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Acknowledgments
A number of people have contributed directly and indirectly to the successful completion of this research work.
I express my sincere gratitude to my mentor, Dr. Barbara Wildemuth. It would not have been possible for me to prepare this work without her guidance, critical reviews, and constructive comments. I thank her for her patience, kindness, and the motivations she provided to bring this work to fruition. Her generous support and encouragement have helped me pass though tough times.
I am deeply indebted to Dr. Paul Solomon, Dr. Evelyn Daniel, Dr. Greg Newby, and Dr. Carol Pardun for providing me with valuable reviews and comments for improvements and refinements. Their help not only made this a better piece of work but also made me a better researcher.