Alteration of T cell cytokine production in PLPp-139-151-induced EAE in SJL mice by an immunostimulatory CpG Oligonucleotide

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is - in certain aspects - regarded as an animal model of the human CNS autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). While in EAE CNS-autoantigen-specific immunity is induced in a defined way, the initial processes leading to CNS autoimmunity in humans are so far unknown. Despite essential restrictions, which exist regarding the interpretation of EAE data towards MS, EAE might be a useful model to study certain basic aspects of CNS autoimmunity. Studies in MS have demonstrated that established autoimmune pathology can be critically influenced by environmental factors, in particular viral and bacterial infections. To investigate this interaction, EAE as an instrument to study CNS autoimmunity under defined conditions appears to be a suitable experimental tool. For this reason, we here investigated the influence of the Toll-like-receptor (TLR) ligand CpG oligonucleotide (CpG) on already established CNS autoimmunity in murine proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced EAE in SJL mice. CpG were found to co-stimulate PLPp-specific IFN-γ production in the peripheral immune system and in the CNS. However, CpG induced Interleukin (IL)-17 production in the inflamed CNS both alone and in combination with additional PLPp stimulation. These findings might indicate a mechanism by which systemic infections and the microbial stimuli associated with them may influence already existing CNS autoimmune pathology

Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations for quantum optimal feedback control

We exploit the separation of the filtering and control aspects of quantum feedback control to consider the optimal control as a classical stochastic problem on the space of quantum states. We derive the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations using the elementary arguments of classical control theory and show that this is equivalent, in the Stratonovich calculus, to a stochastic Hamilton-Pontryagin setup. We show that, for cost functionals that are linear in the state, the theory yields the traditional Bellman equations treated so far in quantum feedback.Comment: 14 pages, no figures (modified notation

The Australian Cricket board (ABC): Mapping Corporate Relations

Academic research in the area of sports marketing has concentrated on bi-lateral relationships, such as that linking a sponsor with the recipient of support, or that between the audience and a particular sport. Yet the industry, made of many relationships, involves probably more than the mere sum of all these bi-lateral links. This paper first relates the principles of relationship marketing to the sports industry and presents a graphical representation of its multiple players and the relationships that bind them. Then, based on qualitative information obtained from the Australian Cricket Board, it illustrates how this industry map can be used by any player in the industry in order to identify and prioritise those relationship links in order to develop successful marketing strategies. It is suggested that industry mapping linked with the relationship marketing focus, can be the anchor for quality service improvements in the sports industry. © 1998, MCB UP Limite