auto my_ptr = base::MakeUnique<T>() is preferable over std::unique_ptr<T> my_ptr(new T) because it provides exception safety and does not require to repeat the typename (base::MakeUnique is equivalent to std::make_unique which is part of C++14).

Even though this change is beneficial to all code, we limit the scope to a single file, to avoid polluting the git history.

References:
 - Scott Meyers - Effective Modern C++ - Item 21: Prefer std::make_unique [...] to direct use of new.
 - https://herbsutter.com/gotw/_102/
 - http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/memory/unique_ptr/make_unique