by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Ernest Mendrela, my major professor, for his valuable guidance, direction, support and enduring patience! Without him, this project would not have been possible. Also, thanks to Dr. Leszek Czarnecki and Dr. Bingqing Wei for agreeing to be on my advisory committee. Your time, advice and effort are highly appreciated. Words cannot explain how grateful I am to have had my beloved husband beside me throughout this project. His invaluable advice and support were very helpful and are very much appreciated. To the rest of my family, I say, thank you for being so patient with me, even when the road was bumpy