ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to make acknowledgments for my supervisor, Dr. Bernstein, for all the supervision, instruction, advices, helps, kindness, patience, and encouragements in order to complete my thesis research. Also, I want to make acknowledgements for my committee members, Dr. Kimball, Dr. Kopp, and Dr. Gorfein. Without your advices, suggestions, and helps, I could not complete the thesis research. Again, thanks for devoting your precious time for my thesis. Also, I want to thank Dr. Dougall for advices, suggestions, and kindness. Finally, I want to thank Charles Aden, Chawki Belhadi, Chikako Davidson, Gabriel Davidson, Sachimi Kyutoku, Tomomi Ogura, and Ryo Yamada, and faculties, staffs, and colleagues in our departments for inspirations and supports