BOOK REVIEWS I n Chapter 2, Isolation and Purification of Lipides, extraotian procedures are discussed with partioular emphasis on the classical problem of non-lipid contami"ants. The limitations as well as the diverse applications of chromatography, prtrtieularly with silicic acid, are critically covered. I n the five chapters on Phosphoglycerides, Phosphoinositides, Sphingolipides (hg Irving Zabin), Minor Phospholipides, and Simnle Lioides. the isolation. eonstitutian, stereoohemical configuration, assay, and synthesis of the individual lipid molecules are reviewed in all cases where such information is available. The authors emphasize the need to fully distinguish lipid molecules according to fatty acid compo~itionand position of attseh-
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ment. It is unfortunate that most of the conclusions cited concerning the position of attachment of different fatty acids in the phosphoglycerides must he altered in view of recent work on the specificity of phospholipase A. In the last two chapters, Association of Lipides with Proteins and Same NaG urally Occurring Lipoprotein Systems, Frank Gord first reviews the types of forces which govern the association and orientation of lipids with proteins. He then discusses the isolation, composition, characteristics, and structure of tho blood plasma lipoprotein fractions. A hrief discussion of various tissue lipoprotein systems coneludee the final chapter. In general, the hook ably reflects the advances in t h i ~field which have resulted from the impwved methods of isolation and purification. The lark of definitive structural information regarding many
manner of presenting some of the experimental material. This has enabled the author to point out many of the pitfalls and procedural difficulties that conft.ont rt researcher in this field. The discussion of lipoprotein complexes and the forces that contribute to maintaining these complexes perhaps indirertly emphasizes the problem of distinguishing co-vdently hound moieties from those components which are bound by other forces. Such problems are of paramount importance in dealing with complex lipids and should have been emphasized in the disouseions of gsngliosides (strandin) and other complex, poorly characterized lipids. This book will be of value to everyone interested in lipids and is a "must" for those individuals looking forvard to research experience with these materials.
R. H. IMCCLUER Ohto State L'niversitlj Columblrs
Soap Films Karol J . Afysels, University of Southern California, Kom Shinoda, Yokohama National University, Japan, and Stan1e.y F~ankel, Continental Oil Company. Percamon Press. Inc.. S e w York. 1959.
During the past decade, the field of surface chemistry has heen enriched hy the contributions emanating from Professor Mysels' lalmatory a t the University of Southern California. The highest order of experimental accuracy and reliability, not divorced from great insight into the nature of surface phenomens, have characterized the work of that lahoratory. Since leaving California, Professor Shinoda has continned hie research studies st the Yokohama National University, which he is developing into an import,ant, center for s"rface chemistry. This monograph describes a series of original investigations conducted hy the authors on single soap films. The experimental measurements and photngraphs were made by Shinoda, while Dr. Frankel is credited mith the mathematical development. This reviewer heartily agrees with the authors that it is fortunate that the study has been puhlished in monograph form, so that the presentation is not encumbered hy the limitntians that would have heen encountered by publication in scientific journals. The monograph is concerned primarily with the thinning of soap films. I t provides 8. dear descri~tionof the ~henomena. observed. as wdl as a. consistent exnlanation of the mechanisms involved. An introductory chapter contains a brief description of the nature of association colloids, soap films, and the color and blackness of soap films as related to film thickness. Subsequent chapters deal with thinning mechanisms, the thinning of rigid and mobile films, a hydrodynamic
(Continued on page A8ZZ)
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BOOK REVIEWS theor?- of msrgind regeneration, the hlaclr film and the irregular motile film, and ttro dimensional hydrodynamics and airfare viscosity. There is a bibliography of :124 rpferences an soap films. There is much interesting material in this small book, such as the r1assifie.ztion of films in accordance with drainage properties, discussion of the spontaneous formntion of black films, the formation of a second black film 51 6 t,hiek, which is probably the thinnest complct,e liquid stnlcture that can he observed, and the movement of soap films from regions of high t o low soap concentrations by the "minbon frame!' One of the more importaut contributions of this book is the development of the theory of marginal regeneration. According to this theory, thick regions a t the "plsteao border" are not merely drained s t thc border, but the whole film is sucked into the hordrr. Thin films me regenerated a t the llorder to replace the thicker films. The authors have made an important, contribution t o our understanding of m a p films. It e m he expected that sohscqoent investig&ms will extend those ronaiderat.ions t o eolketivc systems. "Soap Films" sihould be read hy serious stuclrnts of surface chemistry. L ~ o v nO m o w Foster. D.Snell, I n e . New York C i l ~
Structure and Properties of Thin Films
Edited by C . A. Neugebnuer, J . R. Netukirk, and D. A. Vermilyea. PTOweding8 of a n International Conference, Bolton Landing, New York, Septembpr 9-11, 1959. John Wiley k Sons, h e . , K e w York, 1959. xiv 561 pp. Figs. and tnhles. 22.5 X 28.5 em. $15.
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Examination of this book leaves one n i t h very mixed feelings. This is due in part t o the heterogeneity of material in these proceedings of a n international confwmce sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Air Re~earrh and Development Command, and t,he General Electric Company. More than 40 articles range from penetrating reviews and important original contributions or incisive comments to formal remarks, preliminary reports, and 08-hand platitudes. The whole is paeka g ~ dvery attractively and is beautifully illustrated, although reproduced by photooffspt from a typescript with ragged margins. I t is presented under a. highly misleading title since the conference dealt o n l with metal films. Non-metallic and nonevaporated solid films are mentioned onl>incidentally and liquid films or those on liquid surfaces are completely omitted. This is particularly surprising in vien of the fart t h a t the editors are a n the staff of General Electric where this wide field was illuminated by the genius of Langmuir. (Continwd on page A8S4)
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