scholarly journals The Development of Scene Semantics: First ERP Indications for the Processing of Semantic Object-Scene Inconsistencies in 24-Month-Olds

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Maffongelli ◽  
Sabine Öhlschläger ◽  
Melissa Lê-Hoa Võ
Keyword(s):  
Brain Region ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Recognition Of Objects ◽  
Neural Marker ◽  
Semantic Object ◽  
Attention And Perception ◽  
Scene Object

Finding a bottle of milk in the bathroom would probably be quite surprising to most of us. Such a surprised reaction is driven by our strong expectations, learned through experience, that a bottle of milk belongs in the kitchen. Our environment is not randomly organized but governed by regularities that allow us to predict what objects can be found in which types of scene. These scene semantics are thought to play an important role in the recognition of objects. But when during development are the semantic predictions so far implemented that such scene-object inconsistencies would lead to semantic processing difficulties? Here we investigated how toddlers perceive their environments, and what expectations govern their attention and perception. To this aim, we used a purely visual paradigm in an ERP experiment and presented 24-month-olds with familiar scenes in which either a semantically consistent or an inconsistent object would appear. The scene-inconsistency effect has been previously studied in adults by means of the N400, a neural marker responding to semantic inconsistencies across many types of stimuli. Our results show that semantic object-scene inconsistencies indeed elicited an enhanced N400 over the left anterior brain region between 750 and 1150 ms post stimulus onset. This modulation of the N400 marker provides first indications that by the age of two toddlers have already established their scene semantics allowing them to detect a purely visual, semantic object-scene inconsistency. Our data suggest the presence of specific semantic knowledge regarding what objects occur in a certain scene category.

scholarly journals Validated measures of semantic knowledge and semantic control: Normative data from young and older adults for more than 300 semantic judgements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wu ◽  
Paul Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Normative Data ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Feature Matching ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Matching Task ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Semantic Cognition ◽  
Control Processes

Recent studies suggest that knowledge representations and control processes are the two key components underpinning semantic cognition, and are also crucial indicators of the shifting cognitive architecture of semantics in later life. Although there are many standardized assessments that provide measures of the quantity of semantic knowledge participants possess, normative data for tasks that probe semantic control processes are not yet available. Here, we present normative data from more than 200 young and older participants on a large set of stimuli in two semantic tasks, which probe controlled semantic processing (feature-matching task) and semantic knowledge (synonym judgement task). We verify the validity of our norms by replicating established age- and psycholinguistic-property-related effects on semantic cognition. Specifically, we find that older people have more detailed semantic knowledge than young people but have less effective semantic control processes. We also obtain expected effects of word frequency and inter-item competition on performance. Parametrically varied difficulty levels are defined for half of the stimuli based on participants’ behavioral performance, allowing future studies to produce customized sets of experimental stimuli based on our norms. We provide all stimuli, data and code used for analysis, in the hope that they are useful to other researchers.

Semantic Cognition: Semantic Memory and Semantic Control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Jefferies ◽  
Xiuyi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Factual Knowledge ◽  
Conceptual Representations ◽  
Semantic Cognition ◽  
Control Processes ◽  
Functional Features

Semantic processing is a defining feature of human cognition, central not only to language, but also to object recognition, the generation of appropriate actions, and the capacity to use knowledge in reasoning, planning, and problem-solving. Semantic memory refers to our repository of conceptual or factual knowledge about the world. This semantic knowledge base is typically viewed as including “general knowledge” as well as schematic representations of objects and events distilled from multiple experiences and retrieved independently from their original spatial or temporal context. Semantic cognition refers to our ability to flexibly use this knowledge to produce appropriate thoughts and behaviors. Semantic cognition includes at least two interactive components: a long-term store of semantic knowledge and semantic control processes, each supported by a different network. Conceptual representations are organized according to the semantic relationships between items, with different theories proposing different key organizational principles, including sensory versus functional features, domain-specific theory, embodied distributed concepts, and hub-and-spoke theory, in which distributed features are integrated within a heteromodal hub in the anterior temporal lobes. The activity within the network for semantic representation must often be controlled to ensure that the system generates representations and inferences that are suited to the immediate task or context. Semantic control is thought to include both controlled retrieval processes, in which knowledge relevant to the goal or context is accessed in a top-down manner when automatic retrieval is insufficient for the task, and post-retrieval selection to resolve competition between simultaneously active representations. Control of semantic retrieval is supported by a strongly left-lateralized brain network, which partially overlaps with the bilateral network that supports domain-general control, but extends beyond these sites to include regions not typically associated with executive control, including anterior inferior frontal gyrus and posterior middle temporal gyrus. The interaction of semantic control processes with conceptual representations allows meaningful thoughts and behavior to emerge, even when the context requires non-dominant features of the concept to be brought to the fore.

scholarly journals Neural Patterns in Linguistic Cortices Discriminate the Content of Verbal Working Memory

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 2997-3014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kowialiewski ◽  
Laurens Van Calster ◽  
Lucie Attout ◽  
Christophe Phillips ◽  
Steve Majerus
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Direct Activation ◽  
Term Maintenance

Abstract An influential theoretical account of working memory (WM) considers that WM is based on direct activation of long-term memory knowledge. While there is empirical support for this position in the visual WM domain, direct evidence is scarce in the verbal WM domain. This question is critical for models of verbal WM, as the question of whether short-term maintenance of verbal information relies on direct activation within the long-term linguistic knowledge base or not is still debated. In this study, we examined the extent to which short-term maintenance of lexico-semantic knowledge relies on neural activation patterns in linguistic cortices, and this by using a fast encoding running span task for word and nonword stimuli minimizing strategic encoding mechanisms. Multivariate analyses showed specific neural patterns for the encoding and maintenance of word versus nonword stimuli. These patterns were not detectable anymore when participants were instructed to stop maintaining the memoranda. The patterns involved specific regions within the dorsal and ventral pathways, which are considered to support phonological and semantic processing to various degrees. This study provides novel evidence for a role of linguistic cortices in the representation of long-term memory linguistic knowledge during WM processing.

scholarly journals Semantic Processing in Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review of the N400 Differences

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 770
Author(s):  
Marilyne Joyal ◽  
Charles Groleau ◽  
Clara Bouchard ◽  
Maximiliano A. Wilson ◽  
Shirley Fecteau
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
N400 Effect ◽  
Pathological Aging ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Semantic deficits are common in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These deficits notably impact the ability to understand words. In healthy aging, semantic knowledge increases but semantic processing (i.e., the ability to use this knowledge) may be impaired. This systematic review aimed to investigate semantic processing in healthy aging and AD through behavioral responses and the N400 brain event-related potential. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses suggested an overall decrease in accuracy and increase in response times in healthy elderly as compared to young adults, as well as in individuals with AD as compared to age-matched controls. The influence of semantic association, as measured by N400 effect amplitudes, appears smaller in healthy aging and even more so in AD patients. Thus, semantic processing differences may occur in both healthy and pathological aging. The establishment of norms of healthy aging for these outcomes that vary between normal and pathological aging could eventually help early detection of AD.

Semantic Processing of Foveally and Parafoveally Presented Words in a Lexical Decision Task

1992 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis J. Fuentes ◽  
Pío Tudela
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Lexical Decision Task ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Target Stimulus Onset Asynchrony ◽  
Onset Asynchrony ◽  
Prime Target

Using a lexical decision task in which two primes appeared simultaneously in the visual field for 150 msec followed by a target word, two experiments examined semantic priming from attended and unattended primes as a function of both the separation between the primes in the visual field and the prime-target stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA). In the first experiment significant priming effects were found for both the attended and unattended prime words, though the effect was much greater for the attended words. In addition, and also for both attention conditions, priming showed a tendency to increase with increasing eccentricity (2.3°, 3.3°, and 4.3°) between the prime words in the visual field at the long (550 and 850 msec) but not at the short (250 msec) prime-target SOA. In the second experiment the prime stimuli were either two words (W-W) or one word and five Xs (W-X). We manipulated the degree of eccentricity (2° and 3.6°) between the prime stimuli and used a prime-target SOA of 850 msec. Again significant priming was found for both the attended and unattended words but only the W-W condition showed a decrement in priming as a function of the separation between the primes; this decrement came to produce negative priming for the unattended word at the narrow (2°) separation. These results are discussed in relation to the semantic processing of parafoveal words and the inhibitory effects of focused attention.

scholarly journals The Role of the Angular Gyrus in Semantic Cognition – A Synthesis of Five Functional Neuroimaging Studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Kuhnke ◽  
Curtiss A. Chapman ◽  
Vincent K.M. Cheung ◽  
Sabrina Turker ◽  
Astrid Graessner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Angular Gyrus ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Semantic Cognition ◽  
Independent Effects

Abstract Semantic knowledge is central to human cognition. The angular gyrus (AG) is widely considered a key brain region for semantic cognition. However, the role of the AG in semantic processing is controversial. Key controversies concern response polarity (activation vs. deactivation) and its relation to task difficulty, lateralization (left vs. right AG), and functional-anatomical subdivision (PGa vs. PGp subregions). Here, we combined the fMRI data of five studies on semantic processing (n = 172) and analyzed the response profiles from the same anatomical regions-of-interest for left and right PGa and PGp. We found that the AG was consistently deactivated during non-semantic conditions, whereas response polarity during semantic conditions was inconsistent. However, the AG consistently showed relative response differences between semantic and non-semantic conditions, and between different semantic conditions. A combined analysis across all studies revealed that AG responses could be best explained by independent effects of both task difficulty and semantic processing demand. Task difficulty effects were stronger in PGa than PGp, regardless of hemisphere. Semantic effects were stronger in left than right AG, regardless of subregion. These results suggest that the AG is independently engaged in both domain-general task-difficulty-related processes and domain-specific semantic processes. In semantic processing, we propose that left AG acts as a “multimodal convergence zone” that binds different semantic features associated with the same concept, enabling efficient access to task-relevant features.

scholarly journals The phase of Theta oscillations modulates successful memory formation at encoding

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Cruzat ◽  
Mireia Torralba ◽  
Manuela Ruzzoli ◽  
Alba Fernández ◽  
Gustavo Deco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Performance ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Theta Power ◽  
Paired Associates ◽  
Scalp Eeg ◽  
Stimulus Effect ◽  
Scalp Location ◽  
Spectral Ranges ◽  
Attention And Perception ◽  
Post Hoc

AbstractSeveral past studies have shown that attention and perception can depend upon the phase of ongoing neural oscillations at stimulus onset. Here, we extend this idea to the memory domain. We tested the hypothesis that ongoing fluctuations in neural activity have an impact on memory encoding using a picture paired-associates task to gauge episodic memory performance. Experiment 1 capitalized on the principle of phase reset. We tested if subsequent memory performance fluctuates rhythmically, time-locked to a reset cue presented before the to-be-remembered pairs. We found indication that behavioral performance was periodically and selectively modulated at theta frequency (∼4 Hz). In Experiment 2 we focused on prestimulus ongoing activity using scalp EEG recorded while participants performed the pair-associate task. We analyzed subsequent memory performance as a function of theta and alpha activity around the presentation of the to-be-remembered pairs. The results of the pre-registered analyses, using large electrode clusters and generic spectral ranges, returned null results of prestimulus phase-behavior correlation. However, we found that post-stimulus theta-power modulations in left frontal scalp predicted subsequent memory performance. This post-stimulus effect in theta power was used to guide a post-hoc prestimulus phase analysis, narrowed down to more precise scalp location and frequency. This analysis returned a correlation between prestimulus theta phase and subsequent memory. Altogether, these results suggest that the prestimulus theta activity at encoding has an impact on later memory performance.

scholarly journals Neuro-Cognitive Differences in Semantic Processing Between Native Speakers and Proficient Learners of Mandarin Chinese

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Ho Lai ◽  
Shu-Kai Hsieh ◽  
Chia-Lin Lee ◽  
Lily I-Wen Su ◽  
Te-Hsin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Judgment Task ◽  
Fusiform Gyrus ◽  
Chinese Adult ◽  
Semantic Judgment ◽  
Ventral Pathway

The present study aimed to investigate the neural mechanism underlying semantic processing in Mandarin Chinese adult learners, focusing on the learners who were Indo-European language speakers with advanced levels of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging technique and a semantic judgment task to test 24 Mandarin Chinese adult learners (L2 group) and 26 Mandarin Chinese adult native speakers (L1 group) as a control group. In the task, participants were asked to indicate whether two-character pairs were related in meaning. Compared to the L1 group, the L2 group had greater activation in the bilateral occipital regions, including the fusiform gyrus and middle occipital gyrus, as well as the right superior parietal lobule. On the other hand, less activation in the bilateral temporal regions was found in the L2 group relative to the L1 group. Correlation analysis further revealed that, within the L2 group, increased activation in the left middle temporal gyrus/superior temporal gyrus (M/STG, BA 21) was correlated with higher accuracy in the semantic judgment task as well as better scores in the two vocabulary tests, the Assessment of Chinese character list for grade 3 to grade 9 (A39) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised. In addition, functional connectivity analysis showed that connectivity strength between the left fusiform gyrus and left ventral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, BA 47) was modulated by the accuracy in the semantic judgment task in the L1 group. By contrast, this modulation effect was weaker in the L2 group. Taken together, our study suggests that Mandarin Chinese adult learners rely on greater recruitment of the bilateral occipital regions to process orthographic information to access the meaning of Chinese characters. Also, our correlation results provide convergent evidence that the left M/STG (BA 21) plays a crucial role in the storage of semantic knowledge for readers to access to conceptual information. Moreover, the connectivity results indicate that the left ventral pathway (left fusiform gyrus-left ventral IFG) is associated with orthographic-semantic processing in Mandarin Chinese. However, this semantic-related ventral pathway might require more time and language experience to be developed, especially for the late adult learners of Mandarin Chinese.

scholarly journals Semantic Priming in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Subjects: Effect of Different Time of Presentation of Word-Pairs

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Guglielmi ◽  
Davide Quaranta ◽  
Ilaria Mega ◽  
Emanuele Maria Costantini ◽  
Claudia Carrarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Semantic Priming ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Factorial Anova ◽  
Semantic Priming Effect ◽  
Time Of Presentation

Introduction: Semantic memory is impaired in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Two main hypotheses about this finding are debated and refer to the degradation of stored knowledge versus the impairment of semantic access mechanisms. The aim of our study is to evaluate semantic impairment in MCI versus healthy subjects (HS) by an experiment evaluating semantic priming. Methods: We enrolled 27 MCI and 20 HS. MCI group were divided, according to follow up, into converters-MCI and non converters-MCI. The semantic task consisted of 108 pairs of words, 54 of which were semantically associated. Stimuli were presented 250 or 900 ms later the appearance of the target in a randomized manner. Data were analyzed using factorial ANOVA. Results: Both HS and MCI answered more quickly for word than for non-word at both stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) intervals. At 250 ms, both MCI and HS experienced a shorter time of response for related-word than for unrelated words (priming effect), while only the converters-MCI subgroup lost the priming effect. Further, we observed a rather larger Cohen’s d effect size in non converters-MCI than in converters-MCI. Conclusion: Our data, and in particular the absence of a semantic priming effect in converters-MCI, could reflect the impairment of semantic knowledge rather than the accessibility of semantic stores in MCI individuals that progress to dementia.

Design and Implementation of Mongolian Wordnet Management Platform

2013 ◽  
Vol 756-759 ◽  
pp. 1344-1348
Author(s):  
Hasi ◽  
En Bo Tang
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language Processing ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Semantic Information ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Knowledge Database ◽  
Management Platform ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Function Modules

With the development of natural language processing technology, a powerful tool containing semantic information is in great need in lexical semantic processing. Aiming at automatic processing of words in machine translation and automatic proofreading, Wordnet mainly provides semantic information in the form of a semantic knowledge database. The Mongolian Wordnet management and application platform includes two parts----the user searching function and the administrator maintaining function. Users can search semantic knowledge online and the administrator can maintain the adding, deleting, revising and searching functions of the database online as well. This article mainly introduces the construction theory of Mongolian Wordnet, the designing frame of the management and application platform, and the designing methods of the main function modules.

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