Add to ORKGIt gives me great pleasure in acknowledging all of my committee members and professors who encouraged and helped throughout this process. My sincerest gratitude is offered to the late Dr. Fred Jay Krieg for being an excellent teacher and mentor throughout the entire program. I would also deeply like to thank Dr. Sandra Stroebel for her persistent support, encouragement and guidance. An enormous amount of appreciation goes to Dr. Stephen O’Keefe for sharing his vast wealth of knowledge and experiences. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Peter Prewett for providing valuable feedback and support for completion of this thesis. I would be remiss if I did not include in my acknowledgements my ever encouraging wife and best friend, Jessica. I woul...