Dr. Angela Ridgel, an assistant professor of exercise science/physiology at Kent State University, is leading two new research projects to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve cognitive and motor function. Ridgel has been studying Parkinson’s disease for five years, and the two new research projects are bringing her closer to developing exercise therapy that can delay the progression of Parkinson’s and lower Parkinson’s medications dosages.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and over time, individuals are required to take more and more medication – sometimes with negative side effects – in order to manage symptoms such as decreased motor and cognitive function,” Ridgel said. “The goal is to develop widely applicable exercise therapy to delay the progression of symptoms and reduce the need for medication.
“Nearly 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, and the longer people live, the more likely they are to develop progressive neurological disorders. I believe, and my research is proving, that we can use exercise therapy to promote improvements in the way the nervous system works and improve the lives of these individuals.”
Research Study #1: The Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Intervention
Ridgel, with support from Kent State’s Dr. John Gunstad, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Ellen Glickman, professor of exercise physiology, is currently studying the impact of upper- and lower-extremity exercise on cognition, motor function and cerebral blood flow, as well as cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to add additional exercise therapy besides cycling for Parkinson’s patients. Ridgel’s past research has proven cycling improves motor and cognitive function.
Initial findings presented at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting in November 2011 reveal that individuals with Parkinson’s experience improvements in cognitive function, mobility and oxygen saturation in the brain after participating in the program’s comprehensive exercise intervention. This exercise protocol developed by Kent State researchers can improve fitness, motor and cognitive function in a short, eight-week period.
Additionally, through extensive psychological evaluations measuring memory, attention, problem-solving and language, the researchers are examining which underlying brain responses and neurological functions are associated with cognitive improvements. These findings may lead to additional methods for Parkinson’s rehabilitation, according to Gunstad.
“With a greater understanding of how exercise impacts neurological function, we can gauge which areas of the brain are key to repairing cognitive function,” Gunstad said. “This could eventually lead us to look for methods of brain stimulation that may produce the same cognitive benefits for Parkinson’s.”
Ridgel will present the results of the study at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in May 2012.
Research Study #2: Smart Bike
“While the work we are doing with exercise therapy has been successful, there is quite a bit of variability in the data,” Ridgel said. “Individuals with Parkinson’s each have different symptoms and capabilities, making it challenging to develop a single, applicable rehabilitation program ideal for all patients.
“Our goal is to build a ‘smart bike’ that would allow us to create a database of symptoms and responses. Using this database, we could then design a cycling program tailored to an individual’s unique capabilities and challenges.”
On Jan. 7, 2012, Ridgel received a two-year, $390,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop the smart bike in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Loparo of Case Western Reserve University and Dr. Fred Discenzo of Rockwell Automation.
Starting in June 2012, she will use the “smart bike” to assess individual effort, performance, skill level and therapeutic value. The ultimate goal is to devise a computer-driven system that alters resistance, speed and time to benefit each individual. Using an established baseline, the bike will output a customized exercise program to benefit individuals with Parkinson’s. If successful, the team can apply for a second grant to develop a solution for widespread use in therapist and doctor’s offices.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Northwest Cell GM Testifies Before US Congress, Sam Graves
Today, Roger Bundridge, General Manager of NorthwestCell and a member of RCA’s Board of Directors, testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology hearing entitled, “Broadband: A Catalyst for Small Business Growth.” Bundridge discussed the need for competitive carriers like NorthwestCell to receive sufficient and predictable support through the new universal service mechanisms to maintain, upgrade and expand their networks to support consumers and other small businesses. Bundridge also expressed the importance of access to useable spectrum, availability of devices and roaming on commercially reasonable rates to compete with the largest carriers and expand mobile broadband, especially in rural areas.
“Wireless carriers like us play a critical role by providing service to rural and otherwise underserved areas and acting as a competitive balance to the largest carriers,” Bundridge said. “For us to remain competitive in an increasingly consolidated industry, and to continue to expand service to difficult-to-serve areas, Congress must support policies that level the playing field and allow smaller carriers to grow."
In a statement, RCA president & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I thank Roger for his testimony, as many other RCA members share the same challenges as NorthwestCell. Policymakers’ decisions will likely determine the livelihood of many competitive carriers, especially smaller carriers, and it is critical that Congress and the FCC consider the impact on the small businesses and consumers they serve. Access to sufficient and predictable universal service support, access to useable spectrum, roaming on commercially reasonable rates, and the availability of cutting-edge, interoperable devices are critical issues for competitive carriers across the country. We look forward to our continued work with Congress and the FCC to ensure decisions on these issues benefit consumers and small businesses across the country.”
“Wireless carriers like us play a critical role by providing service to rural and otherwise underserved areas and acting as a competitive balance to the largest carriers,” Bundridge said. “For us to remain competitive in an increasingly consolidated industry, and to continue to expand service to difficult-to-serve areas, Congress must support policies that level the playing field and allow smaller carriers to grow."
In a statement, RCA president & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I thank Roger for his testimony, as many other RCA members share the same challenges as NorthwestCell. Policymakers’ decisions will likely determine the livelihood of many competitive carriers, especially smaller carriers, and it is critical that Congress and the FCC consider the impact on the small businesses and consumers they serve. Access to sufficient and predictable universal service support, access to useable spectrum, roaming on commercially reasonable rates, and the availability of cutting-edge, interoperable devices are critical issues for competitive carriers across the country. We look forward to our continued work with Congress and the FCC to ensure decisions on these issues benefit consumers and small businesses across the country.”
Opinion: The Problem With Too Many Debates
By Lee H. Hamilton
What role should debates have in political campaigning? That’s the question being raised by this Republican presidential primary season.
Some prominent Republicans are worried that the nonstop series of GOP debates has done their party more harm than good by showcasing all the differences among the candidates. But others disagree precisely because the debates have given the candidates a chance to air their opinions. “I think they’ve been the most important primary debates in our history. Certainly the most important I’ve ever covered,” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said on the night of the Florida primary.
The debates’ impact on the campaign is interesting, but they raise a larger issue that shouldn’t get lost in presidential horse-race coverage. It has to do with how the average voter gets to know a candidate, whether for the presidency or for a seat in Congress — and what we ought to know about a candidate before we make up our minds. Can we devise a political campaign in this country that allows us to get beyond the debates’ one-liners, superficial answers and stage-managed images, to an in-depth, wide-open discussion with opportunity for extensive follow-up?
There’s no question that debates have some value. Structured properly, they make a candidate put forth his or her ideas, give us a glimpse of how they behave under pressure, and allow us to get a sense of what the candidates — and sometimes the party as a whole — believe the campaign is about. If there’s a series of debates, they also allow us to become familiar with the candidates’ personalities and style.
But there can be too much of a good thing. Preparing for many debates cuts hugely into the time a candidate spends with actual voters (rather than the media who control the debates), listening to their concerns, taking the temperature of the electorate, deepening the campaign’s message and building its organization and outreach. It’s important for candidates to get to know the electorate in the work place, at diners, in places of worship, at service-club meetings and shopping malls and even political rallies. Debates move the candidate toward the television screen and in some important ways away from the voter.
More fundamentally, it’s worth asking to what extent debates give voters the information they need to make discriminating choices. You want a politician to be able to think on her feet and to be articulate, of course; agility with both words and ideas is a valuable political skill. But in public officials we want more than a good debater. Debates tend to harden candidates’ positions, rewarding indignation and forcefully stated convictions. They show us nothing of a candidate’s ability to work toward common ground with people who disagree — which is, of course, the essence of governing. And debates steer candidates away from in-depth exploration of complex issues — witness, for instance, the almost total lack of foreign-policy discussion in the series of GOP presidential debates.
There are ways to handle some of these shortcomings, of course. Debates could benefit from avoiding the one-minute-statement, 30-second-rebuttal format, and instead allow for true discussion in a format that would allow voters to see how the candidates address major issues in reasonable juxtaposition with one another. After all, that’s what elected officials have to be able to do — so why not let the electorate see them at it before they get elected?
There are many important qualities that debates do not test: the ability to build consensus, to work with people of differing opinions and backgrounds, to make sound judgments about what’s best for the country, to sort through complex issues and arrive at proposals that move the nation forward. These are qualities that voters can gauge only by seeing candidates in action on the stump, by hearing them explain in depth how they would approach our big challenges, and by watching them as they encounter people from all walks of life.
Televised debates are a part of the modern campaign. They seem to be popular with voters and are undoubtedly good theater. But we should not mistake them for the best way to get information to the discriminating voter.
Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
What role should debates have in political campaigning? That’s the question being raised by this Republican presidential primary season.
Some prominent Republicans are worried that the nonstop series of GOP debates has done their party more harm than good by showcasing all the differences among the candidates. But others disagree precisely because the debates have given the candidates a chance to air their opinions. “I think they’ve been the most important primary debates in our history. Certainly the most important I’ve ever covered,” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said on the night of the Florida primary.
The debates’ impact on the campaign is interesting, but they raise a larger issue that shouldn’t get lost in presidential horse-race coverage. It has to do with how the average voter gets to know a candidate, whether for the presidency or for a seat in Congress — and what we ought to know about a candidate before we make up our minds. Can we devise a political campaign in this country that allows us to get beyond the debates’ one-liners, superficial answers and stage-managed images, to an in-depth, wide-open discussion with opportunity for extensive follow-up?
There’s no question that debates have some value. Structured properly, they make a candidate put forth his or her ideas, give us a glimpse of how they behave under pressure, and allow us to get a sense of what the candidates — and sometimes the party as a whole — believe the campaign is about. If there’s a series of debates, they also allow us to become familiar with the candidates’ personalities and style.
But there can be too much of a good thing. Preparing for many debates cuts hugely into the time a candidate spends with actual voters (rather than the media who control the debates), listening to their concerns, taking the temperature of the electorate, deepening the campaign’s message and building its organization and outreach. It’s important for candidates to get to know the electorate in the work place, at diners, in places of worship, at service-club meetings and shopping malls and even political rallies. Debates move the candidate toward the television screen and in some important ways away from the voter.
More fundamentally, it’s worth asking to what extent debates give voters the information they need to make discriminating choices. You want a politician to be able to think on her feet and to be articulate, of course; agility with both words and ideas is a valuable political skill. But in public officials we want more than a good debater. Debates tend to harden candidates’ positions, rewarding indignation and forcefully stated convictions. They show us nothing of a candidate’s ability to work toward common ground with people who disagree — which is, of course, the essence of governing. And debates steer candidates away from in-depth exploration of complex issues — witness, for instance, the almost total lack of foreign-policy discussion in the series of GOP presidential debates.
There are ways to handle some of these shortcomings, of course. Debates could benefit from avoiding the one-minute-statement, 30-second-rebuttal format, and instead allow for true discussion in a format that would allow voters to see how the candidates address major issues in reasonable juxtaposition with one another. After all, that’s what elected officials have to be able to do — so why not let the electorate see them at it before they get elected?
There are many important qualities that debates do not test: the ability to build consensus, to work with people of differing opinions and backgrounds, to make sound judgments about what’s best for the country, to sort through complex issues and arrive at proposals that move the nation forward. These are qualities that voters can gauge only by seeing candidates in action on the stump, by hearing them explain in depth how they would approach our big challenges, and by watching them as they encounter people from all walks of life.
Televised debates are a part of the modern campaign. They seem to be popular with voters and are undoubtedly good theater. But we should not mistake them for the best way to get information to the discriminating voter.
Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
Worth County Farmer's Market Proposed
Calling all community members, gardeners and farmers!! We will be having an organizational meeting for “County Market Day!” on Thursday, March 1 at 6:00 pm at the Fairgrounds Building. The Market would be a farmers market and handcraft fair held on a regular basis. Tammy Ueligger, Worth County Economic Developer will facilitate the meeting to discuss and bring together those interested in starting a “market.” Any interested vendors or a producer should plan to attend. A vendor can be an individual farmer or a local artist or a non-profit group such as a 4-H clubs or FFA members. A free canvas AgriMissouri Tote Bag will be given to the first twelve vendors to register by calling Tammy at (660)254-3592. Even beginners are welcome; mentoring is available through Missouri Master Gardeners.
Often, gardeners and farmers have wished to have a market for their excess produce or thought that selling produce might mean extra money for the family budget. Ideally, the market would have fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables and possibly fresh cut flowers. Additionally, there could be home baked breads and pies or jams and jellies. In the handcrafted arena, the possibilities could include hand crafted quilts, soaps, candles and any other handcrafted items.
Hargrave Family Farms will offer honey and in the early spring, plan to have bee hives for sale for anyone interested in beekeeping as a hobby.
The market could have a mobile aspect, allowing it to be relocated to other events throughout the County. This could increase attendance for those events and, in turn, help with sales for the vendors. Imagine, dropping by and picking up some summer squash to grill and the ingredients to make a fresh salad. Dinner would practically make itself.
Creating this market is the essence of economic development~ people need to eat ~ why not buy wholesome foods grown by your friends and neighbors? This will encourage our local economy to grow by purchasing locally grown food as well as offer and opportunity for local growers to earn some money. Another aspect of shopping locally is the added benefit of eating well for health and taste. Local fresh fruits and vegetables taste better and are fresher.
Tell your neighbors and friends! This will be a great opportunity to 'get growin for Worth County'. Hope to see you there. REMEMBER -- Thursday, March 1st at 6:00 pm at the Fairgrounds Building in Grant City. FREE AgriMissouri tote bag for the first 12 to pre register by calling Tammy Ueligger at 660-254-3592.
Often, gardeners and farmers have wished to have a market for their excess produce or thought that selling produce might mean extra money for the family budget. Ideally, the market would have fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables and possibly fresh cut flowers. Additionally, there could be home baked breads and pies or jams and jellies. In the handcrafted arena, the possibilities could include hand crafted quilts, soaps, candles and any other handcrafted items.
Hargrave Family Farms will offer honey and in the early spring, plan to have bee hives for sale for anyone interested in beekeeping as a hobby.
The market could have a mobile aspect, allowing it to be relocated to other events throughout the County. This could increase attendance for those events and, in turn, help with sales for the vendors. Imagine, dropping by and picking up some summer squash to grill and the ingredients to make a fresh salad. Dinner would practically make itself.
Creating this market is the essence of economic development~ people need to eat ~ why not buy wholesome foods grown by your friends and neighbors? This will encourage our local economy to grow by purchasing locally grown food as well as offer and opportunity for local growers to earn some money. Another aspect of shopping locally is the added benefit of eating well for health and taste. Local fresh fruits and vegetables taste better and are fresher.
Tell your neighbors and friends! This will be a great opportunity to 'get growin for Worth County'. Hope to see you there. REMEMBER -- Thursday, March 1st at 6:00 pm at the Fairgrounds Building in Grant City. FREE AgriMissouri tote bag for the first 12 to pre register by calling Tammy Ueligger at 660-254-3592.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Soybean & Corn Growers Meeting January 23rd
The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Soybean Association will be holding an information meeting for local growers. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23, beginning with registration at 8:15AM. The meeting will be held at the Ramada Inn in St. Joseph and the meeting will begin at 9AM. The meeting is open to all growers and growers of surrounding states.
The keynote speaker of the meeting will be Dan Basse, president of Ag Resource, from Chicago. This is a great opportunity to hear what is happening in the markets and what to look for the coming year. His company is recognized as one of the worlds leading market services.
The program starts with a legislative update by Congressman Graves. This is a great opportunity to obtain an update of what is happening in Washington and what issues the Congress will be dealing with.
Next will be Dr. Tamara Jackson, University of Nebraska Plant Pathologists, will discuss Goss’s wilt and provide a corn fungicide update. Goss’s wilt is a devastating corn disease that is moving eastward.
Estate law changes are important with land ownership. Steven Briggs, Attorney of Law will discuss changes and provide an update.
Recovery and management of flooded soils will be next on the program. The topic will be handled by Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension.
Gary Marshall and Gary Wheeler with the Missouri Corn Growers will provide an update on work that is being conducted by the organization for its members.
After lunch provided by area agricultural business sponsors, Alan Dutcher, University of Nebraska Climatologist will provide insight into the 2012 weather and its impact on growing season. Our keynote speaker, Dan Basse, will be last on the program providing opportunity now only for informative presentation but also an opportunity of growers to ask questions.
For more information, contact Morris Heitman at 660-442-3726, Missouri Corn Growers Association Board member or Kevin Hurst at 660-736-4894, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Board Member.
The keynote speaker of the meeting will be Dan Basse, president of Ag Resource, from Chicago. This is a great opportunity to hear what is happening in the markets and what to look for the coming year. His company is recognized as one of the worlds leading market services.
The program starts with a legislative update by Congressman Graves. This is a great opportunity to obtain an update of what is happening in Washington and what issues the Congress will be dealing with.
Next will be Dr. Tamara Jackson, University of Nebraska Plant Pathologists, will discuss Goss’s wilt and provide a corn fungicide update. Goss’s wilt is a devastating corn disease that is moving eastward.
Estate law changes are important with land ownership. Steven Briggs, Attorney of Law will discuss changes and provide an update.
Recovery and management of flooded soils will be next on the program. The topic will be handled by Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension.
Gary Marshall and Gary Wheeler with the Missouri Corn Growers will provide an update on work that is being conducted by the organization for its members.
After lunch provided by area agricultural business sponsors, Alan Dutcher, University of Nebraska Climatologist will provide insight into the 2012 weather and its impact on growing season. Our keynote speaker, Dan Basse, will be last on the program providing opportunity now only for informative presentation but also an opportunity of growers to ask questions.
For more information, contact Morris Heitman at 660-442-3726, Missouri Corn Growers Association Board member or Kevin Hurst at 660-736-4894, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Board Member.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Jack Remembers -- Don't Give a Fig
Recently I did an article copying a critical letter sent to me by a person who would not sign his name. I had several responses to the column and published one letter written by a nice woman by the name of Judi Hale. I also published comments from the former Mayor of Oak Grove, John Humphrey.
Since then, I have received two more anonymous letters from this same person who is now also criticizing these two people.
“What’s that with your old buddy the Mayor. Wasn’t that a bit strong? You don’t know me, he doesn’t know me. I don’t give a fig if you know the President, my opinion still stands.” About Judi he says, “I’m not spineless or am I bitter and whatever the good sister called me, and shame on her. I say, she needs to go say a few ‘Hail Mary’s’. Oh, by the way sister, Jesus does see every spot because we are to be spotless.” One thing about it, his last statement in the letter is, “See you in Friday’s paper.”
In response to the following letter, I have written “Jack Remembers” since 1997, and am approaching 750 articles. They have never been compiled and I am not even sure we could find them all. We also now have a website, www.jackremembers.com.
Hello Jack
My husband and I both enjoy your weekly articles in The Concordian as we lived those same years (he is 75 and I am 72). It’s one of the first things we look for in the paper and when it’s missing we are disappointed. I’ve been saving a stack of papers with the intention of clipping all these articles out one day and putting them in a scrapbook, but I would rather buy a book if you would put all these in a book. Then I could buy your book, get you to autograph it and pitch the newspapers in the recycle bin.
Have you written any books with your life stories that you publish in newspapers? We’d like very much to have one.
Thanks, Wanita and Archie Wayne Blumhorst, Slater
Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075, or jackremembers@aol.com, or visit www.jackremembers.com
Great Northwest Days Sets Legislative Agenda
As legislators are gearing up for a new season in Jefferson City, so too are the citizens of Northwest Missouri. Over the past few months, the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Steering Committee gathered and prioritized legislative issues for the region’s annual visit to the state capitol city on January 31-February 1, 2012.
At this event, approximately 350 people from the 18-county region will visit Jefferson City to make their regional voice heard in a single, cohesive message. Great Northwest Day’s legislative platform for the upcoming event includes the following priorities:
· Transportation and Infrastructure Funding: Maintain adequate funding to service and maintain our highways and lettered routes as well as support efforts to reconstruct levees in the areas affected by recent Missouri River flooding.
Consider tools to enhance the efforts of the Missouri Department of Transportation and continue support of county transportation efforts such as Bridge Replacement Off-System (BRO) and County Aid Road Trust (CART) programs. Additionally, support resolutions to encourage the Federal Government, United States Corps of Engineers to dedicate additional resources to rebuilding flood protection levees along the Missouri River.
· Statewide 9-1-1 Wireless Emergency Services: Design a complete, detailed, and integrated plan that includes a user fee on wireless devices for upgrading statewide 9-1-1 emergency services.
· Unfunded or underfunded mandates on local entities: Local governments and educational institutions are a mainstay of our society. As such we encourage State leadership to resist efforts to erode fiscal support of local city and county governments as well as our institutions of primary and higher education.
The criteria for reviewing regional issues included legislative impact, overarching regional impact, non-partisan perspective and timeliness of concern. Local issues were collected by County Coordinators and then compiled by a volunteer committee. Those issues were then regionally defined and sent back to County Coordinators and the steering committee for additional input before being established as Legislative Priorities for the event. The three priorities will be monitored as Great Northwest Day nears, and the message to legislators will be further refined during that time.
Great Northwest Day at the Capitol is an annual legislative event that includes introduction on the Missouri House and Senate floors, time with legislators, an educational luncheon, and an evening event inviting all of Missouri’s legislators and department heads to meet with citizens from the Northwest Missouri region.
At this event, approximately 350 people from the 18-county region will visit Jefferson City to make their regional voice heard in a single, cohesive message. Great Northwest Day’s legislative platform for the upcoming event includes the following priorities:
· Transportation and Infrastructure Funding: Maintain adequate funding to service and maintain our highways and lettered routes as well as support efforts to reconstruct levees in the areas affected by recent Missouri River flooding.
Consider tools to enhance the efforts of the Missouri Department of Transportation and continue support of county transportation efforts such as Bridge Replacement Off-System (BRO) and County Aid Road Trust (CART) programs. Additionally, support resolutions to encourage the Federal Government, United States Corps of Engineers to dedicate additional resources to rebuilding flood protection levees along the Missouri River.
· Statewide 9-1-1 Wireless Emergency Services: Design a complete, detailed, and integrated plan that includes a user fee on wireless devices for upgrading statewide 9-1-1 emergency services.
· Unfunded or underfunded mandates on local entities: Local governments and educational institutions are a mainstay of our society. As such we encourage State leadership to resist efforts to erode fiscal support of local city and county governments as well as our institutions of primary and higher education.
The criteria for reviewing regional issues included legislative impact, overarching regional impact, non-partisan perspective and timeliness of concern. Local issues were collected by County Coordinators and then compiled by a volunteer committee. Those issues were then regionally defined and sent back to County Coordinators and the steering committee for additional input before being established as Legislative Priorities for the event. The three priorities will be monitored as Great Northwest Day nears, and the message to legislators will be further refined during that time.
Great Northwest Day at the Capitol is an annual legislative event that includes introduction on the Missouri House and Senate floors, time with legislators, an educational luncheon, and an evening event inviting all of Missouri’s legislators and department heads to meet with citizens from the Northwest Missouri region.
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