VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Iran, Iraq and the Security Council: the impact of the second Gulf war on the international law on the use of force

This thesis examines the impact of the Iraq war on the law on the use of force and analyzes whether Iraq has paved the way for an intervention in Iran. In Part 1, I discuss the background to the situation in Iran, the war in Iraq and the role of the Security Council. In Part 2, I critique the legal justification of the Iraq war and assess whether it could be used against Iran. I conclude that the weaknesses of the argument preclude its application to Iran. In Part 3, I argue that the doctrine of preventive self defence initially used to justify the Iraq war has no basis in international law and cannot be used to justify military action against Iran. I also argue that the war has not changed the law on self defence. In Part 4, I discuss recommendations for reform of the Security Council system.

Keywords: Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988
Intervention (International law)
Gravitational lensing of polarized sources

In the past couple of decades, gravitational lensing has gone from being a theoretical possibility to an observational test of general relativity to a method for determining cosmological parameters. Being the only direct and independent way to measure the mass of cosmological objects, it is by far the most promising method of pinning down the value of the density parameter, Ω o, and directly measuring the mass-to-light ratio of the universe at both small and large scales. As promising as it is, gravitational lensing is hampered by the lack of knowledge of the intrinsic morphology of the sources being lensed. In the strong lensing regime, one is aided by the fact that the distant source is multiply imaged. Each image is a different, highly distorted view of the same source and therefore must reproduce the same morphology when the lens is theoretically removed and therefore gives us the extra constraints needed to gain this knowledge. However, strong lensing is much less likely, and probes smaller length scales, than weak lensing. One therefore needs another way to determine the intrinsic morphology of the source. One way is to use the polarization of the source. Like wavelength, polarization is an intrinsic property of the photon, which is not altered by gravitational potentials. The path of the photon will be deflected and the image of a source formed by an ensemble of photons will be distorted due to differential bending, yet the polarization of the source remains intact. Polarization therefore gives us a window into the source plane which we can use to constrain the amount of weak and strong gravitational lensing. This thesis will examine the effects of gravitational lensing on polarized sources in the strong and weak lensing regimes. The theory of the gravitational lens and its role in cosmology will be presented as well as general considerations of cosmological observations in a non-homogeneous universe. Next, the theoretical predictions of the effects of gravitational lensing, both strong and weak, on polarized sources will be presented. Finally, this theoretical framework will be applied to several astronomical objects which produce polarized radiation.
The reconciliation of class actions, commercial arbitration and consumer rights

This thesis argues that Canadian legislation should allow arbitration to settle consumer class actions, especially in light of the Dell case. In 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada held that an arbitration clause in a consumer contract may be valid and enforceable despite being in a contract of adhesion and regardless of whether certain rules to be applied during the arbitration are in the nature of public order. Although principles of arbitration generally allow parties to select applicable substantive and procedural rules, this thesis argues that in the case of arbitration of consumer class actions Canadian legislation should make some of the applicable rules imperative. After outlining and discussing the importance of contractual stability and the advantages to consumers of arbitration, this thesis concludes that, for these and other reasons, it is essential to enforce arbitration clauses in contracts of adhesion with consumers and suggests criteria to evaluate the fairness of the arbitration decision.

Keywords: Class actions (Civil procedure), Canada
Arbitration and award, Canada
Consumers, Legal status, laws, etc
Consumers, Canada
The corpse as a resource for medical research: consent and the Human Tissue Act 2004

This thesis critically examines the role of consent under the Human Tissue Act 2004 in the specific context of the use of cadaver material for medical research. It argues that consent can be an invaluable tool for protecting the rights of individuals and their families. It also suggests that the requirement of consent is compatible with society's interest in the promotion of medical research. However, it argues that the value of consent will depend ultimately on whether consent is interpreted meaningfully and sought consistently. To this end it concludes by suggesting that the introduction of a legal requirement to obtain consent must be accompanied by a significant cultural shift within the medical profession. An understanding has developed among the medical profession that individuals deserve to be fully involved in decisions regarding their medical treatment during life. This must now extend to decisions that involve their corpses. This thesis critically examines the role of consent under the Human Tissue Act 2004 in the specific context of the use of cadaver material for medical research. It argues that consent can be an invaluable tool for protecting the rights of individuals and their families. It also suggests that the requirement of consent is compatible with society's interest in the promotion of medical research. However, it argues that the value of consent will depend ultimately on whether consent is interpreted meaningfully and sought consistently. To this end it concludes by suggesting that the introduction of a legal requirement to obtain consent must be accompanied by a significant cultural shift within the medical profession. An understanding has developed among the medical profession that individuals deserve to be fully involved in decisions regarding their medical treatment during life. This must now extend to decisions that involve their corpses.
Patterns of learning and knowledge exchange in Thai work teams: A study of team members communication and relationships etiquettes

This thesis investigates patterns of learning and knowledge exchange in Thai work teams. I used General Systems Theory to describe these patterns and compared those communication interactions to achieve a holistic understanding of Thai team behaviour. I focused on the use of the dialogue process, emphasizing the gathering and processing of different information and knowledge from other people. I also used the communication etiquette concept to take into account culture differences. I used 5 focus groups and 8 individual interviews to capture qualitative behavioural data on 36 urban Thai managers and staff in public, private and state enterprise organizations. I analyzed the data together with data from my pilot study (6 individual interviews). In total, there were 42 participants. Comparing and contrasting the discussions and interview transcripts, I found patterns which fall into 3 major themes. These themes revealed that the closer or more intimate Thai team members are, the greater the openness, and the more authenticity they exhibit in exchanging information. These qualities reflect their culture of building caring, trusting relationships through various stages, starting with smiling, temperament-reading, and getting acquainted. Many culture-specific behaviours, such as Mee Nam Jai, non-assertiveness, and indirect versus direct talk and feedback supported good team relationships. Also, people took on different supporting roles, such as pseudo-sibling relationships and informal-third person roles to accommodate others' relationships as well as their own. However, some potential conflicts, including emotional or temperamental reactions, losing face, domination and power imbalance, egoism, and favouritism, could cause team divisions or individual or group alienation, preventing the raising of opinions that threaten the team's cohesiveness. Comparison with Westerner and Japanese studies indicated that temperament-reading, pseudo-sibling relationships, and informal third person roles may be uniquely important in Thai team relationships and certainly require further investigation elsewhere. Holistic understanding of all the data provides some insights into mechanisms Thais use in working together as a team. This knowledge can contribute to designing team-building instructions suitable to the nature of the Thais.

Keywords: Social sciences, Methodology
System analysis
Teams in the workplace
Industrial organization
The effect of sleep deprivation on sleep intensity and metabolic rate during NREM sleep in the male Wistar rat

Slow wave activity (SWA) is thought to represent sleep intensity, due to its high rebound following sleep deprivation. The effect of sleep deprivation on metabolic rate (MR) during subsequent recovery sleep is currently unknown. Since MR tends to decrease during the transition from wakefulness to sleep, and SWA is believed to be linked with sleep intensity, a negative relationship between the two variables was hypothesized. Seven male Wistar rats experienced three experimental conditions: cage control (CC), an experimental control (TSC), and total sleep deprivation (TSD) for 16 hours. Following each condition, SWA and MR were evaluated. SWA was 44.76 +/- 3.83 muV rms in the TSD condition, a value significantly different from both CC and TSC conditions (32.37 +/- 2.69 muVrms and 31.06 +/- 1.74 muVrms). However, sleeping MR was not significantly different between experimental conditions (17.0 +/- 0.6 mL O2/min/kg, 16.0 +/- 1.0 mL O2/min/kg, and 15.0 +/- 0.8 mL O 2/min/kg for CC, TSC, and TSD conditions respectively). The data shown provide insufficient evidence to indicate a negative association between SWA and MR during sleep.
T cell costimulatory receptor 4-1BB and human anti-viral immunity

Further analysis focused on human Influenza- and EBV-specific memory cytotoxic lymphocytes. Responses to 4-1BB costimulation were analyzed in a novel antigen presenting system, utilizing autologous monocytes as antigen presenting cells, with costimulatory molecules delivered via recombinant adenoviruses. 4-1BB costimulation had an adjuvant effect on the expansion and effector function of Influenza and EBV-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells. 4-1BB costimulation expanded memory T cells with faster kinetics than B7.1 costimulation and yielded more mature CD27- effector T cells under some conditions. Surprisingly, no benefit was observed by combining 4-1BBL and B7 costimulation, suggesting strong costimulatory signals might inhibit responses. For complete activation, T cells require antigen specific and costimulatory signals. While CD28 is the best-known costimulatory molecule, other costimulatory molecules have recently been characterized. 4-1BB, a member of the TNF-receptor family, is an important costimulatory molecule expressed after T cell activation. The role and function of 4-1BB in human T cell responses is characterized herein. With age, inflammatory conditions, or in chronic diseases, humans accumulate CD28- T cells. To determine whether 4-1BBL can activate human CD28-T cells, 4-1BBL costimulatory signals were combined with anti-TCR signaling in a polyclonal activation system. Human CD28- T cells responded to 4-1BB costimulation by proliferation, acquisition of effector function, enhancement in cytotoxicity and upregulation of survival factors. HIV-specific responses in early and chronic HIV patients were analyzed in the system described above. As shown for healthy donors, 4-1BBL enhanced the proliferation and effector function of HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells. When both 4-1BBL and B7.1 costimulation was utilized, surprising differences were uncovered between early and chronic HIV patients. Patients at the early stages of infection did not show a benefit when 4-1BBL and B7.1 were combined, while chronic patients showed an additive or synergistic effect. These results suggest that HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells in chronic infection are less responsive to activating signals and thus require stronger costimulatory signals for activation. As the goal of many vaccines is to generate efficient, long-lived memory T cells, inclusion of costimulatory molecules might be of benefit in HIV therapeutic vaccines.
Energy expenditure and body composition in persons with chronic paraplegia

Only recently has obesity been identified as an important secondary complication of spinal cord injury. Our first objective was to validate a clinical tool to measure body composition in adults with paraplegia. Our second objective was to explore the relationship between body composition and energy metabolism first in neurologically intact adults and then in adults with paraplegia. Our final objective was to compare physical activity levels (PAL) of the latter with recommendations of the World Health Organization. We undertook these studies to better understand changes in energy metabolism associated with spinal cord injury, an important first step in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of obesity in this population. Thirty-one adults with chronic paraplegia and 62 able-bodied adults were recruited. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was compared against deuterium dilution for determination of total body water (TBW) and corrected bromide space for extracellular water (ECW). Fat-free mass (FFM) was calculated as TBW/0.732 and fat mass (FM) as weight-FFM. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of food (TEF) were measured by open-circuit indirect calorimetry and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) by heart rate monitoring. PAL was calculated as TDEE/RMR. Body mass index (BMI) was a specific but insensitive surrogate measure of obesity in subjects with paraplegia. BIA predicted TBW and ECW reasonably well. RMR was higher in able-bodied men than women, and in able-bodied subjects than those with paraplegia, but not so after adjustment for FFM. Obligatory TEF was not different between able-bodied and paraplegic subjects. PAL of the latter was lower than recommended, and was inversely associated with %FM in men, but not women. Paraplegia is associated with reduced RMR and PAL, both risk factors for obesity, but neither reduced TEF nor compromised metabolic activity of the fat-free body. BMI is insensitive in this population and so body composition should be measured.
Phylogeography and genetic diversity in red knots (Calidris canutus)

This thesis examines phylogeography and genetic diversity in Red Knots (Calidris canutus). I sequenced and characterized the complete control region of knots and verified that the sequence was mitochondrial in origin. I then used control region sequences and coalescent analysis to reconstruct the demographic history and biogeography of knots. My analysis indicated that knots probably expanded eastwards across the arctic from a severely bottlenecked population in eastern Eurasia as Pleistocene ice sheets melted. Population divergence times suggested that all six subspecies of knots arose within the last 20,000 years or so, and evolutionary effective population sizes of females were small (Nef = 2,000–14,000). To examine genetic diversity, I analyzed control region sequences, amplified fragment length polymorphisms and microsatellites, which indicated that knots are genetically depauperate relative to Dunlins and other bird species. I likened knots to an avian cheetah, with little genetic variation throughout a global range.
Stress and relapse to cocaine seeking in the rat: Effects of post-stress delay periods and influence of environmental context

Footshock reliably reinstates drug seeking in rats when tests for reinstatement are conducted immediately following termination of the stressor. The present thesis examined whether post-footshock stress delays, and the context in which delays are experienced, affects reinstatement. Rats self-administered cocaine (1.0 mg/kg per infusion) for 8-10 days. Following extinction, tests for reinstatement by intermittent footshock (20 min; 0.8 mA) were conducted following post-stress delays of up to 60 min (experiment 1); delays were experienced in either the self-administration (SA) chamber or homecage (HC) environment (experiment 2). Footshock induced reinstatement following delays of up 40 mins. Animals returned to the HC context during post-stress delays did not exhibit higher levels of responding than animals that remained in the SA chamber. These findings demonstrate that exposure to footshock is capable of inducing reinstatement following extended post-stress delay periods. The effect is consistent with a contextual conditioning account of reinstatement.
Early educational experiences of Canadian Black women: possible outcomes and strategies for higher education

This study looks at the early educational experiences of Black women in Canada. It focuses on how these experiences can effect later decisions about seeking access to higher education as well as the effect that these experiences can have on coping strategies while in school. This research, using an anti-racist Black Feminist approach is unique because previous studies have only investigated American accounts of this phenomenon. The nominal representation of Black women in higher education necessitates the need for implementing institutional and policy changes in education at all levels, not just in academe. Finally, in an attempt to facilitate a praxis for change, biographical accounts, and narratives are used. These methods are necessary in order to create a voice that will give life to this research.

Keywords: Women, Black, Education
Discrimination in education, Canada
Discrimination in higher education, Canada
Sexism in education, Canada
Women, Black, Education
Women, Black, Ontario
Women, Black, Social conditions
Women, Black, Ontario
African American college students
Women, Black, Education
Women, Black, Canada
Sex discrimination in higher education, Canada
Health, social and economic consequences of workplace injury for BC workers and their families

Background. This research used the British Columbia Linked Health Database (BCLHD) to examine the following three areas, following a workplace injury: (1) change in healthcare utilization for WCB claimants; (2) change in healthcare utilization for families of WCB claimants; (3) financial and personal consequences injury. Materials and Methods. For 1 and 2, healthcare use five years before and after the injury was examined, relative to the 12-months before a 1994 injury (baseline), for WCB claimants who required time off (lost time---LTs) for their injuries (and their families). Change in use was compared to that of other WCB claimants (no lost time---NLTs) and individuals in the population who were not WCB claimants (non-injured comparisons---NIs). The dependence of these measurements on registration in the BC Medical Service Plan (MSP) and several injury characteristics were examined. For area 3, multiple logistic regression analyses were used to measure three social and economic outcome (residential change, income assistance use and relationship breakup). Group (LT, NLT) and duration of time away from work for LTs (less than 12 weeks and greater than or equal to 12 weeks) were the prime variables of interest. Key Findings. (1) LTs showed increased physician, hospital, and mental healthcare use five years after the injury at a higher rate than the other two groups. These patterns persisted when adjusting for registration in the BC MSP and injury characteristics. (2) For spouses and children, the differences over time and between groups were marginal. (3) LTs were more likely to move to poorer neighbourhoods and to collect income assistance benefits than the NLTs and less likely to experience a relationship break-up. LTs off work for 12 weeks of more were more likely to receive income assistance than those off for less than 12 weeks. Conclusion. For WCB claimants, the consequences of workplace injury extend beyond what is funded by the WCB into the publicly funded healthcare and social systems.
A study of the admissions process to a teacher education program

This two-stage mixed methods study examined the admissions process to the OISE/UT Bachelor of Education program for the 2002-2003 year. The first stage of this research was to determine, in terms of demographics, who were highly successful teacher candidates and who struggled or failed in the preservice program. A total of 347 students were selected for this study, 90 from the primary/junior (P/J), 92 from the junior/intermediate (J/I), and 165 from the intermediate/senior (I/S) divisions. Pre-existing biodata was obtained from the Registrar's office, which was used in conjunction with information from interviews with 11 cohort Coordinators. The Coordinators ranked the students from 4 (highly successful) to 1 (struggled or failed) in both the academic and practicum components of the program. Seventy-five students were ranked "4" and 54 students were ranked "1" in the practicum. Students who had a least one contemporary classroom and at least one non-classroom experience as well as previous experiences with the appropriate age group were the most successful in the program. Students who had insights into certain knowledge and skills including student-centred learning, a range of approaches, and an understanding of the complexity of teaching as well as certain dispositions such as determination, enthusiasm, flexibility, and creativity were the most successful in the program. For the second stage, the Applicant Profiles were obtained for the 129 students mentioned above. A content analysis was conducted using the recording units of prior teaching related experiences and insights. Prior teaching related experiences included contemporary, children's, adult, and non-classroom ones. Insights included classroom management skills, broader school community, role of a teacher, and characteristics of a teacher. The categories were further broken down and statistical tests including the Pearson Chi-square and the linear-by-linear association were performed to test if relationships were statistically significant among the variables mentioned above among others, and those students who were identified as highly successful with those who struggled or failed.

Keywords: Teachers, Training of
Teachers, Ontario
College applications, Ontario