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1. The Generic Mapping Tools Version 6

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008515  

   Wessel, P.; Luis, J. F.; Uieda, L.; Scharroo, R.; Wobbe, F.; Smith, W. H. F.; Tian, D. (November 2019, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems)

   Abstract The Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) software is ubiquitous in the Earth and ocean sciences. As a cross‐platform tool producing high‐quality maps and figures, it is used by tens of thousands of scientists around the world. The basic syntax of GMT scripts has evolved very slowly since the 1990s, despite the fact that GMT is generally perceived to have a steep learning curve with many pitfalls for beginners and experienced users alike. Reducing these pitfalls means changing the interface, which would break compatibility with thousands of existing scripts. With the latest GMT version 6, we solve this conundrum by introducing a new “modern mode” to complement the interface used in previous versions, which GMT 6 now calls “classic mode.” GMT 6 defaults to classic mode and thus is a recommended upgrade for all GMT 5 users. Nonetheless, new users should take advantage of modern mode to make shorter scripts, quickly access commonly used global data sets, and take full advantage of the new tools to draw subplots, place insets, and create animations. 

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2. Watching the sunrise on our ocean planet in a new era of marine science

   https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsae049  

   Schofield, Oscar (April 2024, ICES Journal of Marine Science)

   Browman, Howard (Ed.)

   Abstract Over the last 30 years, ocean sciences have been undergoing a technological revolution. Changes include the transition of autonomous platforms from being interesting engineering projects to being critical tools for scientists studying a range of processes at sea. My career has benefitted immensely from these technical innovations, allowing me to be at sea (virtually) 365 days a year and operate ocean networks globally. While these technical innovations have opened many research doors, many aspects of oceanography are unchanged. In my experience, working/talking/scheming with scientists is most effective face-to-face. Despite the growing capabilities of robotic platforms, we will still need to go to sea on ships to conduct critical experiments. As the responsibilities of scientists expand with mandated outreach efforts, I strongly urge young scientists to leverage the expertise of Broader Impact professionals, who are increasingly available to our community, in order to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of our outreach efforts. Given the increasing observations of change occurring in the ocean, our work is ever-more important while still being fun. I am blessed to have had a career as an oceanographer exploring this planet. 

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3. What Needs to Change in Academia to Increase the Number of Black Scientists and Engineers? A Son of Redlines.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cels.2020.06.014  

   Wilson, C.J. (July 2020, Cell Systems)

   Three brothers, black males, one murdered, one incarcerated—one unscathed (me). Three cousins, black males, two incarcerated—one with his liberties intact (me). Six siblings, only two completed high school—one being me. I remember, when I was 4 years old, walking to the store with my sister and being scolded for picking up a hypodermic needle someone used to inject heroin… and we lived in the better part of my neighborhood. This is the legacy of redlining, compounded by mass incarceration. If you do not know what redlining is, look it up. Purportedly, redlining ended in 1968; however, it is still the birthright of many black Americans. My early life experience is the product of this legacy. 

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4. Quantitative Robustness Analysis of Neural Networks

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3597926.3605231  

   Downing, Mara (July 2023, ACM)

   Neural networks are an increasingly common tool for solving problems that require complex analysis and pattern matching, such as identifying stop signs or processing medical imagery. Accordingly, verification of neural networks for safety and correctness is of great importance, as mispredictions can have catastrophic results in safety critical domains. One metric for verification is robustness, which answers whether or not a misclassified input exists in a given input neighborhood. I am focusing my research at quantitative robustness—finding not only if there exist misclassified inputs within a given neighborhood but also how many exist as a proportion of the neighborhood size. My overall goal is to expand the research on quantitative neural network robustness verification and create a variety of quantitative verification tools geared towards expanding our understanding of neural network robustness. 

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5. STEM programs: encouraging an early start with engineering design

   https://doi.org/10.56367/OAG-042-10836  

   Songer, Nancy Butler (January 2024, Open Access Government)

   STEM programs: encouraging an early start with engineering designNancy Butler Songer, Associate Provost of STEM Education at the University of Utah, highlights the importance of introducing STEM programs to younger students. Fifty years ago, I was one of three girls (of fifty 11 and 12-year-olds) in the after-school Science Club (Figure 1). Equipped with my bicycle and a large butterfly net, my task was to gather and identify fifty different species of insects before school began again in the fall. Little did I know that this activity was a formative experience leading to a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. My experience as a twelve-year-old is consistent with a wealth of research indicating that pre-teen interest in STEM fields, including Engineering, is a strong predictor of future careers. Research studies indicate that to increase the number of students pursuing engineering and science as a career goal, we must increase activities with engineering as a fundamental component before students reach their teenage years (Sneider & Ravel, 2021). 

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