Collaborative recommendations with content-based filters for cultural activities via a scalable event distribution platform

Nowadays, most people have limited leisure time and the offer of (cultural) activities to spend this time is enormous. Consequently, picking the most appropriate events becomes increasingly difficult for end-users. This complexity of choice reinforces the necessity of filtering systems that assist users in finding and selecting relevant events. Whereas traditional filtering tools enable e.g. the use of keyword-based or filtered searches, innovative recommender systems draw on user ratings, preferences, and metadata describing the events. Existing collaborative recommendation techniques, developed for suggesting web-shop products or audio-visual content, have difficulties with sparse rating data and can not cope at all with event-specific restrictions like availability, time, and location. Moreover, aggregating, enriching, and distributing these events are additional requisites for an optimal communication channel. In this paper, we propose a highly-scalable event recommendation platform which considers event-specific characteristics. Personal suggestions are generated by an advanced collaborative filtering algorithm, which is more robust on sparse data by extending user profiles with presumable future consumptions. The events, which are described using an RDF/OWL representation of the EventsML-G2 standard, are categorized and enriched via smart indexing and open linked data sets. This metadata model enables additional content-based filters, which consider event-specific characteristics, on the recommendation list. The integration of these different functionalities is realized by a scalable and extendable bus architecture. Finally, focus group conversations were organized with external experts, cultural mediators, and potential end-users to evaluate the event distribution platform and investigate the possible added value of recommendations for cultural participation

A Review of Trip Planning Systems.

This report reviews current information provision in all modes of transport and assesses the needs for and benefits of trip planning systems. The feasibility of trip planning systems is discussed given the current state of technology and information availability and supply. The review was stimulated by technological developments in telecommunications and information technology which are providing the possibility of a greatly enhanced quality of information to aid trip planning decisions. Amongst the conclusions reached were the following: Current information provision is considered deficient in many respects. Travellers are often unaware of alternative routes or services and many are unable to acquire adequate information from one source especially for multi-modal journeys. In addition, there is a lack of providing real time information where it is required (bus stops and train stations) and of effective interaction of static and real time information. Most of the projects, which integrate static and dynamic data, are single mode systems. Therefore there is a need for an integrated trip planning system which can inform and guide on all aspects of transport. Trip planning systems can provide assistance in trip planning (before and during the journey) using one or a number of modes of travel, taking into account travellers preferences and constraints, and effectively integrating static and dynamic data. Trip planning systems could adversely affect traffic demand as people who become aware of new opportunities might be encouraged to make more journeys. It could also affect travellers choice as a result of over-saturation of information, over-reaction to predictive information, and concentration on the same 'best' routes. However, it can be argued, based on existing evidence, that such a system can benefit travellers, and transport operators as well as the public sector responsible for executing transport policies. Travellers can benefit by obtaining adequate information to help them in making optimal decisions and reducing uncertainty and stress associated with travel. Public transport operators can benefit by making their services known to customers, leading to increased patronage. Public transport authorities can use the supply of information to execute their transport policies and exercise more control over traffic management

The Analysis Of Malaysian Domestic Travelers.

Various crises, such as the Bali Bombing, the spread of SARS and the haze, among others, had left tremendous impacts on the tourism sector. After years of concentrated efforts to attract foreign tourists to visit this country, the Malaysian government has started to acknowledge the importance and the potential of domestic tourists

Workshop #3: Transportation and Sheltering Logistics During the 2020 Hurricane Season: After-Action Report (AAR)

Participants in the CONVERGE COVID-19 Working Group’s Workshop 3 on Logistics breakout sessions identified key issues that included population considerations, training needs, continuity of operations and resources still available, site planning (i.e., feeding, registration, shelter design, resources, family unity), facility requirements, and supplies needed during a hurricane evacuation. Operational safety measures and population considerations were mentioned throughout the workshop. This included the need for identifying additional resources, facilities, and staffing to be able to ensure safety is a priority while accommodating social distancing recommendations and the needs of vulnerable populations and staff. Workshop participants emphasized the need to identify new partnerships for critical services and alternative site locations for sheltering to increase evacuation and sheltering capacity. This entailed the need for reassessing existing contracts with transportation and sheltering to ensure they are still operational and have the staffing and resources to support the logistical needs for evacuating vulnerable populations and the public to shelters. In addition to identifying what is needed for logistical planning there is a need for understanding facility requirements, availability of buildings and needed supplies for operating non-congregate and congregate shelters. Infrastructure and shelter design were discussed to provide context on how jurisdictions are providing support in their shelter operations that maintains infection control measures, social distancing and keeping family units together. Staffing and training needs for both transportation and shelter operations was a concern and various ideas were proposed as solutions. Questions were raised in the workshop about designing infrastructure in the future that would allow us to have an increased number of facilities for sheltering during a hurricane, or to serve as a refuge of last resort. What does the registration process look like during this hurricane season? How do you handle the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19? A few participants highlighted the need for logistical procedures and guidelines for pet evacuation and pet-friendly shelters along with service animals

Social Education on Earth Quake and Tsunami Disaster in West Sumatera

West Sumatra is one of the areas located in areas prone to earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. This study aims to reveal the profile, functions, and problems BPBDs and RSUP as well as the proposed solutions and education for the community. Base article contains information about the knowledge of the risks, warning services, communication and dissemination of information to the public. BPBDs, RSUP in Bali and Padang serve as a research base. Based on these studies, the educational proposal of the earthquake/ tsunami for public consumption, map problems and a package of policy proposals for BPBDs and RSUP are in this article. Instruments research is conducted by a structured interview format with a special interview, observation, focus group discussions, and data documentation. Results of the study reveales that the readiness of the community in the face of the earthquake and tsunami need to be improved because now the community is not ready to face it. The resulting software is able to prepare the public face of the earthquake and tsunami

Then You Fall Off : Youth Experiences and Responses to Transitioning to Homelessness

Introduction: This study aims to broaden our understanding of the experience of homelessness and unstable housing in youth. While quantitative research highlights risk factors associated with experiencing homelessness as a youth, little qualitative research has been conducted to explore the lived experience of this transition to homelessness or unstable housing and how youth respond to becoming homeless. This study utilizes data from youth descriptions of their experiences to understand the context of the transition to homelessness and how youth manage this transition. Methods: A qualitative study with a quantitative component was conducted with a nonprobability sample of homeless youth aged 14-24 recruited from shelters, drop-in centers, and magnet events in a large urban area in the Southwest. Four qualitative researchers used content analysis to assess themes that emerged related to transitions to homelessness. Results: A predominately minority (88%) sample of sheltered (67%) and unsheltered (33%) youth (n=64) described their experience of and responses to transitioning to homelessness. Three main themes emerged relating to transitioning to homelessness; family homelessness, histories of foster care, and non-supportive family processes. Youth described how these experiences manifested and influenced their transition into homelessness. In response to homelessness three dominant themes emerged; self-reliance, hope, and resilience. Discussion: The data highlight the unique issues of homeless youth and how they respond to circumstantial challenges. While homeless youth experience lifetime adversities that lead to homelessness, they respond to these circumstantial challenges with self-reliance, hope, and maintaining resilience. Interventions aiming to facilitate health behaviors and improve self-sufficiency in homeless youth should tap into these positive responses to improve self-care strategies, service utilization, and help homeless youth reduce risk behaviors