A domain-general perspective on medial frontal brain activity during performance monitoring

Activity of the medial frontal cortex (MFC) has been implicated in attention regulation and performance monitoring. The MFC is thought to generate several event-related potential (ERPs) components, known as medial frontal negativities (MFNs), that are elicited when a behavioural response becomes difficult to control (e.g., following an error or shifting from a frequently executed response). The functional significance of MFNs has traditionally been interpreted in the context of the paradigm used to elicit a specific response, such as errors. In a series of studies, we consider the functional similarity of multiple MFC brain responses by designing novel performance monitoring tasks and exploiting advanced methods for electroencephalography (EEG) signal processing and robust estimation statistics for hypothesis testing. In study 1, we designed a response cueing task and used Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to show that the latent factors describing a MFN to stimuli that cued the potential need to inhibit a response on upcoming trials also accounted for medial frontal brain responses that occurred when individuals made a mistake or inhibited an incorrect response. It was also found that increases in theta occurred to each of these task events, and that the effects were evident at the group level and in single cases. In study 2, we replicated our method of classifying MFC activity to cues in our response task and showed again, using additional tasks, that error commission, response inhibition, and, to a lesser extent, the processing of performance feedback all elicited similar changes across MFNs and theta power. In the final study, we converted our response cueing paradigm into a saccade cueing task in order to examine the oscillatory dynamics of response preparation. We found that, compared to easy pro-saccades, successfully preparing a difficult anti-saccadic response was characterized by an increase in MFC theta and the suppression of posterior alpha power prior to executing the eye movement. These findings align with a large body of literature on performance monitoring and ERPs, and indicate that MFNs, along with their signature in theta power, reflects the general process of controlling attention and adapting behaviour without the need to induce error commission, the inhibition of responses, or the presentation of negative feedback.

Copy of a report of a Committee of the Honorable and Executive Council dated May 6, 1859 approved by His Excellency the Governor General in Council

Copy of a report of a Committee of the Honorable and Executive Council dated May 6, 1859 approved by His Excellency the Governor General in Council. This is in regard to charges made by Joshua Manly of Port Colborne against Mr. Woodruff, the superintendent and other persons connected with the Welland Canal. The accusations have been substantiated by the committee. This is accompanied by a petition accusing Mr. Woodruff of gross corruption and jobbery [the practice of using a public office or position of trust for one's own advantage]. This was signed by a number of petitioners on July 2, 1858 (2 pages, handwritten), 1859.

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending January 5th 1857 (Port Robinson)

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending January 5th 1857 (Port Robinson) (2 pages), 1857.

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal (St. Catharines office)

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal (St. Catharines office) British to British ports and British to American ports. This is accompanied by a note, 1857

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending 1857 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland)

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending 1857 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland) (2 page, printed blank), 1857.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland). This is signed by William Turner, collector (2 page, printed blank), 1858.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858 and the tolls collected thereon (office at Port Robinson) (2 pages), 1858.

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal (St. Catharines office)

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal (St. Catharines office) British to British ports and British to American ports (1 page, double-sided), 1858, 1860.

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal, British to British and British to American ports

General statement of articles transported on the Welland Canal, British to British and British to American ports (St. Catharines office) (1 page, double-sided), 1859, 1861.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal (Port Robinson)

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal (Port Robinson) during the year ending on the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon, 1860.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon. This document was mouldy (now inactive). This does not affect the text. It is signed by William Turner, collector (office at Port Maitland), 1860.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861 (office at Port Maitland) (2 pages), 1861.

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (office at Port Robinson), 1861.

Indenture between The Honourable Peter Russell, His Majesty’s Receiver General and William Dickson

Indenture between The Honourable Peter Russell, His Majesty’s Receiver General and William Dickson 10 acres bounded by a Port, and a Military Reserve. This document is slightly torn and taped. This does not affect the text – instrument no. 6507, Aug. 22, 1798.

Summons to Legislative Council of Upper Canada bestowed on William Dickson by George the Third, signed by the Attorney General

Summons to Legislative Council of Upper Canada bestowed on William Dickson by George the Third, signed by the Attorney General. The Crown Seal is faded, but intact, Nov. 16, 1815.