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for your friendship and welcome distractions.My future in-laws, Martin and Della, for their continued encouragement and for treating me like family while I was away from my own. Uncle Barry for being a great friend and a big brother to me, RIP.Chad for being the best little brother a guy could ask for.My Mom and Dad for their endless love, support, and encouragement.Ana for her friendship, love, support, devotion, and unlimited source of happiness from the first day that I met her. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………………………….………………viii LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….xi CHAPTER 1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..1