Reviews of topical problems

S.G. Turyshev “Experimental tests of general relativity: recent progress and future directions” Phys. Usp. 52 1–27 (2009)

A.D. Pogrebnjak, A.P. Shpak, N.A. Azarenkov, V.M. Beresnev “Structures and properties of hard and superhard nanocomposite coatings” Phys. Usp. 52 29–54 (2009)

Instruments and methods of investigation

R.A. Ganeev “Generation of high-order harmonics of high-power lasers in plasmas produced under irradiation of solid target surfaces by a prepulse” Phys. Usp. 52 55–77 (2009)

Methodological notes

D.E. Smylie, V.V. Brazhkin, A. Palmer “Direct observations of the viscosity of Earth’s outer core and extrapolation of measurements of the viscosity of liquid iron” Phys. Usp. 52 79–92 (2009)

V.N. Zharkov “On estimating the molecular viscosity of the Earth’s outer core: comment on the paper by D E Smylie et al.” Phys. Usp. 52 93–95 (2009)

D.E. Smylie, V.V. Brazhkin, A. Palmer “Reply to comment by V N Zharkov “On estimating the molecular viscosity of the Earth’s outer core”” Phys. Usp. 52 96–96 (2009)

Personalia

S.N. Bagaev, A.A. Boyarchuk, A.V. Gaponov-Grekhov, E.M. Dianov, N.V. Karlov, V.I. Konov, O.N. Krokhin, G.A. Mesyats, V.V. Osiko, P.P. Pashinin, O.V. Rudenko, I.A. Shcherbakov “Fedor Vasil’evich Bunkin (on his 80th birthday)” Phys. Usp. 52 97–99 (2009)

Bibliography

E.V. Zakharova “New books on physics and related sciences” Phys. Usp. 52 101–102 (2009)

Physics news on the internet

Yu.N. Eroshenko “Physics news on the Internet (based on electronic preprints)” Phys. Usp. 52 103–104 (2009)