Dalhousie University
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Streaming Service Arms Race: Protection and Distribution of Live Sports Broadcasting in a Cord-Cutting Environment
Full text linkThis paper highlights the disparity in meeting consumer expectations for broadcasting sports content. The current shift to online streaming services creates accessibility and affordability challenges, leading to an increase in illegal streaming. The existing copyright laws in Canada and the U.S. have some limitations in enforcing the rights of sports media rights holders against primary or secondary infringement, and intermediaries face difficulties in removing infringing content. While injunctions and site-blocking orders are potential solutions, they may not completely combat online piracy. A possible solution is a centralized streaming service to address piracy while improving customer satisfaction. However, concerns about feasibility, revenue loss, and media imperialism exist. At a minimum a practical solution is necessary to meet consumer preferences, benefit society, enhance current legal remedies, and reduce digital piracy
The complete mitochondrial genome of the leopard shark Triakis semifasciata (Triakidae)
No full textThe leopard shark Triakis semifasciata (family Triakidae) is threatened by habitat loss and targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, from Oregon, USA, to the Gulf of California, Mexico. Despite environmental issues, there are few genetic and genomic resources available for this species. This study assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of T. semifasciata from a skin metagenomic sample and described it in detail. The phylogenetic position of T. semifasciata amongst closely related species was also examined using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs). The mitochondrial genome of T. semifasciata is 16,613 bp in length and consists of 13 PCGs, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. A 30 bp long region was identified as the origin of replication for the light strand (OL) between the trnN and trnC genes, and a 974 bp long putative control region (CR) contains the origin of replication for the heavy strand (OH). The gene order in T. semifasciata is identical to that of cofamilial species. An analysis of Ka/Ks ratios for all PCGs yielded values < 1, indicating that all PCGs experience strong purifying selection. All tRNAs exhibit a canonical ‘cloverleaf’ secondary structure except for tRNA-Ser1 which lacks the stem of the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm and in place possesses a simple loop. A phylomitogenomic maximum likelihood (ML) analysis did not support the monophyly of the family Trakidae and placed T. semifasciata in a sister position to Hemitriakis japanica. However, the aforementioned sister position was poorly supported by ML bootstrap values. This study represents a new genomic resource for this commercially and recreationally important species and confirms that mitochondrial genomes can be assembled from skin metagenomic samples as shown before in an unrelated shark species
Dynamics of methane emissions from northwestern Gulf of Mexico subtropical seagrass meadows
No full textWhile seagrass meadows are perceived to be pertinent blue carbon reservoirs, they also potentially release methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. Seasonal and diurnal variations in CH4 emissions from a subtropical hypersaline lagoon dominated by Halodule wrightii in southern Texas, USA, on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico were investigated. Dissolved CH4 concentrations decreased in the daytime and increased overnight during the diel observation period, which could be explained by photosynthesis and respiration of seagrasses. Photosynthetic oxygen was found to significantly reduce CH4 emissions from seagrass sediment. Diffusive transport contributed slightly to the release of CH4 from the sediment to the water column, while plant mediation might be the primary mechanism. The diffusive CH4 flux at the sea-air interface was 12.3–816.2 µmol/m2 d, over the range of the sea-air fluxes previously reported from other seagrass meadows. This was related to relatively higher dissolved CH4 concentrations (11.6–258.2 nmol/L) in a mostly closed lagoon with restricted water exchange. This study emphasizes seagrass meadows in the subtropical hypersaline lagoon as a source of atmospheric CH4, providing insights into the interactions between seagrass ecosystems and methane dynamics, with potential implications for seagrass meadow management and conservation efforts.This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid of Graduate Research Program of the Texas Sea Grant College Program from the NOAA, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Texas Comprehensive Research Funds, and Geological Society of America Graduate Student Grants
Advanced computer architecture
No full textThe Branching Dilemma: Conditional branches are instructions that alter the program flow based on a condition. Processors typically fetch instructions sequentially. Encountering a branch creates a dilemma: Fetch the next instruction in sequence (assuming not taken). Fetch the target instruction of the branch (assuming taken)
Access to Justice in the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court 1980-2022
Full text link*This contribution has not been peer-reviewed.
In his latest research paper the author explores the extent or degree to which the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court achieves its declared purpose of providing the citizens of the province with what can accurately be described as a “People’s Court,” that is, a legal agency that would allow ordinary citizens to pursue their legal claims expeditiously and at a reasonable cost with a process that involved lawyers/adjudicators rather than judges. After a review and analysis of several thousand decisions by Nova Scotia Adjudicators/lawyers, the author concluded that the creators of the court had been largely successful and its full vision as a “People’s Court” had been substantially achieved, although as the reviewers cautioned, it is still a work in progress. The author further suggests that now, more than ever, with our increasingly litigious society pressing its’ perceived legal claims, the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court is a Nova Scotia legal institution that needs and deserves to be supported by the Nova Scotia government.
Dans son dernier rapport de recherche, l’auteur étudie dans quelle mesure la Cour des petites créances de la Nouvelle-Écosse atteint son objectif déclaré de fournir aux citoyens de la province ce que l’on peut décrire avec justesse comme un « tribunal populaire », c’est-à-dire un organisme juridique qui permettrait aux citoyens ordinaires de faire valoir leurs revendications juridiques rapidement et à un coût raisonnable dans le cadre d’une procédure faisant intervenir des avocats/ adjudicateurs plutôt que des juges. Après avoir examiné et analysé plusieurs milliers de décisions rendues par des juristes/adjudicateurs de la Nouvelle- Écosse, l’auteur a conclu que les instigateurs du tribunal avaient largement réussi et que leur vision d’un « tribunal populaire » s’était largement concrétisée, même si, comme l’ont souligné les examinateurs, il s’agit encore d’un travail en cours. L’auteur suggère en outre qu’aujourd’hui, plus que jamais, avec notre société de plus en plus procédurière qui insiste sur les revendications juridiques qu’elle perçoit, la Cour des petites créances de la Nouvelle-Écosse est une institution juridique de la province qui doit et mérite d’être soutenue par le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Écosse
An Old Bottle for the New Wine: Understanding the Duty of Honest Performance under the Objective Theory
Full text linkBhasin v Hrynew has many dimensions and potentially affects almost every aspect of Anglo-Canadian contract law. This article is limited to one aspect only: the duty of honest performance (“DHP”). My article attempts to show that the objective theory can provide a solid foundation and a different thinking framework for understanding and developing the DHP. If I am right, the DHP may be placed on a sound footing, independently of the organizing principle of good faith. Section I of this article traces the duty’s development from Bhasin to Callow. Section II argues that under the objective theory, reasonable expectations of the parties are symmetrical, because reasonableness, as a transactional term, merely represents the world shared between the parties. Section III discusses the DHP under the framework of symmetry. Specifically, I discuss the possible developments of the knowledge requirement, the inclusive and exclusive bases under the DHP, the interpretations of equivocation and silence, why the DHP necessarily exists, and why breach of the DHP should be reliance-based.
L’affaire Bhasin c. Hrynew comporte de nombreuses dimensions et a de potentielles répercussions sur presque tous les aspects du droit des contrats anglo-canadien. Le présent article se limite à un seul aspect : le devoir d’exécution honnête (« DEH »). Mon article tente de montrer que la théorie objective peut fournir une base solide et un cadre de pensée différent pour comprendre et développer le DEH. Si j’ai raison, le DEH peut être placé sur une base solide, indépendamment du principe organisateur de la bonne foi. La section I du présent article retrace l’évolution de l’obligation énoncée dans l’arrêt Bhasin à l’arrêt Callow. La section II soutient qu’en vertu de la théorie objective, les attentes raisonnables des parties sont symétriques, parce que le caractère raisonnable, en tant que terme transactionnel, représente simplement le monde partagé entre les parties. La section III examine le DEH dans le cadre de la symétrie. Plus précisément, je discute des développements possibles de l’exigence de connaissance, des bases inclusives et exclusives du DEH, des interprétations de l’équivoque et du silence, des raisons pour lesquelles le DEH existe nécessairement, et des raisons pour lesquelles la violation du DEH devrait être fondée sur la confiance
Effectiveness of Marine Species at Risk Conservation within the UNEP Regional Seas Programme: Taking Stock and Charting Future Courses
Full text linkThe impending biodiversity crises demands urgent, effective action. The transboundary nature of many marine species at risk makes international law a necessary tool in this endeavour. The United Nations Environment Programme and its Regional Seas Programme consists of 18 individual progammes spanning the globe and bringing together 143 countries in regional collaborations. This research project evaluates potential effectiveness of four programmes within the Regional Seas Programme relative to each other on twelve elements looking at legal and institutional structure, as well as regional implementation. The four case studies cover the North-East Atlantic, Mediterranean, East Africa, and Caribbean regions. These programmes were selected because they are geographically diverse, and they include binding legal obligations to protect marine biodiversity. In order to provide context, the discussion starts with a brief overview of the threats facing marine species, as well as scientific tools used to evaluate extinction risk. It then traces the historical development of international law related to species at risk. This overview shows that international law has a relatively long history of protecting some species, especially marine mammals. In order to position conservation of marine species within international law, a review of fisheries-related instruments, conservation and international trade in wildlife conventions, habitat protection conventions, and instruments addressing sustainable development follows. Research on the effectiveness of international environmental agreements indicates that these instruments positively contribute to the achievement of their objectives, although there is room for improvement. This overview demonstrates that marine species at risk are subject to a complex mosaic of legal frameworks outlining state obligations and commitments. The analysis of the four case studies completes this research project. The results show that all four of the reviewed programmes have the legal and institutional structures needed to protect and recover marine species at risk. However, regional implementation is lagging in particular in areas such as recovery planning and compliance review. Proposed future directions include improved transparency and accountability, integration of social, economic, and environmental concerns, and establishment of regional ocean governance networks
More Than ‘‘Responsible AI” Bridging Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) and AISystems Ethics into Practice
Full text linkThis article reflects on the question ‘‘how should we approach the ethics of AI and technology?” through the example of how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is working within this space to develop its Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) Ethics Lifelong Learning and Professional Development Strategy. This strategy is connected, but also acts as a critical counterpoint, to approaches to AI governance and accountability that are reliant on a notion of ‘‘Responsible AI”. In these contexts, responsible AI is understood as the regulatory adoption of ‘‘rules” diffused through a normative structure of hierarchical authority within the organization or business. Rather, this article demonstrates how considerations for AISystems ethics should be necessarily diffused and distributed through many diverse types of structures and people, and how the CRA is doing this in practice. Professional development and lifelong learning approaches to ethics posit the learner themselves as central and accords that learner with both the responsibility and the possibility of transformative action through inclusive participation. The CRA’s AIS Ethics Lifelong Learning and Professional Development Strategy foregrounds an understanding of ethics, and AISystems ethics, as a balancing or redistribution of power relations with a view to how those systems are implicated within that context. In viewing AISystems ethics as implicated not in rules but in relations, we also are better positioned to develop impactful policy and programs to address how AISystems function as a disruptive force, technology, and set of practices (both negative and positive) for those who are disproportionately affected by the harmful aspects of new technologies
The Final Twelve
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When the COVID-19 pandemic moved law classes online, the University of Saskatchewan College of Law admitted an additional twelve students. These students had the lowest index scores in their class. This paper reviews their first year academic performance, compares it to other students admitted in the same year, and concludes that at least at the margin, applicants’ index score is not an accurate predictor of academic success. The author recommends that admissions committees use additional criteria, at least for applicants at the margin.
Lorsque la pandémie de COVID-19 a entraîné la mise en ligne des cours de droit, la faculté de droit de l’université de Saskatchewan a admis douze étudiants supplémentaires. Ces étudiants avaient les notes d’index les plus basses de leur classe. Dans cet article, nous examinons leurs performances académiques en première année, les comparons à celles d’autres étudiants admis la même année et concluons qu’au moins à la marge, le score d’index des candidats n’est pas un prédicteur précis de la réussite académique. L’auteur recommande aux comités d’admission d’utiliser des critères supplémentaires, au moins pour les candidats marginaux
International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (Overview)
No full textThe Elgar Encyclopedia of Crime and Criminal Justice stands apart as the most comprehensive global reference title in its field.Featuring the work of over 200 scholars and practitioners from around the world, the Encyclopedia presents an accessible and uniquely far-reaching set of entries on topics associated with crime and criminal justice. Within this flagship work, the incredible breadth and depth of the field is captured by a diverse and international range of contributors.The Encyclopedia is curated by a team of globally renowned scholars and is ambitious in its scope – comprising thematic, regional and comparative coverage with an emphasis on international and European criminal law. Entries give a concise summary of the accumulated knowledge on their topic, followed by a list of references to facilitate further study.• Over 250 entries• Entries organized alphabetically for ease of navigation• Fully cross-referenced• Entries written by scholars and practitioners from around the world• World class editorial team.The Encyclopedia will be available online ahead of print, followed by a multi-volume print edition