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ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOCHEMISTRY Vol. X

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The preface to the preceding volume was written on April 9, 1940. By a singular coincidence the present paragraphs are being written on a comparable day in 1941 as the expanding forces of war reach into another European nation. The occasion is not one that would call for comment in these pages were it not that the war, far-reaching in its ramifications, has profoundly influenced not only scientific research but every field of learning. Many of the universities and scientific institutes of continental Europe are closed. In many others scholarly activities are virtually in abeyance. Libraries have been completely destroyed. Several scientific journals have suspended publication. The current publications of one continent or, in some cases, of a neighbor- ing country arrive with disturbing irregularity, if at all. Scientific re- search confronted by the exigencies of the moment, is changing in its complexion and emphasis. Many have abandoned, by choice or duress, any attempt to engage in experimental work in the pure sciences for the duration of the emergency.

In so far as the present volume of the Review is concerned, it may appear on cursory inspection, that the war has had but little effect. It is true, for example, that the world-wide literature of biochemistry has contracted but little: the number of papers calling for review still exceeds by far the amount of space that may wisely be devoted to the various subjects. It is equally true that the international character of the Review is not entirely lost: our colleagues abroad, wherever col- laboration in authorship continues to be possible, have been most generous in giving their assistance to the present task by writing re- views. In Volume XI the international character of the Review will be more manifest than in Volume X.

The most serious impact of the war upon the Review might escape the observation of many. Delays and irregularities in the receipt of journals have been numerous. Almost every article in the present volume has been submitted by its author with apologies for the re- strictions in content imposed by the unavailability of recent numbers of important journals. In some cases a solution to the problem has been approached, though not with entire satisfaction, by the increased use of published abstracts for review purposes and by the solicitation of reprints of recent papers. We need hardly mention that reprints will be most gratefully received, especially in those cases where there be counted on to carry more than his share of a load. He was from the beginning associated with the Annual Review of Biochemistry in this activity, as in other directions, he sought to make the records of science so comprehensive as to be available to all workers. Himself possessing an encyclopedic memory, he sought on the printed page to have similar facilities made available to all.

A most notable contribution made by Alsberg to California was in the field of postgraduate instruction. In an almost literal sense, Alsberg had no experience in undergraduate instruction; yet in Stan- ford University and the University of California he displayed very unusual judgment in the administration and development of postgradu ate instruction. One has but to question President Wilbur and Presi dent Sproul to have this emphasized. Probably no man since the World War did as much to elevate postgraduate standards in Cali- fornia as did Alsberg.

In personal life, Alsberg was simple, direct, sincere, and moderate. An unfailing sense of humor endeared him to all his colleagues. His outstanding characteristics were toleration, co-operation, and gener- osity. He had a deep sense of equity which in all relations-personal and academic, in administration and research-brought co-operative efforts to a high plane. His death in his early 60's means to biological science in the United States the unfulfillment of a natural promise of a decade of activity. To California it means the untimely loss of a distinguished leader.

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557.1(058) ANN I

Perpustakaan PPKS Medan Lt. 1 (577.1)

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Detail Information

Series Title

-

Call Number

557.1(058) ANN I

Publisher

California : Stanford University., 1941

Collation

viii700, 561 hal.: ill.; 23cm

Language

English

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Classification

557.1(058)

Content Type

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Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

X

Subject(s)

Biological and Agricultural

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