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iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank Professor Isaac J. Krauss for his enlightened help and guidance during the past two years. A special word of thanks to Dr. Yollete Guillen-Schlippe, who not only served as a role model and mentor, but provided me with infinite help and insight into this project. Finally, I would like to thank my friends and family, who made my study at Brandeis University possible by their love and support. To all the above: Many Thanks. i