Privacy-Enhanced MQTT Protocol for Massive IoT

The growing expectations for ubiquitous sensing have led to the integration of countless embedded sensors, actuators, and RFIDs in our surroundings. Combined with rapid developments in high-speed wireless networks, these resource-constrained devices are paving the road for the Internet-of-Things paradigm, a computing model aiming to bring together millions of heterogeneous and pervasive elements. However, it is commonly accepted that the Privacy consideration remains one of its main challenges, a notion that does not only encompasses malicious individuals but can also be extended to honest-but-curious third-parties. In this paper, we study the design of a privacy-enhanced communication protocol for lightweight IoT devices. Applying the proposed approach to MQTT, a highly popular lightweight publish/subscribe communication protocol prevents no valuable information from being extracted from the messages flowing through the broker. In addition, it also prevents partners re-identification. Starting from a privacy-ideal, but unpractical, exact transposition of the Oblivious Transfer (OT) technology to MQTT, this paper follows an iterative process where each previous model’s drawbacks are appropriately mitigated all the while trying to preserve acceptable privacy levels. Our work provides resistance to statistical analysis attacks and dynamically supports new client participation. Additionally the whole proposal is based on the existence of a non-communicating 3rd party during pre-development. This particular contribution reaches a proof-of-concept stage through implementation, and achieves its goals thanks to OT’s indistinguishability property as well as hash-based topic obfuscations.

Effects of Transmission Delay on Client Participation in Video-Mediated Group Health Counseling

In face-to-face group counseling, active client participation contributes to the counseling agenda by a variety of social processes, but little is known about how video mediation shapes client participation. In this article, we use conversation analysis to investigate how transmission delay affects client participation in video-mediated group counseling through shaping the resolution of overlapping talk. Data are video recordings from three video-mediated group health counseling sessions recorded simultaneously in the two participating locations. The delay changes the timing of the overlapping turns and pauses at each end of the mediated counseling, making it difficult to interpret who should take the turn after the overlap. This may pose obstacles to client participation. While mediated counseling services can increase access to services and thus improve client participation at a macro level, transmission delay can pose threats to active client participation at the micro level of interaction.

Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of programs aimed at preventing radicalization and disengaging known violent extremists. Some programs have targeted individuals through the use of case management approaches and the development of individual intervention plans (e.g., the Desistance and Disengagement Program and the Channel program in the UK; the Australian New South Wales Corrections Proactive Integrated Support Model—PRISM—and state-based division initiatives in Australia). There is a broad consensus in the literature that the evaluation of such initiatives has been neglected. However, the evaluation of case-managed interventions to counter violent extremism (CVE) is challenging. They can have small caseloads which makes it difficult to have any comparison or control group. Client participation can vary over time, with no single intervention plan being alike. This can make it hard to untangle the relative influence of different components of the intervention on indicators of radicalization and disengagement. In this presentation, results from primary research that set out to evaluate case-managed CVE interventions in Australia and develop evaluation metrics are presented. This research involves the examination of interventions implemented by New South Wales corrections and state police. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed against a five-point metric of client change. Client change overtime was analyzed using case note information collected by the various interventions on client participation. Results show that client change is not a linear process and that the longer an individual is engaged in a case-managed intervention, the more likely they are to demonstrate change relating to disengagement. Specific case studies are used to illustrate trajectories and turning points related to radicalization and to highlight the role of case-managed interventions in facilitating disengagement. Key elements of effective interventions include the provision of ongoing informal support. Investment in capturing case note information should be a priority of intervention providers. Different challenges confronted by case-managed CVE interventions are highlighted.

Examining a Child Welfare Parenting Intervention for Parents With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose: There is scant child welfare research on parenting interventions for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This mixed-methods research examined client participation in an in-home parenting intervention, including client characteristics, which clients benefit most from participation, and key aspects of program participation. Method: The sample included participant program records, client satisfaction surveys, stakeholder interviews, and a staff focus group. The quantitative data were analyzed using growth curves and binary logistic regression. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Time spent in Project Improving Parenting Achievements Together was predictive of improvement in parenting skills and the home environment and reduction in the odds of out-of-home placement for children of parents with I/DD. The intensity of services, tailored education, community engagement, and client–worker relationship were the key aspects of program participation. Discussion: With proper supports, parents with I/DD can learn parenting skills, improve the home environment, and keep their family intact.

Factors Affecting the Client's Performance in the Public Construction Projects: Case Study of Oman

Despite the vast research on construction projects management issues in the Middle-East, little is known about client involvement in public projects. This article presents a study on identifying significant factors affecting client participation performance in public construction projects in the Sultanate of Oman. The study was conducted in quantitative approach where the data was collected through questionnaire survey. The collected data was analysed statistically to determine the ranking of the identifiedfactors based on the degree of involvement in the project. The study found that the handover phase had the highest client’s participation, while the operations and maintenance phase had the lowest client’s participation among all the five construction phases. The low client participation in any project has an undesirable influence on the projects’ overall outcomes. Consequently, this condition has harmed the time of completion of construction projects in the Sultanate of Oman. This condition is also the main reason for the quality problems in construction projects in Oman.

Clients Input Improves Satisfaction on HIV and AIDS Program

Background: AIDS Vancouver is a donor funded non-profit organization that supports people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). Like many health providers there is need to look for effective less costly methods of not only delivering services but improve the quality and coverage as well. Literature indicates that the participation of clients is an effective low-cost method of improving service. PLWHA are reluctant to participate in client input initiatives because of negative reactions in society to their condition. Innovative methods to engage clients need to be utilized.Methods: An initial survey was conducted to determine the base satisfaction level. The survey also indicated areas for improvement. Consultation sessions were conducted with clients, volunteers and staff on which issues to tackle and how. This process has been repeated for three consecutive years. Appreciative Inquiry (AI)and Social Constructivism (SC) theories were selected as guidelines on client engagement. AI was selected to encourage participants to use the strengths and resources around them to improve the program. Social Constructivism was selected for its ability to combine individual perspectives in constructing meaning that is acceptable to all participants.Results: Annual surveys have become a useful tool to determine the client satisfaction level on the program. They have also highlighted the dynamic issues related to supporting our clients. The follow-up consultation sessions have generated 41 proposals of which 26 have been implemented successfully. Client satisfaction is up, client participation in running the program continues to grow. The cost implications are minimal, yet the benefits are significant. Client participation raised program satisfaction level by 16 percentage points after one year and has maintained the satisfaction level high in two consecutive years.Conclusions: Client participation was essential in improving the satisfaction level of the program. It was important to create the space for clients to participate and also build trust with clients. Clients have a lot of knowledge about their conditions and provide valuable input. Their contribution is mainly on social aspects rather than technical aspects. These social aspects are essential in improving the client experience and need to be included in improvement initiatives.

HOME CARE AIDE-LED RESISTANCE EXERCISE FOR MEDICAID HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES CLIENTS

Home Care Aides (HCAs) assistance is the most common care provision to help clients with activities of daily living, but exercise is not currently provided, despite well-established health benefits. We developed a resistance exercise intervention using a stakeholder panel of physical therapists, HCAs, and clients. Stakeholders suggested a mobile application that played exercise videos. We then enrolled 128 HCA-client dyads (93% african american & 79% female) and randomized home care aides to lead the intervention with their clients in addition to usual care for 6 months or continue usual care. Our aims were to 1) evaluate the feasibility of the intervention and 2) determine the effects of the intervention on client physical performance, frailty classification, self-reported health, and strength. 96% of HCAs reported the training session successfully prepared them to lead exercise and we had no adverse events. There was high attrition rates among dyads (28.13%) at 6 months which was worse among HCAs (55%). We found no statistically significant differences between study arms. However, the range of completed sessions was 1-34 out of 52 possible sessions. Program evaluation indicated high satisfaction among clients and HCAs (8.9 & 8.6/10). HCA attrition limited client participation, technology did not facilitate exercise completion, and client motivation was a barrier to adherence. Results show it is feasible to train HCAs to lead exercise, however, given high turnover in the HCA profession, alternative implementation models should be studied. While the app use was an innovative way to engage older adults in exercise, technology challenged HCAs.