Let F be a distribution function and {m1,m2,m3...} be its moments. The moment problem is to know whether the moments {m1,m2,m3...} determine the distribution function F. In general, the sequence of moments does not always determine the distribution function. So the conditions for a distribution function to be moment-determinate are investigated. We get a result concerning the discrete distribution function.

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The need of finding a way to design a company trademark, without the worry of possible infringement on the intellectual property rights, has become exceedingly important as the economy and the accompanying intellectual property concerns advanced greatly in recent years. Traditionally, registered trademarks are stored in image databases and are categorized and retrieved by descriptions and keywords given by human workers. This is extremely time-consuming and considered by many as inappropriate. In this work we focus on image feature and content related techniques, or content-based image retrieval (CBIR) methods. Nevertheless, we still need human inputs since by law the most crucial basis for discerning the similarity or difference of two trademarks has to rely on human¡¦s naked eye. Therefore in this work we created a program which incorporates an man-machine interface allowing users to input various weighting factors each emphasizing a specific feature or shape of the trademark. The Zernike moments, and some new image compactness indices are used in the computations for image comparisons.

There are considerable difficulties in describing the properties of reinforced concrete materials and their interaction. It is therefore necessary to calibrate the mathematical model by accurate testing of laboratory specimens. It can be shown that momentcurvature relationship varies along the length of a member and at beam-column joints. This behaviour depends critically on the geometry of the joint, reinforcement details and the stress-strain characteristics of concrete and steel. Tests have been carried out on model reinforced concrete portal frames and independent specimens making up the frame to predict their non-linear behaviour. The stiffness of the joint plays an important role in the response of the complete frame structure. The behaviour of the corner joints is of particular interest because both the strength and ductility differs for opening and closing joints. The loss of stiffness at joints has a significant effect on the inelastic deformations. The non-linear finite element (FE) program developed takes into account the loss of stiffness at joints and the falling branch behaviour of the material stress-strain relationships. Constant, linear, and parabolic variation in flexural rigidity (EI) and axial rigidity (EA) are taken into consideration along the element length. The combined effect of material and geometric non-linearity is considered. The FE program may use either calculated momentcurvature relationship of different elements or the experimental data obtained from tests. The results show good agreement between the theoretical and experimental beam moment-curvature relationships. Horizontally loaded frame analysis, which involves opening and closing joints, shows that ignoring the joint effect over-estimates the strength. In the case of vertically loaded frames, which involves two closing joints, ignoring the joint effects had little or no influence. The results show good agreement between the theoretical and experimental frame force-displacement relationships throughout the loading range providing the change of stiffness at joints is taken into account for horizontally loaded frames.

University, Diss.--Münster, 2004.

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A large healthcare system in Texas mandated scripting as way to improve patient satisfaction. The purpose of this project was to incorporate a caring moment into scripting by the nursing staff to improve patient satisfaction. The project was guided by Watson's caring theory, the adult learning theory, and Lewin's planned change theory. All 35 nurses from the primary care and specialty care outpatient clinics of the Texas healthcare system participated in a staff development training to learn how to incorporate a caring moment into their script. Of these 35 nurses, 13 (37%) chose to complete the pre-education and postproject surveys. The pre-education survey indicated that nurses (30%) used the scripting almost all the time or all the time with each nurse-patient interaction. At the end of the project, the postproject survey resulted in 12 (92%) nurses who used the script almost all or all the time. At the end of the project the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set Patient Satisfaction Survey data indicated a 1% decrease in satisfaction with communication, a 9% increase in self-management support, and a 1% increase in care coordination. There was no statistical difference in the patient satisfaction scores over the project's 3-month time frame. Staff development training may lead to a positive social change for patient care as a result of nurses' understanding that interacting in a caring manner with patients makes a positive difference in patient satisfaction. The Texas health care system nurses realize that they can apply Watson's caring theory to guide nursing practice and to express caring for patients' physical and emotional needs during the outpatient appointments.

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