Reflections after Teaching Anglo-American Legal Theory

In this Article, the author reflects on the limitations upon prevalent modes of formulating and using legal theories. The author\u27s analysis is predominantly contextual, focusing on the impact of legal future shock. Other limitations stem from the author\u27s reflections on living theories, the linkage between theory and ideology, and the need for humanistic legal theory

Causal effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 on coronary heart disease

Background--Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) plays an essential role in the fibrinolysis system and thrombosis. Population studies have reported that blood PAI-1 levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear whether the association reflects a causal influence of PAI-1 on CHD risk. Methods and Results--To evaluate the association between PAI-1 and CHD, we applied a 3-step strategy. First, we investigated the observational association between PAI-1 and CHD incidence using a systematic review based on a literature search for PAI-1 and CHD studies. Second, we explored the causal association between PAI-1 and CHD using a Mendelian randomization approach using summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies. Finally, we explored the causal effect of PAI-1 on cardiovascular risk factors including metabolic and subclinical atherosclerosis measures. In the systematic meta-analysis, the highest quantile of blood PAI-1 level was associated with higher CHD risk comparing with the lowest quantile (odds ratio=2.17; 95% CI: 1.53, 3.07) in an age- and sex-adjusted model. The effect size was reduced in studies using a multivariable-adjusted model (odds ratio=1.46; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.88). The Mendelian randomization analyses suggested a causal effect of increased PAI-1 level on CHD risk (odds ratio=1.22 per unit increase of log-transformed PAI-1; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47). In addition, we also detected a causal effect of PAI-1 on elevating blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions--Our study indicates a causal effect of elevated PAI-1 level on CHD risk, which may be mediated by glucose dysfunction

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

European Union law including Brexit in a nutshell

Old Europe -- New Europe, BREXIT -- Law-making in Europe -- Litigating European law -- Free movement -- Internal policies -- External trade and foreign investment law -- Business competition (Antitrust) Lawhttps://digital.sandiego.edu/law_fac_books/1033/thumbnail.jp

Principles of free trade agreements, from GATT 1947 through NAFTA Re-Negotiated 2018

Free trade agreements (FTAs) have dominated global trade for over a decade. This dominance is likely to continue for many years on every continent. Already, more than half of all international trade takes place under FTAs. Principles of Free Trade Agreements, from GATT 1947 through NAFTA Re-Negotiated 2018 examines the origins of free trade agreements (FTAs) and customs unions (CUs) in Article 24 of the GATT 1947 agreement. Article 24 permits but attempts to regulate their creation, an effort that failed early on. A sleeping giant for decades, FTAs were re-awakened by the path-breaking Canada-U.S. FTA of 1989. In 1994, NAFTA triggered an onslaught of hundreds of FTAs around the globe, overwhelming the impact of the establishment of the World Trade Organization in 1995. The coverage, trade rules and trade remedies of the world\u27s FTAs are remarkably and complexly diverse. Perhaps surprisingly, the hostility of President Trump to multilateral trade agreements like TPP-12, the WTO, the EU and NAFTA 1994, caused the number of FTAs to increase. America\u27s trade partners and competitors rushed to secure trade deals not involving the USA. TPP-11, the Japan-EU FTA, the expanded Mexico-EU FTA, and the China-driven RCEP provide excellent examples. Meanwhile, despite being characterized by President Trump as the worst trade deal ever, the United States, Canada and Mexico completed re-negotiation of NAFTA in 2018. All of this, and more, is covered in this book. Designed for students, lawyers, government officials and people in business, the author addresses the interests not only of Americans, but also those located outside the USA who are concerned about the law and economics of free trade agreements. Active links for the e-book and downloadable versions of this Concise Hornbook are provided throughout.--Publisher website.https://digital.sandiego.edu/law_fac_books/1029/thumbnail.jp

Principles of international litigation and arbitration

Principles of International Litigation and Arbitration, 2d is part of West Academic Publishing\u27s Concise Hornbook series. Its coverage commences with international dispute settlement Alternatives and Fundamentals, including Choice of Law, Choice of Forum and Forum Non Conveniens issues. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Investment Arbitration. International Business Litigation is examined in five chapters: Jurisdiction, Procedure, Sovereign Defenses, Enforcement of Judgments and the EU Litigation System. Chapter 10 finishes with Intergovernmental Trade Dispute Settlement. Principles of International Litigation and Arbitration, 2d contains considerable depth, analysis, citations and related documents. It can be used in connection with any international dispute settlement course book. Principles can also be used independently as an inexpensive course book, notably in conjunction with the legal documents appended at the end of its chapters.--publisher website.https://digital.sandiego.edu/law_fac_books/1026/thumbnail.jp

Principles of European Union law: including BREXIT

This advanced, detailed guide provides a comprehensive review of laws and policies of the European Union. Chapter 1 looks at the history of the European Union including BREXIT. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on critical EU processes behind lawmaking and litigation. Chapter 4 examines the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people (including mass migration), while Chapter 5 covers a broad selection of internal EU legal regimes concerning business law, ranging from taxation to agriculture. The EU\u27s complex external trade, foreign investment and customs law is analyzed in Chapter 6. Antitrust law and regulation of business agreements are covered in Chapter 7. The Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, along with the EU Charter of Fundamental Freedoms, are reproduced in Appendiceshttps://digital.sandiego.edu/law_fac_books/1038/thumbnail.jp