The Neo-Industrial Nature of the Convergence of Information and Cognitive Technologies

The development of information and cognitive technologies began with the advent of electronic computers. Today, with progress in the fields of grid computing and robotics, most of the tasks of electronic computers are able to solve without human assistance, thereby forming artificial intelligence. Robots and computers can not only perform a range of routine physical activities more efficiently and at lower cost than humans, but today they are also increasingly capable of performing activities that include cognitive abilities that were previously considered too difficult to automate, for example, the acceptance of tacit judgments, the perception of emotions. This predetermines the neo-industrial role of the convergence of information and cognitive technologies, which should form a platform for neo-industrial development. The latter is possible with the accelerated diffusion of convergent technologies in industry, in which they must replace production technologies that have reached their limit. Such a technological transition should be based not on the branch, but on the supra-branch principle of structural genesis. In its turn, to do this, it is necessary to take into account both the benefits and risks of neo-industrial modernization of industry based on convergent technologies. This is the social effect of information-and-convergent neo-industrialization.

The Neo-Industrial Role of Digital and Converged Technologies in the Russian Economy

In modern conditions, the diffusion of digital technologies into the structure of the economy is considered as one of the most effective mechanisms for transforming economic systems. The digital economy as a category has a wide content, since, in addition to production and technological features, it also includes social, economic, institutional parameters that ensure the transition to a new scientific and technological structure, characterized by the integration and interpenetration of sciences and technologies – technological convergence. In the process of diffusion of convergent technologies into the structure of the industry, its radical innovative development is expected with an exit to many times higher levels of labor productivity. This process should be called neo-industrial development, in which structural changes in industry are not sectoral, but over sectoral, convergent. At the same time, in the conditions of the transitional Russian economy, the conducted scientific and technological policy is essentially catching up and is not able to ensure the elimination of technological lag. Therefore, to implement the neo-industrial role of digital and convergent technologies in the modernization of the Russian economy, it is important to ensure the transition to a policy of advanced development.

AN OVERVIEW AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF CROATIAN GEOTECHNOLOGICAL HERITAGE

Industrial heritage plays an important role in the economical, historical, and cultural identity of contemporary European society. A significant part of the industrial heritage consists of historical buildings which have remained after mining and petroleum exploitation. Moreover, industrial heritage can be also nurtured in countries in which mining and petroleum activities are not fully developed. It is inevitably associated with geological heritage. Furthermore, geological heritage is essential for a better understanding of nature, its wider appreciation and better protection. Mining has always played a significant industrial role, but it has recently lost its significance due to increasing environmental requirements regarding the European green deal and transforming the economy for a sustainable future. However, old mining and petroleum heritage sites can become attractions and they can contribute to the development of tourism and the community itself. A new term “geotechnological heritage”, presented in this paper, is related to mining, geological and petroleum heritage due to their significant interaction. This paper presents the used and unused touristic potential of heritage on selected sites in the Republic of Croatia. In addition, an analysis of the Croatian undervalued geotechnological heritage has been performed after the exploitation of stone and other nonmetallics, coal, metals, and petroleum. Unlike Croatia, the potential of geotechnological heritage has been recognized and exploited in most European countries. Therefore, Croatia has a great opportunity to develop heritage based on the experience of more successful members of the European Union.

Hydrogenation of 4-nitrochlorobenzene catalysed by cobalt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped activated carbon

The hydrogenation of nitroarenes to produce the corresponding amines using dihydrogen as reductant has an important industrial role since it allows to obtain important added-value products. This reaction needs the...

Settlement pattern and occupation shift among salt farmers

Madura can be seen as a microcosm of Indonesia as a whole through the various livelihoods of the Madurese people. Madura consists of people living along coastlines and this can be considered as representative of most Indonesian people. The primary occupations of the Madurese people are that of salt farmers and fishermen. Salt as a commercial business is cultivated by the community, is mostly located along the eastern and southern coastlines of Madura, and is adjusted to various circumstances, including lower rainfall in the area. During the rainy season, salt ponds are turned into shrimp ponds and farmers’ occupations change accordingly. The job of a salt farmer is not trouble-free. Problems arise from the erratic and uncertain climate and there are also threats of price instability and imported salt. Farmers are forced to accept such circumstances. This study contributes to the literature by exploring how the livelihood of salt farmers is representative of Indonesian’s maritime characteristics. Ironically, this sector has been increasingly abandoned and has become less desirable, though it plays a strategic industrial role in Indonesia. This study employed a qualitative method and determined its sample using the purposive sample technique. The informants were permanent salt farmers, salt farmers who also worked as shrimp farmers, and salt farmers who completely shifted to shrimp farming. This research was conducted in Lapak Daya, Dungkek, Sumenep. The findings showed that most salt farmers shifted their occupations to shrimp farmers because they considered it to be more profitable. However, some salt farmers who continued to survive in salt farming worked both as salt farmers and shrimp farmers. It was also found that salt farmers generally came from outside Madura, while those from Madura preferred changing their livelihood to farming shrimp due to the higher yields and the fact that the farming does not depend on seasonal changes. Although the number of salt farmers continues to decrease, there are some salt farmers who keep their occupation permanently.

The Upper-Silesian conurbation on the path towards the “Silesia” metropolis

In its methodological context, the article, expands on the idea of the organization of the “Silesia” superstructure. The idea of establishing a common urban organism emerged with the local governments of the Upper Silesian conurbation cities and was dictated by the need to find a way to change the traditional image of the Silesian region and its post-industrial role in the economic space of the country, as well as Europe. Therefore, in 2009, the Metropolitan Association of Upper- Silesia, an association for the initial institutionalization of “Silesia”, was registered, because “Silesia” does not hold any administrative or legal force. Such an organizational “revolution” of the Upper Silesian conurbation initiated a wide social debate, in which the arguments of both supporters and opponents of such an enterprise in the Silesian region became apparent, together with misunderstandings related to the term “metropolis”, and the idea of establishing “Silesia”. Representatives of local governments chose the more prestigious term “metropolis” as if a complex metropolisation had taken place in the Upper Silesian conurbation. It would be adequate, however, to look only for the first features of metropolitan functions in this de-industrialized and restructured region, which are going to shape the longlasting metropolisation process under the influence of globalisation.