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Modern spectroscopy
Applied Geothermics. Edited by M. J. Economides and P. 0. Ungemach. Pp. 238. Wiley, Chichester. 1987. $f37.50.
This book is a compilation of papers contributed by experts in the field of geothermal prospecting and development. It arises out of a special edition of the InternationalJournal of Energy Research published in 1985: thus by its very nature it is not an introductory text. It is likely to be of most interest to the geothermal community or to mature scientists and engineerswith an interest in the field. The main emphasis is on sub-surface aspects with chapters on geophysical prospecting, engineering evaluation of reservoirs, reservoir simulation. and geochemistry. In addition, surface systems are addressed in chapters on the generation of electrical power and on direct use of geothermal heat; these are outlines of these large topics. There is an important contribution on Hot Dry Rock developments. The book summarises the current ‘state of the art’ in the areas covered and this is a valuable contribution to the literature in a fieid which is undergoing rapid change. R. Harrison Starch: Propertiesand Potential. Edited by T. Galliard. Pp. 751. Wiley, Chichester for the Society of Chemical Industry. 1987. f37.00.
This multi-author book reviews current research on starch, with particular emphasis on the European view and food applications, and it supplements two recent major texts from the USA. Chapter I (Galliard) covers starch availability and utilization, with statistical data for the UK and EEC. In Chapter 2 Blanshard discusses a physicochemical approach tostarch granule ultrastructure, starch gelantinization under quasiequilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions, and methods for modifying starch granule gelatinization and fu~~ctionaiity. In Chapter 3 Galliard and Bowler describe starch granule morphology and composition, with emphasis on minor components such as lipids and surface proteins which can have important effects on technological properties and processing. Physically modified starches are discussed authoritatively in Chapter 4 by Coionna, Buleon, and Mercier. Functional properties are commonly modified by extrusion cooking, but also by pregelatinization, radiolysis. and thermal degradation. Chapter 5 on starch biomass - a chemical feedstock for enzyme and fermentation processes- by Kennedy, Cabral, Sa-Correia, and White is disappointing. It covers too much old ground on chemical structure and repeats earlier material in the book; it has several errors and inaccuracies; and only 5 pp each on fermentation and biomass. Despite that criticism, this book is a timely and stimulating contribution to the literature, and it is strongly recommended to all engaged in basic and applied research on starch, particularly in food. W. R. Morrison
218
Solid State Science: Past, Present and Predicted. Edited by D. L. Weaire and C. G. Windsor. Pp. 308, Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1987. Hardbackf35.00, Paperbackf 15.00.
A few years ago the Solid State Physics Sub-Committee of the lnstitute of Physics decided it was time a history of their subject was written. This book is the result: indeed, the editors and most of the co-authors are drawn from the members of that committee. The origins of solid state science go back at least to the earliest toolmakers working in stone, bronze, or iron, but it is really only in this century that any real understanding of the nature and behaviour of solids has developed. The early history of the subject is discussed by C. S. Smith. This is followed by individual chapters dealing with various aspects of condensed matter, including diff~ction, metallurgy, Fermi surface studies, semiconductors, magnetism, superconductivity, critical phenomena, solid state optics. nanometre physics, and solid state instruments. To those working in solid state physics or related areas the book provides many valuable insights into the way those ideas developed which we now take so for granted. I found it interesting how often phrases occur like ‘Dr. A. happened to be visiting the Lab. one day’. Scientific advances depend not only on hard work in the laboratory but also on communi~tion, often between continents. New research students will learn to appreciate how scientific advances are really made, while at the same time gaining a wide overview of the questions still puzzling modern researchers. A. R. Mackinnon
FluorideResearch 1985. Edited byH. Tsunoda and Ming-Ho Yu. Pp. 452. Elsevier, Amsterdam and New York. $103.75 (Dfl. 280)
1986.
This volume contains forty-nine papers selected from presentations given at the Conference of the International Society for Fluoride Research held in Japan in 1985. They are concerned with analytical methods for fluoride, environmental pollution caused by inorganic Ruorides. and the effects of fluoride on plants, animals, and humans. Although the vast majority of the speakers were from the host country, the international aspects of the conference was confirmed by contributors from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, German Democratic Republic, India, Switzerland, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the USA. The section concerned with the effects of fluoride on humans was of greatest interest to the reviewer. The twelve papers in this section included information on the localization of fluoride in bone tissue, investigations into endemic skeletal fiuorosis in India, fluoride uptake by deciduous enamel ‘from fluoride mouth rinse, and natural fluoride in the water and gastro-intestinal absorption of fluoride. Other topics covered were urinary fluoride excretion, kinetics of fluoride excretion in saliva, and an international comparison of
trace amounts of fluoride contained in human hair. The Editors hoped that the analytical methods reported at the conference might be more widely employed in furthering fluoride research in medicine, dentistry, and’biochemistry. J. Murray Modern Spectroscopy. By J. Michael Hollas. Pp. 388. Wiley, Chichester. 1986. Paperback f9.95, Cloth f33.00. modern Specrroscctpy is a we11 written text, though covering a breadth of the subject far narrower than its title would imply. The emphasis is heavily on high resolution electronic spectroscopy, with a narrower cover of rotational and rovibrational spectral theory. Magnetic resonance phenomena are not dealt with at ali. Its title is justified by the final 30 per cent of the text, in two chapters which cover photoelectron and Auger spectroscopies and various forms of laser spectroscopy respectively. The coverage here is good and at a satisfactory level for undergraduate courses. The balance elsewhere seemed to the reviewer to slant too heavily to the authors’ interests for wide spread adoption of the text. Nevertheless, many of the topics. such as spin orbit coupling, are excellently presented and errors are remarkably few for a first edition. The author makes much of the possible djfficulties the undergraduate may have with the group theory, though this appears to be covered at little more depth than is usual in modern chemistry courses. On the other hand, the introduction to quantum mechanics with a view to establishing the relationships needed to understand the spectroscopy is probably much heavier material at this level. In general, this is a sound text which gets better as one proceeds through it, but is most likely to be adopted in those schools with a strong emphasis on high resolution spectroscopy. D. Steele Inorganic High Pressure Chemistry, Kinetics and Mechanisms. Edited by Rudi van Eldik. Pp. 448. Elsevier, Amsterdam and New York. ‘1986. $1?2.00(Dfl. 280)
High pressures mean anything from an atmospheric system bringing good weather to conditions at the centre of the earth. This book concerns the pressure range up to 300 MPa (3000 atm.) with liquids which have not yet experienced compulsory solidification, as water does at 900 MPa. Nevertheless, these pressures can affect the rates of chemical reactions in solution For a complex ion, the groups surrounding a central metal atom may be repositioned, exchanged for solvent molecules or other groups, or may contribute to electron transfer. Such reactions are sometimes very rapid, but methods such as the stopped-flow technique and nuclear magnetic resonance, when adapted to studies under pressure, can be applied. When molecules come together to form the activated transition state which subsequently
This book is a compilation of papers contributed by experts in the field of geothermal prospecting and development. It arises out of a special edition of the InternationalJournal of Energy Research published in 1985: thus by its very nature it is not an introductory text. It is likely to be of most interest to the geothermal community or to mature scientists and engineerswith an interest in the field. The main emphasis is on sub-surface aspects with chapters on geophysical prospecting, engineering evaluation of reservoirs, reservoir simulation. and geochemistry. In addition, surface systems are addressed in chapters on the generation of electrical power and on direct use of geothermal heat; these are outlines of these large topics. There is an important contribution on Hot Dry Rock developments. The book summarises the current ‘state of the art’ in the areas covered and this is a valuable contribution to the literature in a fieid which is undergoing rapid change. R. Harrison Starch: Propertiesand Potential. Edited by T. Galliard. Pp. 751. Wiley, Chichester for the Society of Chemical Industry. 1987. f37.00.
This multi-author book reviews current research on starch, with particular emphasis on the European view and food applications, and it supplements two recent major texts from the USA. Chapter I (Galliard) covers starch availability and utilization, with statistical data for the UK and EEC. In Chapter 2 Blanshard discusses a physicochemical approach tostarch granule ultrastructure, starch gelantinization under quasiequilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions, and methods for modifying starch granule gelatinization and fu~~ctionaiity. In Chapter 3 Galliard and Bowler describe starch granule morphology and composition, with emphasis on minor components such as lipids and surface proteins which can have important effects on technological properties and processing. Physically modified starches are discussed authoritatively in Chapter 4 by Coionna, Buleon, and Mercier. Functional properties are commonly modified by extrusion cooking, but also by pregelatinization, radiolysis. and thermal degradation. Chapter 5 on starch biomass - a chemical feedstock for enzyme and fermentation processes- by Kennedy, Cabral, Sa-Correia, and White is disappointing. It covers too much old ground on chemical structure and repeats earlier material in the book; it has several errors and inaccuracies; and only 5 pp each on fermentation and biomass. Despite that criticism, this book is a timely and stimulating contribution to the literature, and it is strongly recommended to all engaged in basic and applied research on starch, particularly in food. W. R. Morrison
218
Solid State Science: Past, Present and Predicted. Edited by D. L. Weaire and C. G. Windsor. Pp. 308, Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1987. Hardbackf35.00, Paperbackf 15.00.
A few years ago the Solid State Physics Sub-Committee of the lnstitute of Physics decided it was time a history of their subject was written. This book is the result: indeed, the editors and most of the co-authors are drawn from the members of that committee. The origins of solid state science go back at least to the earliest toolmakers working in stone, bronze, or iron, but it is really only in this century that any real understanding of the nature and behaviour of solids has developed. The early history of the subject is discussed by C. S. Smith. This is followed by individual chapters dealing with various aspects of condensed matter, including diff~ction, metallurgy, Fermi surface studies, semiconductors, magnetism, superconductivity, critical phenomena, solid state optics. nanometre physics, and solid state instruments. To those working in solid state physics or related areas the book provides many valuable insights into the way those ideas developed which we now take so for granted. I found it interesting how often phrases occur like ‘Dr. A. happened to be visiting the Lab. one day’. Scientific advances depend not only on hard work in the laboratory but also on communi~tion, often between continents. New research students will learn to appreciate how scientific advances are really made, while at the same time gaining a wide overview of the questions still puzzling modern researchers. A. R. Mackinnon
FluorideResearch 1985. Edited byH. Tsunoda and Ming-Ho Yu. Pp. 452. Elsevier, Amsterdam and New York. $103.75 (Dfl. 280)
1986.
This volume contains forty-nine papers selected from presentations given at the Conference of the International Society for Fluoride Research held in Japan in 1985. They are concerned with analytical methods for fluoride, environmental pollution caused by inorganic Ruorides. and the effects of fluoride on plants, animals, and humans. Although the vast majority of the speakers were from the host country, the international aspects of the conference was confirmed by contributors from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, German Democratic Republic, India, Switzerland, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the USA. The section concerned with the effects of fluoride on humans was of greatest interest to the reviewer. The twelve papers in this section included information on the localization of fluoride in bone tissue, investigations into endemic skeletal fiuorosis in India, fluoride uptake by deciduous enamel ‘from fluoride mouth rinse, and natural fluoride in the water and gastro-intestinal absorption of fluoride. Other topics covered were urinary fluoride excretion, kinetics of fluoride excretion in saliva, and an international comparison of
trace amounts of fluoride contained in human hair. The Editors hoped that the analytical methods reported at the conference might be more widely employed in furthering fluoride research in medicine, dentistry, and’biochemistry. J. Murray Modern Spectroscopy. By J. Michael Hollas. Pp. 388. Wiley, Chichester. 1986. Paperback f9.95, Cloth f33.00. modern Specrroscctpy is a we11 written text, though covering a breadth of the subject far narrower than its title would imply. The emphasis is heavily on high resolution electronic spectroscopy, with a narrower cover of rotational and rovibrational spectral theory. Magnetic resonance phenomena are not dealt with at ali. Its title is justified by the final 30 per cent of the text, in two chapters which cover photoelectron and Auger spectroscopies and various forms of laser spectroscopy respectively. The coverage here is good and at a satisfactory level for undergraduate courses. The balance elsewhere seemed to the reviewer to slant too heavily to the authors’ interests for wide spread adoption of the text. Nevertheless, many of the topics. such as spin orbit coupling, are excellently presented and errors are remarkably few for a first edition. The author makes much of the possible djfficulties the undergraduate may have with the group theory, though this appears to be covered at little more depth than is usual in modern chemistry courses. On the other hand, the introduction to quantum mechanics with a view to establishing the relationships needed to understand the spectroscopy is probably much heavier material at this level. In general, this is a sound text which gets better as one proceeds through it, but is most likely to be adopted in those schools with a strong emphasis on high resolution spectroscopy. D. Steele Inorganic High Pressure Chemistry, Kinetics and Mechanisms. Edited by Rudi van Eldik. Pp. 448. Elsevier, Amsterdam and New York. ‘1986. $1?2.00(Dfl. 280)
High pressures mean anything from an atmospheric system bringing good weather to conditions at the centre of the earth. This book concerns the pressure range up to 300 MPa (3000 atm.) with liquids which have not yet experienced compulsory solidification, as water does at 900 MPa. Nevertheless, these pressures can affect the rates of chemical reactions in solution For a complex ion, the groups surrounding a central metal atom may be repositioned, exchanged for solvent molecules or other groups, or may contribute to electron transfer. Such reactions are sometimes very rapid, but methods such as the stopped-flow technique and nuclear magnetic resonance, when adapted to studies under pressure, can be applied. When molecules come together to form the activated transition state which subsequently