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Powdery mildews are a monophyletic group of obligate plant pathogenic fungi in the family Erysiphaceae. Powdery mildews are economically important in that they cause damage to many agriculturally significant crops and plants in ecologically important habitats. In this contribution, we introduce a new series of publications focusing on the phylogeny and taxonomy of this group, with an emphasis on specimens collected from North America. The first part of the series focuses on the genus Golovinomyces and includes a section detailing the powdery mildew species concept. We conducted analyses of Golovinomyces spp. with available rDNA sequence data from GenBank and supplemented the data set with rDNA (ITS, 28S, IGS) as well as protein-coding (GAPDH) data from 94 North American collections. Many of the species evaluated are included in phylogenetic and morphological analyses for the first time, including the American species G. americanus, G. brunneopunctatus, G. californicus, G. greeneanus, G. hydrophyllacearum, and G. sparsus. A special emphasis was placed on acquiring ex-type or ex-epitype sequences or presenting reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes. Three new species, G. eurybiarum, G. galiorum, and G. malvacearum, are described, and the new combinations G. fuegianus, G. mutisiae, and G. reginae are introduced. Ex-holotype sequences of Erysiphe sparsa (≡ G. sparsus) reveal that it should be reduced to synonymy with G. ambrosiae, and ex-epitype sequences of G. valerianae reveal that it should be reduced to synonymy with G. orontii. Multiple epitypes are designated with ex-epitype sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second contribution to a new series devoted to the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews is presented. An overview of Neoerysiphe species is given, including references to ex-type sequences or, if unavailable, representative reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes are provided. The new species N. stachydis is described, and Striatoidium jaborosae is reduced to synonymy with Neoerysiphe macquii. Epitypes with ex-epitype sequences are designated for Alphitomorpha ballotae, A. labiatarum, Erysiphe galii, E. chelones, and E. galeopsidis. Based on phylogenetic analyses, it has been demonstrated that Neoerysiphe cumminsiana is confined to its type host, Roldana hartwegii (= Senecio seemannii), and other North and South American parasites on Asteraceae hosts, previously assigned to this species, pertain to N. macquii. The first record of N. macquii from Europe (Germany) on cultivated Bidens aurea was confirmed by sequencing. Sequence analysis of type material of N. rubiae reveals that this species should be excluded from Neoerysiphe; however, the true affinity of this taxon is not yet clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on regional inequalities regarding economic performance and quality of life in Russia from 1990 to the first years of 21st century. Theories of regional development suggested by various scholars; Comparison of results of tests for regional inequality according to a wide variety of standardized measures; Composite indices of regional inequality that provides a framework for explaining the different development trajectories of Russia's region.

Argues that there is no alternative to a continuation of self-reliance and autonomous power generation in the development of Sakhalin oil and gas in Russia. Examination of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Far East; Lack of proper institutional restructuring of natural monopolists; Consequences of populist price controls for coal, fuel and energy.

Presents a critical assessment of the development of the Novgorod region in Russia in the 1990s. Practices employed by Novgorod Oblast Governor Mikhail Prusak to strengthen his political position within the region; Economic policies of the Regional Administration during and after the Russian financial crisis of August-September 1998.

The transitional recession and now economic crisis in the Russian Far East have left the island of Sakhalin Oblast with little alternative but to hope that the international oil and gas companies will invest in offshore oil and gas projects. The historical background to these projects commences with the exploration of offshore acreage dating back to the aftermath of the energy crises in the mid‐1970s and their current state of development is faced with many complications, but these projects could have a tremendous impact on the regional economy, providing benefits to be felt far beyond the shores of Sakhalin ‐ in the entire Russian Far East. In defining the key actors, scales of interaction and issues influencing the pace of development, we might conceptualise the nature of the various interactions as operating along two axes: the global‐local, which captures the interaction between Sakhalin and the Russian Far East more generally, and the international political and economic actors; and the centre‐region, which captures the interaction between Sakhalin/the Russian Far East and Moscow ‐ both the Federal Government, the State Duma and private financial institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Examines the contribution of world-systems theory to the understanding of the role of the Soviet Union in the global economy. Consideration of the development prospects for the post-Soviet states; Creation of 15 independent states due to the collapse of the Soviet Union; Soviet Union as a semi-peripheral state.

Examines foreign trade relations of the Russian Far East with Asian-Pacific countries. Economic profile; Centralization of trade policy; End of financial support to client states; Extent of trade with China, Japan and South Korea; Specialization of exports by region; Details of joint venture activity.

Examines the relationship between the Republic of South Korea and Russia on a political and economic level, from 1992 to late 1997. Result of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Korea in 1990; Historical information on the diplomatic relationship between the two countries; Details on the successes of the economic relationship between Russia and South Korea.

The article discusses the expansion in the coverage of "Eurasian Geography and Economics" since changing its name from "Post-Soviet Geography and Economics" in 2002. Roughly two-thirds of its coverage embraced the former Soviet Union and will expand to include Asia's second powerhouse, India. The journal will continue to focus on the economies of Eurasia but will retain its commitment to all fields of human geography, including its historical variety.

Presents the changes that occurred in the population of the Republic of Georgia. Effect of ethnic conflict; Influence of the deterioration of the economic situation and political instability; Information on population in- and out-migration.