From littérature engagée to engaged translation : staging Jean-Paul Sartre’s theatre as a challenge to Franco’s rule in Spain

The practice of creating translations that ‘rouse, inspire, witness, mobilize, and incite to rebellion’ is described by Maria Tymoczko, following Jean-Paul Sartre's littérature engagée, as ‘engaged translation’. In Spain, under the Franco dictatorship (1939–1975), the theatre became a site of opposition to his rule and the creation of ‘engaged’ translations of foreign plays was one of the ways in which alternative social and political realities were transmitted to local audiences. This was particularly evident during the so-called apertura period (1962–1969), when Spain's political leaders embraced more liberal and outward-facing cultural policies as part of their efforts to ensure the regime's continuity. Drawing on archival evidence from the state censorship files held at Archivo General de la Administración (AGA) in Alcalá de Henares, this article considers how ‘engaged’ translations of Sartre's theatre were employed as instruments of cultural opposition to the Spanish dictatorship. It also argues that an analysis of the files both helps us to understand the role of censorship in shaping an official version of the past, and shines a light on the memory of a little-studied aspect of cultural activism in the Spanish theatre.PostprintPeer reviewe

Spatial data methods for environmental and ecological processes

The conference is interdisciplinary (statisticians, agronomists, biologists, ecologists and more are encouraged to attend) and fosters the exchange of experiences between researchers working on spatial and spatio-temporal environmental problems

sFreccia contro il fumo: programma di prevenzione e salute

- In occasione della Giornata Mondiale senza Tabacco 2013 l’Istituto Superiore di Sanità, il Ministero della Salute, il Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane e la Fondazione Veronesi hanno promosso l’iniziativa sFRECCIA CONTRO IL FUMO, una campagna di sensibilizzazione sul problema del tabagismo. Per una settimana, dal 27 al 31 maggio, a bordo dei treni Le Frecce (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento e Frecciabianca) è stato distribuito del materiale di sensibilizzazione sul fumo e uno staff di specialisti dei Centri Antifumo del Servizio Sanitario Nazionale ha offerto delle consulenze gratuite per smettere di fumare ai viaggiatori sui Frecciarossa. Questa iniziativa nasce dalla volontà di creare sinergie virtuose tra le istituzioni e la società civile al fine di contrastare il fenomeno del tabagismo, nell’ottica del programma nazionale “Guadagnare salute: rendere facili le scelte salutari”, promosso dal Ministero della Salute per la prevenzione delle malattie croniche non trasmissibili secondo i principi della “Salute in tutte le politiche”

Delphi-Based Expert Consensus Statements for the Management of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Neurotomy in the Treatment of Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome

IntroductionA modified Delphi strategy was implemented for obtaining recommendations that could be useful in the management of percutaneous radiofrequency treatment of lumbar facet joint syndrome, as the literature on the argument was poor in quality.MethodsAn Italian research team conducted a comprehensive literature search, defined the investigation topics (diagnosis, treatment, and outcome evaluation), and developed an explorative semi-structured questionnaire. They also selected the members of the panel. After an online meeting with the participants, the board developed a structured questionnaire of 15 closed statements (round 1). A five-point Likert scale was used and the cut-off for consensus was established at a minimum of 70% of the number of respondents (level of agreement >= 4, agree or strongly agree). The statements without consensus were rephrased (round 2).ResultsForty-one clinicians were included in the panel and responded in both rounds. After the first round, consensus (>= 70%) was obtained in 9 out of 15 statements. In the second round, only one out of six statements reached the threshold. The lack of consensus was observed for statements concerning the use of imaging for a diagnosis [54%, median 4, interquartile range (IQR) 3-5], number of diagnostic blocks (37%, median 4, IQR 2-4), bilateral denervation (59%, median 4, IQR 2-4), technique and number of lesions (66%, median 4, IQR 3-5), and strategy after denervation failure (68%, median 4, IQR 3-4).ConclusionResults of the Delphi investigations suggest that there is a need to define standardized protocols to address this clinical problem. This step is essential for designing high-quality studies and filling current gaps in scientific evidence

Vascular Function Is Improved After an Environmental Enrichment Program: The Train the Brain-Mind the Vessel Study

Environmental enrichment may slow cognitive decay possibly acting through an improvement in vascular function. Aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 7-month cognitive, social, and physical training program on cognitive and vascular function in patients with mild cognitive impairment. In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group study, 113 patients (age, 65-89 years) were randomized to multidomain training (n=55) or usual care (n=58). All participants underwent neuropsychological tests and vascular evaluation, including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid distensibility, and assessment of circulating hematopoietic CD34+ and endothelial progenitor cells. At study entry, an age-matched control group (n=45) was also studied. Compared with controls, patients had at study entry a reduced flow-mediated dilation (2.97±2.14% versus 3.73±2.06%; P=0.03) and hyperemic stimulus (shear rate area under the curve, 19.1±15.7 versus 25.7±15.1×10-3; P=0.009); only the latter remained significant after adjustment for confounders (P=0.03). Training improved Alzheimer disease assessment scale cognitive (training, 14.0±4.8 to 13.1±5.5; nontraining, 12.1±3.9 to 13.2±4.8; P for interaction visit×training=0.02), flow-mediated dilation (2.82±2.19% to 3.40±1.81%, 3.05±2.08% to 2.24±1.59%; P=0.006; P=0.023 after adjustment for diameter and shear rate area under the curve), and circulating hematopoietic CD34+ cells and prevented the decline in carotid distensibility (18.4±5.3 to 20.0±6.6, 23.9±11.0 to 19.5±7.1 Pa-1; P=0.005). The only clinical predictor of improvement of cognitive function after training was established hypertension. There was no correlation between changes in measures of cognitive and vascular function. In conclusion, a multidomain training program slows cognitive decline, especially in hypertensive individuals. This effect is accompanied by improved systemic endothelial function, mobilization of progenitor CD34+ cells, and preserved carotid distensibility