On December 16, 1963, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution 1967 (XVIII) recording its belief that provision for impartial fact finding within the framework of international organizations, and in bilateral and multilateral conventions, could make an important contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to their prevention. The Resolution noted a considerable body of practice in the use of fact finding methods in international relations, which is available to be studied "for the progressive development of such methods" (6th perambular paragraph). In the light of this Resolution, the object of this study was to ascertain the nature and the scope of the fact finding powers possessed by the principal judicial organ of the community of nations, the World Court and their applicability in the various types of proceedings which may be instituted before it. As a background the major problems inherent in, and the nature and function of, the law of evidence in international judicial proceedings are sketched. An attempt is also made to determine the respective rights and duties of the litigants and the World Court in the matter of the adduction of evidence. The provisions of the Statute and Rules of the World Court which expressly confer upon it fact finding powers are then examined. A broad competence is seen to be granted the Court to request the production of evidence, and to undertake investigations and enquiries of various kinds into the facts of the issues submitted to it. The only condition precedent to the exercise of these powers being that the litigant states must have agreed to submit their dispute to the Court for adjudication. Notwithstanding a paucity of authority, it is also found that the world Court also possesses certain implied fact finding powers stemming not from the instruments of its creation, but from its inherent nature as a judicial tribunal. This implied competence to undertake researches, of its own motion, into the facts of an issue submitted to it supplements the Court's express competence, although a duplication of the power to appoint independent experts is evident. It is then ascertained whether the World Court can have recourse to all the fact finding powers conferred upon it in the two categories of proceedings, contentious and advisory proceedings, which may be instituted before it. Some limitations on the Court's powers are found to exist in the case of advisory proceedings, these limitations deriving from the nature of the proceedings. With respect to contentious proceedings no limitations were found. From the preceding examination of the fact finding powers of the World Court it was concluded that it had the potential to discover the absolute truth of any issue submitted to it for decision, with the co-operation of the parties. While some amendments to the Statute and Rules of the Court were suggested, it was felt that any major revisions of the Court's powers would have no substantial effect until the jurisdiction of the Court became compulsory. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

This dissertation investigates the manner in which facts are proven with specific emphasis on the role which the concept of ‘probabilities’ plays in achieving the ‘burden of proof. It is illustrated that the concept of ‘probabilities’ plays a central role throughout the process of determining the accountability of a litigant, including fact-finding during the evaluation of the adduced evidence and the application of the burden of proof. This study distinguishes between the findings of individual facts, as opposed to the finding of whether the case of a party, as reflected by the cumulative effect of the individually proven facts, has been proven. It is submitted that, despite traditionally perceived views, the concept of ‘probabilities’ is applied in exactly the same manner to both these aspects of a legal dispute, the only variable being the degree of probabilities as determined by a specific stage and nature of the litigation. The research focuses on both criminal and civil cases. The dissertation is based on current South African practices as reflected in judgments in different law reports and, to some extent, on English and American legal practices. Copyright / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Procedural Law / unrestricted

To combat fake news, researchers mostly focused on detecting fake news and journalists built and maintained fact-checking sites (e.g., Snopes.com and Politifact.com). However, fake news dissemination has been greatly promoted by social media sites, and these fact-checking sites have not been fully utilized. To overcome these problems and complement existing methods against fake news, in this thesis, we propose a deep-learning based fact-checking URL recommender system to mitigate impact of fake news in social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. In particular, our proposed framework consists of a multi-relational attentive module and a heterogeneous graph attention network to learn complex/semantic relationship between user-URL pairs, user-user pairs, and URL-URL pairs. Extensive experiments on a real-world dataset show that our proposed framework outperforms seven state-of-the-art recommendation models, achieving at least 3~5.3% improvement.

This thesis examines the Checkpoint research project and verification initiative that was introduced to address misinformation in private messaging applications during the 2019 Indian general election. Over two months, throughout the seven phases of the election, a team of analysts verified election related misinformation spread on the closed messaging network WhatsApp. Building on new automated technology, the project introduced a WhatsApp tipline which allowed users of the application to submit content to a team of analysts that verified user-generated content in an unprecedented way. The thesis presents a detailed ethnographic account of the implementation of the verification project. Ethnographic fieldwork has been combined with a series of semi-structured interviews in which analysts are underlining the challenges they faced throughout the project. Among the challenges, this study found that India’s legal framework limited the scope of the project so that the organisers had to change approach from an editorial project to one that was research based. Another problem touched the methodology of verification. Analysts perceived the use of online verification tools as a limiting factor when verifying content, as they experienced a need for more traditional journalistic verification methods. Technology was also a limiting factor. The tipline was quickly flooded with verification requests, the majority of which were unverifiable, and the team had to sort the queries manually. Existing technology such as image match check could be further implemented to deal more efficiently with multiple queries in future projects.

Eukaryotic gene expression to proteins is a complex process that begins with transcription which is regulated by numerous regulatory factors and signals. Alterations in these regulatory factors that modulate gene expression are linked with a multitude of cellular pathologies including cancers. Thus, it is important to delineate these transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. Therefore, a large number of studies have been aimed at understanding the mechanism of transcription at the level of initiation, elongation, and termination. In line with this, my dissertation work is focused towards elucidating novel regulatory mechanisms of transcription initiation and elongation. Our results illuminate genetically how TOR (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway regulates transcription initiation and hence, transcription, in response to nutrients. The process of transcription initiation at the promoter is followed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pausing at the promoter-proximal site for mRNA capping/quality control. Such promoter-proximal pausing of Pol II (paused Pol II) plays an important role in regulating transcription elongation. Our results unveil how paused Pol II is released to engage into productive elongation for mRNA synthesis. We show that the capping enzyme, Cet1, targets a transcription factor known as FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) which subsequently recruits a transcription elongation factor, Paf1C (RNA polymerase II- associated factor 1 [Paf1] complex), to release the paused Pol II for productive transcription elongation for mRNA synthesis. During such transcription elongation, histones need to be evicted in front of Pol II and reassembled in the wake of Pol II, and this dynamic histone disassembly and reassembly are coordinated by a number of histone chaperones. The aforementioned transcription factor, FACT, is one such histone chaperone that plays a key role in histone reassembly during transcription elongation. Importantly, we find a new regulation of FACT, by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), and hence, histone dynamics at the coding sequence and transcription. Specifically, the Spt16 component of FACT is ubiquitinated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase San1, and subsequently degraded by the 26S proteasome in yeast. Such proteasomal regulation of Spt16 subunit of FACT regulates transcription, and impairment of this UPS regulation alters transcription, leading to cellular pathologies. Indeed, SPT16 has been found to be associated with a lot of cancers, and our results show that this proteasomal degradation of SPT16 is impaired in cancer cells. Further, upregulation of SPT16 is associated with alterations in transcription of genes linked to cancer. Subsequent to its synthesis, mRNA needs to be exported to cytoplasm for translation to proteins. Importantly, transcription elongation has been found to be coupled to mRNA export, and like elongation, mRNA export is also controlled by UPS. Our findings demonstrate the role of active transcription in the proteasomal degradation of a key mRNA export factor, Sub2, mediated via Mdm30 (an F-box protein), thus, enhancing our understanding of the UPS regulation of mRNA export. Taken together, my dissertation work elucidates novel regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in response to nutrients and UPS, with implications in cellular pathologies including cancers.

No description available.

Considerable media research has established that much of mainstream, United States based news is historically rife with content that both implicitly and explicitly reinforces popular cultural norms. Combined with a history full of inequities towards marginalized groups, many of which were based on race, consumption of mainstream news has been linked to increased hostility and more negative attitudes towards non-Whites in the United States. That said, much of this work views news from a monolithic perspective of news programming, irrespective of the differences in political orientation or broadcast integrity. By using quantitative assessments of how various mainstream news programs score on both left/right and fact/opinion-based dichotomies, the purpose of the present study is to address these gaps. As models for how mainstream news consumption is related to existing race-related attitudes, theoretical foundations of cultivation theory (how long viewers watch), the motivation and opportunities model (if viewers are motivated in their viewing) and social ecology theory (who viewers are), were used in relation to these dichotomies. However, overall results suggest that, while time spent with news, race, and gender appear to affect news consumption's relationship with race-related attitudes, preference for left vs. right wing news and fact vs. opinion-based was less relevant, with marginal effect sizes at best. Implications and future directions considering these results are discussed.

O transplante de células tronco hematopoéticas(TCTH) consiste na infusão intravenosa de células tronco hematopoéticas, destinadas a restabelecer a função medular e imune em pacientes com uma série de doenças malignas e não malignas, herdadas ou adquiridas, sendo considerado um procedimento de alta complexidade, alto custo financeiro e alta morbi-mortalidade . O sucesso do TCTH resultou em um grande número de pacientes sobreviventes livres de doença, trazendo como grande questão colocada pelos candidatos a essa terapêutica como será sua qualidade de vida após o procedimento. O objetivo desse estudo longitudinal consistiu em avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) de pacientes submetidos ao TCTH autólogo e alogênico em três momentos distintos: no pré, após 30 e 180 dias pós TCTH e correlacionar com dados clínicos e sócio-demográficos. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados dois questionários: o primeiro para obtenção de dados clínicos e sócio-demográficos, e o segundo uma escala específica traduzida e validada para o português o Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy (FACT-BMT). A amostra inicial foi constituída por 30 pacientes, 26 avaliados nos três momentos. O conjunto de resultados permitiu visualizar um impacto positivo da QVRS em pacientes com neoplasias e doenças hematológicas submetidos ao TCTH, ao final dos seis meses pós TCTH, apesar de algumas funções se apresentarem mais prejudicadas como a função física, funcional e preocupações adicionais com 30 dias pós TCTH, houve melhora nos escores do FACT-BMT em todos os componentes quando comparado ao do pré TCTH, especialmente nos aspectos físicos, emocionais e relacionamento com o médico.Conhecer essas implicações auxiliam a equipe interdisciplinar e o paciente na decisão de submeter-se a esse procedimento e auxiliam no planejamento de uma assistência que visa a melhora da QVRS desses pacientes. / The Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation (HSCT) consists of infusing stem cells intravenously, aiming to reestablish the spinal cord and immune functions in patients with a series of, inherent or acquired, malignant and nonmalignant diseases. It is considered a highly complex procedure, with high financial costs and morbidity and mortality. The HSCT success resulted in a large number of patients who survived and were healed, which in turn lead potential candidates to question how good quality of life can be after the procedure. This study evaluates the Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of patients submitted to the autologous and allogenic HSCT in three different points in time: before, 30 and 180 days after the HSCT and correlated clinical and socio-demographic data. Two questionnaires were used for data collection: the first addressed clinical and socio-demographic data and the second was the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy (FACT-BMT) translated and validated to Portuguese. The initial sample was composed of 30 patients; 26 were evaluated in the three points. The set of results indicated a positive impact on HRQoL in patients with neoplasias and hematologic diseases six months after the HSCT. Despite the fact there were additional concerns and some functions, such as physical and functional, were affected 30 days after the HSCT, the FACT-BMT scores improved in all components reaching levels above those pre HSCT, especially in physical and emotional aspects and relationship with the physician. Knowledge concerning these implications helps patients to decide whether to submit to the procedure and the interdisciplinary team to plan care with a view to improve the HRQoL of these patients.

A matéria das presunções no direito relembra condições da própria gênese do sistema jurídico. Toda linguagem normativa comparece a princípio como raciocínio ou juízo presuntivo simples. No lidar com os casos concretos, primitivamente é o exegeta autêntico que faz introduzir no ordenamento fatos, presumindo ocorrências da realidade empírica. E o sistema jurídico pode optar em regular conduta topologicamente por meio de presunções realizadas pelo aplicador da ordem posta ou pelas Casas Legislativas. Assumidas enquanto normas, as presunções são signos linguísticos, que, com o apoio dos recursos semióticos, podem ser analisados sob três enfoques: sintático; semântico e pragmático. O ângulo sintático requer seja ressaltado o signo segundo sua formação unitária, observando-se sua estrutura fundante e a forma com que se apresenta aos nossos olhos. Sem perder de vista seu caráter uno, examinamo-lo em face das relações mútuas que mantém com outros signos, dentro e fora de seus sistemas de referência. Do ponto de vista semântico, observa-se a relação do signo com o objeto que representa. Acham-se as modulações de seu conteúdo, tendo em vista, de um lado, o objeto que quer ver representado em termos linguísticos e, de outro, o contexto no qual se insere. Indaga-se, portanto, sobre seus significados. Por fim, no campo pragmático, revela os usos linguísticos das presunções em uma dada sociedade, sobressaltando as variações de sentido originárias da dinâmica do sistema. A pragmática do signo o coloca em ação, observando-o no decorrer do tempo. Buscando expor as minúcias das presunções subdividindo a análise nesses três campos do conhecimento é que se pretende, entre outras coisas, eliminar as confusões que envolvem o tema, ressaltando o seu caráter jurídico e negando conjecturas de outras ordens para explicá-las (como as da política do direito, da sociologia ou da psicologia). Quer-se com isso alcançar precisão do termo no sistema jurídico, mediante (i) exigente rigor terminológico; (ii) precisão conceptual; e (iii) no uso de técnica de sistematização inexcedível pautada na dogmática jurídica. Enfim, busca-se imprimir unidade ao instituto das presunções no âmbito fiscal. E todo esse trabalho se o faz revigorando o tema segundo as contribuições da análise filosófica de teoria de linguagem, da semiótica e da Teoria Geral do Direito, com o fim específico de fundamentar uma teoria da ciência positiva das presunções no direito tributário. / The issue of presumptions in law reminisces the conditions of the legal systems own genesis. All statutory language first appears as reasoning or a simple presumptive judgment. In dealing with individual cases, at first it is the authentic exegete who introduces the facts in the juridical system by presuming occurrences of empirical reality. The legal order can opt to rule topological conducts by assumptions made by the juridical authority or the Legislative Chambers. Taken as juridical norms, the presumptions are linguistic signs that, with the support of semiotic resources, can be analyzed from three perspectives: syntactic, semantic and pragmatic. The syntactic angle requires the emphasis in the signs according to its unity formation by observing its founding structure and the way that it presents itself in our eyes. Without losing sight of this singular characteristic, we examine it in light of the relation it has with other signs, in and out of their system of reference. In the semantic point of view, we observe the relationship of the sign with the object that it represents. We find modulations of its content, observing in one hand, the object that it wants to see represented in linguistic terms and on the other hand, the context in which it operates. We wonder, therefore, about the or its meaning. Finally, the pragmatic domain reveals the linguistic use of presumptions in a given society, highlighting the changes of meanings given by the systems dynamics. The pragmatic of the sign puts it in action observing it over time. By subdividing the analysis in these three fields of knowledge, the intention is to expose the minutiae of presumptions and to eliminate the confusion around the theme amongst others. This can be achieved by emphasizing its juridical characters of presumptions and refusing conjectures of other orders to explain them (as politics, sociology or psychology). The purpose is to achieve precision of the term in the legal system by (i) demanding rigorous terminology, (ii) conceptual clarity and (iii) use of technical systematization unsurpassed ruled in legal dogmatic. All this work is reinvigorating by contributions of philosophical analysis of language theory, semiotics and the General Theory of law, for the specific purpose of supporting a theory of the presumptions in tax law.

A matéria das presunções no direito relembra condições da própria gênese do sistema jurídico. Toda linguagem normativa comparece a princípio como raciocínio ou juízo presuntivo simples. No lidar com os casos concretos, primitivamente é o exegeta autêntico que faz introduzir no ordenamento fatos, presumindo ocorrências da realidade empírica. E o sistema jurídico pode optar em regular conduta topologicamente por meio de presunções realizadas pelo aplicador da ordem posta ou pelas Casas Legislativas. Assumidas enquanto normas, as presunções são signos linguísticos, que, com o apoio dos recursos semióticos, podem ser analisados sob três enfoques: sintático; semântico e pragmático. O ângulo sintático requer seja ressaltado o signo segundo sua formação unitária, observando-se sua estrutura fundante e a forma com que se apresenta aos nossos olhos. Sem perder de vista seu caráter uno, examinamo-lo em face das relações mútuas que mantém com outros signos, dentro e fora de seus sistemas de referência. Do ponto de vista semântico, observa-se a relação do signo com o objeto que representa. Acham-se as modulações de seu conteúdo, tendo em vista, de um lado, o objeto que quer ver representado em termos linguísticos e, de outro, o contexto no qual se insere. Indaga-se, portanto, sobre seus significados. Por fim, no campo pragmático, revela os usos linguísticos das presunções em uma dada sociedade, sobressaltando as variações de sentido originárias da dinâmica do sistema. A pragmática do signo o coloca em ação, observando-o no decorrer do tempo. Buscando expor as minúcias das presunções subdividindo a análise nesses três campos do conhecimento é que se pretende, entre outras coisas, eliminar as confusões que envolvem o tema, ressaltando o seu caráter jurídico e negando conjecturas de outras ordens para explicá-las (como as da política do direito, da sociologia ou da psicologia). Quer-se com isso alcançar precisão do termo no sistema jurídico, mediante (i) exigente rigor terminológico; (ii) precisão conceptual; e (iii) no uso de técnica de sistematização inexcedível pautada na dogmática jurídica. Enfim, busca-se imprimir unidade ao instituto das presunções no âmbito fiscal. E todo esse trabalho se o faz revigorando o tema segundo as contribuições da análise filosófica de teoria de linguagem, da semiótica e da Teoria Geral do Direito, com o fim específico de fundamentar uma teoria da ciência positiva das presunções no direito tributário. / The issue of presumptions in law reminisces the conditions of the legal systems own genesis. All statutory language first appears as reasoning or a simple presumptive judgment. In dealing with individual cases, at first it is the authentic exegete who introduces the facts in the juridical system by presuming occurrences of empirical reality. The legal order can opt to rule topological conducts by assumptions made by the juridical authority or the Legislative Chambers. Taken as juridical norms, the presumptions are linguistic signs that, with the support of semiotic resources, can be analyzed from three perspectives: syntactic, semantic and pragmatic. The syntactic angle requires the emphasis in the signs according to its unity formation by observing its founding structure and the way that it presents itself in our eyes. Without losing sight of this singular characteristic, we examine it in light of the relation it has with other signs, in and out of their system of reference. In the semantic point of view, we observe the relationship of the sign with the object that it represents. We find modulations of its content, observing in one hand, the object that it wants to see represented in linguistic terms and on the other hand, the context in which it operates. We wonder, therefore, about the or its meaning. Finally, the pragmatic domain reveals the linguistic use of presumptions in a given society, highlighting the changes of meanings given by the systems dynamics. The pragmatic of the sign puts it in action observing it over time. By subdividing the analysis in these three fields of knowledge, the intention is to expose the minutiae of presumptions and to eliminate the confusion around the theme amongst others. This can be achieved by emphasizing its juridical characters of presumptions and refusing conjectures of other orders to explain them (as politics, sociology or psychology). The purpose is to achieve precision of the term in the legal system by (i) demanding rigorous terminology, (ii) conceptual clarity and (iii) use of technical systematization unsurpassed ruled in legal dogmatic. All this work is reinvigorating by contributions of philosophical analysis of language theory, semiotics and the General Theory of law, for the specific purpose of supporting a theory of the presumptions in tax law.