Cryogenic target development for fast ignition with Z-pinch-driven fuel assembly

We are developing an alternative approach to indirect-drive fast ignition fusion targets in which a liquid cryogenic fuel layer is condensed in situ from a low pressure external gas supply and confined between a thick outer ablator shell and a thin inner shell. The shape and surface quality of the liquid fuel layer is determined entirely by the characteristics of the bounding shells. Liquid fuel targets of this type have a number of potential advantages including greatly reduced temperature control requirements and drastically reduced cost and complexity of the cryogenic support system compared to $\beta$-layed DT targets. This liquid fuel concept is particularly appropriate for a hemispherical capsule configuration with single-sided x-ray drive by a z-pinch source. Technology issues for concentric-shell liquid cryogenic target development and progress in thin inner hemispherical shell fabrication are discussed

A year in the life of the EU-CardioRNA COST action: CA17129 catalysing transcriptomics research in cardiovascular disease

The EU-CardioRNA Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action is a European-wide consortium established in 2018 with 31 European country members and four associate member countries to build bridges between translational researchers from academia and industry who conduct research on non-coding RNAs, cardiovascular diseases and similar research areas. EU-CardioRNA comprises four core working groups (WG1-4). In the first year since its launch, EU-CardioRNA met biannually to exchange and discuss recent findings in related fields of scientific research, with scientific sessions broadly divided up according to WG. These meetings are also an opportunity to establish interdisciplinary discussion groups, brainstorm ideas and make plans to apply for joint research grants and conduct other scientific activities, including knowledge transfer. Following its launch in Brussels in 2018, three WG meetings have taken place. The first of these in Lisbon, Portugal, the second in Istanbul, Turkey, and the most recent in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Each meeting includes a scientific session from each WG. This meeting report briefly describes the highlights and key take-home messages from each WG session in this first successful year of the EU-CardioRNA COST Action