Memorial University of Newfoundland

About: Memorial University of Newfoundland is a education organization based out in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 13818 authors who have published 27785 publications receiving 743594 citations. The organization is also known as: Memorial University & Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Timed Petri nets in modeling and analysis of cluster tools

Abstract: Timed Petri nets are used as models of cluster tools representing the flow of wafers through the chambers of the tool as well as sequences of actions performed by the robotic transporter. Since the durations of all activities are also represented in the model, performance characteristics can be derived from the model for steady-state, as well as transient behaviors. The performance of single-blade tools is compared with that of dual-blade tools. The effects of multiple loadlocks, redundant chambers and multiple robots are discussed and, analyzed. Modeling of wafer routings with chamber revisiting and processing of wafers of multiple types is also briefly discussed.

The Medium Is Not the Message: Advertising Effectiveness and Content Evaluation in Print and on the Web

Abstract: Some have argued that traditional principles of mass media advertising do not apply on the web. We present an empirical study that contradicts this assertion. Our findings suggest that advertisers need not take full advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the medium to produce effective web advertising. Given equal opportunity for exposure to the target audience, the same advertisements were equally effective in print and on the web. However, for promotional material that consumers would not classify as advertising, evaluations were lower when the material was presented on the web. We propose a plausible explanation for this apparent paradox.

The synergistic effects of NGF and IGF‐1 on neurite growth in adult sensory neurons: convergence on the PI 3‐kinase signaling pathway

Abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) play an important role in promoting axonal growth from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Adult DRG neurons exhibit neurotrophin-independent survival, providing an excellent system with which to study trophic factor effects on neurite growth in the absence of significant survival effects. Using young adult rat DRG neurons we have demonstrated a synergistic effect of NGF plus IGF (N + I), compared with either factor alone, in promoting neurite growth. Not only does the presence of NGF and IGF-1 enhance neurite initiation, it also significantly augments the extent of neurite branching and elongation. We have also examined potential mechanism(s) underlying this synergistic effect. Immunoblotting experiments of classical growth factor intermediary signalling pathways (PI 3-K-Akt-GSK-3 and Ras-Raf-MAPK) were performed using phospho-specific antibodies to assess activation state. We found that activation of Akt and MAPK correlated with neurite elongation and branching. However, using pharmacological inhibitors, we observed that a PI 3-K pathway involving both Akt and GSK-3 appeared to be more important for neurite extension and branching than MAPK-dependent signalling. In fact, inhibition of activation of MAPK with U0126 resulted in increased neuritic branching, possibly as a result of the concomitant increase observed in phospho-Akt. Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3 (which is negatively regulated by phosphorylation on S9/S21) also resulted in increased growth. Our data point to signalling convergence upon the PI 3-K-Akt-GSK-3 pathway that underlies the NGF plus IGF synergism. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first report in primary neurons that inhibition of GSK3 results in an enhanced neurite growth.