Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor: Prof. Lin Feng, for his patient guidance throughout my two years of Master's study. I would also like to thank Prof. Seah Hock Soon for his kind assistance on my research as well as preparation of the papers. Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank my beloved father and mother in China for always providing me with enormous financial and mental support even at such a great distance that separates us. vi
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