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1. Mixed Systems and Mixed Behaviors: Explaining Legislative Behavior Differences in Russia and Ukraine.

Author

Thames, Frank

Subjects
*LEGISLATIVE bodies, *LEGISLATORS, *DEMOCRACY
Abstract

The two newly democratized post-Soviet giants, Russia and Ukraine, share a host of post-communist parallels. The long dominance of the CPSU in both countries denied them a legacy of open, democratic politics. Based on these parallels, one would expect their patterns of legislative behavior to mirror each other. Commonalities exist in the legislative behavior of both chambers; however, in at least one area, they are not analogous: the level of parliamentary party discipline among SMD deputies.the Ukrainian SMD deputies of the first mixed-member Rada (1998-2002) voted with the majority position of their parliamentary party at higher rates than their Russian brethren did in the first mixed-member Duma (1994-1995). In this paper, I attempt to find an answer for this conundrum by analyzing the roll-call voting behavior of SMD deputies in both legislatures. I argue that the higher level of discipline among SMD deputies in the Rada is a function of a more pronounced social cleavage found in the Ukrainian electorate. While both Russia and Ukraine feature a pro-reform/anti-reform cleavage, only Ukraine features a reinforcing regional cleavage built on ethnic and linguistic differences between eastern and western Ukraine. The presence of this reinforcing cleavage helps solidify behavior in the Rada, while Russia, lacking such cleavages, features a more fluid legislature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2002

2. Results of multiyear studies on the dynamics of pollution of lake Baikal by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the area waste water discharge from the Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant.

Author

Nikonorov, A., Matveev, A., Reznikov, S., Arakelyan, V., and Luk'yanova, N.

Subjects
*POLYCYCLIC aromatic hydrocarbons, *SEWAGE disposal plants, *SEDIMENTS, *POLLUTION, *PAPER
Abstract

New data on the concentration and spatial distribution of the benz(a)pyrene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottom sediments in the testing area of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant (BPPP) waste water discharge in 1981-1988 and 2010 are presented in this paper. The bottom sediments in this section of the lake are strongly polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2012
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6. Isolation and characterization of new strains of methanogens from cold terrestrial habitats.

Author

Simankova MV, Kotsyurbenko OR, Lueders T, Nozhevnikova AN, Wagner B, Conrad R, and Friedrich MW

Subjects
Animals, Bacterial Typing Techniques, Cattle, Climate, DNA, Bacterial analysis, DNA, Bacterial genetics, Euryarchaeota classification, Euryarchaeota genetics, Feces microbiology, Fresh Water microbiology, Industrial Waste, Microscopy, Phase-Contrast, Molecular Sequence Data, Oxidoreductases genetics, Paper, Phylogeny, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Ribotyping, Russia, Soil Microbiology, Substrate Specificity, Switzerland, Water Microbiology, Water Pollution, Cold Temperature, Euryarchaeota isolation & purification
Abstract

Five strains of methanogenic archaea (MT, MS, MM, MSP, ZB) were isolated from permanently and periodically cold terrestrial habitats. Physiological and morphological studies, as well as phylogenetic analyses of the new isolates were performed. Based on sequences of the 16S rRNA and methyl-coenzyme M reductase a-subunit (mcrA) genes all new isolates are closely related to known mesophilic and psychrotolerant methanogens. Both, phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic properties allow to classify strains MT, MS, and MM as members of the genus Methanosarcina. Strain MT is a new ecotype of Methanosarcina mazei, whereas strains MM and MS are very similar to each other and can be assigned to the recently described psychrotolerant species Methanosarcina lacustris. The hydrogenotrophic strain MSP is a new ecotype of the genus Methanocorpusculum. The obligately methylotrophic strain ZB is closely related to Methanomethylovorans hollandica and can be classified as new ecotype of this species. All new isolates, including the strains from permanently cold environments, are not true psychrophiles according to their growth temperature characteristics. In spite of the ability of all isolates to grow at temperatures as low as 1-5 degrees C, all of them have their growth optima in the range of moderate temperatures (25-35 degrees C). Thus, they can be regarded as psychrotolerant organisms. Psychrotolerant methanogens are thought to play an important role in methane production in both, habitats under seasonal temperature variations or from permanently cold areas.

Published
2003
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