In Memorium: Herman P. Schwan [1915–2005]

Herman P. Schwan [1915–2005] was a distinguished scientist and engineer, and a founding father of the field of biomedical engineering. A man of integrity, Schwan influenced the lives of many, including his wife and children, and his many students and colleagues. Active in science until nearly the end of his life, he will be very much missed by his family and many colleagues.     

“Pharmacognosy”! What’s that? you spell it how?

In this autobiographical sketch, the author discusses the development of his interest in the biological sciences, crediting his father, his first employer, his high school science teacher, and his college pharmacognosy professor with initially shaping his career. His early work on ergot alkaloid biosynthesis and subsequently, together with students and colleagues, on the toxic constituents of basidiomycetes is detailed. This is followed by comments on his developing interest in the therapeutic utility of herbs and phytomedicinals. A concern with the beneficial use of such products stemmed largely from observations made during sabbatical leaves and frequent travel in Germany. The importance of such botanicals (not currently recognized as drugs in the United States) in our developing health-care system is emphasized. The author concludes his comments by thanking his wife, his teachers, his students, and his many colleagues and friends for their unstinting assistance and support during his entire career.     

Robert Alexander Falla K.B.E., C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.N.Z.

Abstract

On 23 February 1979 Sir Robert Falla collapsed and died at his home in Eastbourne. He was 77. His sudden death came as a great shock to his multitude of friends and colleagues, many of whom were still sharing with Sir Robert a deep sense of loss at the death on 31 May 1978, shortly after the couple's golden wedding anniversary, of his charming wife Molly.     

In Memorium: Swamy Laxminarayan [1939–2005]

Swamy Narasimha Laxminarayan, known to his many friends and colleagues as Swamy, passed away on September 29, 2005. He was one of the most prominent biomedical engineers on the international scene, and contributed immensely to the globalization of this new field.     

Introduction to the issue of Professor John Webster

<正>This special issue of the Journal of Fungal Research sponsored by Jilin Agricultural University and the Mycological Society of China is dedicated to John Webster,1 9 2 5-2014,one of the stalwarts of mycology over many years.Former colleagues,students and friends have come together with a series of papers which demonstrate the many aspects of mycology John introduced them to over his active and profitable     

Dependence of Electroporation Detection Threshold on Cell Radius: An Explanation to Observations Non Compatible with Schwan’s Equation Model

It is widely accepted that electroporation occurs when the cell transmembrane voltage induced by an external applied electric field reaches a threshold. Under this assumption, in order to trigger electroporation in a spherical cell, Schwan’s equation leads to an inversely proportional relationship between the cell radius and the minimum magnitude of the applied electric field. And, indeed, several publications report experimental evidences of an inverse relationship between the cell size and the field required to achieve electroporation. However, this dependence is not always observed or is not as steep as predicted by Schwan’s equation. The present numerical study attempts to explain these observations that do not fit Schwan’s equation on the basis of the interplay between cell membrane conductivity, permeability, and transmembrane voltage. For that, a single cell in suspension was modeled and the electric field necessary to achieve electroporation with a single pulse was determined according to two effectiveness criteria: a specific permeabilization level, understood as the relative area occupied by the pores during the pulse, and a final intracellular concentration of a molecule due to uptake by diffusion after the pulse, during membrane resealing. The results indicate that plausible model parameters can lead to divergent dependencies of the electric field threshold on the cell radius. These divergent dependencies were obtained through both criteria and using two different permeabilization models. This suggests that the interplay between cell membrane conductivity, permeability, and transmembrane voltage might be the cause of results which are noncompatible with the Schwan’s equation model.     

Element-arrangement textures in multiple objective tasks

In his long years of studying visual perception, Jacob Beck made many contributions. This article is a short review of one line of his research--that we shared in--and then a presentation of some results from on-going research down the same line. In the 1980s Beck and his colleagues introduced a new kind of visual stimulus: element-arrangement texture patterns. A series of studies with these patterns has shown that a model containing spatial-frequency and orientation-selective channels can explain many aspects of texture perception as long as two kinds of nonlinear processes are also included; the published studies are briefly summarized. The new results come from multiple objective tasks requiring the observer to make simple discriminations between second-order element-arrangement textures. Results with the objective tasks replicate previously published results using subjective ratings, and the use of the objective tasks allows us to explore several more fine-grained questions about complex (second-order) channels and normalization.     

The Lown Symposium: The Field of DNA Minor Groove Binders Celebrates the Career of Professor J. William Lown

Abstract A symposium co-organized by Professor William H. Gmeiner of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Professor Moses Lee of Furman University was held March 30 and 31, 2001 on the campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The Symposium was attended by many distinguished colleagues, friends and co-workers of Professor Lown who share his enthusiasm and passion for targeting DNA for treatment of human disease. The Symposium honored the formal "retirement" of Professor Lown who continues his active pursuit of scholarly activities and advancement of knowledge in a wide variety of intellectual interests.     

Premature babies and pharmacology.

In his research on the action of various drugs in newborns, Dr. Jacob Aranda of the Centre for Perinatal and Developmental Pharmacology Research in Montreal draws upon his expertise in both neonatology and pharmacology. His work has led to the acceptance of caffeine as a standard treatment of apnea in premature infants, and his current studies of ibuprofen as a possible treatment of cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage, a serious problem in some premature babies, have yielded promising results. Other areas being tackled by Aranda and his colleagues include pain control for newborns and the elusive pathology of sudden infant death syndrome. By shedding more light on neonatal development and the principles of drug action in newborns, these research projects will help to improve the odds for many babies who suffer the setback of being born too soon.     

From Bacteriology to Biochemistry: Albert Jan Kluyver and Chester Werkman at Iowa State

This essay explores connections between bacteriology and the disciplinary evolution of biochemistry in this country during the 1930s. Many features of intermediary metabolism, a central component of biochemistry, originated as attempts to answer fundamental bacteriological questions. Thus, many bacteriologists altered their research programs to answer these questions. In so doing they changed their disciplinary focus from bacteriology to biochemistry. Chester Hamlin Werkman's (1893–1962) Iowa State career illustrates the research perspective that many bacteriologists adopted. As a junior faculty member in the Bacteriology Department in the late 1920s, Werkman faced a powerful professional dilemma: establishing a research identity that distinguished him from his colleagues with flourishing national and international reputations. His solution was to radically alter his research program from traditional bacteriology to a biochemistry program, which reflected the influence of the Dutch microbiologist/biochemist, Albert Jan Kluyver (1888–1956). Werkman was extremely successful in this career change. His laboratory made significant contributions to biochemistry, and Werkman achieved a notable degree of personal success. His career began in the shadow of his departmental bacteriological colleagues; within a decade he became the department's dominant research figure, as a biochemist. Werkman's personal success, however, had profound consequences for the disciplinary future of bacteriology at Iowa State. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bioelectromagnetics,Carl Durney,and dosimetry: Some historical remarks

The contributions of Carl Durney to dosimetry have decisively advanced the bioelectromagnetics field and led to significant revisions of relevant health standards. Three items come to mind while studying his work: 1. The work of Carl Durney and his colleagues in dosimetry has advanced the bioelectromagnetics field most significantly whereas more abundant work of a biomedical nature has had less impact. More biophysics work is desirable. 2. The rationale for the specific absorption rate as a basis of health standards needs further elaboration. The need for scaling animal results is stressed. 3. Dosimetry at the cellular level (microdosimetry) is essential if one cares to discuss direct field interactions at the cellular and macromolecular level. Carl Durney's recognition of this need is stated. Carl Durney's wide range of productive interests is indicated by several tables. They summarize his many contributions to electrical engineering, education, bioelectromagnetic dosimetry, hyperthermia, NMR, and field‐induced biophysical phenomena at the molecular and cellular level. His scientific work is summarized, including how his interest changed with time. His scientific accomplishment and productive interaction with students, colleagues, and society sets an example to be admired. Bioelectromagnetics 20:3–8, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

History of physiology physiologists Evgeniy Borisovich Babski (1902-1973)

The paper analyzes works of eminent physiologists of the twentieth century the Academician of Ukraine SSR, professor Eugene Borisovich Babskii. During 50 years of research in Moscow and Kiev E.B. Babskii published more than 400 works. His main research devoted to investigation of the motility of the digestive tract, general physiology of the nervous system, chemical factors of excitation, mechanisms of muscle contraction, medical electronics and cybernetics and history of human and animal physiology. However, the most significant contribution of Babskii E.B. is his analysis of circulation physiology--the investigation of miocard energy, the physiological effects of electrical stimulation of the heart in the experiment, neural regulation, the ionic mechanisms of automaticity of the heart and myocardial metabolism in different phases of the cardiac cycle. Babskii E.B. and his colleagues firstly created the original method of study of cardiac activity--dinamocardiografy. Academician Babskii E.B. is considered the progenitor of heart electrical stimulation method of Russian Physiology and Medicine. These and many other ideas of Babskii E.B. has been further developed by his students, colleagues and followers.     

The Lown Symposium: The Field of DNA Minor Groove Binders Celebrates the Career of Professor J. William Lown

Abstract

A symposium co-organized by Professor William H. Gmeiner of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Professor Moses Lee of Furman University was held March 30 and 31, 2001 on the campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The Symposium was attended by many distinguished colleagues, friends and co-workers of Professor Lown who share his enthusiasm and passion for targeting DNA for treatment of human disease. The Symposium honored the formal “retirement” of Professor Lown who continues his active pursuit of scholarly activities and advancement of knowledge in a wide variety of intellectual interests.     

The structural and functional heterogeneity of glutamic acid decarboxylase: A review

Studies of the GABA-synthetic enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (glutamic acid decarboxylase; GAD; E.C.4.1.1.15) began in 1951 with the work of Roberts and his colleagues. Since then, many investigators have demonstrated the structural and functional heterogeneity of brain GAD. At least part of this heterogeneity derives from the existence of two GAD genes.In honor of the 70th birthday of Dr. Eugene Roberts     

Michael Akam and the rise of evolutionary developmental biology

Michael Akam has been awarded the 2007 Kowalevsky medal for his many research accomplishments in the area of evolutionary developmental biology. We highlight three tributaries of Michael’s contribution to evolutionary developmental biology. First, he has made major contributions to our understanding of development of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Second, he has maintained a consistent focus on several key problems in evolutionary developmental biology, including the evolving role of Hox genes in arthropods and, more recently, the evolution of segmentation mechanisms. Third, Michael has written a series of influential reviews that have integrated progress in developmental biology into an evolutionary perspective. Michael has also made a large impact on the field through his effective mentorship style, his selfless promotion of younger colleagues, and his leadership of the University Museum of Zoology at Cambridge and the European community of evolutionary developmental biologist.     

Introduction

In an age of specialization it comes almost as a surprise to find that a symposium honouring the scientific contributions of one man should bear such a broad title: the Biology of Marine Invertebrates. Wyn Knight-Jones has his specialization, as the long series of papers on the ecology and taxonomy of Spirorbidae reveals; but the earlier papers, offering new leads into several diverse facets of marine ecology, appealed to and stimulated many young biologists. Several of these here present some of their own recent research, which either sprang directly or indirectly from Wyn's own work or guidance to them as graduate students or is offered by colleagues in respect of friendship over many years.     

Professor Peter Jewell 1925–1998

Today it is sometimes forgotten how recently ecology and animal behaviour have emerged as respectable sciences from being merely glorified nature study. I can remember hearing, only half a century ago, a distinguished professor stating firmly at a meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, I think it was, that 'In Cambridge we do not teach ecology!' The transition that has taken place in attitudes since those days owes much to people like Peter Jewell. With a background in agriculture and physiology, his decision in the early 1960s to take his skills out into the field, to attempt the elucidation of some of the many problems facing real animals in the real world, was an important shift of emphasis. He brought a grasp of physiological function, and concepts of experimental rigour learned in the laboratory, to subjects that had sometimes lacked these important values. The researches which followed, often carried out in collaboration with the many colleagues and students who were attracted by his philosophy and personality, were part of the growing stream of vigorous new ideas that have shaped present-day attitudes towards ecology and ecological research.     

Julian M. Davidson. (April 15, 1931-December 31, 2001)

Julian Davidson was one of the three founding editors (with Frank A. Beach and Richard E. Whalen) of Hormones and Behavior and served in this capacity from 1969 to 1976. In addition, Julian made many significant research contributions to the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology. These included his studies on the neuroendocrine control of masculine sexual behavior, first in the rat and later in the human male. Julian Davidson was one of a small number of investigators who successfully bridged the divide between animal and human studies of sexuality and brain function. In light of his contributions to our field and his instrumental role in the creation of this journal, we are publishing a collection of remembrances by former students and fellows as well as colleagues and friends. Benjamin Sachs has overseen the solicitation and editing of these contributions.Michael J. Baum Editor     

The reactions on Hugo de Vries's Intracellular pangenesis: the discussion with August Weismann

In 1889 Hugo de Vries published Intracellular Pangenesis in which heformulated his ideas on heredity. The highexpectations of the impression these ideaswould make did not come true and publicationwas negated or reviewed critically. From thereactions of his Dutch colleagues and thediscussion with the famous German zoologistAugust Weismann we conclude that the assertionthat each cell contains all hereditary materialwas controversial and even more the claim thatcharacters are inherited independently of eachother. De Vries felt that he had to convincehis colleagues of the validity of his theory byproviding experimental evidence. He establishedan important research program which resulted inthe rediscovery of Mendel's laws and thepublication of The Mutation Theory.This article also illustrates somephenomena that go beyond an interesting episodein the development of theories of heredity. Itshows that criticism from colleagues can move aresearcher so deeply that he feels compelled toset up an extensive research program. Moreoverit illustrates that it is not unusual that acreative scientist is only partially willing totake criticism on his theories into account.Last but not least it demonstrates that commonopinion on the validity of specific argumentsmay change in the course of time.     

Dieter Eckstein – A cornerstone of European dendrochronology

On November 10th 2021, Dieter Eckstein passed away at age 82. Born and raised as a forester’s child, his entire life was connected to trees and wood. He grew up to become a dedicated scientist and teacher. His legacy includes both his own considerable research accomplishments as well as his founding of a growing network of tree biologists and wood scientists. From his doctoral degree onwards, the concepts and applications of dendrochronology were his passion, motivated by great curiosity in environmental influences on tree growth. He proved that dendroarchaeology can be accurate and precise, even for timber grown in the mild European maritime climate. He pioneered both techniques and concepts of xylogenesis and quantitative wood anatomy and advanced the potential for tropical dendrochronology. In all of these accomplishments, Dieter collaborated with students and colleagues from all over the world. His Dendrochronological Laboratory at the University of Hamburg hosted both young and experienced scientists from many countries. The European Working Group on Dendrochronology, which he founded in the early 1990s, was his natural habitat and playground to invent and present new research activities. We and the entire dendrochronology community have lost an inspiring colleague and visionary.