Lexical fixedness and compositionality in L1 speakers’ and L2 learners’ intuitions about word combinations: Evidence from Italian

© The Author(s) 2020. The present investigation focuses on first language (L1) and second language (L2) speakers’ sensitivity to lexical fixedness and compositionality of Italian word combinations. Two studies explored language users’ intuitions about three types of word combinations: free combinations, collocations, and idioms. In Study 1, Italian Verb+Noun combinations were embedded in sentential contexts, with control conditions created by substituting the verb with a synonym. L1 and L2 speakers rated sentence acceptability. In Study 2, the original verb was removed from sentences. Participants chose the verb from the list provided they felt was most acceptable. Computational measures were used to measure compositionality of word combinations. Mixed-effects modelling revealed that L1 and L2 speakers judged target word combinations differently in terms of lexical fixedness. In line with phraseological models, L1 speakers judged the use of a synonym as less acceptable in collocations than free combinations. On the contrary, L2 learners judged the use of a synonym as more acceptable in collocations than free combinations. However, all participants perceived idioms as least flexible of the three combination types. Results further showed an interesting effect of compositionality on the speakers’ intuitions about the use of word combinations. Taken together, the findings provide new insights into how L1 and L2 speakers perceive word combinations that vary along the continua of lexical fixedness and compositionality.

Lexical fixedness and compositionality in L1 speakers’ and L2 learners’ intuitions about word combinations: Evidence from Italian

© The Author(s) 2020. The present investigation focuses on first language (L1) and second language (L2) speakers’ sensitivity to lexical fixedness and compositionality of Italian word combinations. Two studies explored language users’ intuitions about three types of word combinations: free combinations, collocations, and idioms. In Study 1, Italian Verb+Noun combinations were embedded in sentential contexts, with control conditions created by substituting the verb with a synonym. L1 and L2 speakers rated sentence acceptability. In Study 2, the original verb was removed from sentences. Participants chose the verb from the list provided they felt was most acceptable. Computational measures were used to measure compositionality of word combinations. Mixed-effects modelling revealed that L1 and L2 speakers judged target word combinations differently in terms of lexical fixedness. In line with phraseological models, L1 speakers judged the use of a synonym as less acceptable in collocations than free combinations. On the contrary, L2 learners judged the use of a synonym as more acceptable in collocations than free combinations. However, all participants perceived idioms as least flexible of the three combination types. Results further showed an interesting effect of compositionality on the speakers’ intuitions about the use of word combinations. Taken together, the findings provide new insights into how L1 and L2 speakers perceive word combinations that vary along the continua of lexical fixedness and compositionality.

Nimesulide Mechanism of Action: Focus on Histamine

Objective of the Review: To analyse available information on the nimesulide mechanism of action, namely of recent studies of COXindependent effects of nimesulide, affecting primarily histamine-mediated reactions. Key Points. Fast and lasting anti-inflammatory and analgetic effects of nimesulide are a result of a number of actions not associated with cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition. Of utmost interest are effects associated with suppression of immune and non-immune histamine secretion. Conclusion. An interesting effect of nimesulide is an impact on histamine secretion; it explains more pronounced analgetic and anti-inflammatory effect of nimesulide and a low risk of respiratory and GIT side effects. Keywords: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase, histamine, nimesulide.

Lexical fixedness and compositionality in L1 speakers’ and L2 learners’ intuitions about word combinations: Evidence from Italian

The present investigation focuses on first language (L1) and second language (L2) speakers’ sensitivity to lexical fixedness and compositionality of Italian word combinations. Two studies explored language users’ intuitions about three types of word combinations: free combinations, collocations, and idioms. In Study 1, Italian Verb+Noun combinations were embedded in sentential contexts, with control conditions created by substituting the verb with a synonym. L1 and L2 speakers rated sentence acceptability. In Study 2, the original verb was removed from sentences. Participants chose the verb from the list provided they felt was most acceptable. Computational measures were used to measure compositionality of word combinations. Mixed-effects modelling revealed that L1 and L2 speakers judged target word combinations differently in terms of lexical fixedness. In line with phraseological models, L1 speakers judged the use of a synonym as less acceptable in collocations than free combinations. On the contrary, L2 learners judged the use of a synonym as more acceptable in collocations than free combinations. However, all participants perceived idioms as least flexible of the three combination types. Results further showed an interesting effect of compositionality on the speakers’ intuitions about the use of word combinations. Taken together, the findings provide new insights into how L1 and L2 speakers perceive word combinations that vary along the continua of lexical fixedness and compositionality.

Assessing Evidence for Replication: A Likelihood-Based Approach

How to evaluate replications is a fundamental issue in experimental methodology. We develop a likelihood-based approach to assessing evidence for replication. In this approach, the design of the original study is used to derive an estimate of a theoretically interesting effect size.A likelihood ratio is then calculated to contrast the match of two models to the data from the replication attempt: 1) A model based on the derived theoretically interesting effect size; and 2) a null model. This approach provides new insights not available with existing methods of assessingreplication. When applied to data from the Replication Project (Open Science Collaboration, 2015), the procedure indicates that a large portion of the replications failed to find evidence for a theoretically interesting effect.

How to use and report Bayesian hypothesis tests

This article provides guidance on interpreting and reporting Bayesian hypothesis tests, in order to aid their understanding. To use and report a Bayesian hypothesis test, predicted effect sizes must be specified. The paper will provide guidance in specifying effect sizes of interest (which also will be of relevance to those using frequentist statistics). First, if a minimally interesting effect size can be specified, a null interval is defined as the effects smaller in magnitude than the minimally interesting effect. Then the proportion of the posterior distribution that falls in the null interval indicates the plausibility of the null interval hypothesis. Second, if a rough scale of effect can be determined, a Bayes factor can indicate evidence for a model representing that scale of effect versus a model of H0. Both methods allow data to count against a theory that predicts a difference. By contrast, non-significance does not count against such a theory. Various examples are provided including the suitability of Bayesian analyses for demonstrating the absence of conscious perception under putative subliminal conditions, and its presence in supraliminal conditions.

Local algebraic effect theories

Algebraic effects are computational effects that can be described with a set of basic operations and equations between them. As many interesting effect handlers do not respect these equations, most approaches assume a trivial theory, sacrificing both reasoning power and safety. We present an alternative approach where the type system tracks equations that are observed in subparts of the program, yielding a sound and flexible logic, and paving a way for practical optimisations and reasoning tools.

Effect of fluorine substitution in organoboron electron acceptors for photovoltaic application

Fluorine substitution at the core unit or the endcapping groups has an interesting effect on the opto-electronic properties and device behaviors of organoboron electron acceptors.

Classical Control Design for a Gyroscopically Stabilized Inverted Pendulum

This work reports on the design and development of an inverted pendulum using a control moment gyro as a stabilizing mechanism. A common educational demonstration calls for a person to stand on a pivoting platform, and hold a spinning bicycle tire with one hand on each side of the axle. As the person rotates their arms, they begin to spin on the platform. This is due to the interesting effect of the control moment gyro. Similarly, this paper suggests the use of control moment gyros as a compact way of dynamically controlling objects. This paper will first discuss some of the current applications of control moment gyro systems, and how they could be used to improve existing technologies. This paper derives the dynamics of a particular gyroscope influenced pendulum, and shows a simple way to design a controller that stabilizes the pendulum. With the theory and background in place, experimental results are presented to verify the predicted response and validate the control approach. Finally, this paper will evaluate some of the strengths and weakness of this control approach, compared to other balancing techniques.