Plasma thyroxine levels in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Some young Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients (3-7 years) had total thyroxine (T4) levels and T4 to thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) ratios above the normal range and significantly increased free thyroxine indices (fT4I) which, however, remained within the normal range. Older DMD patients (7-11 years) had T4 and TBG levels and fT4I similar to normal. In both DMD groups the thyroxine binding index (TBI) values were in the normal range.     

3-Ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine,a component of the trail pheromone of the antMessor bouvieri

Summary 3-Ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, found in the poison gland of workers, induces trail following in the Mediterranean harvester antMessor bouvieri. The poison gland contains on average 9 ng of this trail pheromone component. The alkaloids anabasine and anabaseine are also present in this gland, but induce no reaction in workers. Trail following is also induced by substances present in the Dufour gland, but the combined effect of both glands shows no synergism.     

The classical system-organizational insights into what made Periclean Athens great

Periclean Athens represents one of the most remarkable social systems in the world's history in terms of innovative output in almost all fields of thought and endeavour. This paper presents a discussion on some of the findings of a research project analyzing the Athenian sociopolitical organization from a systems perspective. The Viable Systems Model was used by the authors as a framework for examining the reorganization of Athens' sociopolitical structure by Cleisthenes in 508/7 BC; this structure was to provide the basis for Classical Athenian democracy. The analysis provides fresh insight for those with an interest in organization theory or classical history.