Reviews of topical problems

L.V. Spivak “Synergy effects in the deformation response of thermodynamically open metal — hydrogen systems” Phys. Usp. 51 863–885 (2008)

Physics of our days

L.A. Falkovsky “Optical properties of graphene and IV — VI semiconductors” Phys. Usp. 51 887–897 (2008)

Instruments and methods of investigation

A.A. Kaminskii, Bohaty L, P. Becker, H.J. Eichler, H. Rhee “New nonlinear laser effects in α-quartz: generation of a two-octave Stokes and anti-Stokes comb and cascaded lasing in the spectral range of the second and third harmonics” Phys. Usp. 51 899–909 (2008)

From the history of physics

G.V. Kiselev “L D Landau in the Soviet Atomic Project: a documentary study” Phys. Usp. 51 911–954 (2008)

Conferences and symposia

V.V. Ovchinnikov, A.K. Murtazaev, E.A. Khazanov, A.M. Sergeev “Equilibrium and highly nonequilibrium states of condensed matter (Scientific session of the Physical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 21 April 2008)” Phys. Usp. 51 955–974 (2008)

V.V. Ovchinnikov “Radiation-dynamics effects. Potential for producing condensed media with unique properties and structural states” Phys. Usp. 51 955–964 (2008)

A.K. Murtazaev “Critical properties of frustrated spin systems on a stacked triangular lattice” Phys. Usp. 51 965–969 (2008)

E.A. Khazanov, A.M. Sergeev “Petawatt laser based on optical parametric amplifiers: their state and prospects” Phys. Usp. 51 969–974 (2008)

Personalia

S.I. Blinnikov, N.A. Bobrova, D.A. Varshalovich, S.S. Gershtein, G.T. Zatsepin, V.A. Matveev, D.K. Nadezhin, L.B. Okun, O.G. Ryazhskaya, P.V. Sasorov, R.A. Sunyaev, V.P. Utrobin “Vladimir Sergeevich Imshennik (on his 80th birthday)” Phys. Usp. 51 975–976 (2008)

Bibliography

E.V. Zakharova “New books on physics and related sciences” Phys. Usp. 51 977–978 (2008)

Physics news on the internet

Yu.N. Eroshenko “Physics news on the Internet (based on electronic preprints)” Phys. Usp. 51 979–980 (2008)