This study addresses a debate on the nature of gamma (>30Hz) oscillations in language generation and structuring from a top-down vs. bottom-up chunking approach. Working within the framework of recent oscillatory models for syntax, we argue that a time-frequency analysis of electroencephalography at crucial points of recursions in bi-clausal wh-movement is probative of the role of gramma oscillations in the creation of referential dependencies nested into wh-dependencies, accounting for aspects of the expressive power of language.
The study proposes that gamma oscillations in frontotemporal circuitry create syntax-semantics objects in contrast with slow-rhythm entrainment of gamma oscillations tracking semantic fitness in bottom-up chunking. We show gamma power effects associated with aspects of anaphoric relations established in syntax vs. discourse during the processing of bi-clausal filler-gap dependencies. Despite equal semantic fitness across conditions for noun phrase modifiers (Mods) and noun complements (Comps), Mod-Comp modulations of ERPDs linked to anaphoric relations with early vs. late antecedents arose in referential processing aligned with gap positions, suggesting the gamma-based implementation of referential relations is induced by the re-representations of pronouns in complex filler-gap dependencies.
Cortical 𝛾-Oscillations Implement Basic Language Operations: Evidence from Electroencephalography in Anaphora During English Filler-gap Dependency Processing
Spectroscopy data were collected on a BioTek Synergy H1 plate reader, then exported to and analyzed in Excel. 3D charts used in the manuscript were generated with OriginPro. Microscopy images are in proprietary .nd2 format of Nikon Elements software. .nd2 files were opened and processed with ImageJ. Gels were imaged on a BioRad Chemidoc.
Laughlin, P. M.; Young, K.; Gonzalez-Guiterrez, G.; Wang, J. C.-Y.,; Zlotnick, A. A narrow ratio of nucleic acid to SARS-CoV-2 N-protein enables phase separation. 2024.
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Raw data for "A narrow ratio of nucleic acid to SARS-CoV-2 N-protein enables phase separation"
We discuss event-related power differences (ERPDs) in low- and broadband-γ oscillations as the edge of embedded clauses is processed in wh-dependencies such as Which decision regarding/about him/her did Paul say that Lydie rejected without hesitation? in native and nonnative French speakers. The experimental conditions manipulated whether pronouns appeared in modifiers (Mods) or in noun complements (Comps) and whether they matched or mismatched a matrix-clause subject in gender. Across native and nonnative speakers, we found that anaphora-linked ERPDs for Mods vs. Comps in evoked power first arose in low γ and then in broadband γ. Therefore, referential elements first seem to be retrieved from working memory by narrowband processes in low-γ and then referential identification seems to be computed in broadband-γ output. Interactions between discourse- and syntax-based referential processes for the Mods vs. Comps in these ERPDs furthermore suggest that multidomain γ-range processing enables a range of elementary operations for discourse and semantic interpretation. We argue that a multidomain mechanism enabling operations conditioned by the syntactic and semantic nature of the elements processed interacts with local brain microcircuits representing features and feature sets that have been established in first- or second-language acquisition, accounting for a single language epistemology for native and nonnative language.
This zip file contains WAV-audio files and annotations. The recordings were produced using a digital audio recorder (ZOOM H6) and can be listened to using any sound software that can play WAV-audio files. The annotations can be viewed and edited by the ELAN software packages. ELAN ( https://tla.mpi.nl/tools/tla-tools/elan/) is a professional tool for the creation of complex annotations of video and audio resources. Download the dataset using the link below.
