VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Corporate Managers and the Wide Discretion for their Fiduciary Duties: Problematic or not?

As a result of the Supreme Court’s broad definition for ‘best interests of the corporation’ in recent decisions, the author examines to whom managers ought to owe their fiduciary duties normatively and what role managerial discretion has in this debate. The author argues that the lack of clarity offered by the judiciary, in this area of corporate law, has led to the adoption of a wide discretion being afforded to managers. An examination of several rationales fails to justify this continued adoption of a broad discretion. The author argues that granting managers with wide discretionary powers is problematic because the interests of constituencies will not be adequately protected. At the very least, statutory reform is necessary to protect the most vulnerable stakeholders. The author recommends that the law be amended to require that managers, in performing their fiduciary duties, regard the interests of employees and shareholders.

Keywords: Corporate Law
Fiduciary Duties
Managerial Discretion
Advisor: Lee, Ian B.
Income Tax Treatment of Credit Swaps in Canada: Enhancing Tax Neutrality

This study examines the issue of tax neutrality of the income tax treatment of credit swaps in Canada in domestic context. It analyzes the applicable tax regime consisting of rules on tax characterization, timing and tax rates through the lenses of symmetry, consistency and certainty approaches. The study argues that the Canadian tax policy focuses on achieving symmetry in income tax treatment, rather than consistency. This is because introducing consistency would contradict the fundamental principles of the Canadian law. The study finds that the current tax regime is only partially neutral because symmetry has not been achieved in respect to credit swaps entered between non-financial organizations. To enhance symmetry, the study proposes to adopt a mandatory mark-to-market basis of taxation of credit swaps for the non-financial organizations. Further, to make income tax treatment more certain, the study proposes that the CRA should issue a non-binding guidance on credit swaps.

Keywords: derivatives
tax policy
credit swaps
taxation
Advisor: Alarie, Benjamin
Disingenuous or Novel? An Examination of Apology Legislation in Canada

This Thesis provides an analysis of Apology Legislation in Canada, more specifically focusing on its influence on Canadian Courts & Contracts of Insurance. Apology legislation, as an amendment to the Evidence Act of a province or a stand-alone piece of legislation, was created to restrict the admissibility of acts or words of remorse or benevolence given by one person to another. Apology Legislation in Canada is said to be a positive measure on the road to making the justice system more accessible, affordable and effective. This piece will explore the framework of Apology Legislation in several common law jurisdictions, leading to an examination of the socio-economic and legal benefits it is purported to confer. This Thesis will also consider legal and policy changes that could help to alleviate the burden on the judicial system while contributing to the creation of a safer and more sustainable health care system in Canada.

Keywords: Apology
Legislation
Health
Law
Advisor: Lemmens, Trudo
Electrodeposition of Tantalum and Niobium Using Ionic Liquid

Ionic liquids are molten salts with melting points below 100 °C and they consist entirely of cations and anions. The development of ionic liquids, especially air and water stable types, has attracted extensive attention since they have outstanding physical properties. Part I of the study focused on the pre-electrolysis process performed to remove impurities from the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(tri-fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, ([BMP]Tf2N). Part II investigated the electroreduction of TaF5 and NbF5 from room temperature ionic liquid at 100 °C at a wide range of potentials and different time durations for the purpose of determining the optimal conditions for the electrodeposition of tantalum. The study was carried out using potentiostatic polarization for the pre-electrolysis treatments and electrodeposition and cyclic voltammetry to study the behaviour of the liquid at various stages. Potentiostatic depositions were complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) for characterization of the electrodeposits.

Keywords: electrodeposition
ionic liquids
Advisor: Perovic, Doug
Newman, Roger C.
Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) Framework: Application to the Fracture Fighters Program

The purpose of this thesis is to apply the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework to a provincial osteoporosis management program to describe unit level factors that may have influenced implementation among participating inpatient rehabilitation units. A toolbox of measures was proposed to operationalize the frameworks elements of evidence, context and facilitation. A cross-sectional survey was completed with clinicians responsible for championing the program and their managers. Results demonstrated that leadership behaviours, organizational climate traits and champion behaviours varied among practice environments indicating that attention to unit level factors outlined by the PARiHS framework could increase the uptake of research evidence in practice. The proposed toolbox could be utilized as a diagnostic and prescriptive tool to identify potential implementation barriers, and guide the selection of appropriate tools/strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, it will enable future studies to provide further empirical support for the PARiHS framework

Keywords: knowledge translation
osteoporosis
PARiHS framework
leadership
facilitation
organizational climate
Advisor: Jaglal, Susan B.
The in vivo Oxyhaemoglobin Dissociation Curve at Sea Level and High Altitude

Some animals have adapted to hypoxia by increasing their haemoglobin affinity for oxygen, but in vitro studies have not shown any change of haemoglobin affinity for oxygen in human high altitude natives or lowlanders acutely acclimatized to high altitude. We conducted the first in vivo study of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve by progressively reducing arterial PO2 while maintaining normocapnia in lowlanders at sea level, lowlanders sojourning at 3600m for two weeks and native Andeans at the same altitude. We found that the in vivo PO2 at which haemoglobin is half-saturated (P50) is higher in lowlanders at sea level (32 mmHg) than that measured in vitro (27 mmHg) and that lowlanders and highlanders do significantly increase the in vivo affinity of their haemoglobin for oxygen with exposure to high altitude. These results indicate the value of an in vivo approach for studying the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve.

Keywords: Oxyhaemoglobin Dissociation Curve
High Altitude
Oxygen Transport
Acclimatization
Advisor: Fisher, Joseph A.
Factors Affecting the Implementation of Complex and Evolving Techniques: A Multiple Case Study of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in Ontario.

Background: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a method of delivering high-dose radiation to tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Despite its wide availability IMRT utilization varies across Ontario. The study’s objective was to examine key steps in the implementation process and identify factors that facilitate or impede IMRT implementation. Research Methods: An embedded multiple case study design, utilizing document analysis and key-informant interviews, was employed. Four cancer centres were selected and key-informant interviews were conducted with radiation oncologists, physicists, radiation therapists, and administrators. Results: Eighteen of 21 invited key-informants participated (86% participation rate) providing a range of insights on the factors influencing IMRT implementation. Overall, three cases made progress in the implementation of IMRT, while one case had limited implementation over the same time period. Conclusion: These findings help explain the observed variation in IMRT implementation across Ontario, which is multifaceted and reflects ongoing processes of change and reinvention.

Keywords: Implementation
technology
barriers
facilitators
IMRT
radiation
health policy
decision making
cancer centres
case study
Ontario
knowledge translation
evidence
guidance
Advisor: Dobrow, Mark
Safety of a Fully Powered Mechanical Patient Lift for Bariatric Patients

The work in this thesis was concerned with the safety evaluation of a fully powered mechanical patient lift for bariatric patients. A working prototype of this system, called RoboNurse, was designed and manufactured at iDAPT technology team at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. There are currently no lifting technologies similar to RoboNurse in the healthcare industry. The methods that are used to evaluate the system included: 1) Series of mechanical tests to evaluate the static strength and stability of the design 2) Computer simulations to evaluate the dynamic stability of the system and 3) Failure mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as risk analysis tools. These techniques helped to perform thorough and systematic evaluations on the system and its components. This study significantly assisted in understanding the problems associated with the current design prototype and provided the necessary resources and guidelines for the future generations of this technology.

Keywords: Patient lift
Bariatic
Safety
Advisor: Fernie, Geoff
Intelligent Ad Resizing

Currently, online advertisements are created for specific dimensions and must be laboriously modified by advertisers to support different aspect ratios. In addition, publishers are constrained to design web pages to accommodate this limited set of sizes. As an alternative we present a framework for automatically generating visual banners at arbitrary sizes based on individual prototype ads. This technique can be used to create flexible visual ads that can be resized to accommodate various aspect ratios. In the proposed framework image and text data are stored separately. Resizing involves selecting a sub-region of the original image and updating text parameters (size and position). This problem is posed within an optimization framework that encourages solutions which maintain important structural properties of the original ad. The method can be applied to advertisements containing a wide variety of imagery and provides significantly more flexibility than existing solutions.

Keywords: Image Resizing
Saliency
Energy-Based Models
Cropping
Advisor: Aarabi, Parham
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy after Acquired Brain Injury: An Investigation of the Benefits for Emotional Well-being, Coping Strategy Use, and Community Integration at 6-Months Post-Treatment

Objectives: To demonstrate that at 6-months post-cessation of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) adapted for acquired brain injury (ABI), (1) patients maintain psychological benefits, (2) coping strategy selection improves, (3) community integration is enhanced, and (4) benefits are observed in both face-to-face and telephone administrations. Methods: Participants. Seventeen ABI patients with elevated psychological distress. Outcome Measures. Pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up performance on the Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R), Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Ways of Coping-Revised Questionnaire (WOC-R). Procedures. Eleven CBT sessions provided in group, face-to-face format or individually by telephone. Results: For face-to-face and telephone groups, psychological distress was significantly reduced from pre-treatment to 6-months follow-up: DASS-21 (t16= 7.32, p <.000); SCL-90-R (t16= 6.22, p <.000). Community integration (t16= -6.15 p<.000) and problem-focused coping (t16= -3.67, p<.01) were also significantly enhanced. Conclusion: CBT adapted for patients with ABI carries robust benefits even 6-months after treatment.

Keywords: Brain Injuries
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Psychological distress
Coping
Community integration
Advisor: Green, Robin
Bradbury, Cheryl
Identification of a Chloroplastic "RNA Tractor" within the Genome of Potato Virus X (PVX)

Previous studies have detected the presence of the capsid protein (CP) and CP RNA of PVX in chloroplasts of transgenic plants expressing the PVX CP and 8kD genes from nuclear transgenes. CP RNA was also found in the chloroplasts of transgenic plants with mutations that eliminated either the CP or the 8kD protein. To further investigate the potential “RNA Tractor” activity of the PVX RNA, various constructs containing limited regions of the PVX 8kD and CP genes were produced and used to transform tobacco plants. RT-PCR analyses of chloroplastic RNA ascertained the presence of the RNA transcript within chloroplasts when as little as 125bp of the PVX sequence was used to transform plants. From this, it was concluded that the PVX proteins did not contribute to the movement of the viral RNA and that a region within the 125bp PVX sequence is acting as a chloroplastic “RNA Tractor”.

Keywords: Potato Virus X
Chloroplast
Advisor: AbouHaidar, Mounir
Foraging Ecology of a Bat Assemblage

Here I examine five non-migratory sympatric bat species that are similar in their morphology and general ecology: Eptesicus fuscus, three myotid bats, Myotis leibii, M. lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, and Pipistrellus (= Perimyotis) subflavus. By examining echolocation call structure, wing and jaw morphology and diet, I defined finer niche differences between species. M. lucifugus and M. septentrionalis differ in the relative abundance of moths in their diet. My results on skull morphology suggest M. lucifugus consumes harder insects than M. septentrionalis. Conversely, my data suggests M. leibii is not as efficient within a cluttered habitat but is capable of foraging in edge habitats. Eptesicus fuscus is capable of efficiently consuming larger insects whereas P. subflavus has echolocation and jaw characteristics that indicate specialization in smaller insects. Significant differences amongst these 5 species are evident based on my data of overall morphology and diet.

Keywords: Chiroptera
Foraging ecology
Advisor: Fullard, James H.
Whose Balance? Divergent Directions in Canadian Copyright Reform

Over the last decade, Supreme Court copyright jurisprudence has undergone dramatic changes, concurrent with governmental copyright reform initiatives. Both the Supreme Court and the government have used the popular but unhelpful language of “balance” to explain and justify their initiatives. Unfortunately, there is no consensus as to what constitutes an appropriate balance or how to facilitate this and the two initiatives have been moving in opposite directions. The changes in the Supreme Court have altered the purpose and application of copyright law in a way that favours user access to works. Conversely, had they passed, government amendments would have increased owner rights and incentives, moving in a protectionist direction and restricting access and use. This would have the potential to impede future innovation. This thesis suggests that balance is an inadequate metaphor, examines the differences between the Supreme Court and governmental conception of “balance” and proposes reasons for these differences.

Keywords: copyright
legislative reform
Bill C-61
Advisor: Katz, Ariel
The Tumour Suppressor p27kip1 Interacts with NF-kB Activator IKK and Plays a Role in Inflammation

The tumour suppressor p27kip1 (p27) is a potent inhibitor of cell growth and proliferation. We identified NF-κB activator, IKKα, as a novel interacting partner of p27 in a protein microarray screen. Both the IKKα and IKKβ components of the IKK complex were mapped to the C-terminal domain of p27. To investigate the physiological function of the p27-IKK interaction, we employed a well-established model of LPS-induced sepsis which is known to activate the IKK/NF-κB pathway. Lentivirally-mediated overexpression of p27 blocked LPS activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, in LPS-injected animals transduced with TAT-p27, a significant improvement in the left ventricular function of the heart was observed. TAT-p27 treatment was also shown to attenuate the endotoxin effect and significantly improve survival compared to both saline and TAT-LacZ controls. Our results indicate that p27 attenuates inflammation, possibly through inhibiting the IKK-dependent activation of NF-κB, thus supporting a novel link between both cell cycle regulation and inflammation.

Keywords: p27kip1
IKK
heart failure
inflammation
Advisor: Harsdorf, Rudiger von
Synthetic Studies on Palladium-Catalyzed Olefin Dioxygenation, Indole Functionalization, and Helical Ligands

Palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation is a powerful tool in the generation of complex and valuable substrates, one which may become complimentary to the well known Sharpless dihydroxylation. In this work the mechanism of this transformation is examined via reaction kinetics and Hammett studies, which corroborate a PdII/IV catalytic cycle and suggest that the rate determining step is the oxidation of PdII to PdIV. Olefin dioxygenation was also found to proceed in the presence of catalytic quantities of BF3•OEt2 or triflic acid, with stoichiometric hypervalent iodine oxidant and an acetic acid solvent. Furthermore, asymmetric variants of intramolecular palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation were also investigated, which resulted in the formation of tetrahydrofuran products in up to 36% ee. Next, chelate-assisted C–H bond functionalization of indoles at the C7 position and of carbazoles at the C1 position was investigated with a variety of arylation, halogenation and oxygenation techniques. Lastly, our efforts towards the synthesis of a mono-phosphine based [5]helicene ligand via olefin metathesis and photocyclization strategies will be discussed.

Keywords: palladium catalysis
olefin dioxygenation
indole functionalization
helical ligand
vicinal oxidation
hammett study
synthetic organic chemistry
transition metal catalysis
Advisor: Dong, Vy Maria
Recognizing a Sustainable Relationship between International Human Rights and International Trade Law in a Pursuit to have Human Rights Taken More Seriously: A Case Study of the People’s Republic of China and the WTO

Acknowledging a relationship between international human rights and international trade law adds to the legitimacy of economic, social and cultural rights already enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the central institution for international trade law and it has demonstrated a commitment to enhance human rights. This commitment has been realized through WTO efforts to enhance human dignity and eradicate poverty. These WTO efforts ought to be fostered and used to promote human rights. The purpose of this study was two fold – first, demonstrate that a relationship between international trade law and international human rights exists; and second, that this relationship is useful in promoting economic, social and cultural rights. This relationship will be examined through WTO initiatives, case studies and the Accession of the Republic of China in 2001.

Keywords: International human rights
International trade law
Advisor: Trebilcock, Michael
Biomimetic Aminoacylation: Investigating Detection of Acylation and the Effect of α-Amino Protection

Direct synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA occurs using α-N-tBoc-protected aminoacyl phosphates and lanthanum salts. Deprotection of aminoacyl tRNA is essential prior to translation; however, the conditions of tBoc deprotection causes tRNA degradation. It was found that α-N-pentenoyl-protected aminoacyl phosphates, deprotected under mild conditions, are effectively used in lanthanum-mediated acylation of tRNA analogs. This provides an alternative route for aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis that maintains tRNA structure. Also, it was determined that α-N-deprotection of aminoacyl phosphates prior to aminoacylation still produces aminoacylated tRNA analogs. This establishes that acyl phosphates activate amino acids without inducing self-condensation, presumably due to electrostatic repulsion. Direct quantification of lanthanum-mediated tRNA aminoacylation was additionally undertaken utilizing a radiolabelled tRNA assay. From this, it was shown that lanthanum-mediated acylation does not promote deacylation and degradation of tRNA. These results have provided insight into lanthanum-mediated acylation of tRNA, ultimately allowing for use of the reagent in ribosomal translation.

Keywords: aminoacylation
tRNA
Advisor: Kluger, Ronald
Methane Production, Oxidation, and Emissions under Simulated Enhanced Nutrient Deposition in a Northern Peat Bog

Northern peatlands play a significant role in the global carbon (C) cycle by functioning as sources of atmospheric methane (CH4). Peatlands are becoming polluted as a result of nitrogen (N) deposition, which is likely to impact CH4 dynamics. This thesis presents research at the Mer Bleue bog (Ottawa, Canada) in the longest known simulated atmospheric nutrient deposition experiment. After 8 years of simulated N (and other nutrient) deposition, activities of microbial communities involved in CH4 cycling have been analyzed in the laboratory and CH4 fluxes measured using chamber techniques in the field. High rates (>10 times ambient deposition) of simulated N deposition decreased CH4 production, and enhanced CH4 oxidation in vitro. However, in situ CH4¬ emissions were greater in the high N plots. I hypothesize that CH4 production is therefore driven by short-lived root exudates in the field, consistent with increased shrub biomass that occurs concomitantly with high N deposition.

Keywords: Methane
Nitrogen
Advisor: Basiliko, Nathan
Neoliberalising Africa: Revealing Technologies of Government in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad)

This thesis investigates the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) in order to engage debates about neoliberalism in African development policy. In identifying limitations with commentaries of Nepad and pervasive narratives of neoliberalisation, I employ an analytic of governmentality to reinterpret neoliberalisation as the governmental re-management of populations into societies of free, entrepreneurial, self-regulating subjects. Firstly, I investigate how Nepad makes Africa knowable and amenable to technical intervention in the form of “development”, particularly drawing attention to how the African subject is understood and the intimacy between technical solutions and expert diagnosis. Secondly, I explore four initiatives and techniques that attempt to render these rationalities reality. The conclusions elucidate how neoliberalism ought not to be understood as a monolithic, unrolling totality that simply implants itself through coercive power relations, but rather is comprised of a patchwork of rationalities, knowledges and discourses and given effect through prosaic governing practices.

Keywords: Nepad
Development
Africa
Governmentality
Neoliberalism
Foucault
Advisor: Rankin, Katharine
Kepe, Thembela