The author has granted a non exclusive license allowing Library and Archives Canada to reproduce, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, communicate to the public by telecommunication or on the Internet, loan, distribute and sell theses worldwide, for commercial or non commercial purposes, in microform, paper, electronic and/or any other formats. AVIS: L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou autres formats. i * i Canada Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. My sincere gratitude goes to my supervisor Professor Nejib Zaguia, who both encouraged and funded my research. I would also like to thank Professor Ivan Stojmenovic deeply for his invaluable advice, encouragement, and guidance throughout my research activities. This thesis could not have been successful without their help. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the University of Ottawa for providing me with the opportunity to undertake my Master's degree with financial assistance. Finally, I would like to thank my parents for financing me and encouraging me to pursue higher studies at the University of Ottawa.
