I would like to thank my advisor Prof. Ivan Fábio Mota de Menezes for whom I have nothing but the most profound admiration. Thank for all your support, and for being a wonderful role model throughout these years. More than an advisor, I consider you a dear friend that I hope to keep for the rest of my life. I also want to thank Prof. Glaucio Paulino who also had a central role in advising me through my PhD, your passion and dedication has truly inspired me to become a better version of myself. Thank you for believing in me, and for providing essential guidance in this journey. I would like to thank the members of my committee Prof. Anderson Pereira, Prof. Americo Cunha, and Prof. Emilio Silva for taking the time to read my work, and for their insightful comments, suggestions, and discussions, that helped improve the quality of my work.Outside of the academic field, but not less important, I want to thank my parents Fernando Rocha da Senhora, and Denise Bezerra Vasconcelos da Senhora, my brother Leonardo Vasconcelos da Senhora, and all my family (which is too extensive to name here). Your love and support is what made this possible. I also want to thank all my friends for brightening up my days, and making life more colorful and cheerful. I hope you all know how much you mean to me.