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For economic geographers interest in the role of knowledge in economic activities and a 'knowledge economy' raises questions about how geography enables (and disables) learning and whether the production of tacit knowledge has exclusively local or multiple overlapping geographies. This thesis engages with this debate and considers its relevance to the geographies of tacit knowledge production (learning) in the employees of global advertising and law professional service firms operating in London and New York City. It begins by critically engaging with theories of knowledge, learning and their geographies to develop a spatially sensitive approach to examine learning. Such an analysis is then applied in order to understand the geographies of knowledge production in global advertising and law firms. Three themes are addressed. First, why is tacit knowledge important in the work of these firms? Second, what are the key practices involved in producing such knowledge? Third, what are the geographies of these practices and how important is the local scale (the communities within London and New York) and the global scale (the communities stretched between offices of the global firms studied) for knowledge production. Research findings from semistructured interviews highlight the multiple geographies of learning in the firms studied at both local and global scales. This is enabled by a number of 'embedding' forces that 'smooth' the learning process and that have multiple geographies themselves. It is therefore argued that a relational and topological analysis that traces the learning networks across space most usefully provides insights into the geographies of knowledge production. This reveals that the 'networks and spaces of learning' are fluid and transcend spatial scales when suitable constructed.

This is a study of the development problems of a particular category of developing countries, i.e., the developing small island state (SIS). The thesis seeks to establish their position within development theory emphasising the constraints that they confront in their development efforts. The main argument presented is that although small size is a development constraint, its effects are exacerbated by several other factors that are largely the result of not only size but also having a peripheral location and role within the global economy. A review and discussion of the literature relating to small states and SIS development is made focusing on the period following decolonisation when a plethora of Lilliputian states emerged. Their viability was questioned while more recently the emphasis has shifted to their vulnerability and to the need for sustainable development. Methodologically, the study identifies a range of problems commonly affecting SIS while through the use of statistical techniques a typology of SIS is identified. From this regional example, Zanzibar, the Comoros, the Maldives Seychelles and Mauritius are selected and an in depth comparative analysis is made. Through an historical approach, their post independence development experiences are analysed from which some important lessons are drawn. Focusing subsequently on Zanzibar, an empirical investigation is made focusing on its recent development experiences. The background to independence and the Revolution (1964) is analysed, identifying the socio-economic and political factors which have influenced its development before and after 1964. Three distinct phases are identified in post-Revolution Zanzibar. Though distinct from one another in their respective development strategies, they retain one common denominator, i.e. Zanzibar remains a dependent and vulnerable SIS.

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) modulate G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). One such protein, RGS5, has been shown to have selective expression in VSMCs and pericytes, and can inhibit signaling from Gαq and Gαi subunits. Using an RGS5 knockout model, we assessed the functional effect of RGS5 in the constriction and dilation of resistance arterioles. Furthermore, we examined the intracellular lipid interaction of RGS proteins to identify the determinants regulating the biologic function of RGS5. Surprisingly, loss of RGS5 function in mesenteric arterioles had no effect on constriction and dilation of resistance arterioles. Cultured VSMCs showed increased basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased VASP signaling in response to SNP treatment in RGS5KO VSMCs as compared to wild type controls, with no effect on cell proliferation. These data suggest RGS5 may integrate multiple intracellular pathways with competing effects on VSMC contraction.

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) modulate G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). One such protein, RGS5, has been shown to have selective expression in VSMCs and pericytes, and can inhibit signaling from Gαq and Gαi subunits. Using an RGS5 knockout model, we assessed the functional effect of RGS5 in the constriction and dilation of resistance arterioles. Furthermore, we examined the intracellular lipid interaction of RGS proteins to identify the determinants regulating the biologic function of RGS5. Surprisingly, loss of RGS5 function in mesenteric arterioles had no effect on constriction and dilation of resistance arterioles. Cultured VSMCs showed increased basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased VASP signaling in response to SNP treatment in RGS5KO VSMCs as compared to wild type controls, with no effect on cell proliferation. These data suggest RGS5 may integrate multiple intracellular pathways with competing effects on VSMC contraction.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon Graduate Center, 1987.

Frankfurt (Main), University, Diss., 2007.

Thesis (M.A.) - Department of History, University of Adelaide, 1981.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2001. / Also available online.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 6 uppsatser. Med sammanfattning på svenska.