral cortex does not fold naturally, the mechanisms of cortical expansion and folding in larger brains remain unknown. We will study these mechanisms on ferret, an ideal model with a naturally folded cerebral cortex. We will combine the advantages of ferrets with cell biology, genetics and next-generation transcriptomics, together with state-of-the-art in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches, including in vivo imaging of functional columnar maps. The successful execution of this project will provide insights into developmental and genetic risk factors for anomalies in human cortical topology, and into mechanisms responsible for the early formation of cortical functional maps.
The mammalian cerebral cortex was subject to a dramatic expansion in surface area during evolution. This process is recapitulated during development and is accompanied by folding of the cortical sheet, which allows fitting a large cortical surface within a limited cranial volume. A loss of cortical folds is linked to severe intellectual impairment in humans, so cortical folding is believed to be crucial for brain function. However, developmental mechanisms responsible for cortical folding, and the influence of this on cortical function, remain largely unknown. The goal of this proposal is to understand the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control the developmental expansion and folding of the cerebral cortex, and what is the impact of these processes on its functional organization. Human studies have identified genes essential for the proper folding of the human cerebral cortex. Genetic manipulations in mice have unraveled specific functions for some of those genes in the development of the cerebral cortex. But because the mouse cerebral cortex does not fold naturally, the mechanisms of cortical expansion and folding in larger brains remain unknown. We will study these mechanisms on ferret, an ideal model with a naturally folded cerebral cortex. We will combine the advantages of ferrets with cell biology, genetics and next-generation transcriptomics, together with state-of-the-art in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches, including in vivo imaging of functional columnar maps. The successful execution of this project will provide insights into developmental and genetic risk factors for anomalies in human cortical topology, and into mechanisms responsible for the early formation of cortical functional maps.
Project acronym E-GAMES
Project Surface Self-Assembled Molecular Electronic Devices: Logic Gates, Memories and Sensors
Researcher (PI) Marta Mas Torrent
Summary Organic electronic devices, such as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), are raising an increasing interest for their potential in large area coverage and low cost applications. Also, the use of single molecules as active electronic components offers great prospects for the miniaturization of devices and for their compatibility with biological systems. Within this framework, e-GAMES goals are: 1) Molecular logic gates for the storage and transmission of magnetic and optical information and for locally controlling surface wettability. The two huge limitations that hinder the application of molecules in logic gates are: i) Fabrication of devices on a solid support, ii) Concatenation of logic gates. I plan to overcome these drawbacks employing self-assembled monolayers of bistable electroactive molecules. These systems could also be used in the fabrication of surfaces with tunable wettability properties, of high interest in microfluidics and for biosensors. 2) Ambipolar organic field-effect transistors with donor-acceptor systems and their exploitation in light, temperature or pressure sensors, and/or memory devices. Intramolecular electron transfer in organic semiconductors designed for preparing ambipolar OFETs will be explored for the first time. This phenomenon will be exploited for the fabrication of light, pressure or temperature stimuli-responsive OFETs bringing innovative perspectives to the field. 3) Organic/inorganic hybrid devices based on field-effect transistors for sensing environmentally hazardous carbon nanoparticles. Carbon-based nanoparticles are being increasingly used in many applications despite their recognized toxicity. The grounds for the development of a new generation of nanotechnological low-cost and selective sensors based on transistors functionalized with organic sensing molecular monolayers for the detection of such materials will be developed, contributing towards the improvement of citizens' safety and environmental preservation.
Organic electronic devices, such as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), are raising an increasing interest for their potential in large area coverage and low cost applications. Also, the use of single molecules as active electronic components offers great prospects for the miniaturization of devices and for their compatibility with biological systems. Within this framework, e-GAMES goals are: 1) Molecular logic gates for the storage and transmission of magnetic and optical information and for locally controlling surface wettability. The two huge limitations that hinder the application of molecules in logic gates are: i) Fabrication of devices on a solid support, ii) Concatenation of logic gates. I plan to overcome these drawbacks employing self-assembled monolayers of bistable electroactive molecules. These systems could also be used in the fabrication of surfaces with tunable wettability properties, of high interest in microfluidics and for biosensors. 2) Ambipolar organic field-effect transistors with donor-acceptor systems and their exploitation in light, temperature or pressure sensors, and/or memory devices. Intramolecular electron transfer in organic semiconductors designed for preparing ambipolar OFETs will be explored for the first time. This phenomenon will be exploited for the fabrication of light, pressure or temperature stimuli-responsive OFETs bringing innovative perspectives to the field. 3) Organic/inorganic hybrid devices based on field-effect transistors for sensing environmentally hazardous carbon nanoparticles. Carbon-based nanoparticles are being increasingly used in many applications despite their recognized toxicity. The grounds for the development of a new generation of nanotechnological low-cost and selective sensors based on transistors functionalized with organic sensing molecular monolayers for the detection of such materials will be developed, contributing towards the improvement of citizens' safety and environmental preservation.
Project acronym GFTIPFD
Project Geometric function theory, inverse problems and fluid dinamics
Researcher (PI) Daniel Faraco Hurtado
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID
Summary The project will strike for conquering frontier results in three capital areas in partial differential equations and mathematical analysis: Elliptic equations and systems, fluid dynamics and inverse problems. I propose to tackle the central problems in these areas with a new perspective based on the theory of differential inclusions. A thorough study of oscillating div-curl couples in this framework will lead us to the long expected higher dimensional version of the Tartar conjecture. The corresponding analysis of differential inclusions for gradient fields will lead to new results respect to the existence, uniqueness and regularity theory on the so far intractable theory of higher dimensional Beltrami systems. Next we will concentrate in weak solutions to the classical non linear equations governing fluid dynamics. A reformulation of these equations as differential inclusions enables a much more rich theory of weak solutions than the classical one. With this new tool at hand,we will close several long standing questions about existence, uniqueness and contour dynamics. The third part of the project is devoted to inverse problems in p.d.e. The most famous inverse problem is Calderón conductivity problem which asks whether the Dirichlet to Neumann map of an elliptic equation determines the coefficients. The problem is still open in three or more dimensions but a new formulation as a differential inclusion will allow us to close the 1980 Calderón conjecture by constructing new invisible materials. In dimension n=2 the recent approach based on quasiconformal theory will lead to the first regularization scheme valid for discontinuous conductivities and first results for non linear equations. For the stationary Schrödinger equation I propose to exploit a fascinating connection with the convergence to initial data of the non elliptic time dependent Schrödinger equation.
The project will strike for conquering frontier results in three capital areas in partial differential equations and mathematical analysis: Elliptic equations and systems, fluid dynamics and inverse problems. I propose to tackle the central problems in these areas with a new perspective based on the theory of differential inclusions. A thorough study of oscillating div-curl couples in this framework will lead us to the long expected higher dimensional version of the Tartar conjecture. The corresponding analysis of differential inclusions for gradient fields will lead to new results respect to the existence, uniqueness and regularity theory on the so far intractable theory of higher dimensional Beltrami systems. Next we will concentrate in weak solutions to the classical non linear equations governing fluid dynamics. A reformulation of these equations as differential inclusions enables a much more rich theory of weak solutions than the classical one. With this new tool at hand,we will close several long standing questions about existence, uniqueness and contour dynamics. The third part of the project is devoted to inverse problems in p.d.e. The most famous inverse problem is Calderón conductivity problem which asks whether the Dirichlet to Neumann map of an elliptic equation determines the coefficients. The problem is still open in three or more dimensions but a new formulation as a differential inclusion will allow us to close the 1980 Calderón conjecture by constructing new invisible materials. In dimension n=2 the recent approach based on quasiconformal theory will lead to the first regularization scheme valid for discontinuous conductivities and first results for non linear equations. For the stationary Schrödinger equation I propose to exploit a fascinating connection with the convergence to initial data of the non elliptic time dependent Schrödinger equation.
Project acronym GRACOL
Project Graph Theory: Colourings, flows, and decompositions
Researcher (PI) Carsten Thomassen
Summary Graph theory is a relatively new branch of mathematics. Early sources of inspiration are Kirchhoff's theory of electrical networks and the 4-color problem, both from the 19th century. In the 20th century graph theory was one of the most rapidly growing branches of mathematics with applications to theoretical computer science (design and analysis of algorithms), operations research (combinatorial optimization) and models in engineering and economics. The internet may be thought as a graph. There are also strong ties to geometry, topology, probability theory and logic. The main subjects in the project are graphs in the plane and on higher surfaces, graph decomposition, the Tutte polynomial and the graph flow conjectures, and also combinatorial problems arising from differential geometry. The project is centered around applying new approaches to some classical problems in graph theory, in particular problems in chromatic graph theory and flow theory. In some sense these problems have an algebraic unification in the Tutte polynomial of two variables. The Tutte polynomial has as special valuations (fixing one of the variables) the chromatic polynomial (introduced in 1912 by Birkhoff) and the flow polynomial. More recently, the Tutte polynomial has also become of interest in statistical mechanics. Among the specific problems to be investigated is Tutte's 3-flow conjecture from the early 1970es, the problem if the flow polynomial can have arbitrarily large roots (motivated by Tutte's 5-flow conjecture), the Merino-Welsh conjecture on the numbers of spanning trees, acyclic orientations and totally cyclic orientations, and Wegner's conjecture from 1977 about squares of planar cubic graphs. We expect to get significant new insight (but not complete solutions) to the two notoriously hard flow conjectures of Tutte (both of which are also described in Wikipedia). We expect to almost solve the Merino-Welsh conjecture. We expect to completely solve the Wegner conjecture.
Graph theory is a relatively new branch of mathematics. Early sources of inspiration are Kirchhoff's theory of electrical networks and the 4-color problem, both from the 19th century. In the 20th century graph theory was one of the most rapidly growing branches of mathematics with applications to theoretical computer science (design and analysis of algorithms), operations research (combinatorial optimization) and models in engineering and economics. The internet may be thought as a graph. There are also strong ties to geometry, topology, probability theory and logic. The main subjects in the project are graphs in the plane and on higher surfaces, graph decomposition, the Tutte polynomial and the graph flow conjectures, and also combinatorial problems arising from differential geometry. The project is centered around applying new approaches to some classical problems in graph theory, in particular problems in chromatic graph theory and flow theory. In some sense these problems have an algebraic unification in the Tutte polynomial of two variables. The Tutte polynomial has as special valuations (fixing one of the variables) the chromatic polynomial (introduced in 1912 by Birkhoff) and the flow polynomial. More recently, the Tutte polynomial has also become of interest in statistical mechanics. Among the specific problems to be investigated is Tutte's 3-flow conjecture from the early 1970es, the problem if the flow polynomial can have arbitrarily large roots (motivated by Tutte's 5-flow conjecture), the Merino-Welsh conjecture on the numbers of spanning trees, acyclic orientations and totally cyclic orientations, and Wegner's conjecture from 1977 about squares of planar cubic graphs. We expect to get significant new insight (but not complete solutions) to the two notoriously hard flow conjectures of Tutte (both of which are also described in Wikipedia). We expect to almost solve the Merino-Welsh conjecture. We expect to completely solve the Wegner conjecture.
Project acronym HERMES
Project HERMES – High Exponential Rise in Miniaturized cantilever-like Sensing
Researcher (PI) Anja Boisen
Summary Miniaturized cantilever–like sensors have evolved rapidly. However, when it comes to major breakthroughs in both fundamental studies as well as commercial applications these sensors face severe challenges: i) reliability – often only one or two measurements are performed for the same conditions due to very slow data generation and the results are rarely confirmed by orthogonal sensing technologies, ii) sensitivity – in many applications the need is now for ultra-low sensitivities, iii) reproducibility – very few results have been reported on reproducibility of these sensors iv)throughput –extremely slow and tedious read-out technologies. In order to take a great leap forward in cantilever-like sensing I suggest a new generation of simplified and optimized cantilever-like sensing structures implemented in a DVD based platform which will specifically address these issues. My overall hypothesis is that the true potential of these exciting sensors can only be released when using a simple and reliable read-out system that allows us to focus on the mechanical performance of the sensors. Thus we will keep the sensors as simple as possible. The DVD readout makes it possible to generate large amount of data and to focus on mechanics and the interplay between mechanics, optics and electrochemistry. It will be a technological challenge to realize a robust and reliable DVD platform, that facilitates optical read-out as well as actuation. The DVD platform will enable a fast and iterative development of hybrid cantilever-like systems which draw upon our more than 10 years experience in the field. These sensors will be realised using Si and polymer based cleanroom fabrication. Focus is on design, fabrication, characterization and applications of cantilever-like sensors and on DVD inspired system integration. By the end of HERMES we will have a unique platform which will be the onset of many new types of specific high –throughput applications and sensor development projects.
Miniaturized cantilever–like sensors have evolved rapidly. However, when it comes to major breakthroughs in both fundamental studies as well as commercial applications these sensors face severe challenges: i) reliability – often only one or two measurements are performed for the same conditions due to very slow data generation and the results are rarely confirmed by orthogonal sensing technologies, ii) sensitivity – in many applications the need is now for ultra-low sensitivities, iii) reproducibility – very few results have been reported on reproducibility of these sensors iv)throughput –extremely slow and tedious read-out technologies. In order to take a great leap forward in cantilever-like sensing I suggest a new generation of simplified and optimized cantilever-like sensing structures implemented in a DVD based platform which will specifically address these issues. My overall hypothesis is that the true potential of these exciting sensors can only be released when using a simple and reliable read-out system that allows us to focus on the mechanical performance of the sensors. Thus we will keep the sensors as simple as possible. The DVD readout makes it possible to generate large amount of data and to focus on mechanics and the interplay between mechanics, optics and electrochemistry. It will be a technological challenge to realize a robust and reliable DVD platform, that facilitates optical read-out as well as actuation. The DVD platform will enable a fast and iterative development of hybrid cantilever-like systems which draw upon our more than 10 years experience in the field. These sensors will be realised using Si and polymer based cleanroom fabrication. Focus is on design, fabrication, characterization and applications of cantilever-like sensors and on DVD inspired system integration. By the end of HERMES we will have a unique platform which will be the onset of many new types of specific high –throughput applications and sensor development projects.
Project acronym INPAINTING
Project Inpainting Tools for Video Post-production: Variational theory and fast algorithms
Researcher (PI) Vicent Caselles Costa
Summary The goal of this project is the mathematical investigation of smoothness and self-similarity principles in generating natural images, the mathematical formulation and unification of both ideas in a variational form, and its application to develop models and algorithms for image processing tasks. The proposed research will lead to the formulation and mathematical analysis of new variational principles for image and movie processing, the analysis of their underlying geometric measure theory and partial differential equations, unifying local and nonlocal approaches as respective mathematical expressions of the ideas of regularity and self-similarity. Our research will be guided by a thorough investigation of the inpainting problem (including images, video and stereo video inpainting), as a very suitable model for testing the proposed ideas. The first practical impact will be the development of models and algorithms for 2D and 3D image and video editing and manipulation, enabling the deletion and insertion of objects. As a second impact we will provide the theoretical background and implementation of a set of algorithms for 2D to 3D conversion of video data enabling the generation of 3D content for 3D TV from existing 2D video. Due to its fundamental nature, the proposed models may impact other image and video processing areas such as denoising, restoration, optical flow computation, or stereo, that share similar challenges. Although their study is not in the scope of this project, it will be fostered by the dissemination of our results and the public release of our algorithms. The PI has a long experience in the variational formulation of image processing problems, with key contributions in the variational formulations of edge detection and image inpainting, mathematical morphology, and the analysis of Total Variation based models. On the practical side, he has been contributing to the development of video post-production tools in several projects led by industry.
The goal of this project is the mathematical investigation of smoothness and self-similarity principles in generating natural images, the mathematical formulation and unification of both ideas in a variational form, and its application to develop models and algorithms for image processing tasks. The proposed research will lead to the formulation and mathematical analysis of new variational principles for image and movie processing, the analysis of their underlying geometric measure theory and partial differential equations, unifying local and nonlocal approaches as respective mathematical expressions of the ideas of regularity and self-similarity. Our research will be guided by a thorough investigation of the inpainting problem (including images, video and stereo video inpainting), as a very suitable model for testing the proposed ideas. The first practical impact will be the development of models and algorithms for 2D and 3D image and video editing and manipulation, enabling the deletion and insertion of objects. As a second impact we will provide the theoretical background and implementation of a set of algorithms for 2D to 3D conversion of video data enabling the generation of 3D content for 3D TV from existing 2D video. Due to its fundamental nature, the proposed models may impact other image and video processing areas such as denoising, restoration, optical flow computation, or stereo, that share similar challenges. Although their study is not in the scope of this project, it will be fostered by the dissemination of our results and the public release of our algorithms. The PI has a long experience in the variational formulation of image processing problems, with key contributions in the variational formulations of edge detection and image inpainting, mathematical morphology, and the analysis of Total Variation based models. On the practical side, he has been contributing to the development of video post-production tools in several projects led by industry.
Project acronym INSILICO-CELL
Project Predictive modelling and simulation in mechano-chemo-biology: a computer multi-approach
Researcher (PI) Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
Summary Living tissues are regulated by multi-cellular collectives mediated at cellular level through complex interactions between mechanical and biochemical factors. A further understanding of these mechanisms could provide new insights in the development of therapies and diagnosis techniques, reducing animal experiments. I propose a combined and complementary methodology to advance in the knowledge of how cells interact with each other and with the environment to produce the large-scale organization typical of tissues. I will couple in-silico and in-vitro models for investigating the micro-fabrication of tissues in-vitro using a 3D multicellular environment. By computational cell-based modelling of tissue development, I will use a multiscale and multiphysics approach to investigate various key factors: how environmental conditions (mechanical and biochemical) drive cell behaviour, how individual cell behaviour produces multicellular patterns, how cells respond to the multicellular environment, how cells are able to fabricate new tissues and how cell-matrix interactions affect these processes. In-vitro experiments will be developed to validate numerical models, determine their parameters, improve their hypotheses and help designing new experiments. The in-vitro experiments will be performed in a microfluidic platform capable of controlling biochemical and mechanical conditions in a 3D environment. This research will be applied in three applications, where the role of environment conditions is important and the main biological events are cell migration, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions: bone regeneration, wound healing and angiogenesis.
Living tissues are regulated by multi-cellular collectives mediated at cellular level through complex interactions between mechanical and biochemical factors. A further understanding of these mechanisms could provide new insights in the development of therapies and diagnosis techniques, reducing animal experiments. I propose a combined and complementary methodology to advance in the knowledge of how cells interact with each other and with the environment to produce the large-scale organization typical of tissues. I will couple in-silico and in-vitro models for investigating the micro-fabrication of tissues in-vitro using a 3D multicellular environment. By computational cell-based modelling of tissue development, I will use a multiscale and multiphysics approach to investigate various key factors: how environmental conditions (mechanical and biochemical) drive cell behaviour, how individual cell behaviour produces multicellular patterns, how cells respond to the multicellular environment, how cells are able to fabricate new tissues and how cell-matrix interactions affect these processes. In-vitro experiments will be developed to validate numerical models, determine their parameters, improve their hypotheses and help designing new experiments. The in-vitro experiments will be performed in a microfluidic platform capable of controlling biochemical and mechanical conditions in a 3D environment. This research will be applied in three applications, where the role of environment conditions is important and the main biological events are cell migration, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions: bone regeneration, wound healing and angiogenesis.
Project acronym IPES
Project Innovative Polymers for Energy Storage
Researcher (PI) David Mecerreyes Molero
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Summary iPes project aims to provide adequate support to Dr. David Mecerreyes (DM) who is at the stage of consolidating an independent research team. During his scientific career, DM has demonstrated creative thinking and excellent capacity to carry out research and going beyond the state of the art. His meritorious record of research, scientific publications (128 ISI articles, h index = 33), project conception, private sector experience, networking ability (participated in 10 European collaborative projects) and capacity for supervising and coordinating a research team are presented in detail in the initial part of the proposal. He recently moved from the private sector to create a new research group at the University of the Basque Country. He is now in an excellent academic position and research environment to commit and be devoted to an ERC frontier research project. DM's proposal passed to the second stage in the ERC starting grant call of last year. This year the research project has been re-built taking into account his group directions and the detected weak points of last year's proposal. This is his last opportunity for participating to the ERC starting-grant call. iPes proposes an innovative research programme at the forefront of polymer chemistry. The proposal goes in depth into the topic of energetic polymers. iPes activities will fully develop the field of polymers for energy storage by using an innovative macromolecular engineering approach generating the ground for future innovations. The main S&T goal is to obtain new polymeric materials, to get an insight into their unique electronic properties, to model the new energetic polymers and to investigate their application in innovative battery prototypes. These technologies are currently dominated by inorganic electrode materials. iPes aims at bringing polymer chemistry to a next level and developing basic knowledge about innovative polymeric materials which may open up new opportunities for Energy Storage.
iPes project aims to provide adequate support to Dr. David Mecerreyes (DM) who is at the stage of consolidating an independent research team. During his scientific career, DM has demonstrated creative thinking and excellent capacity to carry out research and going beyond the state of the art. His meritorious record of research, scientific publications (128 ISI articles, h index = 33), project conception, private sector experience, networking ability (participated in 10 European collaborative projects) and capacity for supervising and coordinating a research team are presented in detail in the initial part of the proposal. He recently moved from the private sector to create a new research group at the University of the Basque Country. He is now in an excellent academic position and research environment to commit and be devoted to an ERC frontier research project. DM's proposal passed to the second stage in the ERC starting grant call of last year. This year the research project has been re-built taking into account his group directions and the detected weak points of last year's proposal. This is his last opportunity for participating to the ERC starting-grant call. iPes proposes an innovative research programme at the forefront of polymer chemistry. The proposal goes in depth into the topic of energetic polymers. iPes activities will fully develop the field of polymers for energy storage by using an innovative macromolecular engineering approach generating the ground for future innovations. The main S&T goal is to obtain new polymeric materials, to get an insight into their unique electronic properties, to model the new energetic polymers and to investigate their application in innovative battery prototypes. These technologies are currently dominated by inorganic electrode materials. iPes aims at bringing polymer chemistry to a next level and developing basic knowledge about innovative polymeric materials which may open up new opportunities for Energy Storage.
Project acronym MASTRUMAT
Project The Mathematics of the Structure of Matter
Researcher (PI) Jan Philip Solovej
Summary "The objective of the proposed research in mathematical physics is to study the quantum theory of matter from a mathematical perspective. We will consider systems ranging from the tiny scale of atoms over macroscopic everyday matter to the gigantic scale of stars. Despite the range in scale, these systems may all be described by many-body quantum physics. Our aim is to rigorously understand their stability and structure, in particular, exotic phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensation, superconductivity, superfluidity, and special low-dimensional behavior. The ultimate goal is to understand the full many-body theory but we will also investigate simpler approximate models such as Bogolubov's model for superfluidity, Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and Ginzburg-Landau (GL) models of superconductivity, and the Hartree-Fock model of atoms and molecules. The role of such models is two-fold. On one hand they are of independent interest. On the other hand and more importantly they may give information about the many-body theory. This is true to the extent we can estimate the degree to which they approximate in appropriate limits. From a mathematical point of view our approach is variational. All the theories we consider are formulated in terms of energy functionals. The full many-body theories are linear but due to the essentially uncontrolled number of variables they are extremely complicated. The approximate models are non-linear. Surprisingly they are nevertheless significantly simpler due to the reduction in degrees of freedom. Often the limits correspond to semiclassical limits for spectral problems. Examples of specific goals that we will pursue are *Establish the thermodynamic properties of matter coupled to electromagnetic fields *Derive GL theory as a limit of BCS theory *Estimate ionization energies of large atoms and molecules *Derive spectral estimates of Lieb-Thirring type for 2D anyons *Derive semiclassical expansions for problems with low regularity"
"The objective of the proposed research in mathematical physics is to study the quantum theory of matter from a mathematical perspective. We will consider systems ranging from the tiny scale of atoms over macroscopic everyday matter to the gigantic scale of stars. Despite the range in scale, these systems may all be described by many-body quantum physics. Our aim is to rigorously understand their stability and structure, in particular, exotic phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensation, superconductivity, superfluidity, and special low-dimensional behavior. The ultimate goal is to understand the full many-body theory but we will also investigate simpler approximate models such as Bogolubov's model for superfluidity, Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and Ginzburg-Landau (GL) models of superconductivity, and the Hartree-Fock model of atoms and molecules. The role of such models is two-fold. On one hand they are of independent interest. On the other hand and more importantly they may give information about the many-body theory. This is true to the extent we can estimate the degree to which they approximate in appropriate limits. From a mathematical point of view our approach is variational. All the theories we consider are formulated in terms of energy functionals. The full many-body theories are linear but due to the essentially uncontrolled number of variables they are extremely complicated. The approximate models are non-linear. Surprisingly they are nevertheless significantly simpler due to the reduction in degrees of freedom. Often the limits correspond to semiclassical limits for spectral problems. Examples of specific goals that we will pursue are *Establish the thermodynamic properties of matter coupled to electromagnetic fields *Derive GL theory as a limit of BCS theory *Estimate ionization energies of large atoms and molecules *Derive spectral estimates of Lieb-Thirring type for 2D anyons *Derive semiclassical expansions for problems with low regularity"
Project acronym MINT
Project Mechanically Interlocked Carbon Nanotubes
Researcher (PI) Emilio Manuel Pérez Álvarez
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACION IMDEA NANOCIENCIA
Summary "We present a plan to design, synthesize and exploit the properties of mechanically interlocked carbon nanotubes (MINTs). The scientific aim of the project is to introduce the mechanical bond as a new tool for the derivatization of carbon nanotubes. The mechanical link combines the advantages of covalent and supramolecular modifications, namely: kinetic stability (covalent) and conserved chemical structure (supramolecular). Besides this, its dynamic nature opens up unique opportunities for both fundamental studies and applications. From a technological point of view, MINTs should have a practical impact in the fields of molecular electronics and molecular machinery. A general modular approach to MINT-based materials for photovoltaic devices and electrochemical sensors is presented. We also expect to exploit the rigidity and low dimensionality of SWNTs to construct molecular machines that utilize them as tracks to move across long distances, which is not possible in small-molecule molecular machines. To achieve these goals we will exploit the PI's expertise in the chemical modification of carbon nanostructures, in the self-assembly of electroactive materials and in the synthesis and characterization of mechanically interlocked molecules."
"We present a plan to design, synthesize and exploit the properties of mechanically interlocked carbon nanotubes (MINTs). The scientific aim of the project is to introduce the mechanical bond as a new tool for the derivatization of carbon nanotubes. The mechanical link combines the advantages of covalent and supramolecular modifications, namely: kinetic stability (covalent) and conserved chemical structure (supramolecular). Besides this, its dynamic nature opens up unique opportunities for both fundamental studies and applications. From a technological point of view, MINTs should have a practical impact in the fields of molecular electronics and molecular machinery. A general modular approach to MINT-based materials for photovoltaic devices and electrochemical sensors is presented. We also expect to exploit the rigidity and low dimensionality of SWNTs to construct molecular machines that utilize them as tracks to move across long distances, which is not possible in small-molecule molecular machines. To achieve these goals we will exploit the PI's expertise in the chemical modification of carbon nanostructures, in the self-assembly of electroactive materials and in the synthesis and characterization of mechanically interlocked molecules."
Project acronym MUSIC
Project Modeling and Simulation of Cancer Growth
Researcher (PI) Hector Gómez Díaz
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDADE DA CORUNA
Summary Nowadays, the treatment of cancer is based on the so-called diagnostic paradigm. We feel that the shift from the traditional diagnostic paradigm to a predictive patient-specific one may lead to more effective therapies. Thus, the objective of this project is to introduce predictive models for cancer growth. These predictive models will take the form of mathematical models developed from first principles and the fundamental features of cancer biology. For these models to be useful in clinical practice, we will need to introduce new numerical algorithms that permit to obtain fast and accurate simulations based on patient-specific data. We propose to develop mathematical models using the framework provided by the mixtures theory and the phase-field method. Our model will account for the growth of the tumor and the vasculature that develops around it, which is essential for the tumor to grow beyond a harmless limited size. We propose to develop new algorithms based on Isogeometric Analysis, which is a recent generalization of Finite Elements with several advantages. The use of Isogeometric Analysis will simplify the interface between medical images and the computational mesh, permitting to generate smooth basis functions necessary to approximate higher-order partial differential equations like those that govern cancer growth. Our modeling and simulation tools will be examined and validated by experimental and clinical observations. To accomplish this, we propose to use anonymized patient-specific data through several patient imaging modalities. Arguably, the successful undertaking of this project, would have the potential to transform classical population/statistics-based treatments of cancer into patient-specific therapies. This would elevate mathematical modeling and simulation of cancer growth to a stage in which it can be used as a quantitatively accurate predictive tool with implications for clinical practice, clinical trial design, and outcome prediction.
Nowadays, the treatment of cancer is based on the so-called diagnostic paradigm. We feel that the shift from the traditional diagnostic paradigm to a predictive patient-specific one may lead to more effective therapies. Thus, the objective of this project is to introduce predictive models for cancer growth. These predictive models will take the form of mathematical models developed from first principles and the fundamental features of cancer biology. For these models to be useful in clinical practice, we will need to introduce new numerical algorithms that permit to obtain fast and accurate simulations based on patient-specific data. We propose to develop mathematical models using the framework provided by the mixtures theory and the phase-field method. Our model will account for the growth of the tumor and the vasculature that develops around it, which is essential for the tumor to grow beyond a harmless limited size. We propose to develop new algorithms based on Isogeometric Analysis, which is a recent generalization of Finite Elements with several advantages. The use of Isogeometric Analysis will simplify the interface between medical images and the computational mesh, permitting to generate smooth basis functions necessary to approximate higher-order partial differential equations like those that govern cancer growth. Our modeling and simulation tools will be examined and validated by experimental and clinical observations. To accomplish this, we propose to use anonymized patient-specific data through several patient imaging modalities. Arguably, the successful undertaking of this project, would have the potential to transform classical population/statistics-based treatments of cancer into patient-specific therapies. This would elevate mathematical modeling and simulation of cancer growth to a stage in which it can be used as a quantitatively accurate predictive tool with implications for clinical practice, clinical trial design, and outcome prediction.
Project acronym POLIGHT
Project Polymer-Inorganic Flexible Nanostructured Films for the Control of Light
Researcher (PI) Hernan Miguez García
Summary The POLIGHT project will focus on the integration of a series of inorganic nanostructured materials possessing photonic or combined photonic and plasmonic properties into polymeric films, providing a significant advance with respect to current state of the art in flexible photonics. These highly adaptable films could act either as passive UV-Vis-NIR selective frequency mirrors or filters, or as matrices for light absorbing or optically active species capable of tailoring their optical response. The goal of this project is two-fold. In one aspect, the aim is to fill a currently existing hole in the field of materials for radiation protection, which is the absence of highly flexible and adaptable films in which selected ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths can be sharply blocked or allowed to pass depending on the different foreseen applications. In another, the POLIGHT project seeks to go one step beyond in the integration of absorbing and emitting nanomaterials into simple flexible polymeric matrices by including hierarchically structured photonic lattices that provide fine tuning of the optical properties of these hybrid ensembles. This will be achieved by means of enhanced matter-radiation interactions that result from field localization effects at specific resonant modes. The opportunity arises as a result of the recent development of a series of robust inorganic photonic structures that present interconnected porous networks susceptible of hosting polymers and thus inheriting their mechanical properties.
The POLIGHT project will focus on the integration of a series of inorganic nanostructured materials possessing photonic or combined photonic and plasmonic properties into polymeric films, providing a significant advance with respect to current state of the art in flexible photonics. These highly adaptable films could act either as passive UV-Vis-NIR selective frequency mirrors or filters, or as matrices for light absorbing or optically active species capable of tailoring their optical response. The goal of this project is two-fold. In one aspect, the aim is to fill a currently existing hole in the field of materials for radiation protection, which is the absence of highly flexible and adaptable films in which selected ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths can be sharply blocked or allowed to pass depending on the different foreseen applications. In another, the POLIGHT project seeks to go one step beyond in the integration of absorbing and emitting nanomaterials into simple flexible polymeric matrices by including hierarchically structured photonic lattices that provide fine tuning of the optical properties of these hybrid ensembles. This will be achieved by means of enhanced matter-radiation interactions that result from field localization effects at specific resonant modes. The opportunity arises as a result of the recent development of a series of robust inorganic photonic structures that present interconnected porous networks susceptible of hosting polymers and thus inheriting their mechanical properties.
Project acronym STEMCLOCK
Project Spatiotemporal regulation of epidermal stem cells by circadian rhythms: impact on homeostasis and aging
Researcher (PI) Salvador Aznar Benitah
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE RECERCA BIOMEDICA (IRB BARCELONA)
Summary "Most adult stem cells are compartmentalized in functionally deterministic niches where they self-renew and maintain homeostasis. From there, stem cells are instructed by combinations of signals and spatial tensile forces which they translate into a specific behavior. However how stem cells spatiotemporally coordinate their stem cell potential with niche- and systemic cues is poorly understood. These issues are essential since perturbations in stem cell function can cause tissue malfunction, such as tumorigenesis and aging. We propose to perform a systematic analysis to identify the molecular causes that underlie epidermal stem cell aging. We will focus on the interplay between circadian rhythms and stem cell function. The circadian machinery anticipates and synchronizes the daily function of tissues according to the entrainment by natural changes in light and metabolism. We have shown that the molecular clock fine-tunes the behavior of epidermal stem cells by imposing oscillations in the expression of stem cell regulatory genes. These oscillations provide stem cells with a spatiotemporal axis for responding to dormancy, activating, and differentiation cues. Notably, the stem cell clock is naturally dampened upon aging, and forced circadian arrhythmia causes severe epidermal aging and predisposition to tumorigenesis. We now propose to understand how the circadian clock coordinates the communication between stem cells with local and systemic cues, and how these are perturbed during aging. Specifically we aim: i) To study whether circadian rhythms coordinate the function of niche cells and epidermal stem cells; ii) To identify the molecular causes underlying the age-related dampening of the stem cell clock. We will combine large-scale genomic data, mouse models of circadian arrhythmia, and bioinformatic analysis. We hope to unveil some of the molecular causes underlying the loss of communication between epidermal stem cells and their environment resulting in aging."
"Most adult stem cells are compartmentalized in functionally deterministic niches where they self-renew and maintain homeostasis. From there, stem cells are instructed by combinations of signals and spatial tensile forces which they translate into a specific behavior. However how stem cells spatiotemporally coordinate their stem cell potential with niche- and systemic cues is poorly understood. These issues are essential since perturbations in stem cell function can cause tissue malfunction, such as tumorigenesis and aging. We propose to perform a systematic analysis to identify the molecular causes that underlie epidermal stem cell aging. We will focus on the interplay between circadian rhythms and stem cell function. The circadian machinery anticipates and synchronizes the daily function of tissues according to the entrainment by natural changes in light and metabolism. We have shown that the molecular clock fine-tunes the behavior of epidermal stem cells by imposing oscillations in the expression of stem cell regulatory genes. These oscillations provide stem cells with a spatiotemporal axis for responding to dormancy, activating, and differentiation cues. Notably, the stem cell clock is naturally dampened upon aging, and forced circadian arrhythmia causes severe epidermal aging and predisposition to tumorigenesis. We now propose to understand how the circadian clock coordinates the communication between stem cells with local and systemic cues, and how these are perturbed during aging. Specifically we aim: i) To study whether circadian rhythms coordinate the function of niche cells and epidermal stem cells; ii) To identify the molecular causes underlying the age-related dampening of the stem cell clock. We will combine large-scale genomic data, mouse models of circadian arrhythmia, and bioinformatic analysis. We hope to unveil some of the molecular causes underlying the loss of communication between epidermal stem cells and their environment resulting in aging."


The waiver wire offers an opportunity at every position. Lurking in the murky waters of fantasy free agents are the gems that can transform a roster with a lowly record to a fantasy champion. Below is a list of seven players you may want to jump on after their performances last week. Thank me later and don't forget to follow STF on Twitter at @Snack_TimeFS for personal advice and more articles like this one!
Calvin Ridley: Ridley wowed the fantasy world with a breakout three-touchdown performance against the Saints last Sunday. Through the last two weeks, the rookie wide receiver out of Alabama has recorded over 60 PPR points and four touchdowns. To give you an idea of his production, his touchdown number is already more than Julio Jones caught over all of last season. Ridley might not pop off every week as he did versus New Orleans, but he's worth owning in all leagues.
Antonio Callaway: Callaway regressed in Week 2 against the Jets, but I wouldn't say it was all his fault. Callaway was wide open on numerous throws that Tyrod Taylor just flat-out missed him on. With Baker Mayfield now starting at quarterback for the Browns, Callaway's production should pick up in Week 4. He needs to be owned in all formats.
Quincy Enunwa: Enunwa has been a huge target hog on the Jets and it doesn't look like that is going to change. He and Darnold have great chemistry, and the rookie quarterback has peppered him with 29 targets over the last three weeks. This is most likely the last week you'll be able to scoop him up, so I'd recommend doing exactly that.
Tyler Boyd: Boyd is the biggest sleeper of this week's waiver pickups, but he's seen his role in the Bengals' offense gradually increase. He's scored over 20 PPR points in each game over the last two weeks and Andy Dalton has been playing well. With a juicy matchup versus the Falcons in Week 4, Boyd is worth a start in deeper formats.


As I watched the Deepwater Horizon oil spill unfold last summer, I found there were many fundamental questions about the oil industry that I didn't understand. So, I started reading. I read many websites. Of these, The Oil Drum was probably the most useful, but I was still struggling with some basic questions like: "How does a country benefit economically from letting an independent company take oil from its shores?" - and the sheer volume of contradictory opinion, punditry and proposed solutions, led me to conclude: "I need to dig deeper."
So, I bought a book, Oil 101 as it got excellent reviews, and seem to cover everything about oil from chemistry & history, to exploration, production & trading. I recently finished this book and while its not a quick read, it is very well-written, interestingly presented and comprehensive. Written from a neutral point of view in that it describes what is, not what ought to be, it gave me just what I wanted: a good grounding that I can now use for further education, and evaluation of where we're headed.
Unfortunately, the book has created a new problem for me: Nearly everything I now see being presented on this topic (again the Oil Drum is a notable exception) seems, simplistic and uniformed, aimed at supporting one political agenda or another and/or just plain out to lunch.
To take just one example: I stumbled across this article about how the Koch Brothers are manipulating the oil market.
Now, I'm no fan of the Koch brothers - particularly their support for the anti-union movements and the big sleight-of-hand trick that is the tea party - but this article presents 'facts' and jargon, not to educate, but to scare.
To make any sense of Contango, you need to understand the oil futures market (not to mention futures themselves), the spot market, global supply and demand (both now and at the time of the contract) how oil is delivered, etc, etc - all stuff covered in Oil 101, but curiously absent from this and every other article I've read that mentions the term - probably because its taken me months to build even a basic understanding of the topic, so an article can't even come close - even if the article writer understands it. Instead its summarized neatly as: "demand is expected to outstrip supply." Wow, so simple a child could understand it. Clearly those who use the term 'contango', just want to hide how simple it is in order to steal from the poor.
The largest supertankers (unlikely that's what's being used here, but we'll go with it): are called ULCC's (Ultra Large Crude Carriers) and they can hold up to 560,000 DWT (that's Dead Weight Tonnage). Again, unlikely to be filled to the brim, but we'll use the number as is.
Wow, 16.8 million barrels of oil... that's how many days supply?
Not even one. Not even one for the US! In 2008, the daily consumption for the US was 20.9mm barrels per day (bpd). How much did the world consume in a day? 85.7mm bpd.
16.8 million barrels isn't even enough to feed all of 2008's US daily reactor capacity (17.5mm bpd). In other words, the heinous manipulation being described in the article - at worst - is shifting supply by a day.
In truth, its not even close to that, because ULCC's aren't likely to be used for that, not all of the DWT is actually oil, the oil being stored may not service as much demand, etc, etc.
So why is Koch industries spending money to lease tankers to store this oil? One guess is that its a hedge. They run refineries, and certainly buy oil to feed those refineries using futures contracts. By storing this oil, they can hedge those contracts with physical oil (much like one can hedge a stock futures position by holding actual stock). Another, possibility is that they are hedging against a short-term supply shortage for input into their refineries (e.g. maybe a couple weeks worth).
Not so evil sounding, once you put some numbers behind it. huh? Actually, it sounds to me just like the descriptions in the book of how global supply is stored and moved so we don't see occasional spikes of $15.00 gallon gasoline in the summer. In short: The refineries are doing their job.
Now as I said, the Koch brothers seem to have a lot of blood on their hands - but articles like the one linked, make that hard to spot when they simply stir up the rabble with BS. The sheer size of the oil-based economy is incomprehensible, the numbers are enormous. An oil tanker-full sounds like a lot, but it isn't even the proverbial drop in the bucket.
Reading this book has made it impossible for me to see the oil problem in simple terms. Nor are any of the "simple" solutions to it... simple. I'm not even sure 'problem' is even the right word anymore - it's like saying 'life' is a problem to be solved. True I suppose, but not very enlightening. No, oil is deeply entwined into the fabric of our lives, and as its details change, our lives - all of our lives - change with it. No-one - or everyone (take your pick) is to blame for that, it just is. Oil magnates and speculators make such great scapegoats - they're rich, remote - and very likely using their power for their own gain, but hanging them in the square won't fix things. Understanding the facts, so we can make our own decisions about how they are using their power (both right and wrong) will.
We all owe it to ourselves - and each other - to learn as much as we can about how our world works. I've joked that I'm one of only three people who've read this book that aren't in the oil industry (me, the book's editor, and proof reader), if you care about this topic - and want to make your own educated decisions about what's really going on - without resorting to simple solutions like boogeymen. You should join the three of us in reading this book.


What will you get? …you'll get the truth, If Its hard I'll say It, too expensive I wont do It, I cut corners I can't help It, what can I say I'm Impatient, so very little pinning when sewing, add things to recipes because I always think I can improve them,(they do by the way :-), of course) I'm a nightmare! But I am ME!
….So where do i begin? Who am I?
I am Me! yes Me! and I wouldn't want to be anyone else.
My name is Tracey and I'm 34 and live with my family In Ramsbottom Bury England. I have two Beautiful boys Benjamin 15 and Solomon 10, and I'm lucky enough to have found my soul mate In Sonia, she Is 27 and the most amazing, Beautiful person I know, i know its corny but she makes me a better person, she has a way to calm me when the stress head Tracey appears with just a single look and she excepts and supports everything I do. Because of her I was able to overcome obstacles like my fear and self doubt as she helped me see that we can be who we want and can do whatever we put our minds to. I'm not perfect, I'm human and so have many flaws and hang ups but I accept them and look to improve myself daily, aiming to be as creative and thrifty as I can be.
So Great Ways to Make Art Is a way to follow me on that journey, sharing Ideas and Inspiration, experimenting with tried and tested or new ways to create things for the home, gifts, recipes. Even have Beatrix our camper van that we are restoring which I will add picture and progress reports, because lets face It there will be no lavish holidays for some time.
http://www.achictooshabby.com Is my platform to sell these Items and you are more than welcome to browse through for Ideas for the home and gifts, or even buy something If you like, there's seriously no pressure.
If you reading this then maybe I should point out that I am by no means an expert In any of the subjects I talk about or share, I talk opinion, MY opinion and understand that this differs for everyone. So add comment I love a good debate. I try Ideas, some new and some of the ones tried before but want to see just how easy or successful they really are.
Whatever you do be the best you! and be creative…..its in everyone!


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Qualifying Examination (Part 1)
Certifying Examination (Part 2)
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Subspecialty
Pediatric Subspecialty
Level 1 (General, Peds, FPMRS)
Level 2 Overview
General Exam Content
FPM-RS Exam Content
Pediatric Exam Content
Retired Status
Pay Annual Fee
Continuing Urologic Certification (CUC)
CUC FAQ
Verify a Physician
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FPM-RS Subspeciality
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Subspecialty certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPM-RS) began in 2013 for those urologists able to demonstrate a practice in FPM-RS of sufficient breadth and complexity expected of a subspecialist in this field. Applicants approved by the Board to enter the process of subspecialty certification must be engaged in the active practice of FPM-RS urology, and must hold a current unrestricted general certificate in urology issued by the American Board of Urology. The timing of the exams and the application deadlines allow for the possibility, if desired, to apply for both the Certifying (Part 2) Examination and the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Subspecialty Certification Examination within the same calendar year.
All subspecialty certificates are time limited and subject to Lifelong Learning. When a Diplomate becomes certified in a subspecialty, the expiration of the Diplomate's general certificate will be extended to coincide with that of the subspecialty certificate. The Diplomate will enter the Lifelong Learning process after completing subspecialty certification.
Diplomates may apply for ABU subspecialty certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery after completing an ACGME-accredited FPM-RS fellowship program of at least 24 months in duration. During those 24 months, fellows must be involved in clinical training or scholarly work applicable to FPM-RS which includes the study of epidemiology, clinical trials, biostatistics, clinical outcomes, health services, and/or other forms of basic and clinical research in FPM-RS.
Applicants who entered a non-accredited fellowship program, of any length, after June 30, 2010, may not apply for ABU subspecialty certification in FPM-RS. Such Individuals desiring certification in FPM-RS must be accepted in and complete an ACGME-accredited fellowship program prior to beginning the application process. The term accredited fellowship is defined as one accredited throughout the candidate's entire fellowship period.
Fellows who have completed ABOG sponsored residency programs should contact the ABOG for information regarding application for FPM-RS subspecialty certification.
The FPM-RS Subspecialty Certification examination is offered annually in June.
The 2023 FPRM-RS Subspecialty Certification Exam is scheduled for July 24, 2023.
Schedule and Fees
Applications for the annual American Board of Urology FPM-RS Subspecialty Certification Examination will be available on August 31. Application requirements include a 12 month practice log, current medical licensure valid through the exam date, documentation of 90 CME credits (including 30 Category 1 FPM-RS focused) earned within last three years, and an application fee of $1845. Completed applications must be submitted to the Board office by October 15. Late applications will be accepted with a $750 late fee from October 15 - 31. No applications or practice logs will be accepted after October 31.
Candidates for subspecialty certification must be in the active practice of FPM-RS. To demonstrate, applicants will be required to provide the Board with an electronic 12 month practice log inclusive of all office visits, as well as all hospital, ambulatory care, and office procedures for each facility where they practice, for the same consecutive twelve-month period within two-years prior to the application deadline. The log must contain an adequate number of FPM-RS surgery cases within index case categories, as designated by the Board (please see the FPMRS Index Case List.) Additionally, each log will be reviewed by the FPM-RS Committee to ensure a demonstrated practice in FPM-RS of sufficient breadth and complexity as expected of a subspecialist in this field. Included is a list of the codes for index categories with applicable procedure numbers within each index category. Practice logs are due by the September 30 application deadline.
Application and Documents
Electronic Log Instructions
Practice Log Template
CME Requirements
The final component of FPM-RS subspecialty certification is the examination, which is taken after satisfactory completion of the other process requirements. The examination is scheduled annually on a single date in June. As a proctored, computerized examination, it is administered at over 200 Pearson VUE testing centers located throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The three hour and forty-five minute examination consists of approximately 180 multiple choice questions designed to assess knowledge in the field of FPM-RS. The exam will include all aspects of FPM-RS, including but not limited to those areas enumerated on page 12 of the handbook.
Candidates seeking subspecialty certification have 3 opportunities to pass the examination, and must do so within 6 years of fellowship completion. All applications are individually reviewed by the appropriate subspecialty certification committee. Candidates who have "timed out" or failed three attempts at certification are required to complete an additional year in an ACGME accredited fellowship in order to re-enter the process.
Pearson VUE Professional & Regulatory Candidate Rules
Pearson VUE ID Policy
The method used to determine a passing score on the FPM-RS Subspecialty Certification Examination is based on criterion reference testing. Criterion reference testing uses a benchmark examination to establish a performance which all candidates must meet. Examinations are compared to the benchmark standard and the passing score varies according to the difficulty. The probability of passing remains constant, and the examination process provides a uniform opportunity to pass from one year to the next. In theory, all who take the examination could pass; there is no mandatory failure rate.
Statistical results for the FPM-RS Subspecialty Exam can be found here.
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