Private Stream Aggregation with Labels in the Standard Model

A private stream aggregation (PSA) scheme is a protocol of n clients and one aggregator. At every time step, the clients send an encrypted value to the (untrusted) aggregator, who is able to compute the sum of all client values, but cannot learn the values of individual clients. One possible application of PSA is privacy-preserving smart-metering, where a power supplier can learn the total power consumption, but not the consumption of individual households. We construct a simple PSA scheme that supports labels and which we prove to be secure in the standard model. Labels are useful to restrict the access of the aggregator, because it prevents the aggregator from combining ciphertexts with different labels (or from different time-steps) and thus avoids leaking information about values of individual clients. The scheme is based on key-homomorphic pseudorandom functions (PRFs) as the only primitive, supports a large message space, scales well for a large number of users and has small ciphertexts. We provide an implementation of the scheme with a lattice-based key-homomorphic PRF (secure in the ROM) and measure the performance of the implementation. Furthermore, we discuss practical issues such as how to avoid a trusted party during the setup and how to cope with clients joining or leaving the system.

Contextual engineering assessment using an influence-identification tool

Purpose This paper aims to introduce a new thought process and associated predictive tool to assist designers of infrastructure for unfamiliar rural societies in understanding the specific non-engineering influences that can lead to greater effectiveness of engineered infrastructure. Design/methodology/approach Using sociological principles, a simple checklist tool has been designed to assess specific societal conditions that may influence intervention outcomes. The tool, when weighted by regional predispositions, allows the designer to incorporate five non-engineering influences into technical design of engineered infrastructure. Findings Early deployment of the tool indicates that the predictive process helps to adapt technical designs to societal contexts. It also enhances consultant understanding of the client’s values and needs to achieve a collaborative technical solution. Research limitations/implications Long-term outcomes have not been assessed, so additional time is needed to confirm the value of context in design performance. Further evaluations will refine the technical guideline process as well. Practical implications Merging sociological understanding with technical design allows engineers to assimilate client values and indigenous beliefs into an infrastructure, preventing rejection due to incompatibility with local context. Originality/value The concept of contextual engineering, which melds technical approach with societal influences, is the original contribution of the author, as is the predictive tool.

Rethinking client value within construction contracting services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of what clients value from contractors’ services. Understanding client values and the way by which clients perceive value will contribute to client-perceived value within contracting services. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to understand how clients perceive value in the construction industry. In addition, conducting expert interviews and document analysis helped in achieving the research purpose. Findings The findings show that values associated with time, cost and quality can be considered as important client values, while they are not exclusive values for assessing contractor service anymore. Construction clients are concerned about health and safety, low rate of environmental impact, guarantees, creativity, technology transfer, value for money, reliability and tangibles of their contractors’ services. In addition, they value their contractors’ behaviour, attitude and professionalism. Research limitations/implications The study has disseminated different client values, through classified outcomes, to make the knowledge area more available to construction service providers. This study’s findings helped in understanding client values and how clients perceive value from contractors’ services. With this information, contractors are able to provide better services to clients. Satisfactory delivery of the values identified in this study is believed to have the greatest impact on client-perceived value within contracting services. Developing a management strategy that recognises, prioritises and satisfactorily delivers these values is essential to ensure that highest level of client-perceived value is achieved. Originality/value The construction literature is focussed on traditional values related to time, cost and quality, while this study highlighted the role of values such as trust, commitment, communication and other non-result-ordinated values essential for achieving client satisfaction. This study’s findings proposed a new practical assessment concept to value construction contractor services.

Lost in Translation: A Reply to Shyman (2016)

A recently published article sought to determine the extent to which behaviorism and humanism can be reconciled (Shyman, 2016). However, the “current” conceptions of behaviorism and applied behavior analysis (ABA) used for the analysis were based on mischaracterizations, rendering moot many of the points made. Nevertheless, Shyman (2016) highlighted a very important question we believe all helping professionals should attend to: Should normalization be the focus of therapeutic goals? This response article was written to provide readers of this journal an accurate representation of behaviorism and ABA. We have also offered an alternative approach to answering the question of normalization that uses a behavior-by-behavior approach and individual client values as the deciding factors.

The importance of research literacy for yoga therapists

Evidence-Informed Practice (EIP) utilizes the three components of expert opinion, research evidence, and client values. It is a recommended training competency for integrative health practitioners in diverse fields, such as acupuncture and massage therapy. Research Literacy (RL) is a necessary pre-requisite to EIP. Many yoga therapists have limited training in these skills, which negatively impacts inter-professional communication and collaboration, as well as further advancement of yoga therapy research and practice. In this article, we propose inclusion of RL and EIP in the training of yoga therapists. Benefits for client care, collaborative care, and the field of yoga therapy are discussed.

Exploring construction client values and qualities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on exploring the construction client values and qualities reported by scholars over the last 20 years, along with clarifying commonalities and differences between “value” and “quality” in terms of definitions and their constituent attributes in the context of construction. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth, systematic literature review was used to develop a basis for identifying client values and qualities. During the research process, citation analysis has been applied to understand these attributes in the literature. Findings While the findings may appear to align with the value theory concept of a strong interrelationship between quality and value, the authors argue that there is an intermingling of various subjective and objective preferences within construction scholarship, rather than a broad-brush adherence to the value theory and other related theories. Research limitations/implications A qualitative research approach of inductive analysis was conducted using the semantics of terms and codes. Although reliability checks have been conducted, the generalisability of the study findings is subject to natural methodological limitations. Practical implications This study provides initial guidance on what contractors need to consider while providing services, and leads contractors to give their clients the best possible experience during a relationship. It proposes a shift in the way construction clients assess their contractors, to improve how services are delivered. Originality/value Enhancing client value is not straightforward, hence strong emphasis has been placed on understanding client values in this study, which contributes to the construction literature by facilitating further research leading to stronger construct definitions and theory-building efforts.

The Foundational Constructs of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy

Chapter 2 presents the theory behind Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP), a technique that facilitates clients’ thriving by creating a happier, meaningful life. Psychotherapy can help clients to enjoy a lifetime of well-being and growth toward their meaningful, virtuous goals through positive emotions. The Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions serves as the change mechanism for GFPP. It is important to select goals for therapy based upon client values and personal meaning (approach goals and intrinsic goals). Using clients’ personal strengths (including their culture) is of central importance, as is the promotion of hope in usually demoralized clients. The implicit theory of personal change or the growth mindset includes the belief in neural or brain plasticity. Self Determination Theory sets out competence, relatedness, and autonomy as the three determinants of motivation and the fundamental psychological needs.

Client values within post-disaster reconstruction contracting services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and prioritize the key client values within contracting services for reconstructing the built environment in post-disaster situations. Design/methodology/approach A literature review, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire survey were included in this study. A comparative analysis was used to obtain different perspectives between public and private sectors. Findings A total of 39 client values were identified in this study. Clients for disaster reconstruction services put more emphasis on values such as timeliness, availability of resources, competency, building a trust-based relationship, financial stability, and communication techniques than contract price. Public and private clients have a different perspective regarding the importance of the identified values, while these are not statistically significant for the most important values. Research limitations/implications The construction literature is focussed on business-as-usual rather than post-disaster reconstruction. To ensure that reconstruction programmes after a disaster are successfully implemented, it is necessary to identify and prioritize the client values within contracting services. Focussing the attention of the service providers on these values is believed to have the greatest impact on the programmes’ success. Practical implications Understanding the client values identified by this study can aid contractors to better prepare for reconstruction programmes and provide improved services to clients. Originality/value A number of important client values within contracting services that appear to have a bearing on the success of disaster reconstruction programmes were identified in this study.