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Principles of field ionization and field desorption mass spectrometry
Principles Desorption Beckey. Oxford.
of Field ionization and Field Mass Spectrometry by H. D.
Pp. x+335. Pergamon 19 78. f 19.50.
Press,
It is seldom that a research group from one institution becomes so closely associated with the development of a technique as Professor Beckey’s group has with the techniques of field ionization and field desorption. The information in the book on Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry written by Professor Beckey in 1971 has now been supplementedin the present volume by the great range of practical information that they have gleaned in the intervening sevenyears. The contents have been arranged under five subject headings, viz. Theory; Techniques; Surface chemistry; Gas phase chemistry; and Analysis. These cover all the areas that continue to show important developments and the book gives much valuable information, especially of a practical nature, that is not available elsewhereand that is indispensible to anyone working in field ionization or desorption. The book is very well written. However, in contrast to the earlier book, it has been produced directly from typescript which makes it somewhat more difficult to read, especially in those sections that contain mathematical expressions. This is a pity, because it is not easy to find particular items of information in a typescript and the book will be constantly being read and reread by researchers who will surely use it as their major sourceof reference. J. H. Beynon Natural Zeolites. Occurrence, Properties, Use Edited by L. B. Sand and F. A. Mumpton. Pp. 546. Oxford. 1978. f42.00.
Pergamon
Press,
International conferences on zeolites have tended to be biased towards papers dealing with the more commercially important synthetic zeolites. This has led to criticism by those more interested in naturally occurring zeolites. This dissatisfaction led to this first, very successfulinternational conferenceon the Occurrence, Properties and Utilization of Natural Zeolites which was organised by Professor Mumpton and held in Tucson, Arizona, in June 1976. The proceedings of this conference are presented in this volume. There are many interesting papers among the total of 45 on Crystal Structure and Mineralogy, Geology and Occurrences, Physical and Chemical Properties, and Applications. The papers in the first two sections demonstrate the varied nature and widespread distribution of massive quantities of zeolites throughout the surface of the earth. The occurrences of phillipsite and clinoptilolite on all ocean floors is giving geologists new insights into the chemistry of these regions. The later sections indicate that natural zeolites have many exciting prospects for commercial applications which could equal the more successfulexploitation of synthetic zeolites. All who are interested in zeolites, both synthetic and natural, will wish to have access to a copy of this beautifully printed and presented book, although the price may
prohibit the purchase of a personal copy. It is a pity that the proceedings were not available until some two and a half years after the conference.However, the results reported have not really been superseded by many recent publications. Since most of the zeolites described in this work have taken nature millions of years to synthesise maybe one should not be too critical of a 30 month delay in publication. I. V. C. Rees
are now finding echoes in the results obtained with mammals, including man himself. The book is well written and readable and there are few errors. A useful 65 pages of referencesare included and the book should prove valuable to zoologists, comparative physiologists, and endocrinologists alike. A. Chadwick
Dynamic
and Feodor Scheinmann. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Properties
of Glia Cells Edited
by E. Schoffeniels, G. Franck, D. B. Towers, andL. Hertz. Pp. 467. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1978. Hardcoverf25.00.
This multi-author book is the proceedingsof an interdisciplinary meeting held in Liege in August 1977.Its viewpoint is the recognition of the emergenceof neuroglia as a nervous tissue component with the status of a major control system rather than simply that of an endoskeleton.The invited contributions appear to be uneven in quality, but are nevertheless useful to the specialist neurobiologist because of their collection from diverse fields into a book with thematic unity. Papers are grouped under seven headings: anatomy of glia cells; experimental approaches to the study of glia cells (including the use of glial and glioma lines in vitro, and the application of cell-specific markers); energy metabolism and metabolic compartmentation; aminoacids and transmitters (several contributions. analysing the role of glia in inactivation processes for aminoacid neurotransmitter substances); macromolecular compounds (again emphasising the use of glial cell markers); ion homeostasis(the largest group of papers); and glial reactions (a mixed bag of anatomical, neuropharmacological, and physiological contributions). The book ends with a comprehensive summary by David Towers, which perceptively reviews the preceding papers. P. D. Lewis Comparative Endocrinology of Prolactin by D. M. Ensor. Pp. viiit309. Chapman
ti Hall, London.
1978.
f 18.50.
The extraordinarily diverse actions of the hormone prolactin have, in recent years, almost led to the situation where it has become an ah-purpose hormone, all things to all men. Dr Ensor clearly believes that it should be possible to establish broad categories of action to which the various effects can be assigned. For some time it has seemed likely that osmoregulation and reproduction represent two major influencesof prolactin and this book supports this interpretation. There are chapters on the effects of prolactin in each vertebrate group in turn, with particular emphasis on fishes, where Dr Ensor himself has made original contributions. His work on reptiles also has helped to fill some gaps in this neglected group. His chapters on mammals demonstratesthat we can no longer dismissthe hormone as solely concerned with lactation. Apart from being found in males too, prolactin’s many effects in lower vertebrates
Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Prostanoids Editedby Stanley M. Roberts Pp. 407. 1979. f30.00.
In research areasexpanding as fast as the study of prostaglandins there is obviously a continual need for collected information in single volumes. This book, which is based upon a symposium held in Salford in July 1978, appears to be directed at chemists with an interest in biological aspectsof prostaglandins. The editors and publishers have done well to produce the book so rapidly although this was achieved by direct reproduction of the author’s typescripts. The consequent restriction on editing has lead to some repetition of background information in different sections but this maybe regarded as an advantage for those (probably most readers) who prefer to select occasional chapters as a particular need for information arises. The chemical synthesis seems to be well covered and is naturally biased towards those prostanoids that have biological activity considered to be relevant to possible therapy, i.e. antisecretory and bronchodilator. The whole field is well integrated by some admirable review sections on ‘Prostanoids in Health and Disease’, ‘Prostacyclin Formation ‘Isolation Effects’ and and and Characterisation of Enzymes Involved in Prostaglandin Biosynthesis’. The editors have written an informative preface, highlighting significant developments and areas for immediate research effort, and a glossary is also included. I consider this a useful library acquisition. J. Botting Taxis and Behaviour: Elementary Sensory Systems in Biology Editedby L. Hazelbauer. Pp. ix+34 London. 1978. El 8.00.
1. Chapman
.
G. 8 Hall,
The movement of cells or organisms in response to environmental stimuli is a widespread and important phenomenon. This book is a collection of review articles on the movement of bacteria, protozoa, slime moulds, nematodes,plants, insects,and leucocytes. The editor has taken pains to direct the authors towards a consistent approach, so most chapters give a balanced insight into the published literature. While it seems reasonable to suppose that common mechanisms and principles will emerge from the work on the different cells and organisms, it is not yet clear that this is so. This book will perhaps provide a useful stimulus to specialised research workers to consider related problems in different systems. It will also provide those with no previous knowledge 185
of Field ionization and Field Mass Spectrometry by H. D.
Pp. x+335. Pergamon 19 78. f 19.50.
Press,
It is seldom that a research group from one institution becomes so closely associated with the development of a technique as Professor Beckey’s group has with the techniques of field ionization and field desorption. The information in the book on Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry written by Professor Beckey in 1971 has now been supplementedin the present volume by the great range of practical information that they have gleaned in the intervening sevenyears. The contents have been arranged under five subject headings, viz. Theory; Techniques; Surface chemistry; Gas phase chemistry; and Analysis. These cover all the areas that continue to show important developments and the book gives much valuable information, especially of a practical nature, that is not available elsewhereand that is indispensible to anyone working in field ionization or desorption. The book is very well written. However, in contrast to the earlier book, it has been produced directly from typescript which makes it somewhat more difficult to read, especially in those sections that contain mathematical expressions. This is a pity, because it is not easy to find particular items of information in a typescript and the book will be constantly being read and reread by researchers who will surely use it as their major sourceof reference. J. H. Beynon Natural Zeolites. Occurrence, Properties, Use Edited by L. B. Sand and F. A. Mumpton. Pp. 546. Oxford. 1978. f42.00.
Pergamon
Press,
International conferences on zeolites have tended to be biased towards papers dealing with the more commercially important synthetic zeolites. This has led to criticism by those more interested in naturally occurring zeolites. This dissatisfaction led to this first, very successfulinternational conferenceon the Occurrence, Properties and Utilization of Natural Zeolites which was organised by Professor Mumpton and held in Tucson, Arizona, in June 1976. The proceedings of this conference are presented in this volume. There are many interesting papers among the total of 45 on Crystal Structure and Mineralogy, Geology and Occurrences, Physical and Chemical Properties, and Applications. The papers in the first two sections demonstrate the varied nature and widespread distribution of massive quantities of zeolites throughout the surface of the earth. The occurrences of phillipsite and clinoptilolite on all ocean floors is giving geologists new insights into the chemistry of these regions. The later sections indicate that natural zeolites have many exciting prospects for commercial applications which could equal the more successfulexploitation of synthetic zeolites. All who are interested in zeolites, both synthetic and natural, will wish to have access to a copy of this beautifully printed and presented book, although the price may
prohibit the purchase of a personal copy. It is a pity that the proceedings were not available until some two and a half years after the conference.However, the results reported have not really been superseded by many recent publications. Since most of the zeolites described in this work have taken nature millions of years to synthesise maybe one should not be too critical of a 30 month delay in publication. I. V. C. Rees
are now finding echoes in the results obtained with mammals, including man himself. The book is well written and readable and there are few errors. A useful 65 pages of referencesare included and the book should prove valuable to zoologists, comparative physiologists, and endocrinologists alike. A. Chadwick
Dynamic
and Feodor Scheinmann. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Properties
of Glia Cells Edited
by E. Schoffeniels, G. Franck, D. B. Towers, andL. Hertz. Pp. 467. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1978. Hardcoverf25.00.
This multi-author book is the proceedingsof an interdisciplinary meeting held in Liege in August 1977.Its viewpoint is the recognition of the emergenceof neuroglia as a nervous tissue component with the status of a major control system rather than simply that of an endoskeleton.The invited contributions appear to be uneven in quality, but are nevertheless useful to the specialist neurobiologist because of their collection from diverse fields into a book with thematic unity. Papers are grouped under seven headings: anatomy of glia cells; experimental approaches to the study of glia cells (including the use of glial and glioma lines in vitro, and the application of cell-specific markers); energy metabolism and metabolic compartmentation; aminoacids and transmitters (several contributions. analysing the role of glia in inactivation processes for aminoacid neurotransmitter substances); macromolecular compounds (again emphasising the use of glial cell markers); ion homeostasis(the largest group of papers); and glial reactions (a mixed bag of anatomical, neuropharmacological, and physiological contributions). The book ends with a comprehensive summary by David Towers, which perceptively reviews the preceding papers. P. D. Lewis Comparative Endocrinology of Prolactin by D. M. Ensor. Pp. viiit309. Chapman
ti Hall, London.
1978.
f 18.50.
The extraordinarily diverse actions of the hormone prolactin have, in recent years, almost led to the situation where it has become an ah-purpose hormone, all things to all men. Dr Ensor clearly believes that it should be possible to establish broad categories of action to which the various effects can be assigned. For some time it has seemed likely that osmoregulation and reproduction represent two major influencesof prolactin and this book supports this interpretation. There are chapters on the effects of prolactin in each vertebrate group in turn, with particular emphasis on fishes, where Dr Ensor himself has made original contributions. His work on reptiles also has helped to fill some gaps in this neglected group. His chapters on mammals demonstratesthat we can no longer dismissthe hormone as solely concerned with lactation. Apart from being found in males too, prolactin’s many effects in lower vertebrates
Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Prostanoids Editedby Stanley M. Roberts Pp. 407. 1979. f30.00.
In research areasexpanding as fast as the study of prostaglandins there is obviously a continual need for collected information in single volumes. This book, which is based upon a symposium held in Salford in July 1978, appears to be directed at chemists with an interest in biological aspectsof prostaglandins. The editors and publishers have done well to produce the book so rapidly although this was achieved by direct reproduction of the author’s typescripts. The consequent restriction on editing has lead to some repetition of background information in different sections but this maybe regarded as an advantage for those (probably most readers) who prefer to select occasional chapters as a particular need for information arises. The chemical synthesis seems to be well covered and is naturally biased towards those prostanoids that have biological activity considered to be relevant to possible therapy, i.e. antisecretory and bronchodilator. The whole field is well integrated by some admirable review sections on ‘Prostanoids in Health and Disease’, ‘Prostacyclin Formation ‘Isolation Effects’ and and and Characterisation of Enzymes Involved in Prostaglandin Biosynthesis’. The editors have written an informative preface, highlighting significant developments and areas for immediate research effort, and a glossary is also included. I consider this a useful library acquisition. J. Botting Taxis and Behaviour: Elementary Sensory Systems in Biology Editedby L. Hazelbauer. Pp. ix+34 London. 1978. El 8.00.
1. Chapman
.
G. 8 Hall,
The movement of cells or organisms in response to environmental stimuli is a widespread and important phenomenon. This book is a collection of review articles on the movement of bacteria, protozoa, slime moulds, nematodes,plants, insects,and leucocytes. The editor has taken pains to direct the authors towards a consistent approach, so most chapters give a balanced insight into the published literature. While it seems reasonable to suppose that common mechanisms and principles will emerge from the work on the different cells and organisms, it is not yet clear that this is so. This book will perhaps provide a useful stimulus to specialised research workers to consider related problems in different systems. It will also provide those with no previous knowledge 185