Acknowledgements

Terry Benzschawel

This book reflects the training and experience acquired during my education and career in business, medicine, engineering and science. Accordingly, it also reflects the wisdom of my teachers, colleagues and research partners. My research career spanned nearly five decades, and like most people, I could not have accomplished the research in this book without the technical and emotional support of many others. For emotional support I thank my sister, Claudia Reinbold, for bringing me back to life and David Gandler for his advice. I am grateful to Deidre Muccio, Audrey. S. Hendler and Halle E. Becker for their long-term companionship, and to Jeffrey Zenk, a business partner and friend since childhood.

I am grateful to my parents for providing a stable home and educational environment. My sister, Brenda Shearer, taught me to read at the age of four. I thank Homer Gunyon and William Palomaki for introducing me to electronics, and my father, Leander Benzschawel, and his business partner, Charles Faber, for over a decade of employment in their electrical contractor business. Finally, I thank Brian Sprenger and Gary Erbstoesser for their friendship throughout my childhood.

Next, I thank my