Add to ORKGAcknowledgements I would like to thank a number of people who have encouraged and supported me in writing this thesis. I would like to thank my advisor and reader Professor Ken Miller who guided me through this process and helped construct my thesis. I would like to thank my friend and mentor Keith Richman who if not for his advice and guidance I would not be at Claremont Mckenna College. Most importantly I would like to thank my parents Alma Torres and Nelson Torres who I owe everything that I am and will be to them. I have put my heart and soul into this thesis and I hope that the reader will very much enjoy thi