  The adiabatic index Gamma_1 for perturbations of dense matter is studied
under various physical conditions which can prevail in neutron star cores. The
dependence of Gamma_1 on the composition of matter (in particular, on the
presence of hyperons), on the stellar pulsation amplitude, and on the baryon
superfluidity is analyzed. Timescales of damping of stellar pulsations are
estimated at different compositions, temperatures, and pulsation amplitudes.
Damping of pulsations by bulk viscosity in the neutron-star cores can prevent
the stars to pulsate with relative amplitudes > (1-15)% (depending on the
composition of matter).
