To the unsung heroes of the libraries, stockrooms, department offices…

Dedication

To my parents, who taught me to learn from success and failure

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits of false assumptions, not by my exposure to founts of wisdom and knowledge ~ Igor Stravinsky

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Dr. Hage for giving me the opportunity to join his research lab and pursue a variety of research interests. I sincerely thank each member of my committee including Dr. Redepenning, Dr. Carr, Dr. Wehling and Dr. George for their patience and encouragement over the (far too many) years it took to complete this process. Dr. George passed away before I finished; his support and advice was invaluable.

My gratitude to the members, both past and present, of Hage Lab. Special thanks to Mary Anne, Annette, Cory, Abby, John S., Rangan, Lancia, Arthur and Erika. Beyond the lab, UNL has incredibility dedicated technical and administrative staff that make the entire endeavor of higher education run smoothly. To the unsung heroes of the libraries, stockrooms, department offices, fabrication shops, Officer of Graduate Studies, Student Services and Academic Services: THANK YOU.

To my family, who has expanded considerably during the (far too many) years it took me to complete this process, my love and many thanks.

Contributor: Radium Yttrium