code: def _retrieve_state(x, start, end, num_layers):
      return (
          x
          if num_layers == 1
          else _slice_along_axis(x, start=start, stop=end, axis=0)
      )
  
imports: from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union, Sequence
  import ivy
  from ivy.utils.backend import current_backend
  from ivy.func_wrapper import handle_array_function, handle_partial_mixed_function, inputs_to_ivy_arrays, to_native_arrays_and_back, inputs_to_native_shapes, handle_out_argument, handle_nestable, handle_array_like_without_promotion, handle_device, handle_backend_invalid
  from ivy.utils.exceptions import handle_exceptions
label_desc: Use image node_id 31 for calling a global function with example usage: _retrieve_state(x, start, end, num_layers) and returns: unknown