VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Harmonization of International Securities Markets Regulation: A Trade Perspective

Widespread cross-border securities trading have led to the internationalization of securities markets. No one seriously disputes that such securities dealings require regulation, but there is no academic consensus on the best normative approach to such regulation. The academic debate initially focused on whether regulatory competition or cooperation constitutes the better model. However, the debate seems to have evolved to adopt a hybrid model combining the virtues of these two approaches. ‘Harmonization’ constitutes the dominant hybrid model. Nevertheless, the implementation of the harmonization model has barely received any attention in the literature. The aim of this thesis is hence two-fold: first, justify why harmonization should be the preferred model for the regulation of international securities markets; and second, develop, applying an international trade regulation perspective, a regulatory framework to implement the harmonization model using the World Trade Organization and General Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO/GATS) framework.

Keywords: harmonization
securities
hybrid model
trade perspective
securities regulation
international securities
regulatory competition
World Trade Organization
General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATS
WTO
trade liberalization
mutual recognition
systemic risk
issuer choice
portable reciprocity
Tiebout
investor
systemic risk
negative externalities
multi-jurisdictional disclosure system
passport system
economies of scale
IOSCO
allocational efficiency
information cost
investor protection
Advisor: Anand, Anita
Crack Growth Rate and Crack Path in Adhesively Bonded Joints: Comparison of Creep, Fatigue and Fracture

The relationship between crack path and test method was examined by comparing the performance of adhesive-adherend combinations (six) in quasi-static fracture, mixed-mode fatigue, and creep crack growth. Crack paths in creep and quasi-static fracture were similar due to similar crack-tip plastic zone sizes in the epoxy adhesive even though the crack growth rates in creep were much smaller. Under condensed moisture and mixed-mode, creep and threshold fatigue tests produced interfacial failure. Under room-temperature dry environment, near threshold mixed-mode fatigue was interfacial, but was not in creep or quasi-static fracture. Smaller plastic zone size and crack path proximity to the interface that followed increased the sensitivity of near threshold, mixed-mode fatigue to surface properties. Therefore, the interfacial or cohesive failure of an adhesive system, which may judge the quality of the bond, can be a function of the test being conducted and may not be an absolute indicator of joint quality.

Keywords: Adhesive Joints
Fracture Mechanics
Crack Path
Plastic Zone
Creep Crack Growth
Fatigue
Quasi-Static Fracture
Test Method
Crack Growth Rate
Advisor: Spelt, Jan K.
Papini, Marcello
The Impact of the Responsibility to Protect on State Behaviour: An Analysis

The International Commission on Intervention on State Sovereignty was established with the intent of articulating more robust guidelines on how the international community should respond to humanitarian crises. In 2001, the Commission released its official report in which it proposed the creation of new concept called the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). R2P sought to make nations more willing to address humanitarian crises. This thesis examines how the concept of R2P has the potential of impacting state behaviour. Through examining its normative evolution and current impact on state behaviour, this thesis argues that while the concept clearly has led to an increase political will to react, it is occasionally limited by the surrounding political realities.

Keywords: Responsibility to Protect
Public International Law
Advisor: Brunnee, Jutta
Role of the Adapter Protein 3BP2 in BCR-ABL-mediated Signal Transduction and Leukemogenesis

3BP2 was originally identified through its interaction with the ABL kinase. Fusion of ABL with the BCR gene forms the BCR-ABL onco-protein, which is causative in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Due to the ability of 3BP2 to regulate ABL activity in osteoblasts, we hypothesize that 3BP2 modulates BCR-ABL signalling. Overexpression of 3BP2 in the CML-T1 cell line produced a marked decrease in global tyrosine phosphorylation. 3BP2 overexpression also resulted in a significant increase in CML-T1 cell growth, accompanied by altered ERK1/2, AKT, SYK, LYN, HCK, and CBL phosphorylation and expression. A phospho-SRC family protein and a 116 kDa phospho-protein were identified as 3BP2 interaction partners in response to BCR-ABL activation. BCR-ABL bone marrow transplantation (BMT) models in 3bp2-/- mice exhibit accelerated disease compared to wild-type mice, with altered leukemic phenotype. In conclusion, 3BP2 is able to modulate signalling through BCR-ABL and affect BCR-ABL-induced disease outcome.

Keywords: leukemia
signal transduction
BCR-ABL
3BP2
Advisor: Barber, Dwayne
Virtual Holonomic Constraints and the Synchronization of Euler-Lagrange Control Systems

A virtual holonomic constraint (VHC) for an Euler-Lagrange Control System is a smooth relation between the configuration variables that can be made invariant through application of suitable feedback. In this thesis we investigate the role played by VHCs in the synchronization of Euler-Lagrange systems. We focus on two problems. For N underactuated cart-pendulums, we design a smooth feedback that fully synchronizes the cart-pendulums while simultaneously stabilizing a periodic orbit corresponding to a desired oscillation for the pendulums. A by-product of our results is the ability to simultaneously synchronize the pendulums and stabilize the unstable upright equilibrium. The second synchronization problem investigated in this thesis is bilateral teleoperation, whereby a master robot is operated by a human while a slave robot synchronizes to the master. For two identical planar manipulators, we develop a methodology to achieve teleoperation in the presence of a hard surface, with simultaneous force control.

Keywords: virtual holonomic constraints
synchronization
teleoperation
haptics
Advisor: Manfredi, Maggiore
Access to Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) Services for Trans People in Ontario

There is a dearth of research that explores the lives and experiences of trans-identified parents. The goal of this study was to explore the experiences of trans people who sought or accessed AHR services in Ontario between 2007 and 2010. Qualitative data that was collected from 7 qualitative interviews with 9 trans people and their partners was analyzed for the present analysis. Results from this study indicate that AHR providers do not possess sufficient knowledge about trans people, trans identities and trans lives to adequately address the needs of trans service users. Specific provider practices that trans people experienced as being unhelpful are illuminated and implications for improving clinical practices are discussed.

Keywords: assisted human reproduction
transgender
transsexual
artificial insemination
reproductive technology
health care
Advisor: Craig, Shelley L.
Ross, Lori E.
Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Normal Postnatal Lung Growth

Rationale/ Hypothesis: Reactive oxygen species, including lipid hydroperoxides, play a critical role as second messengers in many physiological processes in the body. Heightened reactive oxygen species production at the time of birth imposes an oxidative stress upon the lung, which may trigger postnatal alveologenesis and physiological lung cell apoptosis in the neonatal rat. Methods: Neonatal rats were subcutaneously injected daily with vehicle (corn oil) or diphenyl-phenyl diamine for the first 6 days of life to study alveologenesis and physiological lung cell apoptosis. Add-back experiments were conducted with a prototypic lipid hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide. Main Results: Treatment with diphenyl-phenyl diamine resulted in parenchymal thickening, reduced numbers of secondary crests and enlarged air spaces, all consistent with the inhibition of alveologenesis and reduced physiological lung cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Following an oxidative stress at birth, lipid hydroperoxide formation triggers postnatal alveologenesis and physiological lung cell apoptosis in the neonatal rat.

Keywords: lung development
alveolar formation
reactive oxygen species
physiological apoptosis
Advisor: Tanswell, Keith
Assay of Oral Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils for Assessment of Oral Inflammation in Pregnant Women

Background: A multitude of studies suggest an association between periodontal disease and adverse birth outcomes. Although the evidence is controversial, it is biologically plausible, and the key link maybe inflammation. Purpose: To correlate levels of periodontal disease as measured by conventional methods with PMN counts from an oral rinse in pregnant women. Methods: Sixty-three pregnant women were recruited. Periodontal examinations were carried out. Fifteen-second saline rinses were collected. ABTS, a colour changing redox agent was added to each rinse. The intensity of the colour reaction was measured by absorbance to count the oral PMNs. Results: A statistically significant difference in oral PMN counts was observed between those with periodontal disease and the healthy patients (P < .05). The sensitivity and specificity using the bleeding index was 0.94 and 0.76 respectively. Conclusions: The rinse assay can be used as a screening tool for periodontal disease and oral inflammation in pregnant women.

Keywords: Neutrophils
Oral inflammation
Pregnant women
Periodontal disease
Preterm birth
Low birth weight
Oral rinse
Advisor: Sigal, Michael
Tenenbaum, Howard
The Effect of Folic Acid Supplementation on Chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil in a Xenograft Model of Human Colon Carcinoma

Folate blood levels in North America have dramatically increased over the past decade owing to folic acid (FA) fortification and widespread supplement use. Furthermore, over 50% of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients use vitamin supplements containing FA while receiving chemotherapy whose mechanisms of action are based on interruption of folate metabolism. This study therefore investigated whether FA supplementation can affect chemosensitivity of human colon cancer cells to 5FU, the cornerstone of CRC treatment, using a xenograft model. FA supplementation was associated with a non-dose dependent decrease in chemosensitivity, where mice receiving 8 mg FA did not respond to 5FU and had greater tumor growth with treatment, compared to 2 (control) or 25 mg FA. Results of this study pose concern given the drastically increased intake of FA, particularly among recently diagnosed CRC patients, and from mandatory fortification. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: folic acid
5-fluorouracil
colon cancer
Advisor: Kim, Young-In
Domino C-H Functionalization Reactions of gem-Dibromoolefins: Synthesis of N-Fused Benzo[c]carbazoles

The development of a novel palladium-catalyzed domino reaction with indole-based gem-dibromoolefin substrates is described. The reaction allowed access to a new class of polycyclic nitrogen heterocycles: N-fused benzo[c]carbazoles. A key feature of this domino reaction was the participation of both bromides in C–H functionalization processes, a hitherto unprecedented reactivity. Various substituents and substitution patterns were tolerated in this reaction, allowing for a highly modular approach to these challenging synthetic targets. Mechanistic studies were performed to gain further insight into the reactivity of these systems and elucidate the sequence of reaction steps. The results indicate that isomerization of reaction intermediates likely played a key role in promoting a successful reaction.

Keywords: domino reactions
C-H functionalization
palladium
dibromoolefin
heterocycles
carbazoles
Advisor: Lautens, Mark
Private Environmental Preference (PEP) towards Pollution Reduction: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Private Environmental Preference (PEP), measured by the willingness to spend on pollution reduction and its casual factors. A PEP model is constructed for Canada, China, India, and USA using data from the World Value Survey and Structural Equation Models. The results revealed that the most important factors are: environmental organization membership, acknowledgement of global environmental problems, Machiavellian attitudes towards money, and confidence in governing bodies. Other significant factors include: the acknowledgement of local environmental problems, income level, occupational characteristics, and work ethic. The acknowledgement of global problems and confidence in governing bodies increase PEP, while Machiavellian attitudes towards money reduce PEP across all four countries. Environmental organizational membership on PEP increase PEP in Canada and USA, but decrease PEP in India. White-collar occupational characteristics have a positive effect on PEP in Canada, but negative in China and India. Policy recommendations are provided given these observations.

Keywords: Environmental
Preference
Pollution
Willingness
China
India
Canada
USA
Pay
Spend
Advisor: Kant, Shashi
Internation Commercial Arbitration: The Need for Harmonized Legal Regime on Court-ordered Interim Measures of Relief

This thesis is an attempt to consider some of the challenges facing the regime of international commercial arbitration (ICA) in the contemporary global economy. It examines the governance mechanism of the regime of ICA in a globalizing economy. The thesis seeks to analyze the process of harmonization of the law of ICA with particular reference to availability of interim measures from court. In particular, the analytical focus is on how the globalizing economy affects the requirement of “court-ordered interim measures” in the arbitration process and how international arbitral regime attempts to cope with such changing demand of the globalizing economy. The thesis emphasizes the importance of harmonizing the national laws on the above-mentioned issue through ratifying international conventions as opposed to formulation of non-mandatory UNCITRAL Model Law.

Keywords: International Commercial Arbitration
Harmonization
Interim
Measures
Advisor: Schneiderman, David
Generating Peptide Probes against Cancer-related Peptide Recognition Domains using Phage Display

Peptide recognition domains (PRD) bind to short linear motifs on their biological partners and are found in several cellular pathways including those found to be critical in tumorigenesis. In this study, I aimed to generate peptide probes against PRDs present on proteins involved in ovarian cancer. Using bioinformatics, I identified 66 potential PRDs present on these proteins. I then used peptide phage display to successfully generate peptides against 27 of the 66 domains. To validate my results, I performed an extensive literature review and structural analysis. For several cases, the phage-display derived binding preferences are similar to previously reported studies. However, for a subset of domains, I identified non-canonical binding preferences that have not been reported previously in literature. The binding preferences obtained in this study can be used to design intracellular probes for studying the role of these PRDs in biological pathways important in ovarian cancer.

Keywords: Phage Display
Peptide probes
Ovarian cancer
Peptide recognition domains
Advisor: Sidhu, Sachdev
Kim, Philip M.
The Role of Fatty Acid Synthase Over-expression in Human Breast Cancer

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is over-expressed in many human cancers and its activity is required for cancer cell survival. To understand why FAS is over-expressed, we compared in breast cancer cells the utilization of fatty acids synthesized endogenously by FAS to those supplied exogenously in the culture medium. We found that endogenously synthesized fatty acids are esterified to the same lipid and phospholipid classes in the same proportions as those derived exogenously and that some endogenous fatty acids are excreted. Thus, FAS over-expression in cancer does not fulfill a specific requirement for endogenously synthesized fatty acids. We next investigated whether lipogenic activity mediated by FAS was, instead, involved in the maintenance of high glycolytic activity in cancer cells. By culturing breast cancer and non-cancer cells in anoxic conditions, we increased glycolysis 2-3 fold but observed no concomitant increase in lipogenesis. More research is needed to understand why FAS is over-expressed in cancer.

Keywords: fatty acid synthase
breast cancer
cancer metabolism
aerobic glycolysis
Advisor: Archer, Michael
Bazinet, Richard
Diagnosis of Intermittent Faults in Discrete Event Systems

Fault diagnosis in discrete event systems is studied using a state-based framework. Faults can be either intermittent or permanent. For intermittent faults, system may recover from faulty behaviour through reset. To diagnose such intermittent faults, fault counters are introduced. Fault counters record the number of intermittent faults which must have occurred according to the output observations. This provides the main diagnosis. They also record the number of possible intermittent faults which may have occurred but cannot be confirmed. This provides auxiliary diagnostic information. Fault diagnosability is then studied. Since faults may be intermittent, they may occur repeatedly. Three different notions are studied: 1-diagnosability, 1,k-diagnosability, and 1,infty-diagnosability, and criteria for each of these notions are obtained. The criteria are expressed in terms of fault counters and extend the diagnosability criteria for permanent faults. The concept of a resonant path is introduced, which plays an important role in studying diagnosability.

Keywords: Fault Diagnosis
Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI)
Intermittent Faults
State-Based Frameworks
Discrete Event System (DES)
Advisor: Kwong, Raymond H.
Towards a Novel Electrochemical Sensing Platform for Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infections

Urine culture, the current gold standard for urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis, does not produce results in an acceptable length of time. An ultra-sensitive, cost-effective electrochemical biosensing platform with nanostructured microelectrodes was designed to address the need for a rapid, point-of-care (PoC) test that could achieve a sample-to-answer time in less than an hour. Printed circuit boards and metallized glass slides were processed using various techniques and then tested for their ability to form nanostructured microelectrodes. Peptide nucleic acid probes for the bacteria and yeast as well as ten probes for antibiotic resistance genes were designed and synthesized for use with the new platform. Validation of the sensor's specificity was performed using high concentrations (100nM) of synthetic DNA oligomers. Furthermore, a clinically relevant sensitivity of 103 cfu/mL was demonstrated by detecting 4 pathogen lysates (Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae) in a buffered solution.

Keywords: electrochemical sensing
biosensing
antimicrobial resistance
bacterial detection
PNA
nanostructured microelectrodes
urinary tract infection
surface functionalization
Advisor: Kelley, Shana O.
Determining the Optimal Orientation of Orthotropic Material for Maximizing Frequency Bandgaps

As the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) increases in aerospace struc- tures it is important to use this material in an efficient manner such that both the weight and cost of the structure are minimized while maintaining its performance. To com- bat undesirable vibrational characteristics of a structure an optimization program was developed which takes advantage of the orthotropic nature of composite materials to maximize eigenfrequency bandgaps. The results from the optimization process were then fabricated and subjected to modal testing. The experiments show that local fiber angle optimization is a valid method for modifying the natural frequencies of a structure with the theoretical results generally predicting the performance of the optimized composite plates.

Keywords: aerospace
composites
structural optimization
eigenfrequency bandgaps
orthotropic material
Advisor: Steeves, Craig A.
Hydrological Controls on Mercury Mobility and Transport from a Forested Hillslope during Spring Snowmelt

Upland environments are important sources of mercury (Hg) to downstream wetlands and water bodies. Hydrology is instrumental in facilitating Hg transport within, and export from watersheds. Two complementary studies were conducted to assess the role hydrological processes play in controlling Hg mobility and transport in forested uplands. A field study compared runoff and Hg fluxes from three, replicate hillslope plots during two contrasting spring snowmelt periods, in terms of snowpack depth and timing. Hillslope Hg fluxes were predominately flow-driven. The melting of soil frost significantly delayed a large portion of the Hg flux later into the spring following a winter with minimal snow accumulation. A microcosm laboratory study using a stable Hg isotope tracer applied to intact soil cores investigated the relative controls of soil moisture and precipitation on Hg mobility. Both hydrologic factors control the mobility of contemporary Hg; with greatest Hg flushing from dry soils under high-flow conditions.

Keywords: hydrology
biogeochemistry
mercury
transport
spring snowmelt
hillslope
upland soils
dissolved organic carbon
isotope tracer
Advisor: Mitchell, Carl
Time Loss Due to Oral Health Issues in the Canadian Population

Objectives: 1. To determine the proportion of people reporting time loss from work, school, or normal activities due to oral health issues. 2. To determine how much time is being lost. 3. To establish predictors of this time loss. 4. To determine the productivity losses. Methods: Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007-2009) were used. Linear and logistic regressions were employed to determine which variables were predictive of hours lost and reporting time loss. Productivity losses were determined using the lost wages approach. Results: Time loss is more likely among privately insured, high income earners. Experiencing oral pain is the best predictor of reporting time loss. Productivity losses are comparable to those of some musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions: Participants with higher incomes report time loss more frequently while the total amount of time lost is greatest for those with the lowest incomes. Productivity losses are substantial at the societal level.

Keywords: time loss
oral health issues
economic impact
Advisor: Quiñonez, Carlos
NMDA Receptor Silencing is Mediated by Calcium Release from the Mitochondria via the Permeability Transition Pore in Anoxia-tolerant Turtle Neurons

Mammalian neurons are anoxia-sensitive and rapidly undergo excitotoxic cell death when deprived of oxygen, mediated largely by calcium entry through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). This does not occur in neurons of the anoxia-tolerant western painted turtle, where a decrease in NMDAR currents is observed with anoxia. This decrease is dependent on a modest increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] during anoxia. The aim of this study was to determine if activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) decreases NMDAR currents through release of mitochondrial Ca2+. The data indicate that mPTP opening is sufficient to cause a decrease in NMDAR currents during normoxia and the anoxia-mediated rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential is due to opening of the mPTP. Furthermore, since a mitochondrial uncoupler releases additional calcium during anoxia we speculate that the mitochondrial membrane potential decreases in a regulated fashion to a new set-point.

Keywords: NMDA receptor
Anoxia
Advisor: Buck, Leslie