The Legal Obligations, Obstacles, and Opportunities for Automated and Connected Vehicles to Improve Mobility and Access for People Unable to Drive

Article published in the Michigan State Law Review

Prioritizing People at Rice and Larpenteur

Metro Transit’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Office was established to support TOD throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan region. In anticipation of an expanding regional transit system, the TOD Office sets the best TOD design standards for developers, municipalities, and communities. Managing these controls requires an understanding of land allocation in these sites. This information can help to determine whether or not current and potential developments will be successful in the future, can be used in education efforts regarding TOD, and can contribute to future TOD site selection. The objectives of this report are to understand land allocation at transit nodes throughout the region; analysis will identify the components that led to successful TOD in the region, and provide site-specific recommendations for TOD at the intersection of Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue The Existing Conditions section examines the regional context for transit-oriented development in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Specifically, we look at the history of TOD in the Twin Cities, identify factors contributing to a successful TOD based on qualitative and quantitative research, and explore the TOD policy in local and regional comprehensive plans. Based on the information found in these points, seven existing/proposed transit nodes in the Twin Cities region were selected. Each node’s current conditions and development potential was analyzed. Furthermore, each node’s vehicles, buildings, and people spaces were determined to create a ratio. The analysis concluded that there is no ‘golden standard’ for the land allocation. The ratio still has a purpose. The vehicle-building-people land ratio is an educational tool and conversation starter. Based on the findings from the Existing Conditions, the Action Plan proposes site-specific recommendations for the neighborhoods that meet at the Rice and Larpenteur intersection. Given that spaces for vehicles dominate the site of Rice and Larpenteur, we develop a set of action plans to sponsor a more human-centered, rejuvenated, and sustainable development in the area. Within the action plan, we developed a set of strategic goals and policies. These are broken up into the following sections: community now and the community later, transportation, and economic development

Hepatic Resection-Related Hypophosphatemia Is of Renal Origin as Manifested by Isolated Hyperphosphaturia

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to elucidate and define the pathophysiological mechanism(s) responsible for the clinically relevant phenomenon of posthepatic resection hypophosphatemia. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although biochemically significant hypophosphatemia has been described after major hepatic resection, no mechanism or validated scientific explanation exists. The phenomenon is of considerable clinical relevance because numerous patients, after hepatic resection, develop significant hypophosphatemia requiring large doses of phosphate replacement to maintain metabolic homeostasis. This event has previously been empirically ascribed to amplified phosphate utilization of regenerating hepatocytes, although no rigorous data attest to this postulate. Recent data identifying a novel mechanism of phosphaturia in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets, and oncogenic osteomalacia demonstrate that elevated levels of novel circulating phosphaturic factors such as fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and PHEX are responsible for phosphate wasting. We hypothesize that posthepatectomy hypophosphatemia reflects a derangement of normal hepatorenal messaging and is the result of a disruption of renal phosphate handling consequent on aberrations in the metabolism of an as yet unrecognized chemical messenger(s) responsible for tubular phosphate homeostasis. This postulate has not previously been proposed or examined. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing hepatic resection were studied prospectively with respect to serum phosphate, phosphate requirements, as well as renal phosphate handling. Fractional excretion of phosphate was calculated on a daily basis. To confirm the relationship between phosphate loss and a circulating renal-targeted messenger, the plasma levels of the circulating phosphaturic factor FGF-23 were measured using a c-terminal assay both pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: All patients developed hypophosphatemia with a nadir on postoperative day 2 (average drop of 47% despite phosphate administration). This phenomenon was associated with hyperphosphaturia (mean ± standard error) with high fractional excretion of phosphate. A consistent change in FGF-23 was not identified. CONCLUSION: Hypophosphatemia after hepatic resection is a frequent occurrence. Transient isolated hyperphosphaturia and not increased phosphate utilization is the predominant cause of this phenomenon, although the identity of the agent involved remains to be identified

Synthesis of Responsive Two-Dimensional Polymers via Self-Assembled DNA Networks

Despite a growing interest in two-dimensional polymers, their rational synthesis remains a challenge. The solution-phase synthesis of a two-dimensional polymer is reported. A DNA-based monomer self-assembles into a supramolecular network, which is further converted into the covalently linked two-dimensional polymer by anthracene dimerization. The polymers appear as uniform monolayers, as shown by AFM and TEM imaging. Furthermore, they exhibit a pronounced solvent responsivity. The results demonstrate the value of DNA-controlled self-assembly for the formation of two-dimensional polymers in solution