Backward Evolving Quantum States

The basic concept of the two-state vector formalism, which is the time symmetric approach to quantum mechanics, is the backward evolving quantum state. However, due to the time asymmetry of the memory's arrow of time, the possible ways to manipulate a backward evolving quantum state differ from those for a standard, forward evolving quantum state. The similarities and the differences between forward and backward evolving quantum states regarding the no-cloning theorem, nonlocal measurements, and teleportation are discussed. The results are relevant not only in the framework of the two-state vector formalism, but also in the framework of retrodictive quantum theory.Comment: Contribution to the J.Phys. A special issue in honor of GianCarlo Ghirard

Wfs1 Is Expressed In Dopaminoceptive Regions Of The Amniote Brain And Modulates Levels Of D1-Like Receptors

During amniote evolution, the construction of the forebrain has diverged across different lineages, and accompanying the structural changes, functional diversification of the homologous brain regions has occurred. This can be assessed by studying the expression patterns of marker genes that are relevant in particular functional circuits. In all vertebrates, the dopaminergic system is responsible for the behavioral responses to environmental stimuli. Here we show that the brain regions that receive dopaminergic input through dopamine receptor D1 are relatively conserved, but with some important variations between three evolutionarily distant vertebrate lines–house mouse (Mus musculus), domestic chick (Gallus gallus domesticus) / common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). Moreover, we find that in almost all instances, those brain regions expressing D1-like dopamine receptor genes also express Wfs1. Wfs1 has been studied primarily in the pancreas, where it regulates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and insulin production and secretion. Using radioligand binding assays in wild type and Wfs1-/- mouse brains, we show that the number of binding sites of D1-like dopamine receptors is increased in the hippocampus of the mutant mice. We propose that the functional link between Wfs1 and D1-like dopamine receptors is evolutionarily conserved and plays an important role in adjusting behavioral reactions to environmental stimuli

Aspects cliniques et biologiques des anémies pédiatriques dans un hôpital de District urbain au Cameroun

Introduction: L'anémie est un problème de santé publique prédominant  chez les enfants et les femmes en âge de procréer. L'objectif de cette étude était de caractériser et de déterminer sa prévalence chez les enfants âgés de 6 mois à 14 ans hospitalisés à l'hôpital de District de Bonassama à Douala-Cameroun.Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive  transversale qui s'est déroulée de février à mars 2012 avec une collecte rétrospective des données de janvier 2009 à mars 2012. Etaient inclus, les patients de 6 mois à 14 ans hospitalisés, quel que soit leur motif de consultation et leur diagnostic, et ayant réalisé au moins une numération formule sanguine (NFS). Les patients transfusés moins de 120 jours avant la NFS étaient exclus. L'âge, le sexe, les motifs de consultation, les signes cliniques, les diagnostics et les résultats de la NFS étaient enregistrés. L'anémie était définie selon les critères de l'OMS. La recherche étiologique était guidée par les signes cliniques et les examenscomplémentaires. Résultats: La prévalence de l'anémie était de 88,5%. Le sex-ratio  garçon/fille était de 1,3. La fièvre était le premier motif de consultation. L'anémie modérée prédominait (62,7%). Le taux moyen d'hémoglobine chez les patients anémiques était de 8,6 ± 1,7 g/dl (2,3-11,4). L'anémie microcytaire hypochrome dominait (48,5%). Le paludisme était la  principale pathologie (46,3%). Le taux de mortalité des patients  anémiques était de 5,9%.Conclusion: La prévalence de l'anémie était élevée avec une  prédominance des formes hypochromes microcytaires. La principale étiologie était le paludisme.Pan African Medical Journal. 2013; 16

ATscale – Establishing a Cross-Sector Partnership to Increase Access to Assistive Technology

Given existing gaps in access to Assistive Technology (AT) globally, it is important to think broadly and identify innovative approaches to overcome them. After an initial scoping in 2018, involving consultations and landscape analyses, ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology was launched at the Global Disability Summit in July 2018 with the aim of reaching 500 million more people with life-changing AT by 2030. Applying lessons-learned from other areas of global health and development, ATscale was established with the recognition that to influence the complex systems for AT access, a broad set of stakeholders is needed to invest in and coordinate a multifaceted, systematic approach spanning market shaping, capacity development, and political prioritisation. Already, ATscale has demonstrated how a multi-sector group can come together and develop a cohesive strategy. This strategy overview has been released and shared broadly for additional consultation and feedback to further refine ATscale’s approach moving forward. ATscale has captured the attention of a diverse set of stakeholders. It now has eleven organisations within the Forming Committee and a broad community willing to inform its development. Now that it has been established, ATscale is working to move from an initial forming phase to a more formal organisation and to refine its operating model by late 2019 or early 2020. While there is significant momentum towards taking new, innovative approaches to address the gaps in access to quality, affordable AT for all, research shows that a wide range of systemic, underlying barriers and cross-cutting factors are contributing to the challenge in matching appropriate supply and demand for AT. While ATscale will address many of these, it is also going to require partnership on multiple levels with a coordinated strategic approach across a variety of stakeholders. This collective effort will enable the global community to have an impact greater than the sum of its individual parts in improving access to affordable, appropriate AT globally

Applying Market Shaping Approaches to Increase Access to Assistive Technology: Summary of the Wheelchair Product Narrative

To accelerate access to assistive technology (AT), we need to leverage the capabilities and resources of the public, private, and non-profit sectors to harness innovation and break down barriers to access. Market shaping interventions can play a role in enhancing market efficiencies, coordinating and incentivizing the number of stakeholders involved in demand and supply-side activities. Across health sectors, market shaping has demonstrated its potential to enhance national governments’ or donors’ value-for-money, diversify the supply base, and increase reliability – ultimately increasing product and service delivery access for end users. These market shaping successes in other health areas have led practitioners to hypothesize that market shaping could also be applied to assistive technology markets. ATscale, the Global Partnership for AT, aims to mobilise global stakeholders to shape markets in line with a unified strategy. To inform this strategy, it is critical to identify specific interventions required to shape markets and overcome barriers. The first product undergoing analysis by ATscale is wheelchairs. The market for appropriate wheelchairs in low-and middle income countries (LMICs) is highly fragmented and characterized by limited government interest, investment, and a low willingness-to-pay. Moreover, the market is dominated by cheaper, low quality wheelchairs which fail to meet the needs of end-users. Non-profit organizations have attempted to fill the need for context-appropriate wheelchairs, but market uptake is limited. These initial findings led ATscale to believe that market shaping could support increased access to appropriate wheelchairs. This paper outlines what market shaping is, and how it can be applied to assistive technology at large -- using the aforementioned wheelchair product narrative as an illustrative case study and presents the proposed market shaping strategy for wheelchairs. ATscale will develop a framework to evaluate short-term interventions identified to achieve a healthy market and increase access. This paper provides an opportunity to obtain feedback from interested stakeholders on the market shaping strategy for wheelchairs, as well as the product narrative process to be undertaken for other priority AT

Violent and victimized bodies: sexual violence policy in England and Wales

This paper uses the notion of the body to frame an archaeology of sexual violence policy in England and Wales, applying and developing Pillow’s ideas. It argues that the dominant construction is of sexual violence as an individualized crime, with the solution being for a survivor to report, and with support often instrumentalized in relation to criminal justice objectives. However, criminal justice proceedings can intensify or create further trauma for sexual violence survivors. Furthermore, in addition to criminalizing the violent body and supporting the victimized one, there is a need for policy to produce alternative types of bodies through preventative interventions. Much sexual violence is situated within (hetero) sexual dynamics constructing a masculine aggressor and a feminine body which eventually yields. Prevention must therefore focus on developing embodied boundaries, and narratives at the margins of policy could underpin such efforts