Table of contents

A review is presented of the analytical results available for a large class of axisymmetric stationary flows in the vicinity of compact astrophysical objects. The determination of the two-dimensional structure of the poloidal magnetic field (hydrodynamic flow field) faces severe difficulties, due to the complexity of the trans-field equation for stationary axisymmetric flows. However, an approach exists which enables direct problems to be solved even within the balance law framework. This possibility arises when an exact solution to the equation is available and flows close to it are investigated. As a result, with the use of simple model problems, the basic features of supersonic flows past real compact objects are determined.

A brief review of the effect of Newton's macroscopic dynamic shear viscosity on the rotation of a cylinder and a ball in a viscous fluid is presented. The approximate nature of some of Stokes' formulae is discussed, and formulae from elementary viscosity theory are given. The concept of molecular viscosity is introduced, and it is shown that, among other information sources, spectra of depolarized molecular light scattering and electromagnetic wave dispersion in liquids of constant-dipole-moment molecules may, within a certain scheme, be used to derive the value and temperature dependence of the coefficient of shear dynamic molecular viscosity. As an example, the temperature behaviour of molecular viscosity in salol and o-terphenyl is presented and discussed qualitatively.

Theoretical and experimental work on magnetoacoustic surface waves in ferro- and antiferromagnets is reviewed. Results on the propagation of Rayleigh and Lamb magnetoelastic waves in a plate are presented within the framework of a rotation- and translation-invariant theory. Spectra of the shear surface magnetoacoustic waves (SSMAWs) caused by effects of magnetostriction and piezomagnetism are also considered with emphasis on the vicinity of reorientation phase transitions. The problem types of soft modes involved in phase transitions is discussed in detail. A comparison is made of experimental results and theoretical predictions on the propagation of Rayleigh waves in magnetic materials.

Various formation models for fullerenes and other carbon nanostructures are reviewed. The formation models considered include fullerene assembling from graphite sheets, 'nautilus' model, assemblage from clusters, 'fullerene road', and carbon cluster annealing. The selection of magic fullerenes and fullerene isomers is discussed. Carbon nanoparticle formation mechanisms are analyzed and their relation to fullerene formation mechanisms is outlined. Molecular dynamics simulation of the possible mechanisms of nanoparticle formation is considered and possible growth nuclei and growth mechanisms for single- and multishell nanotubes and for carbon cones are discussed. Some promising techniques intended for fabrication of carbon-containing nanoobjects were described.

Anomalous events with very high momentum transfer values are observed on the proton–electron collider HERA at DESY, not accounted for by the Standard Model of elementary particles.

A convective instability in a system of two immiscible fluids under gravity may arise not only from heating from below but also as a result of a horizontally uniform heating from above, i.e., with either fluid exhibiting a stable stratification. Some recently discovered mechanisms of such instability are discussed.

The authors of Ref. [1] drew incorrect conclusions when extending the results of Refs [2-14] on the stimulated one-photon Cherenkov effect and linear electromagnetic wave amplification, both for an infinite medium and for surface Cherenkov radiation in dielectric guides.