Generating High-Quality Surface Realizations Using Data Augmentation and Factored Sequence Models

This work presents a new state of the art in reconstruction of surface realizations from obfuscated text. We identify the lack of sufficient training data as the major obstacle to training high-performing models, and solve this issue by generating large amounts of synthetic training data. We also propose preprocessing techniques which make the structure contained in the input features more accessible to sequence models. Our models were ranked first on all evaluation metrics in the English portion of the 2018 Surface Realization shared task

Distribution, Habitat, and Life History Aspects of the Dwarf Crayfishes of the Genus Cambarellus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Arkansas

The dwarf crayfishes of the genus Cambarellus are represented in Arkansas by only 2 species: Cambarellus (Pandicambarus) puer (Hobbs) and C. (P.) shufeldtii (Faxon). Both species are quite small and uncommonly encountered in the state. Between 1972 and 2018, we made 368 crayfish collections throughout the 75 counties of Arkansas. A total of 34 collections (our collections, plus museum specimens), and those previously collected by Reimer (1963) yielded a total of 304 specimens of C. puer and 12 collections of C. shufeldtii returned 54 specimens of C. shufeldtiii. Herein, we document these 2 dwarf crayfishes from primarily the Coastal Plain and Mississippi Alluvial Plain physiographic provinces of Arkansas. Cambarellus puer is documented from 24 counties whereas C. shufeldtii was recorded from only 12 counties. With regard to conservation status, both C. puer and C. shufeldtii should be considered as “Currently Stable” due to their widespread distribution and general abundance in Arkansas

A Succinct, Holistic Look at Climate Change Legislation

The legislative process in the United States moves slowly, and any legislation that does become law is still subject to change along with the partisan makeup of Congress. Due to the time-sensitive nature of climate change, climate change activists should look to alternate ways to implement policies or try to circumvent the legislative process entirely. First, this article provides the basics of climate change legislation, and discusses the unique problems facing climate change activists. Then, this article describes the history of climate change legislation in the United States. Next, this article explores ways to change climate change policies without resorting to the legislative process, and ways to effect change through the legislature which are not subject easily overturned over time. Even if environmentalists are able to pass federal climate change legislation then it must be both effective and lasting. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is to include precommitment strategies and make the legislation flexible enough to withstand political change

Distribution, Habitat, and Life History Aspects of the Shrimp Crayfish, Faxonius lancifer (Hagen) (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Arkansas

The Shrimp Crayfish, Faxonius (formerly Orconectes) lancifer (Hagen) is an uncommon, although widespread, crayfish in Arkansas. This species is herein documented from 19 counties of the Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic region. Between 1974 and 2017, we made 344 collections throughout the 75 counties of Arkansas, of which 22 (6%) yielded 163 specimens of F. lancifer. Thus, from these collections, plus 10 unpublished collections of Reimer (1963), and one collection from G.L. Harp, a total of 34 collections of F. lancifer are now known from the state. Faxonius lancifer ranged from uncommon (1 specimen) to locally abundant (39 specimens) at these collecting localities. With regard to conservation status, F. lancifer should be considered as Currently Stable due to its widespread distribution and general abundance in Arkansas