Notes on Multimedia Contributors

This is the Notes on Multimedia Contributors for IDS Bulletin 49.2, 'Accountability for Health Equity: Galvanising a Movement for Universal Health Coverage'.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa

Notes on Article Contributors

This is the notes on article contributors for IDS Bulletin 49.2, 'Accountability for Health Equity: Galvanising a Movement for Universal Health Coverage'.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa

H I Line Profiles of Galaxies: Tilted Ring Models

Two-dimensional information on the kinematics and spatial distribution of gas in spiral galaxies is encoded in radio observations of their one-dimensional 21-cm neutral hydrogen (HI) line profiles. More than ten thousand HI profiles have been published and are publicly available. In order to explore the parameter space mapped out by the 21-cm neutral hydrogen line pro file, we have modified and run a FORTRAN-based computer simulation code. We have identified 7 control parameters that define the morphology of the modelled galaxy: they describe the neutral hydrogen gas distribution (density and spatial location of the gas), characteristics of its rotation curve, warps, asymmetries, and finally, the viewing angle. All except the last of these parameters tell us significant physical information about the galaxy but a determination of them is not immediately apparent from the two-dimensional 21-cm line profile. Hence, the goal of this exploration is to find meaningful correlations between the observed 21-cm line profile features and the underlying physical parameters

Effect of intronic sequences on splicing regulation of Spinal Muscular Atrophy gene

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which affects young infants, is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. There is a second gene called Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) that is a nearly identical copy of SMN1. The presence of SMN2 is not enough to compensate for the loss of SMN1 because exon 7 of SMN2 is predominantly skipped during pre-mRNA splicing. In this study, a screen was conducted to search for novel cis-acting regulatory elements that modify and control the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA. It was hypothesized that if there remain critical unknown cis-elements that regulate SMN2 pre-mRNA slicing, then by finding these elements the scientific community can gain a better understanding of this splicing. The screen was performed using an engineered reporter system to generate 10 base pair (bp) deletions within SMN2 intron 7. The splicing products of each mutated reporter system were analyzed using gel electrophoresis. From these products a novel branch point shift within intron 7 was identified. Based on these findings, subsequent research is needed to further characterize this branch point shift in hopes of fully understanding the mechanism behind SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing

Accountability for Health Equity: Galvanising a Movement for Universal Health Coverage

In July 2017, IDS hosted a workshop on ‘Unpicking Power and Politics for Transformative Change: Towards Accountability for Health Equity’, with the aim of generating dialogue and mutual learning among activists, researchers, policymakers, and funders working towards more equitable health systems and a commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This issue of the IDS Bulletin is based around three principal themes that emerged from the workshop as needing particular attention. First, the nature of accountability politics ‘in time’ and the cyclical aspects of efforts towards accountability for health equity. Second, the contested politics of ‘naming’ and measuring accountability, and the intersecting dimensions of marginalisation and exclusion that are missing from current debates. Third, the shifting nature of power in global health and new configurations of health actors, social contracts, and the role of technology. For the first time in IDS Bulletin history, themes are explored not only in text but also through a selection of online multimedia content, including a workshop video, a photo story and a documentary. This expansion into other forms of communication is explicitly aimed at galvanising larger numbers of people in a movement towards UHC and the linked agenda of accountability for health equity. The articles and multimedia in this IDS Bulletin reflect the fact that while the desired outcome might be the same – better health for all – accountability strategies are as diverse as the contexts in which they have developed.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa

Introduction: Accountability for Health Equity: Galvanising a Movement for Universal Health Coverage

This issue of the IDS Bulletin developed out of a workshop held at IDS, 19–21 July 2017, entitled ‘Unpicking Power and Politics for Transformative Change: Towards Accountability for Health Equity’. We consider three thematic strands that emerged from the workshop. First, the nature of accountability politics ‘in time’ and the cyclical aspects of national and transnational accountability for health equity efforts. Second, the contested politics of ‘naming’ and measuring accountability, and the intersecting dimensions of marginalisation and exclusion that are missing from current debates. Third, the shifting nature of power in global health and new configurations of health actors, social contracts, and the role of technology in this new era. We conclude with a proposal for long-term approaches to the institutionalisation of accountability processes and the strategic galvanising of a broader range of partners to work towards Universal Health Coverage, as both a metric and a mechanism of achieving greater health equity.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa