Open Access

Dieser Open-Access-Sammelband beleuchtet Herausforderungen und Chancen für die Verwaltungskommunikation in der modernen Mediendemokratie aus verschiedenen wissenschaftlichen und berufspraktischen Perspektiven. Die Beitragsautoren diskutieren den Problemkreis der in- und externen Kommunikation von Verwaltungsinstitutionen aus kommunikations-, politik- und rechtswissenschaftlicher Perspektive und widmen sich dem Blickwinkel der Berufspraxis in Politik, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Journalismus.

In this paper, we evaluate the application of Bayesian Optimization (BO) to discrete event simulation (DES) models. In a first step, we create a simple model, for which we know the optimal set of parameter values in advance. We implement the model in SimPy, a framework for DES written in Python. We then interpret the simulation model as a black box function subject to optimization. We show that it is possible to find the optimal set of parameter values using the open source library GPyOpt. To enhance our evaluation, we create a second and more complex model. To better handle the complexity of the model, and to add a visual component, we build the second model in Simio, a commercial off-the-shelf simulation modeling tool. To apply BO to a model in Simio, we use the Simio API to write an extension for optimization plug-ins. This extension encapsulates the logic of the BO algorithm, which we deployed as a web service in the cloud. The fact that simulation models are black box functions with regard to their behavior and the influence of their input parameters makes them an apparent candidate for Bayesian Optimization (BO). Simulation models are multivariable and stochastic, and their behavior is to a large extent unpredictable. In particular, we do not know for sure which input parameters to adjust to maximize (or minimize) the model’s outcome. In addition, the complex models can take a substantial amount of time to run. Bayesian Optimization is a sequential and self-learning algorithm to optimize black box functions similar to as we find them in simulation models: they contain a set of parameters for which we want to identify the optimal set, they are expensive to evaluate, and they exhibit stochastic noise. BO has proven to efficiently optimize black box functions from varius disciplines. Among those, and most notably, it is successfully applied in machine learning algorithms to optimize hyperparameters.

Stadtentwicklung ist ein lebendiger Prozess, an dem viele Institutionen und Akteursgruppen beteiligt sind. Das Projekt „Urbane Interventionen“ hatte das Ziel, Menschen zum aktiven Gestalten mit und in der eigenen Nachbarschaft anzuregen. Stadtteilwerkstätten und künstlerische Interventionen ließen dabei alltägliche Orte in einem anderen Licht erscheinen und veranschaulichten lebenswerte Stadträume. In dem ergebnisoffenen Prozess zwischen Partizipation und Kunst entstanden Ideen für Veränderungen im Stadtteil, die gemeinsam mit den Beteiligten umgesetzt wurden. Das Buch „Impulse für lebenswerte Stadträume – Urbane Interventionen in Osnabrück“ dokumentiert und reflektiert die Projektergebnisse im fachlichen Kontext und gibt praktische Handlungsempfehlungen, die zum Nachahmen anregen. Dahinter steht die Vision einer solidarischen und lebenswerten Stadt, die offen für alle ist und an deren Entwicklung möglichst viele mitwirken.

The Internet of Things (IoT) relies on sensor devices to measure real-world phenomena in order to provide IoT services. The sensor readings are shared with multiple entities, such as IoT services, other IoT devices or other third parties. The collected data may be sensitive and include personal information. To protect the privacy of the users, the data needs to be protected through an encryption algorithm. For sharing cryptographic cipher-texts with a group of users Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) is well suited, as it does not require to create group keys. However, the creation of ABE cipher-texts is slow when executed on resource constraint devices, such as IoT sensors. In this paper, we present a modification of an ABE scheme, which not only allows to encrypt data efficiently using ABE, but also reduces the size of the cipher-text, that must be transmitted by the sensor. We also show how our modification can be used to realise an instantaneous key revocation mechanism.

Despite normal neurological bedside and electrodiagnostic, some patients with non-specific neck arm pain (NSNAP) have heightened nerve mechanosensitivity upon neurodynamic testing [1, 2]. It remains however unclear whether this is associated with a minor nerve injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential differences in somatosensory function among patients with unilateral NSNAP with and without positive neurodynamic tests and healthy controls. Quantitative sensory testing was performed in 40 patients with unilateral NSNAP; 23 with positive upper limb neurodynamic tests (ULNTPOS) and 17 with negative neurodynamic tests (ULNTNEG). The protocol comprised thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds as well as mechanical pain sensitivity, wind-up ratio and dynamic mechanical allodynia. All parameters were measured in the maximal pain area on the affected side as well as over the corresponding area on the unaffected side. Symptom severity, functional deficits, psychological parameters, quality of life and sleep disturbance were also recorded. Fifty-seven percent of patients with NSNAP had positive neurodynamic tests despite normal bedside neurological integrity tests and nerve conduction parameters. Clinical profiles did not differ between patient groups. Somatosensory profiling revealed a more pronounced loss of function phenotype in ULNTPOS patients compared to healthy controls. Hyperalgesia (cold, heat and pressure pain) was present bilaterally in both NSNAP group. The ULNTNEG subgroup represented an intermediate phenotype between ULNTPOS patients and healthy controls in both thermal and pressure pain thresholds as well as mechanical detection thresholds. In conclusion, heightened nerve mechanosensitivity was present in over half of patients with NSNAP. Our data suggest that NSNAP presents as a spectrum with some patients showing signs suggestive of a minor nerve dysfunction. [1] Elvey RL. Physical evaluation of the peripheral nervous system in disorders of pain and dysfunction. J Hand Ther 1997;10:122-129. [2] van der Heide B, Bourgoin C, Eils G, Garnevall B, Blackmore M. Test-retest reliability and face validity of a modified neural tissue provocation test in patients with cervicobrachial pain syndrome. J Man Manip Ther 2006;14:30-36.

Background and Aims Clinicians and researchers often rely on altered neurological integrity tests in the leg to identify radicular pain, however neurological integrity is often not tested in the low back region even in the presence of pain in this region. There have been suggestions that the low back pain itself could be neuropathic in nature in some patients (Baron et al., 2016). This study aims to explore the relationship between quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures in the leg and low back in participants with radicular leg pain to consider if sensory testing should be performed in both areas in clinical practice. Methods 13 participants (mean age 48.2 SD 13.8, gender (female) 8) with radicular leg pain were recruited from National Health Service spinal clinics in the UK. After assessment with the clinician, a full QST profile was taken from each participant’s affected leg and low back. Z scores were calculated using data from age matched healthy controls. Correlations using Pearson’s if the data was normally distributed or Kendall’s Tau-b if not, were undertaken between QST scores of the low back and leg. Paired t tests or Mann Whitney tests were performed to assess differences in QST scores between the leg and low back regions. Results There were no significant correlations (P>0.05) in any of the QST measures between the leg and the low back regions. However, only vibration detection threshold measures showed statistically significant differences between the leg and low back (p<0.001), with the low back region showing greater loss of function (mean -2.84) than the leg (mean -0.61). Conclusions Significantly lower vibration thresholds were found in the back compared to the leg. This may suggest some alteration in posterior primary ramus large diameter afferent nerve function, and indicate that the low back pain itself may indeed have a neuropathic component. Our findings suggest that sensory testing of the lumbar spine may be advisable in this group of individuals. The small sample size means that these results must be taken with some caution, however these results warrant further investigation in people with radicular leg pain.

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit sollen anhand der PEFA Bewertung, welche im Jahr 2018 stattfand und die Qualität des öffentlichen Finanzmanagements der Stadt Osnabrück auf Grundlage von internationalen Standards darstellt, Handlungsempfehlungen zur Verbesserung der Transparenz erarbeitet werden. Die entwickelten Maßnahmen sollen den Grundsätzen der Open Government Partnership entsprechen und die Weiterentwicklung der Stadt Osnabrück, insbesondere im Bereich der Transparenz, unterstützen. Sie sind somit dem übergeordneten Begriff Open Data zuzuordnen. Um Handlungsempfehlungen zu erarbeiten, werden aus den insgesamt 31 Leistungsindikatoren mit den verschiedenen Dimensionen, die bewertet wurden, diejenigen ausgesucht, welche schlechter als A bewertet wurden. Die gesamten 31 Leistungsindikatoren wurden im Jahr 2018 von A bis D auf einer vierstufigen Ordinalskala bemessen. Anhand der Leistungsindikatoren, die Verbesserungsbedarf aufweisen, werden Maßnahmen entwickelt, die sowohl die Bewertung der Stadt Osnabrück in der PEFA-Analyse verbessern, als auch die Transparenz, das Bürgerengagement und die Modernisierung der Verwaltung im Mindesten unterstützen, wenn nicht sogar verbessern.

Rationale: Dance as an intense kind of performance is associated with high loads on the musculoskeletal system. In particular, the lower limb is exposed to these high loads, which is reported by a high prevalence. Most dancers are affected by injuries during their careers, most in the lower limb. Typical risk factors for dancers include the compensatory turnout, hypermobility, and core stability. The correlation between these factors and lower limb injuries is not fully understood. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between lower limb injuries and the risk factors compensated turnout, hypermobility and core stability. Based on these results, hypotheses can be generated for further studies. Methods: This explorative pilot study was conducted at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. All eligible participants were scheduled for a single research appointment if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria of dance experience (ballet, modern, contemporary or jazz) at least one year with dance lessons of at least 5 hours per week. Parameters for the correlation analysis were (1) core stability, measured by the motor control tests battery proposed by Luomajoki, (2) hypermobility, measured by the Beighton Score (3) compensated turnout, measured by the difference between functional turnout and external rotation of both hips, (4) dance hours per week, (5) dance experience in years, (6) professional dance experience in years and (7) dance style (ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz). These parameters were correlated with the numbers of lower limb injuries. Significance level was set at 90% because of the explorative character of the study with the purpose to generate hypotheses. Results: Sixteen female dancers with different levels of dance experience (mean 11.3 years) and dance lessons per week (mean 17.6 hours) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in this study. Significant correlations with the numbers of lower limb injuries were found at core stability (rs=0.489, p=0.034, medium effect), dance hours per week (rs=0.459, p=0.048, medium effect) and professional dance experience in years (rs=0.396, p=0.093, medium effect). Two dance styles (modern dance: rs=0.388, p=0.101 and contemporary dance: rs=0.385, p=0.104) were close to the significance level. Conclusions: These results show correlations between core stability, dance hours per week, professional dance experience in years and lower limb injuries in dancers. Due to the limitations of a small and heterogeneous sample size as well as the medium effects, these results should be interpreted with caution, but may provide a basis for further research to this topic in the field of dance research and can be helpful in generating research hypotheses.