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J L Nicol

Publications and source records attributed to J L Nicol.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

What can prosody tell a parser?

In this paper, I consider how a sentence processor might use specific prosodic cues at various points in the processing of particular sentences containing (at least temporary) syntactic ambiguity. In principle, the usefulness of prosodic information depends on what a given cluster of prosodic cues typically signifies, and on which syntactic options exist for a given string: in only some instances can prosodic information provide useful disambiguating information.

Cognition↗
PubMed1995

Effects of clausal structure on subject-verb agreement errors.

This paper explores the effect of manipulating the internal structure of a complex subject on the incidence of subject--verb agreement errors. Using the sentence completion task (Bock & Miller, 1991), this study followed up on Vigliocco and Nicol's (1995) finding that the syntactic distance between a head noun and a number-mismatching noun contained within a modifier has an impact on error incidence: the greater the distance, the lower the error rate. The study presented in this paper investigated whether this distance effect is purely syntactic; if so, then it would be expected that there would be fewer errors following The owner of the house which charmed the realtors... than following The owner of the house who charmed the realtors..., since in the latter, the mismatch is syntactically nearer the head noun. Results show no hint of a difference between the two, suggesting that the distance effect is more likely due to temporal distance rather than syntactic distance per se.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Using cross-modal lexical decision tasks to investigate sentence processing.

Recent investigations of sentence processing have used the cross-modal lexical decision task to show that the antecedent of a phonologically empty noun phrase (specifically, WH-trace) is reactivated at the trace position. G. McKoon, R. Ratcliff, and G. Ward (1994) claimed that (a) a design feature concerning the choice of related and unrelated targets is a possible confound in this work and (b) the conclusions drawn from this previous research are therefore called into question. These claims are considered in light of both McKoon et al.'s experimental findings and results of our own experiments in which we test their linguistic materials. We argue that their results may be due to the nature of their materials. Additionally, we argue that a follow-up experiment reported by G. McKoon and R. Ratcliff (1994) used a technique that is not comparable to the cross-modal lexical decision task. It is concluded that current evidence supports the claim that structural information is using during on-line sentence processing and that the cross-modal technique is sensitive to this.

Cognition↗
PubMed1993

Processing syntactically ambiguous sentences: evidence from semantic priming.

In this paper, we report the results of a study which investigates the processing of syntactically ambiguous sentences. We examined the processing of sentences in which an embedded clause is interpretable as either a complement clause or as a relative clause, as in, for example, "The receptionist informed the doctor that the journalist had phoned about the events." The embedded clause in such sentences is typically analyzed as a complement to the verb informed, rather than as a relative clause modifying the doctor. A number of models parsing predict this is the only analysis ever considered, while others predict that both interpretations are computed in parallel. Using a cross-model semantic priming technique, we probed for activation of doctor just after the embedded verb. Since only the relative clause analysis contains a connection between the doctor and the embedded verb, we expected reactivation of doctor at that point only if the relative clause analysis were a viable option. Our results suggest that this is the case: Compared to priming in an ambiguous control sentence, a significant reactivation effect was obtained. These results are argued to support a model of parsing in which attachment of a clause may be delayed.

Cognition↗
PubMed1993

[Phacoemulsification by the anterior approach combined with vitreoretinal surgery].

Phacoemulsification was combined with vitreoretinal surgery in 22 cases in which lens opacity prevented good visualisation of the fundus. The main indications were proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Phacoemulsification was achieved by a limbal approach. The technique was adapted to the hardness of the lens nucleus. The incision was temporarily or definitely closed. The visualisation system was set up and the endocular surgery performed. In 5 cases an implantation in the bag was realised at the end of surgery. This type of combined procedure offers both the benefits of extra capsular surgery: avoids neovascular glaucoma in diabetic patients, keeps silicone oil in good position, possible implantation in the capsular bag, and those of a small incision: absence of leakage, of myosis, of corneal clouding, rapid rehabilitation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Complications of Stableflex anterior chamber intraocular lens implants. Apropos of 150 cases].

Stableflex (ORC) is a PMMA anterior chamber intraocular lens with closed and flexible loops permitting the philosophy of "one size fits all" in 90% of the eyes. Late complications lead to marketing interruption in the USA in July 1987. In a review of 150 cases, we study the occurrence of complications: corneal decompensation (4.5%), iridocorneal angle modification, cystoid macular edema (6.7%), explantation (n = 6). These observations suggest implications of physiopathological mechanisms which are examined.

Aged↗