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We describe the design, analysis, implementation, and evaluation of Pirsona, a digital content delivery system that realizes collaborative-filtering recommendations atop private information retrieval (PIR). This combination of seemingly antithetical primitives makes possible—for the first time—the construction of practically efficient e-commerce and digital media delivery systems that can provide personalized content recommendations based on their users’ historical consumption patterns while simultaneously keeping said consumption patterns private. In designing Pirsona, we have opted for the most performant primitives available (at the expense of rather strong non-collusion assumptions); namely, we use the recent computationally 1-private PIR protocol of Hafiz and Henry (PETS 2019.4) together with a carefully optimized 4PC Boolean matrix factorization.

Threats to Libraries

Thesis/Purpose of the article – The present multitude of forms of communication requires diversified intermediation and promotion, and these seem now to be now the main functions of libraries. However, the basis of these endeavours is still print. A departure from supporting print media would result in a crisis in librarianship. In mediation there is a need to verify the content and support a critical reception, as well informational as non-informational. Direct services are essential, but so are remote services and the facilitation of interpersonal contacts. Research method – an analysis of the literature allows us to conclude that the overall library offer requires the supply of print media, delivery of digital media, and also the creation of conditions for direct contact between users. Without that, there will be no future for librarianship. Results and conclusions – The advantages of print are: wisdom, reflective concentration, non-informative (fictionalized) freedom. The possible elimination of print is therefore a serious intellectual and emotional threat. The advantages of digital communication are: multi-semioticity, informational; richness and extensive range – while its weaknesses are overinformation, shallow knowledge, and passivity of inspired thinking. Furthermore the related co-presence of smart articles phone users is only an appearance. Therefore, there is a need for the coexistence of print and digital communication and the facilitation of direct contacts between users. Libraries provide all of this in their offer. In turn, any departure from this, even partial, threatens librarianship with a fundamental crisis.

Testing the Effects of Hookah Tobacco Social Media Risk Communication Messages Among Young Adults

Background Hookah tobacco is commonly used among young adults, and use is driven in part by widespread misperceptions about risks. Social media use, particularly Instagram, is prominent in this population and exposure to commercial and user-generated content promoting hookah commonly occurs. Aims This study tested the effects of hookah tobacco risk messaging for delivery via Instagram as a strategy to offset exposure to content promoting hookah use among young adults. Method Young adult hookah smokers were recruited online for a 2 × 3 between-subjects experiment ( n = 601). Participants completed preexposure measures and were randomized to view hookah tobacco Instagram ads (commercial or user generated) with risk messages (none, risk education, or graphic risk). Stimuli were presented as a simulated Instagram feed. After viewing the stimuli, participants completed postexposure outcome measures. Results There was a statistically significant main effect of risk message type but no significant main effect of Instagram ad type or risk message type by ad type interactions. Exposure to the graphic risk and risk education messages were associated with lower intentions to engage with hookah tobacco ads on Instagram. Graphic risk and risk education messages produced greater negative emotional response and the graphic messages increased motivation to quit compared with Instagram ads alone. Discussion Findings provide preliminary evidence that hookah tobacco risk messages delivered via Instagram can offset the influence of content promoting the use of hookah tobacco. Conclusion This study represents an example of risk message testing and the results suggest the messages warrant further testing via social media delivery.