The effects of endogenous semantic variables during productive lexical retrieval: A Behavioral-Neural Dual Swinging Model (DSM).

Conceptual preparation is the very initial step in language production. Endogenous semantic variables, reflecting the inherent semantic properties of concepts, could influence the productive lexical retrieval by modulating both conceptual activation and lexical selection. Yet, empirical understandings on this process and underlying mechanisms remain limited. Here, inspired by previous theoretical models and preliminary findings, we proposed a Behavioral-Neural Dual Swinging Model (DSM), revealing the swinging process between conceptual facilitation and lexical interference and extending to neural resource allocation during these processes. To further test the model, we examined the joint effect of semantic richness and semantic density on productive word retrieval both behaviorally and neurally, using a picture naming paradigm. Results nicely support the DSM by showing that the productive retrieval is driven by the swinging between semantic richness-induced conceptual facilitation primarily managed in semantic-related regions and semantic density-induced lexical interference managed in control-related regions. Moreover, the conceptual facilitation accumulated from semantic richness plays a decisive role, mitigating interference from competitors as well as the neural demands in control-related regions.

Standardizing norms for 1286 colored pictures in Cantonese.

This study established psycholinguistic norms in Cantonese for a set of 1286 colored pictures sourced from several picture databases, including 750 colored line drawings from MultiPic (Duñabeitia et al., 2018) and 536 photographs selected for McRae et al. (2005) concepts. The pictures underwent rigorous normalization processes. We provided picture characteristics including name and concept agreement, familiarity, visual complexity, and frequency of modal responses. Through correlational analyses, we observed strong interrelationships among these variables. We also compared the current Cantonese norming to other languages and demonstrated similarity and variations among different languages. Additionally, we embraced the multilingual diversity within the current sample, and found that higher Cantonese proficiency but lower non-native language proficiency were associated with better spoken picture naming. Last but not least, we validated the predictive power of normed variables calculated from typed responses to spoken picture naming, and the consistency between typed and spoken responses. The present norming provides a timely and valuable alternative for researchers in the field of psycholinguistics, especially those studying Cantonese production and lexical retrieval. All raw data, analysis scripts, and final norming results are available online as psycholinguistic norms for Cantonese in the following link at the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/dz9j6/?view_only=a452d8a56c92430b9dedf21ac26b1bc1 .

Research on energy storage capacity optimization of rural household photovoltaic system considering energy storage sharing.

With the promotion of the photovoltaic (PV) industry throughout the county, the scale of rural household PV continues to expand. However, due to the randomness of PV power generation, large-scale household PV grid connection has a serious impact on the safe and stable operation of the distribution network. Based on this background, this paper considers three typical scenarios, including household PV without energy storage, household PV with distributed energy storage, and household PV with centralized energy storage. Then, a calculation model for PV local consumption rate and annual net cost under different scenarios is constructed. Combined with a natural village in Shandong Province, the PV local consumption rate and annual net cost under three scenarios are compared and analyzed, and the potential of energy storage sharing in reducing storage capacity and improving PV local consumption is explored. The results show that configuring energy storage for household PV can significantly improve the power self-balancing capability. When meeting the same PV local consumption, household PV centralized energy storage can achieve smaller energy storage configuration and lower cost compared to household PV distributed energy storage. Finally, suggestions are proposed to further promote the development of household PV energy storage system. The research results can provide reference for improving the local consumption of rural household PV and accelerating the application of household PV energy storage system.

Multilingual Language Diversity Protects Native Language Production under Different Control Demands.

The use of multiple languages has been found to influence individuals' cognitive abilities. Although some studies have also investigated the effect of multilingualism on non-native language proficiency, fewer studies have focused on how multilingual experience affects native language production. This study investigated the effect of multilingualism on native language production, specifically examining control demands through a semantic Go/No-Go picture naming task. The multilingual experience was quantified using language entropy, which measures the uncertainty and diversity of language use. Control demands were achieved by manipulating the proportion of Go (i.e., naming) trials in different conditions. Results showed that as control demands increased, multilingual individuals exhibited poorer behavioral performance and greater brain activation throughout the brain. Moreover, more diverse language use was associated with higher accuracy in naming and more interconnected brain networks with greater involvement of domain-general neural resources and less domain-specific neural resources. Notably, the varied and balanced use of multiple languages enabled multilingual individuals to respond more efficiently to increased task demands during native language production.