Humanism in Suso de Toro's A sombra cazadora

[Resumo] Este traballo examina A sombra cazadora (1994) de Suso de Toro como reformulación postmoderna do humanismo renacentista. Dende un punto de vista bakhtiniano, de Toro articula o motivo da viaxe épica mediante unha epistemoloxía humanista que combina preocupacións ecolóxicas co enigma metafísico do sobrenatural. A sociedade distópica retratada por Suso de Toro é desprazada por unha xeografía humanista simbolizada polo retorno á antropoloxía da natureza e o feminino. Outro compoñente humanista de A sombra cazadora é o uso de mitos clásicos (a caverna platónica, o labirinto de Creta) para dar conta da alienación emocional do suxeito contemporáneo. Deste modo, A sombra cazadora restaura nun escenario (post)moderno e apocalíptico valores típicamente humanistas como a tolerancia, a xenerosidade, o traballo social e a dignidade persoal.[Abstract] This paper examines Suso de Toro’s A sombra cazadora (1994) as a postmodern update of Renaissance humanism. From a Bakhtinian perspective, in de Toro’s narrative the epic quest for a lost paradise —an ideal past represented by the dead mother— is conveyed through a environmental and supernatural discourse which channels the epistemological primacy of A sombra cazadora: a humanist approach to life and existence. De Toro’s dystopian society is eventually subverted by an epic return to the aforementioned mythical paradise, envisioned as a humanist and rural geography represented by Nature, the image of the mother, and the nurturing of the body. Another humanist trace in A sombra cazadora is the use of classical sources and myths (Plato’s allegory of the cave and the Cretan labyrinth) to account for the emotional isolation caused by the overwhelming rule of mass media in postmodern societies. At the end of the novel, all these elements work together to restore core humanist ideals such as tolerance, dignity, optimism, generosity, positive relationships, cooperation, and a sense of community

Alatriste y Quevedo: nación y canon literario

Arturo Pérez-Reverte concibe la lengua y la literatura españolas como emblemas nacionales, como monumentos indiscutibles del patrimonio cultural de España. En Pérez- Reverte, el canon de la literatura española es, como sostiene Pierre Nora (2001: xix) a propósito de la cultura material de Francia, uno de los «lugares de memoria» del imaginario histórico español, un inmenso monumento nacional de obligada visita (lectura). Pérez-Reverte, igual que Itamar Even-Zohar (1994: 357-8), asigna a la literatura un papel protagonista en «la creación de las naciones de Europa», ya que asume el canon literario como instrumento de cohesión socio-cultural y como «museo» de la memoria colectiva de España

Factorial structure and psychometric properties of the spanish version of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index in non-professional caregivers

Although sleep issues are among the symptoms commonly experienced by the nonprofessional caregiver population, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the most widely used instrument for the assessment of sleep quality, this has not been validated specifically for this population. The objective of this study was to analyze the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the PSQI in a sample of Spanish non-professional caregivers. Trained clinical psychologists assessed sleep quality using the PSQI, as well as caregiver burden and psychological distress in 201 non-professional caregivers (87.1% female, Mage = 56.2 years). The internal consistency of the PSQI was 0.75. The two-factor model (Sleep quality and Disturbances) had an acceptable fit to the data, was found to be superior to the one-factor model, and more parsimonious than the three-factor model. There was a significant correlation between the PSQI and caregiver burden, as well as between the PSQI and psychological distress (p < 0.001 in all cases). A total score 9 allowed the identification of caregivers with possible anxiety and depression disorders (sensitivity 70.5%, specificity 71.9%). The results show that the PSQI is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of sleep quality in caregiversThis research was funded by a Spin-off of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago de Compostela, Spain) “Xuntos. Psychological and Psychiatric Care” (2019-CE081-6)S

Prevalence and associated factors with poor sleep quality in non-professional caregivers

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality in non-professional caregivers. With this purpose, cross-sectional data were collected from 201 dependent people’s family caregivers using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and an ad hoc questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic data. A total of 153 family caregivers were categorized as poor sleepers (PSQI > 5), resulting in a prevalence of poor sleep quality of 76.1% (95% CI = 70.5–82.5). Poor sleepers were more likely to care for persons with mental disorders (χ2 = 7.31; p < 0.01) and scored significantly higher on perceived burden (z = −4.44; p < 0.001), psychological distress (z = −6.24; p < 0.001), and in all the PSQI subscales (p < 0.001), compared with good sleepers (PSQI ≤ 5). By contrast, no differences were found between poor and good sleepers in age, gender, years providing care, and daily hours of care. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the factors of caregiver burden (β = 0.15; p < 0.05) and psychological distress (β = 0.53; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with sleep quality in dependent people’s family caregivers. Cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve sleep quality in the primary health care of family caregivers are suggestedSpin-off of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago de Compostela, Spain) “Xuntos. Psychological and Psychiatric Care” (2019-CE081-6)S

Caregiver Burden and Sleep Quality in Dependent People’s Family Caregivers

This study examined the relationship between caregiver burden and sleep quality in dependent people’s family caregivers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 201 dependent people’s family caregivers and 92 non-caregivers controls. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), and an ad-hoc questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. Based on CBI scores, subjects were categorized into three groups: family caregivers with high levels of perceived burden, family caregivers with low and medium levels of perceived burden and non-caregiver controls. There were significant differences among the groups in the PSQI total (F = 40.39; p < 0.001), subjective sleep quality (F = 25.55; p < 0.001), sleep latency (F = 16.99; p < 0.001), sleep disturbances (F = 14.90; p < 0.001), use of sleep medications (F = 6.94; p < 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (F = 20.12; p < 0.001). These differences were found only between the caregivers with high levels of perceived burden and the other two groups (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences between the groups in sleep duration (F = 18.34; p < 0.001) and habitual sleep efficiency (F = 24.24; p < 0.001). In these dependent measures, the differences were found in all the pairs examined (p < 0.05). These results suggest that caregiver burden is related to sleep quality, so that caregivers with greater perceived burden have a worse sleep qualitySpin-off of the University of Santiago de Compostela “Xuntos. Psychological and Psychiatric Care” (2013-CE081-4)S

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Electromyographic Biofeedback on Quality of Life and Bowel Symptoms in Elderly Women With Dyssynergic Defecation

Dyssynergic defecation is a usual cause of chronic constipation in elderly women, with a negative impact on health-related quality of life. The present randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of behavioral treatment through electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) on quality of life and bowel symptoms in elderly women with dyssynergic defecation. Twenty chronically constipated elderly women, due to dyssynergic defecation, were enrolled in the study. Outcome measures included weekly stool frequency, anismus index, severity of patient-reported chronic constipation symptoms (abdominal, rectal, and stool symptoms), and overall measure of quality of life. After 1 month of baseline, participants were randomly assigned to either EMG-BF group (n = 10) or control group (n = 10). Three months after treatment, female patients were once again assessed following the same procedure in baseline. One-way multivariate analysis of variance MANOVA revealed no significant differences between the groups before treatment in any of the measured dependent variables (Wilks’s λ = 0.74; F6,13 = 0.77; p = 0.61). Likewise, univariate analysis showed no differences between the groups, either in terms of age (F1,18 = 0.96; p = 0.34) or mean disease duration (F1,18 = 2.99; p = 0.11). Three months after treatment, MANOVA revealed statistically significant differences between the groups (Wilks’s λ = 0.29; F6,13 = 5.19; p < 0.01). These differences were significant in all outcome measures. EMG-BF produces significant improvements in bowel symptoms and health-related quality of life of elderly women with dyssynergic defecationS

Sleep Disturbance, Psychological Distress and Perceived Burden in Female Family Caregivers of Dependent Patients with Dementia: A Case-Control Study

[Abstract] This case-control study analyzed the sleep disturbance, psychological distress and perceived burden in female family caregivers of dependent people with dementia (n = 74) compared with female family caregivers of dependent people without dementia (n = 74) and with age-matched non-caregiver control females (n = 74). Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and an ad hoc questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. There were significant differences between the groups in PSQI total (F = 24.93; p < 0.001), psychological distress (F = 26.71; p < 0.001) and in all sleep domains assessed: subjective sleep quality (F = 16.19; p < 0.001), sleep latency (F = 9.5; p< 0.001), sleep duration (F = 18.57; p < 0.001), habitual sleep efficiency (F = 19.77; p < 0.001), sleep disturbances (F = 9.22; p < 0.001), use of sleep medications (F = 4.24; p< 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (F = 5.57; p < 0.01). In all measures, the female family caregivers of dependent people with dementia showed the significantly higher mean scores. Regarding the two groups of female caregivers, statistically significant differences were found in daily hours of care (t = −2.45; p < 0.05) and perceived burden (t = −3.65; p < 0.001), as well as in the following dimensions of caregiver burden: time-dependence burden (t = −5.09; p < 0.001), developmental burden (t = −2.42; p < 0.05) and physical burden (t = −2.89; p < 0.01). These findings suggest that female family caregivers of dependent patients with dementia should be subject to psychopathological screening and preventive cognitive-behavioral interventions in clinical practice in primary health care.Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; 2022-CE081-1

Options. Journal of the UNAB Financial Engineering Program. Volume 5 No. 10 December 2011

En el año 2008, el programa de Ingeniería Financiera de la UNAB, adecuó un espacio, en el cual la comunidad académica y la sociedad en general, pudiesen adquirir cultura financiera y fortalecer la formación académica. Este espacio se denomina Punto BVC UNAB. En este se propicia el contacto de estudiantes, de inversionistas actuales y potenciales y todos aquellos interesados en obtener asesoría adecuada con miras a generar valor y beneficios para todos, con oportunidades de inversión en empresas con proyección de negocio y crecimiento.In 2008, the UNAB Financial Engineering program adapted a space in which the academic community and society in general could acquire financial culture and strengthen academic training. This space is called Punto BVC UNAB. This promotes the contact of students, current and potential investors and all those interested in obtaining adequate advice with a view to generating value and benefits for all, with investment opportunities in companies with business projection and growth

Practical guideline for Benign paroxismal positional vertigo

Introduction and objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vertigo, characterized by brief attacks of rotatory vertigo associated with nystagmus, which are elicited by specific changes in head position relative to gravity. The observation of positional nystagmus is essential for the diagnosis of BPPV. The treatment consists in maneuvers of canalith repositioning procedure to move otoconial debris from the affected semicircular canal to the utricle. These guidelines are intended for all who treat the BPPV in their work, with an intention to assist in the diagnosis and application of an appropriate therapeutic method. Method: The experience and analysis of different national and international consensus on BPPV, has allowed to a large group of ENT specialists of the Communities of Castilla y León, Cantabria and La Rioja (Spain), carry out this guide. Results: The different clinical entities are reviewed. BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal, horizontal canal and anterior canal, BPPV affecting several canals, atypical and central BPPV, subjective BPPV and the characteristics of this process in the elderly. Canalith repositioning procedures have been illustrated with explanatory drawings. Discussion and conclusions: Although the pathophysiology of BPPV is canalolithiasis comprising free-floating otoconial debris within the endolymph of a semicircular canal, or cupulolithiasis comprising otoconial debris adherent to the cupula, there are still many issues to be resolved. We think that the best way to find answers is part of using a common methodology in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.Introducción y Objetivo: El vértigo periférico más frecuente es el Vértigo Posicional Paroxístico Benigno (VPPB), caracterizado por bruscos ataques de sensación rotatoria, que aparecen como consecuencia de determinados cambios en la posición de la cabeza con relación a la gravedad. La observación del nistagmo posicional es fundamental para el diagnóstico de VPPB. El tratamiento consiste en aplicar maniobras de reposición, para intentar trasladar los restos otoconiales libres, desde el conducto semicircular (CS) afectado hasta el utrículo. Esta guía, está orientada para quienes tratan el VPPB, con la intención práctica de ayudarles en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Método: La experiencia y el análisis de diferentes acuerdos nacionales e internacionales sobre el VPPB, han permitido a un amplio grupo de especialistas ORL de las Comunidades de Castilla y León, Cantabria y La Rioja (España), llevar a cabo esta guía. Resultados: Se revisan las diferentes entidades clínicas. VPPB del conducto semicircular posterior (CSP), horizontal (CSA) y anterior (CSA), incluyéndose también el VPPB multicanal, VPPB atípico y central, VPPB subjetivo y las características de este proceso en el anciano. Las maniobras de reposición se han ilustrado con dibujos explicativos. Discusión y conclusiones: Aunque la fisiopatología del VPPB se explica por la presencia de restos otoconiales libres en la endolinfa de uno o varios conductos semicirculares (canalitiasis) y en algunos casos por su adherencia a la cúpula del CS (cupulolitiasis), aún quedan muchas cuestiones por resolver. Pero creemos que la mejor manera de encontrar respuestas parte de utilizar una metodología común en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de estos pacientes