What is mixed use? Presenting an interaction method for measuring land use mix

JTLU vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 63-72 (2013)In recent decades, the mixing of complementary land uses has become an increasingly important goal in transportation and land use planning. Land uses mix has been shown to be an influential factor in travel behavior (mode choice and distance traveled), improved health outcomes, and neighborhood-level quality of life. However, quantifying the extent to which a given area is mixed-use has proven difficult. Much of the existing research on the mixing of land uses has focused on the presence and proportion of different uses as opposed to the extent to which they actually interact with one another. This study proposes a new measure of land use mix, a land use interaction method—which accounts for the extent to which complementary land uses adjoin one another—using only basic land use data. After mapping and analyzing the results, several statistical models are built to show the relationship between this new measure and reported travel behavior. The models presented show the usefulness of the approach by significantly improving the model fit in comparison to a commonly-used land use mix index, while controlling for socio-demographic and built form factors in three large Canadian cities (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal). Our results suggest that simple, area-based, measures of land use mix do not adequately capture the subtleties of land use mix. The degree to which an area shows fine-grained patterns of land use is shown to be more highly correlated with behavior outcomes than indices based solely on the proportions of land use categories

The Effects of a Proprietary Fenugreek Extract on Strength & Body Composition

Fenugreek extract has been marketed in dozens of dietary products as having performance enhancing potential for resistance trained athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential performance enhancing effects of a proprietary fenugreek extract in conjunction with a controlled resistance training program. METHODS: Thirty resistance trained male subjects were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double-blind manner capsules containing 500mg of a placebo or fenugreek (Trigonella Foenun greacum) once per day for 8-weeks (Active: N = 17, 21 ± 2.8 yrs, 178 ± 5.8 cm, 85 ± 9.6 kg, 18.8 ± 4.8 BF%; Placebo: N = 13, 21 ± 3 yrs, 180 ± 6.4 cm, 84 ± 15 kg, 18.3 ± 6.8 BF%). Subjects were instructed to participate in a periodized 4-day per week resistance-training program split into two upper and two lower extremity workouts per week for a total of 8-weeks. Body composition was analyzed using hydrodensiometry and strength tests involved performing a one repetition max (1RM) on the isotonic bench press and leg press. Statistical analyses utilized a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures for all criterion variables (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: A significant (p \u3c 0.05) group x time interaction for body composition was observed indicating the Active (-1.8 ± 0.5 BF%) group decreased body fat percentage in comparison to Placebo (-0.05 ± 0.3 BF%) over the 8-week investigation period. In addition, there was a significant (p \u3c 0.05) main effect for time over the eight week period in lean muscle mass (Active: 2.4 ± 0.1 kg; Placebo: 1.0 ± 0.1 kg). No significant effects for group or time were observed for upper or lower body strength (p \u3e 0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to a controlled resistance training program fenugreek had a significant impact on body composition in comparison to placebo. This study was funded by Indus Biotech

Effects of Fenugreek, Cinnamon, & Curcumin on Post Workout Inflammatory Response

It has been documented that strenuous exercise suppresses cellular immunity leading to increased susceptibility to infections and delayed recovery. As mediators of these phenomena, cytokines released into the circulation have been a recent focus of attention. PURPOSE: To assess the acute effectiveness of fenugreek, cinnamon, & curcumin on blunting inflammatory markers after muscle damage. METHODS: Twenty healthy non-resistance trained male and female subjects were equally divided by gender and assigned to ingested either a proprietary blend of fenugreek, cinnamon, & curcumin (N = 10, 21 ± 2.8 yrs, 174 ± 10 in, 77 ± 20 kg) or placebo (N = 10, 20 ± 1.9 yrs 175 ± 14in, 89 ± 20 kg). Subjects ingested 450 mg of either active supplement (400mg fenugreek, 25mg cinnamon, 25mg curcumin) or 450 mg of placebo for 14 days prior to the damage bout. Subjects were instructed to warm-up briefly and subsequently perform 24 sets of 10 eccentric knee extensor repetitions with one leg at 30°/s on an isokinetic device. Subjects had their blood drawn at baseline, immediately post, 1hr, 3hr, and 24hr post damage. Serum samples were analyzed for IL 1β, IL1rα, IL6, TNFα and CRP levels using a multiplex bead based assay. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (p\u3c0.05). RESULTS: Significant (p\u3c0.05) main effects for time were observed for the inflammatory / immune markers IL 1β, IL1rα, & IL6, although there were no significant (p\u3e0.05) interaction effects. However, a significant trend for interaction was observed for IL 6 (p=0.06) & IL1 rα (p = 0.09). Post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference immediately post damage in IL 1rα where active group was significantly lower than the placebo group (p\u3c0.05) than active and a significant difference at 1hr & 2hr post damage IL6 where placebo was significantly greater (p\u3c0.05) than active. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the protocol used induced significant (p\u3e0.05) systemic inflammation. The experimental proprietary blend showed some positive anti-inflammatory effects as illustrated by a significantly (p\u3c0.05) lower inflammatory response in IL1rα and IL 6 by 2hr post damage. It is concluded that fenugreek, cinnamon, and curcumin have potential anti-inflammatory properties and that they significantly reduced the onset of inflammation in response to muscle damage. This study was funded by Indus Biotech

Representation of built environment and relationship to travel outcomes

The built environment has been recognized as one of the major factors influencing travel behavior, but research into the specifics of how the built environment is represented is scant. This thesis investigates this relationship through different modes of representation. The first chapter offers an introduction to the topic, objectives, and research issues. In the second chapter, an original speed study is used to investigate the link between built environment and geometric design variables on vehicle operating speed along local roads. After controlling for traffic conditions, it was found that built form variables have a weak link with vehicle speed, geometric design being the main determinants. Chapter Three improves upon built form representation by using a neighborhood typology to simultaneously model household choice and GHG emissions. A lingering problem, however, is in the way in which land use mix is measured. Thus, the third chapter presents an entirely new method of measuring land use mix, which relies on interaction of complementary uses as opposed to proportion-based measurement. A preliminary evaluation of this method has proven that it is a great improvement on what is currently used to measure land use mix. The methodologies and case studies in this thesis demonstrate progress that has been made in how the built environment is represented in transportation studies, and it is hoped that they are a positive influence in the field.L'environnement bâti est reconnu d'avoir une influence majeure sur les habitudes de déplacements, mais la recherche sur la représentation de cet aspect n'est pas bien développée. Cette thèse est une collection de trois manuscrits qui enquêtent sur cette influence dans des modes de représentation différents. Le premier utilise les variables de l'utilisation du sol simple et de la population à fin de modéliser la vitesse des véhicules sur les rues locales. Il était trouvé que ces variables ne suffisent pas d'expliquer la vitesse des véhicules donc ils étaient éliminés de la modèle. La deuxième étude améliore la représentation de l'environnement bâti avec une typologie de quartier pour estimer une modèle simultanée du choix de location du ménage et les émissions des GES. Cependant, un problème qui reste est dans la mode de mesurer la mixité des utilisations du sol. Donc le troisième article présente une nouvelle méthode de mesurer la mixité qui est basée sur l'interaction des usages complémentaires par opposition à une mesure des proportions. Elle était évaluée d'être une amélioration sur la méthode utilisée actuellement. Ces trois articles montrent le progrès fait dans la représentation de l'environnement bâti pour les études en transport, et ils peuvent avoir une bonne influence dans la recherche future

Simultaneous Modeling of Endogenous Influence of Urban Form and Public Transit Accessibility on Distance Traveled

This paper describes an attempt to understand better the endogenous relationships between urban form, accessibility to public transit, and daily travel distance. A model of two simultaneous equations was implemented. The model took into account the interaction between the ownership of vehicles and the choice of household location as explanatory endogenous variables for total distance traveled by respondents. Choice of household location was defined on the basis of cluster analysis (neighborhood typology) driven by land use mix, population density, and accessibility to transit. With socioeconomic variables controlled for, the impacts of neighborhood typologies combined with car ownership levels as endogenous choices were estimated with the use of a model with simultaneous equations. This research used data from the Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, origin destination survey conducted in 2001. The data set included responses from more than 50,000 individuals. Among other results, the presence of endogeneity was confirmed. When endogeneity was not taken into account, the joint effects of car ownership and household location choices were underestimated. According to the model with simultaneous equations, the total distance traveled by individuals was primarily influenced by employment status and household structure. In fact, the total distance per individual had an average rate of growth of 50% when the individual was working full-time. The distance also increased by 5.7% per child and decreased by 2.4% per person. Although the elasticities of urban form and transit supply variables introduced individually into the model were small, the elasticities of neighborhood type as endogenous variables were much more relevant

Short-Term Effects of a Ready-to-Drink Pre-Workout Beverage on Exercise Performance and Recovery

In a double-blind, randomized and crossover manner, 25 resistance-trained participants ingested a placebo (PLA) beverage containing 12 g of dextrose and a beverage (RTD) containing caffeine (200 mg), β-alanine (2.1 g), arginine nitrate (1.3 g), niacin (65 mg), folic acid (325 mcg), and Vitamin B12 (45 mcg) for 7-days, separated by a 7–10-day. On day 1 and 6, participants donated a fasting blood sample and completed a side-effects questionnaire (SEQ), hemodynamic challenge test, 1-RM and muscular endurance tests (3 × 10 repetitions at 70% of 1-RM with the last set to failure on the bench press (BP) and leg press (LP)) followed by ingesting the assigned beverage. After 15 min, participants repeated the hemodynamic test, 1-RM tests, and performed a repetition to fatigue (RtF) test at 70% of 1-RM, followed by completing the SEQ. On day 2 and 7, participants donated a fasting blood sample, completed the SEQ, ingested the assigned beverage, rested 30 min, and performed a 4 km cycling time-trial (TT). Data were analyzed by univariate, multivariate, and repeated measures general linear models (GLM), adjusted for gender and relative caffeine intake. Data are presented as mean change (95% CI). An overall multivariate time × treatment interaction was observed on strength performance variables (p = 0.01). Acute RTD ingestion better maintained LP 1-RM (PLA: −0.285 (−0.49, −0.08); RTD: 0.23 (−0.50, 0.18) kg/kgFFM, p = 0.30); increased LP RtF (PLA: −2.60 (−6.8, 1.6); RTD: 4.00 (−0.2, 8.2) repetitions, p = 0.031); increased BP lifting volume (PLA: 0.001 (−0.13, 0.16); RTD: 0.03 (0.02, 0.04) kg/kgFFM, p = 0.007); and, increased total lifting volume (PLA: −13.12 (−36.9, 10.5); RTD: 21.06 (−2.7, 44.8) kg/kgFFM, p = 0.046). Short-term RTD ingestion maintained baseline LP 1-RM (PLA: −0.412 (−0.08, −0.07); RTD: 0.16 (−0.50, 0.18) kg/kgFFM, p = 0.30); LP RtF (PLA: 0.12 (−3.0, 3.2); RTD: 3.6 (0.5, 6.7) repetitions, p = 0.116); and, LP lifting volume (PLA: 3.64 (−8.8, 16.1); RTD: 16.25 (3.8, 28.7) kg/kgFFM, p = 0.157) to a greater degree than PLA. No significant differences were observed between treatments in cycling TT performance, hemodynamic assessment, fasting blood panels, or self-reported side effects

Comparison of ingesting a food bar containing whey protein and isomalto-oligosaccharides to carbohydrate on performance and recovery from an acute bout of resistance-exercise and sprint conditioning: an open label, randomized, counterbalanced, crossover pilot study

Background We previously reported that consuming a food bar (FB) containing whey protein and the plant fiber isomalto-oligosaccharides [IMO] had a lower glycemic (GI) but similar insulinemic response as a high GI carbohydrate. Therefore, we hypothesized that ingestion of this FB before, during, and following intense exercise would better maintain glucose homeostasis and performance while hastening recovery in comparison to the common practice of ingesting carbohydrate alone. Methods Twelve resistance-trained males participated in an open label, randomized, counterbalanced, crossover trial with a 7-d washout period. Participants consumed a carbohydrate matched dextrose comparitor (CHO) or a FB containing 20 g of whey, 25 g of IMO, and 7 g of fat 30-min before, mid-way, and following intense exercise. Participants performed 11 resistance-exercises (3 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of 1RM) followed by agility and sprint conditioning drills for time. Participants donated blood to assess catabolic and inflammatory markers, performed isokinetic strength tests, and rated perceptions of muscle soreness, hypoglycemia before, and following exercise and after 48 h of recovery. Data were analyzed using general linear models (GLM) for repeated measures and mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with a one-way analysis of variance. Data are reported as mean change from baseline with 95% CI. Results GLM analysis demonstrated that blood glucose was significantly higher 30-min post-ingestion for CHO (3.1 [2.0, 4.3 mmol/L,] and FB (0.8 [0.2, 1.5, mmol/L, p = 0.001) while the post-exercise ratio of insulin to glucose was greater with FB (CHO 0.04 [0.00, 0.08], FB 0.11 [0.07, 0.15], p = 0.013, η2 = 0.25). GLM analysis revealed no significant interaction effects between treatments in lifting volume of each resistance-exercise or total lifting volume. However, analysis of mean changes from baseline with 95% CI’s revealed that leg press lifting volume (CHO -130.79 [− 235.02, − 26.55]; FB -7.94 [− 112.17, 96.30] kg, p = 0.09, η2 = 0.12) and total lifting volume (CHO -198.26 [− 320.1, − 76.4], FB -81.7 [− 203.6, 40.1] kg, p = 0.175, η2 = 0.08) from set 1 to 3 was significantly reduced for CHO, but not for the FB. No significant interaction effects were observed in ratings of muscle soreness. However, mean change analysis revealed that ratings of soreness of the distal vastus medialis significantly increased from baseline with CHO while being unchanged with FB (CHO 1.88 [0.60, 3.17]; FB 0.29 [− 0.99, 1.57] cm, p = 0.083, η2 = 0.13). No significant GLM interaction or mean change analysis effects were seen between treatments in sprint performance, isokinetic strength, markers of catabolism, stress and sex hormones, or inflammatory markers. Conclusion Pilot study results provide some evidence that ingestion of this FB can positively affect glucose homeostasis, help maintain workout performance, and lessen perceptions of muscle soreness. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, #NCT03704337. Retrospectively registered 12, July 2018