In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Postgraduate degree from McMaster University, I agree that the Libraries of this University may make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that the permission for copying this thesis in any manner, in whole or in part for scholarly purposes, may be granted by the professors who supervised my thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Faculty Dean in which my thesis work was conducted. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and McMaster Universit...