Samenvatting xv My Ph.D. experience in the Netherlands is like a great adventure on the sea to explore the hidden treasure: "One Piece". This adventure is not easy. But luckily for me, it is not terrible as other people describe. In these years, I enjoyed academic research, campus life, and various sports, and had fantastic travels in European countries. I also received many encourages, supports and helps from my supervisors, friends, and family. I am glad that I have accomplished my Ph.D. study with the principle: "don't hurry, be happy, and keep hair." First of all, I would like to express a great debt of gratitude to my promotor and daily supervisor, Marco Aiello. I met Marco in Beijing in 2013. He impressed me deeply as a gentle, kindly and knowledgeable scholar. His solid knowledge, brilliant suggestions, and critical questions helped me to get into the field of studies and keep moving further. Many thanks to him for contributing his experience, encourage and patience to help me to overcome difficulties during the tough Ph.D. journey. In the past five years, Marco's critical suggestions and detailed comments helped me to grow into an independent researcher. Marco is more of a close friend rather than a supervisor to me. Thanks very much for giving me an opportunity to pursue my Ph.D. study in the Netherlands. Under your supervision, I entered the gate of academic research. Moreover, the fantastic sailing trips on the seas around Sardinia and Naples he arranged will always be my best memory in Europe. These sailing experiences make my adventure of "One Piece" feel more real and more exciting. I would like to especially acknowledge all the professors and researchers who have contributed to my research in one way or another. I am very grateful to my second supervisor Alexander Lazovik, and my former/present group colleagues Andrea Pagani, Laura Fiorini, Frank Blaauw, Ilche Georgievski for the fruitful discussions and suggestions about my research. Many thanks to other members of Distributed