with whom I could always share my thoughts related to this dissertation, besides some pleasing moments.I especially thank my parents, Ana and Luiz, and my brother, Érico, for their encouragement, care, and patience. I have always valued their unconditional support, which certainly helped me to reach this point. I thank Hugo, who has been by my side through this journey. In particular, I thank him for celebrating each small accomplishment and for teaching me how to find joy even in the loneliest and hardest moments of the last three years.Finally, I must acknowledge the financial support from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and, thus, from the Brazilian taxpayers.