Storage and Retrieval Codes in PIR Schemes with Colluding Servers

Private information retrieval (PIR) schemes (with or without colluding servers) have been proposed for realistic coded distributed data storage systems. Star product PIR schemes with colluding servers for general coded distributed storage system were constructed over general finite fields by R. Freij-Hollanti, O. W. Gnilke, C. Hollanti and A. Karpuk in 2017. These star product PIR schemes with colluding servers are suitable for the storage of files over small fields and can be constructed for coded distributed storage system with large number of servers. In this paper for an efficient storage code, the problem to find good retrieval codes is considered. In general if the storage code is a binary Reed-Muller code the retrieval code needs not to be a binary Reed-Muller code in general. It is proved that when the storage code contains some special codewords, nonzero retrieval rate star product PIR schemes with colluding servers can only protect against small number of colluding servers. We also give examples to show that when the storage code is a good cyclic code, the best choice of the retrieval code is not cyclic in general. Therefore in the design of star product PIR schemes with colluding servers, the scheme with the storage code and the retrieval code in the same family of algebraic codes is not always efficient.Comment: 25 pages,PIR schemes with the storage code and the retrieval code in the same family of algebraic codes seem not always efficient. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2207.0316

The compensation incentive effect of athletes: A structural equation model

This study explores the compensation incentive effect of athletes. Based on the related literature, we proposed theoretical hypotheses on the compensation incentive effect and established an assessment index system of the compensation incentive effect for athletes. A structural equation model was used to test the survey data of 352 athletes in six provinces to discover the truth of the compensation incentive effect. The results suggested that direct economic compensation satisfaction, direct non-economic compensation satisfaction, and indirect non-economic compensation satisfaction had significant positive effects on the compensation incentive effect of athletes, while indirect economic compensation satisfaction showed no significant effect. Moreover, the evaluation results of athletes’ compensation incentive effect showed that direct economic compensation satisfaction contributed the most to the influence factor of the compensation incentive effect. Therefore, the evaluation of athletes’ compensation incentive effect should focus on variables of direct economic compensation satisfaction, i.e., basic compensation satisfaction, bonus income satisfaction, and subsidy satisfaction. Finally, some strategies and recommendations were suggested to improve the compensation design for athletes

A radiomics nomogram for predicting cytokeratin 19–positive hepatocellular carcinoma: a two-center study

ObjectivesWe aimed to construct and validate a radiomics-based nomogram model derived from gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images to predict cytokeratin (CK) 19–positive (+) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patients’ prognosis.MethodsA two-center and time-independent cohort of 311 patients were retrospectively enrolled (training cohort, n = 168; internal validation cohort, n = 72; external validation cohort, n = 71). A total of 2286 radiomic features were extracted from multisequence MR images with the uAI Research Portal (uRP), and a radiomic feature model was established. A combined model was established by incorporating the clinic-radiological features and the fusion radiomics signature using logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of these models. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to assess 1-year and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the cohort.ResultsBy combining radiomic features extracted in DWI phase, arterial phase, venous and delay phase, the fusion radiomics signature achieved AUCs of 0.865, 0.824, and 0.781 in the training, internal, and external validation cohorts. The final combined clinic-radiological model showed higher AUC values in the three datasets compared with the fusion radiomics model. The nomogram based on the combined model showed satisfactory prediction performance in the training (C-index, 0.914), internal (C-index, 0.855), and external validation (C-index, 0.795) cohort. The 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS of the patients in the CK19+ group were 76% and 73%, and 78% and 68%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS of the patients in the CK19-negative (−) group were 81% and 77%, and 80% and 74%, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed no significant differences in 1-year PFS and OS between the groups (P = 0.273 and 0.290), but it did show differences in 2-year PFS and OS between the groups (P = 0.032 and 0.040). Both PFS and OS were lower in CK19+ patients.ConclusionThe combined model based on clinic-radiological radiomics features can be used for predicting CK19+ HCC noninvasively to assist in the development of personalized treatment

The Influence of Neighbourhood Environment on Airbnb: a Geographically Weighed Regression Analysis

Sharing accommodation has emerged recently as a new business model in the accommodation sector. Due to the potential gentrification Airbnb might bring to an area, it is critical to understand the spatial patterns of sharing economy and its possible determinants. The neighbourhood environment has proven to be an important factor in the traditional hotel business, and whether it is the same for sharing accommodation is worth investigating. In this study, location data of 29,780 houses/apartments on Airbnb.com in London was collected. Using Ordinal Least Square and Geography Weighed Regression analysis, the spatial distribution features of Airbnb and its relationship with neighbourhood environment in London were explored. The results show that sharing accommodation is mainly located in the city centre and around tourist attractions. Neighbourhood elements such as Water, Vegetation Coverage, Art & Human Landscape, Travel & Transport, University, Nightlife Spot emerged as important factors influencing Airbnb. In addition, the distribution of Airbnb in London is spatially non-stationary, in some areas high Airbnb is associated with higher transportation accessibility, in other areas, high Airbnb is associated with more attractions or nightlife spots, suggesting that the role of different factors varies in different regions, proving Tobler’s first law of geography

Fabrication and Characterization of High Internal Phase Pickering Emulsions Stabilized with Quaternary Complexes of Lactoferrin, Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, High Methoxylated Pectin and β-Cyclodextrin

In this study, self-assembled quaternary complexes of lactoferrin (LF), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), high methoxylated pectin (HMP) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were constructed and characterized, and successfully utilized for stabilizing high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs). In comparison with ternary complexes, the quaternary complexes had lower interfacial tension (reduced by about 3 mN/m) and more appropriate wettability (contact angle close to 90°), and were more effective in stabilizing HIPPEs (smaller droplet size and enhanced homogeneity). The dense cross-linking network of the quaternary complexes endowed HIPPEs with higher viscoelasticity (increasing elasticity and viscosity by up to 1.9 and 5.3 times, respectively), textural properties, 3D printing characteristics, and refrigeration stability. β-CD significantly improved the antioxidant activity of HIPPEs (up to 2.1 times) by interfering with the combination of EGCG with LF or HMP. In addition, the self-assembly sequence could flexibly regulate the structures and emulsifying properties of the quaternary complexes, with the LF-β-CD-EGCG-HMP complex having the most pronounced effect. In conclusion, this study provides a theoretical basis for the construction of protein-polyphenol-polysaccharide-polysaccharide complexes and their applications in HIPPEs