Kidney surveillance in the spotlight: contrast-induced acute kidney injury illuminated

Acute kidney injury comprises a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by a sudden decrease in renal function over hours to days. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is caused by radiographic contrast agents used in diagnostic imaging. In the current issue of the JCI, Lau et al. use a mouse model of CI-AKI to study the role of resident and infiltrating phagocytes, recruited leukocytes, and tubular cells in the immune surveillance response to contrast agents. This study has the potential to provide innovative therapies for human CI-AKI

The potential for super-Nyquist asteroseismology with TESS

The perfect 30-min cadence of the full-frame images from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will impose a hard Nyquist limit of 24 d$^{-1}$ ($\approx 278$ $\mu$Hz). This will be problematic for asteroseismology of stars with oscillation frequencies at or around that Nyquist limit, which will have insurmountable Nyquist ambiguities. TESS does offer some observing slots at shorter cadences, but these will be limited in number and competitive, while the full frame images will be the main data product for many types of variable stars. We show that the Nyquist ambiguities can be alleviated if, when TESS resumes observations after a downlink, integrations are not resumed at perfect cadence with those before the downlink. The time spent idling before integrations are resumed need only be around five minutes for satisfactory results, and observing time can be recouped from the downlink event if the telescope does not wait for a return to perfect cadence before resuming integrations. The importance of imperfect cadence after downlink is discussed in light of phase coverage of transit events.Comment: 7 pages; 9 figures, all of which use colour but have been checked for readability under grey-scale printing; 2 small tables; accepted for publication in MNRA

Stabilizer States as a Basis for Density Matrices

We show that the space of density matrices for n-qubit states, considered as a (2^n)^2 dimensional real vector space, has a basis consisting of density matrices of stabilizer states. We describe an application of this result to automated verification of quantum protocols

The Legal Status of Gibraltar: Whose Rock is it Anyway?

This Note argues that the right to self-determination, as expressed in Resolution 1514, empowers the people of Gibraltar with the right to determine their own destiny. Part I discusses the factual and legal background of the dispute over sovereignty of both the City of Gibraltar, as well as the isthmus connecting the city to Spain. Part II explains the British, Spanish, and Gibraltarian claims to the territory, analyzing the relevant U.N. resolutions, agreements and legislation that have defined the respective rights of the three parties. Part III argues that Gibraltar has the right to self-determination and that Great Britain should no longer represent Gibraltar in negotiations with Spain. This Note concludes that, in accord with Resolution 1514, Gibraltar has the right to self-determination, and the Spanish claim to territorial integrity does not supersede this right

The Legal Status of Gibraltar: Whose Rock is it Anyway?

This Note argues that the right to self-determination, as expressed in Resolution 1514, empowers the people of Gibraltar with the right to determine their own destiny. Part I discusses the factual and legal background of the dispute over sovereignty of both the City of Gibraltar, as well as the isthmus connecting the city to Spain. Part II explains the British, Spanish, and Gibraltarian claims to the territory, analyzing the relevant U.N. resolutions, agreements and legislation that have defined the respective rights of the three parties. Part III argues that Gibraltar has the right to self-determination and that Great Britain should no longer represent Gibraltar in negotiations with Spain. This Note concludes that, in accord with Resolution 1514, Gibraltar has the right to self-determination, and the Spanish claim to territorial integrity does not supersede this right

Observing Conditions for Submillimeter Astronomy

Consistently superb observing conditions are crucial for achieving the scientific objectives of a telescope. Submillimeter astronomy is possible only at a few exceptionally dry sites, notably Mauna Kea, the Antarctic plateau, and the Chajnantor region in the high Andes east of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. Long term measurements of 225 GHz and 350 \mu m atmospheric transparency demonstrate all three locations enjoy significant periods of excellent observing conditions. Conditions on the Chajnantor plateau and at the South Pole are better more often than on Mauna Kea. Conditions are better during winter and at night. Near the summit of Cerro Chajnantor, conditions are better than on the Chajnantor plateau