Reviews of topical problems

R.A. Andrievski, A.M. Glezer “Strength of nanostructures” Phys. Usp. 52 315 (2009)

Yu.V. Gulyaev, P.E. Zilberman, A.I. Panas, E.M. Epshtein “Spintronics: exchange switching of ferromagnetic metallic junctions at a low current density” Phys. Usp. 52 335–343 (2009)

Instruments and methods of investigation

D.A. Dolgolenko, Yu.A. Muromkin “Plasma isotope separation based on ion cyclotron resonance” Phys. Usp. 52 345–357 (2009)

Methodological notes

H. Fritzsch “The fundamental constants in physics” Phys. Usp. 52 359–367 (2009)

V.V. Brazhkin “Interparticle interaction in condensed media: some elements are ’more equal than others’” Phys. Usp. 52 369–376 (2009)

Conferences and symposia

G.A. Mesyats, B.M. Bolotovskii, A.N. Sissakian, M.G. Itkis, B.A. Benetskii, A.I. Frank, V.L. Aksenov “Commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Academician I M Frank (Scientific session of the Physical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 22 October 2008)” Phys. Usp. 52 377–413 (2009)

G.A. Mesyats “Il’ya Mikhailovich Frank (opening address)” Phys. Usp. 52 377–379 (2009)

B.M. Bolotovskii “I M Frank’s papers on radiation of sources moving in refractive media (the ’optics of moving sources’)” Phys. Usp. 52 379–388 (2009)

A.N. Sissakian, M.G. Itkis “I M Frank and the development of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research” Phys. Usp. 52 388–394 (2009)

B.A. Benetskii “I M Frank: founder and leader of FIAN’s Laboratory of Atomic Nucleus” Phys. Usp. 52 394–397 (2009)

A.I. Frank “I M Frank and the optics of ultracold neutrons” Phys. Usp. 52 397–406 (2009)

V.L. Aksenov “Pulsed nuclear reactors in neutron physics” Phys. Usp. 52 406–413 (2009)

Letters to the editors

M.V. Davidovich “On the Hartman paradox, electromagnetic wave tunneling, and supraluminal velocities (comment on “Tunneling of electromagnetic waves: paradoxes and prospects” by A B Shvartsburg)” Phys. Usp. 52 415 (2009)

Bibliography

E.V. Zakharova “New books on physics and related sciences” Phys. Usp. 52 419–421 (2009)

Physics news on the internet

Yu.N. Eroshenko “Physics news on the Internet (based on electronic preprints)” Phys. Usp. 52 423–424 (2009)