We present the first determination of the radial velocities and metallicities of 78 red giant stars in the isolated dwarf irregular galaxy WLM. Observations of the calcium II triplet in these stars were made with FORS2 at the VLT-UT2 in two separated fields of view in WLM, and the [Fe/H] values were conformed to the \cite{CG97} ([Fe/H]$_{CG97}$) metallicity scale. The mean metallicity is $\langle$[Fe/H]$\rangle = -1.27 \pm 0.04$ dex, with a standard deviation of $\sigma = 0.37$. We find that the stars in the inner field are more metal rich by $\Delta$[Fe/H]$=0.30 \pm 0.06$ dex. These results are in agreement with previous photometric studies that found a radial population gradient, as well as the expectation of higher metallicities in the central star forming regions. Ages are estimated using Victoria-Regina stellar models, and we find that the youngest stars in the sample ($< 6$ Gyr) are more metal rich by $\Delta$[Fe/H]$= 0.32 \pm 0.08$ dex. These stars also show a lower velocity dispersion at all elliptical radii compared to those of the metal-poor stars. Additionally, the stellar kinematics suggest a velocity gradient approximately half that of the gas rotation curve, with the stellar components occupying a thicker disk decoupled from the H\,I rotation plane. Taken together, the kinematics, metallicities, and ages in our sample suggest a young metal-rich, and kinematically cold stellar population in the central gas-rich regions of WLM, surrounded by a separate dynamically hot halo of older, metal poor stars.

The focus of this work is to investigate transport phenomena in recently developed microscale fuel cell designs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Two microscale fuel cell systems are considered in this work: the membraneless microfluidic fuel cell and a planar array of integrated fuel cells. A concise electrochemical model of the key reactions and appropriate boundary conditions are presented in conjunction with the development of a threedimensional CFD model of a membraneless microfluidic fuel cell that accounts for the coupled flow, species transport and reaction kinetics. Numerical simulations show that the fuel cell is diffusion limited, and the system performances of several microchannel and electrode geometries are compared. A tapered-electrode design is proposed, which results in a fuel utilization of over 50 %. A computational heat transfer analysis of an array of distributed fuel cells on the bottom wall of a horizontal enclosure is also presented. The fuel cells are modelled as flush-mounted sources with prescribed heat flux boundary conditions. The optimum heat transfer rates and the onset of thermal instability are found to be governed by the length and spacing of the sources and the width-to-height aspect ratio of the enclosure. The transition from a conduction-dominated to a convectiondominated regime occurs over a range of Rayleigh numbers. Smaller source lengths result in higher heat transfer rates due to dramatic changes in Rayleigh-Bénard cell structures following transition.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanometer-scale structures that have attracted broad interest due to their exceptional thermal, electronic, and mechanical properties. As a result, there has been a large effort to develop applications of these materials in various fields including nanoelectronics and nanophotonics, energy storage, and biomedical fields. However, controlled production and manufacturing of CNTs still remains a challenge. In this work we demonstrate a method for controlling the placement and distribution of carbon nanotubes on surfaces using colloidal lithography. CNTs in ring-like geometries display interesting properties due to their nanoscale curved structure. Although several methods have been introduced for the fabrication of these structures, large scale fabrication of CNT rings with controllable diameter in a practical manner has thus far been elusive. Here, we use colloidal lithography to assemble nanotubes from solution into rings with tunable diameter and controllable placement in large-area periodic arrays. Several parameters and conditions such as the mask size, concentration and type of solvent for the CNT solutions are tested, and nanotubes with different quality and purity are used. Characterization of the CNT ring arrays using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are performed. These results demonstrate large periodic areas of rings with good uniformity throughout the arrays. The arrays consist of rings with diameters between 180–220 nm when using 780 nm diameter sphere colloidal masks. Analysis of ring thickness for these rings indicated their cross-sections are composed of approximately 10-15 individual tubes. Rings made with 450 nm spheres had diameters between 100-150 nm, showing the tunability of the ring diameter enabled by our method. In some cases, mesh-like structures in the form of periodic interconnected carbon nanotubes were also observed. Our results demonstrate an efficient and straightforward approach for patterning carbon nanotubes into well-defined surface distributions with controlled and tunable dimensions.

Continuous evolution is a key trait of software-intensive systems. Many research projects investigate mechanisms to adapt software systems effectively in order to ease evolution. By observing its internal state and surrounding context continuously using feedback loops, an adaptive system is potentially able to analyze its effectiveness by evaluating quality criteria and then self-tune to improve its operations. To be able to observe and possibly orchestrate continuous evolution of software systems in a complex and changing environment, we need to push monitoring and control of evolving systems to unprecedented levels. This thesis proposes implementing monitoring and evolution in adaptive systems using autonomic elements that rely on the reflective capabilities of the language in which the system is implemented. Such monitoring will allow a system to detect anomalous internal behaviour, and infer that changes to the operating context or environment have occurred.

Cognitive aging research has demonstrated reliable declines in memory ability with age, and, in response, several memory enhancement programs have been developed to address these concerns. Most research indicates that these programs are beneficial. However, research into the predictors of memory enhancement outcomes is limited. In brief, age, cognitive status, and memory ability have been shown to be influential. Only a few studies have investigated other potentially important psychosocial influences such as personality, metacognition, and coping styles. The goal of this study was to identify potentially important demographic, cognitive, and psychosocial influences on memory enhancement intervention outcomes. Thirty-nine older adults completed a multifaceted memory enhancement program that included psycho-education, memory compensatory strategy instruction, and discussion aimed at addressing metacognitive concerns and ageist stereotypes. Eighteen participants served as delayed-treatment controls. Predictor variables included demographic, cognitive (3MS, HVLT, Buschke Cued Recall Protocol), personality characteristics (NEO-PI-R), coping styles (Brief Cope), and metacognitive measures (MCI, MIA). Dependent measures including subjective (MMQ) and objective (Face/Name Recall, Grocery List Recall, Story Detail Recognition, Strategy Application) memory measures were obtained pre- and post-intervention. The current memory enhancement program was effective in improving both subjective and objective memory functioning immediately following program completion. Results revealed individual variation in outcomes ranging from 30 to 60 percent of participants showing improvement depending on the measure assessed. Improvements in subjective memory functioning were maintained at three-month follow-up. Investigation of predictors of individual differences in outcome indicated that memory performance scores were the most consistent predictor of objective memory functioning improvement, although metacognitive factors were also influential. Immediate improvement in subjective memory functioning was associated with both metacognitive ratings and memory performance scores whereas only metacognitive ratings were associated with lasting subjective improvement. In general, metacognitive constructs of memory efficacy, controllability, and locus of control appeared to be associated with positive intervention outcomes. An unexpected finding of higher levels of memory-related anxiety being associated with positive outcomes was noted. Personality characteristics (e.g., openness, neuroticism) were predictive of immediate increases in memory strategies usage. Implications for cognitive rehabilitation and social cognitive theory and clinical application are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that help and hinder the relationship between Canadian Forces (CF) veterans and their partners, from the perspective of the partners. Six wives and one girlfriend of former CF members were interviewed using Flanagan’s (1954) qualitative critical incident technique. Interviews yielded 17 helping incidents and 24 hindering incidents. Categories were created to comprehensively cluster the incidents. The helping categories were: supportive behaviours, collaboration, reconnecting, positive time apart, and compromising. The hindering categories were: communication difficulties, aggressive and intimidating behaviour, burdened with responsibility, inconsiderate behaviour, failure to provide support, and feeling ashamed of partner. Few links were found with regard to military employment; instead, the categories are consistent with past research exploring important relationship factors. Implications for counselling are provided, and future directions discussed.

This thesis examines Marianne Moore’s poetic project of creating hope within a modern context. Building on an initial discussion of Moore’s skeptical perspective, I go on to argue that Moore’s work fosters a desire both to believe in something unknowable and to maintain faith in a goodness that cannot be realized on earth. Moore posits a more demanding hope than one based on the search for truth and namelessness; she gives hope a meaning beyond the feeling that allows people to keep going. Moore’s hope requires a guarded vision of the future, a capacity for visualizing both the real and the imaginary, and, especially, careful observation. Actively manipulating the possibilities of language while recognizing their limitations, Moore transforms hope into an action, a pursuit of ethics and a focus on something other than the self.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the way in which regular users of Tarot cards employ the cards and the focus was on the participants', or co-researchers', use of Tarot for self-reflection rather than for divination. Although Tarot cards have been in existence for at least 700 years (Beal, 1975; Cavendish, 1975) and there are over 1000 different Tarot decks, and the related oracle decks, in existence (Aeclectic Tarot, 2009) there is a paucity of academic research on Tarot use (Crocker, 2004). Studies that have been done on Tarot have focused on its effectiveness as a divination tool (Blackmore, 1983) and the susceptibility of individuals to the Barnum effect (Glick, 1989; Ivtzan, 2007). A few studies have looked at psychological correlates of Tarot use (Crocker, 2004; Sjoberg, 2002) and have offered general descriptions of its use in a therapeutic setting (Coulter, 2004; Kopp, 1984). Research has not investigated the way in which Tarot is being used, nor has it given detailed descriptions of its potential usage in therapy sessions. This study sought to investigate the way in which Tarot is being used and based on the results, outline clear and concrete ways in which Tarot can be employed in therapeutic sessions. This study adopted a postmodern approach to the pursuit of knowledge, such that knowledge was viewed as a social and linguistic construction. The methodology employed was qualitative in nature and the general research design was heuristic (Moustakas, 1990). Interviews were conducted with four female co-researchers who used Tarot cards regularly and in a self-reflective manner. The interviews were transcribed and common qualities and themes that existed between them were extracted. The results indicated that the co-researchers use Tarot as a way to gain insight into current situations and possible action plans. The cards were used most often in difficult times, at which point, they offered comfort. This comfort involved confirmation that things were ok and that life was not without order. Tarot was also used as positive reinforcement for what the co-researchers were seeking in life and cards were drawn both intentionally, such as in positive reinforcement activities, and at random, in instances when novel insights were sought. The co-researchers sometimes pulled one card, a few cards, and sometimes used an entire spread. Just as different Tarot decks were used for different purposes, so different Tarot spreads were used in different circumstances. The nature of the co-researchers’ use of Tarot supports the utilization of Tarot in a therapeutic context and this study explored various ways in which this can be done, including as a means of acquiring new perspectives and of identifying wishes or goals.

A k-net of order n is an incidence structure consisting of n2 points and nk lines. Two lines are said to be parallel if they do not intersect. A k-net of order n satisfies the following four axioms: (i) every line contains n points; (ii) parallelism is an equivalence relation on the set of lines; (iii) there are k parallel classes, each consisting of n lines and (iv) any two non-parallel lines meet exactly once. A Latin square of order n is an n by n array of symbols in which each row and column contains each symbol exactly once. Two Latin squares L and M are said to be orthogonal if the n2 ordered pairs (Li,j , Mi,j ) are all distinct. A set of t mutual ly orthogonal Latin squares is a collection of Latin squares, necessarily of the same order, that are pairwise orthogonal. A k-net of order n is combinatorially equivalent to k − 2 mutually orthogonal Latin squares of order n. It is this equivalence that motivates much of the work in this thesis. One of the most important open questions in the study of Latin squares is: given an order n what is the maximum number of mutually orthogonal Latin squares of that order? This is a particularly interesting question when n is congruent to two modulo four. A code is constructed from a net by defining the characteristic vectors of lines to be generators of the code over the finite field F2 . Codes allow the structure of nets to be profitably explored using techniques from linear algebra. In this dissertation a framework is developed to study linear dependence in the code of the net N6 of order ten. A complete classification and combinatorial description of such dependencies is given. This classification could facilitate a computer search for a net or could be used in conjunction with more refined techniques to rule out the existence of these nets combinatorially. In more generality relations in 4-nets of order congruent to two modulo four are also characterized. One type of dependency determined algebraically is shown not to be combinatorially feasible in a net N6 of order ten. Some dependencies are shown to be related geometrically, allowing for a concise classification. Using a modification of the dimension argument first introduced by Dougherty [19] new upper bounds are established on the dimension of codes of nets of order congruent to two modulo four. New lower bounds on some of these dimensions are found using a combinatorial argument. Certain constraints on the dimension of a code of a net are shown to imply the existence of specific combinatorial structures in the net. The problem of packing points into lines in a prescribed way is related to packing problems in graphs and more general packing problems in combinatorics. This dissertation exploits the geometry of nets and symmetry of complete multipartite graphs and combinatorial designs to further unify these concepts in the context of the problems studied here.

This thesis argues, through two immanent critiques, that Michel Foucault’s work is constrained by the use of a ‘flat’ ontology, which limits the effectiveness of his politics. This thesis also argues, through transcendental critique, that Foucault’s analysis of power relations appears to presuppose Roy Bhaskar’s ‘depth’ ontology, which entails that Foucault’s individual and subjective form of politics must be complemented with a social dimension.