A variational principle for fluid sloshing with vorticity, dynamically coupled to vessel motion.

A variational principle is derived for two-dimensional incompressible rotational fluid flow with a free surface in a moving vessel when both the vessel and fluid motion are to be determined. The fluid is represented by a stream function and the vessel motion is represented by a path in the planar Euclidean group. Novelties in the formulation include how the pressure boundary condition is treated, the introduction of a stream function into the Euler-Poincaré variations, the derivation of free surface variations and how the equations for the vessel path in the Euclidean group, coupled to the fluid motion, are generated automatically.

Natural history studies for the preliminary evaluation of Larinus filiformis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as a prospective biological control agent of yellow starthistle.

We studied the life history, geographic distribution, behavior, and ecology of Larinus filiformis Petri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in its native range to determine whether it is worthy of further evaluation as a classical biological control agent of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae: Cardueae). Larinus filiformis occurs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Bulgaria and has been reared only from C. solstitialis. At field sites in central and eastern Turkey, adults were well synchronized with the plant, being active from mid-May to late July and ovipositing in capitula (flowerheads) of C. solstitialis from mid-June to mid-July. Larvae destroy all the seeds in a capitulum. The insect is univoltine in Turkey, and adults hibernate from mid-September to mid-May. In the spring, before adults begin ovipositing, they feed on the immature flower buds of C. solstitialis, causing them to die. The weevil destroyed 25-75% of capitula at natural field sites, depending on the sample date. Preliminary host specificity experiments on adult feeding indicate that the weevil seems to be restricted to a relatively small number of plants within the Cardueae. Approximately 57% of larvae or pupae collected late in the summer were parasitized by hymenopterans [Bracon urinator, B. tshitsherini (Braconidae) and Exeristes roborator (Ichneumonidae), Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae), and unidentified species of Eurytomidae and Ormyridae]. This weevil may be a better choice than the other capitula insects already established in the United States, particularly in colder parts of the plant's range.

Transvaginal ultrasound in the diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic capability of transvaginal ultrasound in detecting diffuse adenomyosis. One hundred and seventy-five women, mean age 45.8 years (range 37-62), were studied by TV ultrasound before hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology. The sonographer diagnosed adenomyosis in 19 patients, whereas the pathologist diagnosed adenomyosis in 15 women making ex novo diagnoses in 2 cases. The sensitivity of TV ultrasound was 86.6%, the specificity 96.2%, the positive predictive value 68.4%, and the negative predictive value 98%. In conclusion, this study showed that TV ultrasound is an important and advanced tool in the diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis.