Tongue Length Research Articles

Effect of supplementary feeding on morphometry of worker honeybees in Western Himalayan region

Efficient management of bee colonies requires the beekeepers to provide artificial food to the bees when they need it. The need to feed artificial diet depends a lot on the amount of brood in the hive, the amount of stored pollen and nectar, current as well as future nectar and pollen conditions and demands to be placed on the hives. If hives are critically short of pollen and either have a large brood nest or are expanding their brood nest, then the beekeepers need to consider various options available to them for e.g. supplementary feeding, migration of bee colonies to the region rich in flora etc. to avoid a reduction in bee population. Feeding of artificially diet may have positive effect on colony attributes including morphometric characters. It was observed that feeding of diet led to significant increase in some of the morphometric characters like tongue length.

Decreased Maximal Tongue Protrusion Length May Predict the Presence of Dysphagia in Stroke Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between maximal tongue protrusion length (MTPL) and dysphagia in post-stroke patients.MethodsFree tongue length (FTL) was measured using the quick tongue-tie assessment tool and MTPL was measured using a transparent plastic ruler in 47 post-stroke patients. The MTPL-to-FTL (RMF) ratio was calculated. Swallowing function in all patients was evaluated via videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), PenetrationAspiration Scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS).ResultsThe MTPL and RMF values were significantly higher in the non-aspirator group than in the aspirator group (MTPL, p=0.0049; RMF, p<0.001). MTPL and RMF showed significant correlations with PAS, FOIS and VDS scores. The cut-off value in RMF for the prediction of aspiration was 1.56, with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 86%.ConclusionThere is a relationship between MTPL and dysphagia in post-stroke patients. MTPL and RMF can be useful for detecting aspiration in post-stroke patients.

Evaluation of cephalometric indices in patients with obstructive sleep apnea in comparison with healthy individuals

Study objectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the cephalometric parameters related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MethodsTwenty-four patients with OSA diagnosis and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥15 in overnight polysomnography were recruited. A similar number of control participants were selected based on the absence of OSA clinical presentations through evaluation with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-Bang questionnaires. Two groups were matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The standardized upright lateral cephalograms of all participants were obtained; afterward, skeletal and soft tissue landmarks were traced and digitized. ResultsWe observed that in patients with OSA, mandibular ramus length was significantly bigger (p = 0.02), and the mandibular plane made a greater angle with the line passing through the nasion and the sella (p < 0.001). They had a retro-positioned mandible (p < 0.001), and the hyoid bone was placed inferiorly (p < 0.001) compared to control participants. Regarding the differences related to soft tissue, they had elongated tongue (p < 0.001) and soft palate (p < 0.001). The ANB angle was negatively correlated with diseases severity (r = −0.49, p = 0.013). Among different cephalometric measurements, the H-MP and TL with the cut-off values of 14 and 67 mm had the highest power to predict OSA. ConclusionsThe patients with OSA exhibited longer soft palate and tongue, inferiorly positioned hyoid bones, and retruded and longer mandible. The disease severity was mainly related to the retruded mandible. Moreover, hyoid bone position and tongue length were the most reliable measures to predict OSA.

Floral preferences of mountain bumble bees are constrained by functional traits but flexible through elevation and season

Patterns of resource use by animals can clarify how ecological communities have assembled in the past, how they currently function and how they are likely to respond to future perturbations. Bumble bees (Hymentoptera: Bombus spp.) and their floral hosts provide a diverse yet tractable system in which to explore resource selection in the context of plant–pollinator networks. Under conditions of resource limitation, the ability of bumble bees species to coexist should depend on dietary niche overlap. In this study, we report patterns and dynamics of floral morphotype preferences in a mountain bumble bee community based on ~13 000 observations of bumble bee floral visits recorded along a 1400 m elevation gradient. We found that bumble bees are highly selective generalists, rarely visiting floral morphotypes at the rates predicted by their relative abundances. Preferences also differed markedly across bumble bee species, and these differences were well‐explained by variation in bumble bee tongue length, generating patterns of preference similarity that should be expected to predict competition under conditions of resource limitation. Within species, though, morphotype preferences varied by elevation and season, possibly representing adaptive flexibility in response to the high elevational and seasonal turnover of mountain floral communities. Patterns of resource partitioning among bumble bee communities may determine which species can coexist under the altered distributions of bumble bees and their floral hosts caused by climate and land use change.

Evaluation of tongue posture &amp; dimensions in relation to skeletal Class I and Class II patterns- A cephalometric study

Association of tongue posture with dental and facial skeletal pattern have been suggested in past. This study was undertaken to assess tongue posture and dimensions in Class I and Class II Dentoskeletal patterns to determine whether any correlation exists between tongue posture and skeletal pattern of an individual. Cephalograms of 150 individuals (aged 18-23 years), taken in Natural Head Position (NHP) and tongue at rest were divided into three groups i.e. Group 1 – Class I Normal occlusion, Group 2 – Class II Division 1 Normodivergent and Group 3 – Class II Division 1 Hypodivergent, consisting of 50 samples each. To ensure the rest position of tongue, patient was asked to relax for 30 seconds after coating the tongue with barium sulphate in midline and then to swallow, and the X-ray was taken at the end of swallowing. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to sex. Groups were constituted according to the Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA) angle. The subjects who had skeletal Class II pattern due to mandibular retrusion and not due to maxillary prognathism were only included in the study group. Statistical analysis was done using the software SPSS version 21.0. The statistical tests used were unpaired t-test and One-way ANOVA test with post-hoc bonferroni test. The p-value was considered significant if less than 0.05.The dorsum of the tongue was higher at back and lower in front in Class II Division 1 Hypodivergent group as compared to Class I Normal occlusion group (P&amp;#60;.05). Tongue height and tongue length were significantly reduced in Class II Division 1 Normodivergent and Class II Division 1 Hypodivergent malocclusion groups when compared to Class I control group (P&amp;#60;.05).The study supports the existence of a relationship between posture &amp; dimensions of the tongue with Class I and Class II skeletal patterns.

A genomic and morphometric analysis of alpinebumblebees: Ongoing reductions in tongue length but no cleargenetic component.

Over the last six decades, populations of the bumblebees Bombus sylvicola and Bombus balteatus in Colorado have experienced decreases in tongue length, a trait important for plant-pollinator mutualisms. It has been hypothesized that this observation reflects selection resulting from shifts in floral composition under climate change. Here we used morphometrics and population genomics to determine whether morphological change is ongoing, investigate the genetic basis of morphological variation, and analyse population structure in these populations. We generated a genome assembly of B.balteatus. We then analysed whole-genome sequencing data and morphometric measurements of 580samples of both species from seven high-altitude localities. Out of 281samples originally identified as B.sylvicola, 67 formed a separate genetic cluster comprising a newly-discovered cryptic species ("incognitus"). However, an absence of genetic structure within species suggests that gene flow is common between mountains. We found a significant decrease in tongue length between bees collected between 2012-2014 and in 2017, indicating that morphological shifts are ongoing. We did not discover any genetic associations with tongue length, but a SNP related to production of a proteolytic digestive enzyme was implicated in body size variation. We identified evidence of covariance between kinship and both tongue length and body size, which is suggestive of a genetic component of these traits, although it is possible that shared environmental effects between colonies are responsible. Our results provide evidence for ongoing modification of a morphological trait important for pollination and indicate that this trait probably has a complex genetic and environmental basis.

Bee community composition, but not diversity, is influenced by floret size in cultivated sunflowers

Nectar-related traits influence the number of bee visits to sunflowers, but the effects of floret size on the diversity and composition of bee communities are unknown. In 4 year × planting date combinations, bees were collected from sunflowers with small (< 7.5 mm), medium (7.5–9 mm), or large (> 9 mm) florets, and counts of foraging bees were used to clarify bee responses to plant traits. No effect of floret size on diversity of foraging bees was found, but associations of bee tongue length and floret size led to differences in the communities foraging on sunflowers with small, medium, or large florets. Though most wild bees preferred to forage on plants with more nectar and smaller florets (≈ easier access to nectar), Bombus spp. showed an opposite response to floret size, foraging preferentially on lines with large florets. Changes in Melissodes spp. foraging preference in the presence of Bombus spp. also suggest interactions between small- and large-bodied bees may be important.

Prevalence of Some Common Human Traits: An Updated Survey Report From Rajshahi University Campus, Bangladesh

Prevalence of some common human traits viz., body weight, height and body mass index (BMI), pattern baldness, body hair, chin, colour blindness, cheek dimples, earlobes, length of index finger, lips, nose, polydactyly, tongue and widow’s peak, and ABO blood groups along with their Rh-D antigen, were recorded and analyzed from 500 male and 1000 female students of the Rajshahi University (RU) Campus. Results showed that body weights of the male students (66.42±8.92 kg) were significantly higher (t= 35.14; P&lt;0.001) than those of the female students (51.64±6.97 kg). The differences in BMI between males (23.32±3.26) and females (20.85±2.63), as expected, were also highly significant (t= 15.79; P&lt;0.001) and notably, some of the female students were underweight (BMI&lt; 18.5). No female had baldness compared to 15.8% bald males. Sparse body hair was prevalent over the dense body hair in both genders. The females had much higher smooth chin (89.6%) than the males (58.0%) but the males had much higher cleft chin (42.0%) compared to the females (10.4%). No female was colourblind whereas 7.4% males were colourblind. Absence of dimples was recorded in 92.4% males and 85.7% females. Attached earlobes were higher than the free earlobes in both sexes. Compared to the length of the ring finger, shorter index finger was prevalent both in males (85.4%) and females (68.6%). Frequencies of the broad lips in males and females were 53.4% and 58.6%, respectively. Females dominated large and broad noses (76.1%) in comparison with their male counterparts (61.4%). Polydactyly was a rare trait in the Campus, where only 2.2% males and 0.2% females had extra digits in their hands or feet. Tongue rollers (53.8%) outnumbered the tongue folders in males, but tongue folders (54.4%) outnumbered the tongue rollers in females. Males with widow’s peak were higher (25.8%) than that in the females (19.0). Blood groups in the males and females were in the order: B (32.0) &gt; O (29.8) &gt; A (22.4) &gt; AB (15.8) and O (34.8) &gt; B (34.4) &gt; A (21.9) &gt; AB (8.9), respectively. As a whole, 85.4% males and 98.0% females were Rh-positive where the blood group phenotypes did not affect body weight, height and BMI of the subjects (r=0.012; P=0.63). The relevance of these findings to the physical, physiological, social and clinical well-being of the humans has been discussed. Bangladesh J. Zool. 49 (2): 215-228, 2021

Differences in bee community composition between restored and remnant prairies are more strongly linked to forb community differences than landscape differences

Abstract Grassland restoration is an important tool for conserving bee biodiversity within agricultural landscapes. Restorations foster increases in local bee abundance and α‐diversity; however, these measures are insufficient for understanding whether remnant communities are being conserved. We compared native bee α‐diversity, β‐diversity and community composition between restored and remnant prairies in Minnesota, USA. We then investigated two potential drivers of bee community dissimilarity between restored and remnant prairies: proportion of agricultural land surrounding a restoration and differences in floral community between restored and remnant prairies. We selected 10 restored prairies that lie along a gradient of increasing agricultural land cover, ranging from 20% to 85% of surrounding land in agricultural production. We paired each restoration with a nearby prairie remnant and sampled bee and floral communities concurrently in each restoration–remnant pair. We quantified bee and forb α‐diversity, community composition, β‐diversity and levels of dissimilarity between restoration–remnant pairs along the gradient of agricultural development. Additionally, we quantified differences in the community‐weighted mean between restored and remnant prairies for two bee traits, oligolecty and tongue length, to investigate how differences in floral community between restored and remnant prairies may influence bee community composition. While bee α‐diversity between restored and remnant prairies was similar, bee composition between restorations and remnants was significantly different with restorations being more homogeneous than remnants. Differences in bee community composition and β‐diversity were not significantly related to agricultural landscapes or floral community dissimilarity; however, we found a significantly higher proportion of oligolectic bees in remnant prairies. This difference in oligolectic bees was likely related to the absence of important host plants in restorations. Synthesis and application. Prairie restorations should seek to provide diverse floral resources that are of similar composition to remnant prairies. Specifically, providing important floral host plants for pollen specialist bees could improve restorations' ability to conserve prairie remnant bee communities.

Catching the thief: Nectar robbing behaviour by bumblebees on naturalised Fuchsia magellanica in Ireland

Fuchsia magellanica (Ongaraceae) is a plant with a traditionally ornithopholous pollination system, pollinated primarily by hummingbirds in its native range. As a naturalised alien plant in Ireland, F. magellanica is visited largely by bumblebees, with evidence for nectar robbing behaviour of the long-tubed flowers. We aimed to investigate nectar robbing behaviour of bumblebees on F. magellanica, and in particular whether floral and pollinator traits (size) determined likelihood of nectar robbing. While F. magellanica was visited by a number of bumblebee species, only two with shorter tongue lengths were observed to rob nectar from flowers. Although there was no observed relationship between intra-specific bee body size and nectar robbing behaviour, nectar robbing was observed most frequently in the site with the highest number of bees. Proportions of robbed flowers were low overall and varied between populations, but there was a significant relationship between flower size and whether it was nectar robbed with larger flowers robbed more often. Our work suggests that floral size determines whether a flower-visitor will choose to nectar rob or not in this system. Nectar robbing may also be related to bee density which could suggest this behaviour is driven by competition for resources, or that it is learnt by observing other bees.

Evaluation of the position and morphology of tongue and hyoid bone in skeletal Class II malocclusion based on cone beam computed tomography

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to analyze the morphology and position of the tongue and hyoid bone in skeletal Class II patients with different vertical growth patterns by cone beam computed tomography in comparison to skeletal Class I patients.MethodsNinety subjects with malocclusion were divided into skeletal Class II and Class I groups by ANB angles. Based on different vertical growth patterns, subjects in each group were divided into 3 subgroups: high-angle group (MP-FH ≥ 32.0°), average-angle group (22.0° ≤ MP-FH < 32°) and low-angle group (MP-FH < 22°). The position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone were evaluated in the cone beam computed tomography images. The independent Student’s t‐test was used to compare the position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone between skeletal Class I and Class II groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the measurement indexes of different vertical facial patterns in each group.ResultsPatients in skeletal Class II group had lower tongue posture, and the tongue body was smaller than that of those in the Class I group (P < 0.05). The position of the hyoid bone was lower in the skeletal Class II group than in Class I group (P < 0.05). The tongue length and H-Me in the skeletal Class I group with a low angle were significantly larger than those with an average angle and high angle (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the position or morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone in the skeletal Class II group with different vertical facial patterns (P > 0.05).ConclusionPatients with skeletal Class II malocclusion have lower tongue posture, a smaller tongue body, and greater occurrence of posterior inferior hyoid bone position than skeletal Class I patients. The length of the mandibular body in skeletal Class I patients with a horizontal growth type is longer. The position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone were not greatly affected by vertical facial development in skeletal Class II patients.

Correlation between different body mass index and anatomical position of tongue artery

Objective: To compare the anatomical position of the lingual artery in people with different body mass index (BMI), and to observe whether there is a correlation between different body mass index, height, weight with tongue length, tongue width, bilateral lingual artery distance and lingual artery depth, so as to estimate the position of the lingual artery during the operation to guide the operation. Methods: Three hundred and fourteen subjects who underwent CT angiography (computed tomography angiograph, CTA) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2020 to September 2020 were randomly selected for retrospective analysis, including 190 males and 124 females people,aged from 20 to 73 years old. The subjects were divided into 4 groups: low body weight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2, n=32), normal body weight (18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24 kg/m2, n=164), super weight group (24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2, n=93), and obesity group (BMI≥28 kg/m2, n=25). The subjects' tongue length and tongue width, bilateral lingual artery spacing and lingual artery depth at each measurement point were measured respectively. The differences in anatomical data between the groups were compared to see if there was statistical significance. Meanwhile, the correlation between BMI and various anatomical parameters was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Results: There was no significant difference in age and gender composition ratio between the four groups of subjects (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in tongue width and bilateral lingual artery distance at 3 measurement points in each group (P>0.05). There was significant difference in tongue length and lingual artery depth at each measurement point (P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that BMI was significantly positively correlated with bilateral lingual artery distance at each measurement point (r=0.372, 0.395, 0.232, P<0.001), and BMI was significantly positively correlated with lingual artery depth at each measurement point (r=0.312, 0.461, 0.453, P>0.001). BMI was significantly positively correlated with tongue length (r=0.441, P<0.001), but not with tongue width. Conclusions: In patients with different BMI values, the location of the lingual artery is different and positively correlated. Individual surgical plans should be made according to patients with different BMI values during tongue body surgery to avoid damage to the lingual artery.

Reduced tongue mobility: an unrecognized risk factor of childhood obstructive sleep apnea.

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an important and prevalent disease. A short lingual frenulum is a risk factor for OSA, but whether tongue mobility also plays a role in OSA etiology remains unknown. This study aimed to examine tongue mobility in children with and without OSA. We hypothesized that reduced tongue mobility was associated with OSA. We also evaluated the relationship between tongue mobility and craniofacial profile. This was a cross-sectional case-control study. Prepubertal Chinese children aged 5-12 years, suspected to have OSA were recruited from our sleep disorder clinic. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. The lingual frenulum was evaluated based on tongue mobility and free tongue length. Craniofacial measurements were assessed by lateral cephalometry. Eighty-two subjects (mean age: 8.32 ± 1.70 years, 57 males) were recruited. The mean tongue mobility was 58.2 (±19)% and 67.4 (±15)% (p = 0.019) in subjects with and without OSA, respectively. Tongue mobility was inversely correlated with OAHI (r = -0.218, p = 0.049). In multivariate logistic regression, low tongue mobility was independently associated with a higher risk of OSA after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index z-score, presence of large tonsils and turbinates, and nocturnal oral breathing (odds ratio = 3.65, 95% CI = 1.22 to 11.8). Tongue mobility was found to correlate with the cranial base angle (Ba-S-N) (r = 0.262, p = 0.018), which determines the relative position of the mandible. In prepubertal children, reduced tongue mobility is associated with the occurrence and severity of OSA. Assessing tongue mobility is recommended in childhood OSA management.

Evolutionary and ecological factors structure a plant–bumblebee network in a biodiversity hotspot, the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains

Abstract Species interactions, such as those between plants and pollinators, are known to be shaped by both evolutionary history and ecological factors. However, little is known about how multiple factors (e.g. phylogeny, phenology, abundance and functional traits) interactively affect interaction patterns. Using a plant–bumblebee network comprising 2,428 interactions between 29 plant species and 12 bumblebee species in the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains, we tested for phylogenetic signal and whether phylogenetic pattern was explained by abundance, phenology and 13 plant and bumblebee functional traits. We also tested whether trait matching in two pairs of plant–bumblebee traits explained interaction frequencies at both species and individual levels. The network showed significant phylogenetic signal; closely related bumblebees tended to visit similar sets of plants, but not vice versa. Among all the measured factors, nectar volume and sugar concentration, rather than other phylogenetically constrained factors, were most important for explaining phylogenetic pattern (64% and 54% respectively). Although long–tongued bumblebee species tended to interact with long–tubed flowers, trait matching did not predict short–tongued bee interaction frequencies. Despite this, trait matching was apparent at the level of individual bees, reflecting intraspecific variation in tongue length and body size. Different selection pressures may exist within this bumblebee community, resulting in specialized, co–evolved traits in long–tongued species and adaptive generalization in short–tongued species to gain access to a variety of flowers. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of phylogenetic trait–based structure in species interaction networks. In particular, this study provides new evidence for the importance of nectar rewards in structuring interaction patterns in pollination mutualisms. The results also demonstrate that trait matching may occur at the individual level, despite not being detectable at the species level, and underline the necessity of taking intraspecific trait variation into account in studies of community structure. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Intralesional platelet-rich plasma injection promotes tongue regeneration following partial glossectomy in a murine model

BackgroundWe examined the regenerative efficacy of the activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentrate administered by local injection in an animal model mimicking partial glossectomy for tongue cancer. MethodsFour-week-old mice were randomized to four groups; (1) a treatment-naïve control group, (2) a PRP group, (3) a hemiglossectomy group, and (4) a hemiglossectomy + PRP group. The activated PRP concentrate was injected into the deep layer of resected surfaces of mouse tongues immediately after excision, and tongue widths and lengths were measured on postoperative days (POD) 5 and 12. Gross tongue morphologies and microscopic findings were investigated. Inflammation and fibrous tissue areas were also measured, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for c-kit, neurofilament, and S-100. ResultsThe activated PRP concentrate reduced wound scar contracture, promoted wound healing, and reduced inflammation and wound fibrosis. On POD 12, histologic findings in the hemiglossectomy + PRP group were similar to those in the normal control group, and the intensity of stem cell factor receptor c-kit expression was also significantly greater in the PRP group than in the hemiglossectomy group on POD 12. Immunohistochemical staining revealed S100 and neurofilament expressions in the hemiglossectomy + PRP group were significantly more intense than in the hemiglossectomy group. ConclusionIntralesional activated PRP concentrate injection has potential use for tongue regeneration, wound healing, and neural regeneration with minimal scarring after partial glossectomy.

Global patterns in bumble bee pollen collection show phylogenetic conservation of diet.

Bumble bees (Bombus) are a group of eusocial bees with a strongly generalised feeding pattern, collecting pollen from many different botanical families. Though predominantly generalists, some bumble bee species seem to have restricted dietary choices. It is unclear whether restricted diets in bumble bees are inherent or a function of local conditions due to a lack of data for many species across different regions. The objective of this study was to determine whether bumble bee species displayed specific patterns of pollen collection, and whether patterns were influenced by phylogenetic relatedness or tongue length, a trait known to be associated with structuring floral visitation. Bumble bee pollen collection patterns were quantified from 4,132 pollen loads taken from 58 bumble bee species, representing 24% of the pollen-collecting diversity of this genus. Phylogenetic trait mapping showed a conserved pattern of dietary dissimilarity across species, but not for dietary breadth. Dietary dissimilarity was driven by collection of Fabaceae, with the most similar species collecting around 50%-60% of their diet from this botanical family. The proportion of the diet collected from Fabaceae also showed a conserved phylogenetic signal. Greater collection of Fabaceae was associated with longer tongue lengths, with shorter tongued species focusing on alternative botanical families. However, this result was largely driven by phylogenetic relatedness, not tongue length per se. These results demonstrate that, though generalists, bumble bees are still subject to dietary restrictions that constrain their foraging choices. These dietary constraints have implications for their persistence should their core resources decline in abundance.

Dual mechanisms of autonomous selfing in Roscoea nepalensis (Zingiberaceae).

The genus Roscoea, a Himalayan endemic and only alpine member of the predominately tropical family Zingiberaceae, is well-known for possessing elaborate floral traits commonly associated with biotic pollination, and particularly with long-tongued fly pollination. These traits include showy, easily detectable flowers with wide labellum serving as a landing platform for floral visitors, absence of discernible fragrance, presence of nectar as a reward, elongated reproductive organs situated away from the nectar source, and long corolla tube that is compatible with the tongue length of long-tongued insects (Goldblatt and Manning 2000, Cowley 2007).

Identity of mass-flowering crops moderates functional trait composition of pollinator communities

ContextPollinator declines and functional homogenization of farmland insect communities have been reported. Mass-flowering crops (MFC) can support pollinators by providing floral resources. Knowledge about how MFC with dissimilar flower morphology affect functional groups and functional trait compositions of wild bee communities is scarce.ObjectiveWe investigated how two morphologically different MFC, land cover and local flower cover of semi-natural habitats (SNH) and landscape diversity affect wild bees and their functional traits (body size, tongue length, sociality, foraging preferences).MethodsWe conducted landscape-level wild bee surveys in SNH of 30 paired study landscapes covering an oilseed rape (OSR) (Brassica napus L.) gradient. In 15 study landscapes faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown, paired with respective control landscapes without grain legumes.ResultsFaba bean cultivation promoted bumblebees (Bombus spp. Latreille), whereas non-Bombus densities were only driven by the local flower cover of SNH. High landscape diversity enhanced wild bee species richness. Faba bean cultivation enhanced the proportions of social wild bees, bees foraging on Fabaceae and slightly of long-tongued bumblebees. Solitary bee proportions increased with high covers of OSR. High local SNH flower covers mitigated changes of mean bee sizes caused by faba bean cultivation.ConclusionsOur results show that MFC support specific functional bee groups adapted to their flower morphology and can alter pollinators` functional trait composition. We conclude that management practices need to target the cultivation of functionally diverse crops, combined with high local flower covers of diverse SNH to create heterogeneous landscapes, which sustain diverse pollinator communities.

Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises in healthy young adults: Articulatory, acoustic, and aerodynamic measurements during phonation at threshold

Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTEs) are increasingly popular as therapeutic exercises for patients with voice disorders. This popularity is reflected in the growing research literature, investigating the scientific principles underlying SOVTEs and their practical efficacy. This study examines several acoustic, articulatory, and aerodynamic variables before, during, and after short-duration (15 s) SOVTEs with a narrow tube in air. Participants were 20 healthy young adults, and all variables were measured at threshold phonation levels. Acoustic variables were measured with a microphone and a neck accelerometer, and include fundamental frequency, glottal open quotient, and vocal efficiency. Articulatory variables were measured with ultrasound, and include measures of the tongue tip, tongue dorsum, and posterior tongue height, and horizontal tongue length. Aerodynamic variables were measured with an intraoral pressure transducer and include subglottal, intraoral, and transglottal pressures. Lowering of the posterior tongue height and tongue dorsum height were observed with gender-specific small changes in the fundamental frequency, but there were no significant effects on the transglottal pressure or vocal efficiency. These findings suggest that the voices of healthy young adults already approach optimal performance, and the continued search for scientific evidence supporting SOVTEs should focus on populations with voice disorders.

Differences in Orofacial Muscles According to Sex, Age, Length of Tongue by Korean Healthy Adult : Pilot Standardization Study of Orofacial Muscles

Differences in Orofacial Muscles According to Sex, Age, Length of Tongue by Korean Healthy Adult : Pilot Standardization Study of Orofacial Muscles