Reviews

The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning from The Lord of the Rings. Abigail E. Ruane and Patrick James. Reviewed by Robert T. Tally Jr Moments of Grace and Spiritual Warfare in The Lord of the Rings. Anne Marie Gazzolo. Reviewed by Damien Bador. The Wizard of Oz as American Myth: A Critical Study of Six Versions of the Story, 1900-2007. Alissa Burger. Reviewed by Hugh H. Davis. Plain to the Inward Eye: Selected Essays on C.S. Lewis. Don W. King. Reviewed by Holly Ordway. Tolkien\u27s Poetry. Ed. Julian Eilmann and Allan Turner. Reviewed by Joe R. Christopher. The Lion\u27s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia. Rowan Williams. Reviewed by Melody Green. C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Alister McGrath. Reviewed by Gregory Bassham. Seven: An Anglo-American Literary Review. Ed. Marjorie Lamp Mead. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Supernatural Studies: Official Publication of the Supernatural Studies Association. Ed. Margo Collins and Deborah Christie. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Fastitocalon: Studies in Fantasticism Ancient to Modern. Ed. Thomas Honegger and Fanfan Chen. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Wormwood: Literature of the Fantastic, Supernatural and Decadent. Edited by Mark Valentine. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft

LOW-ENERGY ELECTRON-INDUCED X-RAY SPECTROMETRY : A TECHNIQUE FOR SOLID SURFACE STUDIES

Ce travail décrit des applications nouvelles de la spectrométrie LEEIXS en tant qu'outil d'analyse et de caractérisation des surfaces solides (de quelques dizaines à quelques centaines d'Å d'épaisseur). Les exemples présentés mettent en évidence des ségrégations élémentaires à la surface de substrats métalliques (alliages de titane ou d'aluminium) soumis à différents traitements chimiques ou électrochimiques. Par ailleurs, on montre comment des informations sur l'état chimique des éléments peuvent être extraites de la structure des bandes d'émission X. Le procédé consiste à utiliser les spectres dérivés après un filtrage par transformée de Fourier des courbes expérimentales. Les exemples présentés concernent la bande d'émission K de l'oxygène caractéristique de différents verres, des oxydes d'étain et des oxydes de titane.New capabilities of low-energy electron-induced x-ray spectrometry (LEEIXS) for providing chemical information about the first hundreds Å of a solid surface are described. Examples are concerned with the surface segregation of impurities or alloying elements when titanium or aluminium alloys are subjected to chemical or electrochemical treatments. In addition, it is shown how chemical state information contained in x-ray emission bands may be enhanced by using derivative spectra after a Fourier transform filtering of the experimental curves. Examples dealing with the oxygen K emission band of different glasses, tin or titanium oxides are given

Determination of current density distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

This study is to look at the distribution of current densities in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) to enable optimisation of fuel cell performance. The feasibility of using a new measurement technique of the local magnetic field, in the conductive plates of the cell was studied. The magnetic field is measured throughout the cell using the Maxwell equations and the current densities calculated. The measurement system and its validation are outlined in the first section. The next section outlines the experimental current density distribution within the cell, operating under standard conditions and special configurations, such as the partially active membrane electrodes assembly (MEA). Using a Matlab or Femlab model of the cell, (which is briefly outlined) our experiments are compared and an attempt made to explain the distribution of the current densities. Finally recent developments of the device are described, which will be used in several tests of PEMFC small stacks

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pneumococcal Vaccination for Elderly Individuals in The Netherlands

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness (net costs per life year gained) of pneumococcal vaccination of elderly individuals aged 65 years and over in The Netherlands. Design and setting: A pharmacoeconomic analysis was conducted from the healthcare perspective in The Netherlands. The gender- and age-specific modelling framework linked epidemiological aspects of invasive pneumococcal disease (e.g. incidence, mortality, life years lost) to vaccination and hospital resource use. To derive 90% confidence limits for net costs per life year gained a stochastic analysis was performed. Intervention: Pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly with the 23-valent vaccine. Effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease was derived from international studies. Main outcome measures and results: Pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly was not found to be cost saving. At baseline, stochastic and univariate sensitivity analysis net costs per life year gained were estimated to be between 6000 and 16 000 euro (EUR) [EUR1 = 1.1 US dollars; cost level 1995]. A scenario analysis on alternative age-dependent vaccination strategies indicated even higher net costs per life year gained, up to EUR28 000 for vaccinating only those elderly aged 85 years and over. Conclusions: Pneumococcal vaccination is associated with net costs per life year gained of EUR10 100 (at baseline assumptions). These costs are higher than those for influenza vaccination (EUR5500). Our pharmacoeconomic approach, which needs to be considered in conjunction with social, psychological and budgetary issues, is intended to contribute to rational decision-making in healthcare policy.Cost effectiveness, Elderly, Pharmacoeconomics, Pneumococcal infections, Pneumococcal vaccine, Vaccines

Reviews

The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning from The Lord of the Rings. Abigail E. Ruane and Patrick James. Reviewed by Robert T. Tally Jr Moments of Grace and Spiritual Warfare in The Lord of the Rings. Anne Marie Gazzolo. Reviewed by Damien Bador. The Wizard of Oz as American Myth: A Critical Study of Six Versions of the Story, 1900-2007. Alissa Burger. Reviewed by Hugh H. Davis. Plain to the Inward Eye: Selected Essays on C.S. Lewis. Don W. King. Reviewed by Holly Ordway. Tolkien\u27s Poetry. Ed. Julian Eilmann and Allan Turner. Reviewed by Joe R. Christopher. The Lion\u27s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia. Rowan Williams. Reviewed by Melody Green. C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Alister McGrath. Reviewed by Gregory Bassham. Seven: An Anglo-American Literary Review. Ed. Marjorie Lamp Mead. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Supernatural Studies: Official Publication of the Supernatural Studies Association. Ed. Margo Collins and Deborah Christie. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Fastitocalon: Studies in Fantasticism Ancient to Modern. Ed. Thomas Honegger and Fanfan Chen. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Wormwood: Literature of the Fantastic, Supernatural and Decadent. Edited by Mark Valentine. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft