Matematiktest som prædiktor af ingeniørstuderendes studiesucces

Mangel på ingeniører og andre STEM-uddannede vækker bekymring i Europa. Og Danmark er blandt de lande, som er særligt udfordrede. Internationale studier tyder på, at matematiske evner har prædiktiv værdi i forhold til STEM-studerendes studiesucces – et begreb der omfatter både præstationer og progression på uddannelsen. I dette studie undersøges det, hvorvidt to matematiktests kan forudsige danske ingeniørstuderendes studieprogression; studiegennemførelse og beståelse af førsteårsprøven. De studerende havde ikke forberedt sig på test 1, mens de havde mulighed for at forberede sig på test 2. I forhold til den første test tyder studiets fund på, at det i højere grad er den frivillige deltagelse i undervisningen, hvori testen indgik end selve testscoren, der har sammenhæng med studiesuccesen. Pointscoren i den anden test viste sig at være en middelstærk prædiktor af både frafald og beståelse af førsteårsprøven. Studiet bidrager med input til diskussionen om optagelsestests på danske videregående uddannelser samt til ønsket om tidligt at kunne identificere frafaldstruede studerende

Guiding principles for the development and application of solid-phase phosphorus adsorbents for freshwater ecosystems

While a diverse array of phosphorus (P)-adsorbent materials is currently available for application to freshwater aquatic systems, selection of the most appropriate P-adsorbents remains problematic. In particular, there has to be a close correspondence between attributes of the P-adsorbent, its field performance, and the management goals for treatment. These management goals may vary from a rapid reduction in dissolved P to address seasonal enrichments from internal loading, targeting external fluxes due to anthropogenic sources, or long term inactivation of internal P inventories contained within bottom sediments. It also remains a challenge to develop new methods and materials that are ecologically benign and cost-effective. We draw on evidence in the literature and the authors’ personal experiences in the field, to summarise the attributes of a range of P-adsorbent materials. We offer 'guiding principles' to support practical use of existing materials and outline key development needs for new materials

First Flush Characteristics in Separate Sewer Stormwater and Implications for Treatment

The characteristics of stormwater need focus due to climate change. Paved areas and recipients receiving more stormwater have an enhanced need for treatment before discharge to remove suspended solids, nutrients and xenobiotics. To handle and treat stormwater efficiently, knowledge concerning first flush patterns is crucial. Therefore, we have studied 12 entire rain events and correlated water volume, suspended solids, and dissolved and particulate phosphorus to catchment characteristics and precipitation characteristics. We have mainly studied smaller rain events (average 12.6 mm), as nearly 90% of the events in the studied catchment are <10 mm. We revealed first flush tendencies in 50% of the rain events, concerning both suspended solids and phosphorus. We also found significant correlations between catchment size and discharged masses, and most importantly between precipitation patterns and discharged mass per volume. A long dry period and low amount of rain during the previous event, as well as high rain intensity, gives a high chance of first flush. We conclude that stormwater treatment should focus on the initial part of the event, especially in areas with a lack of space and/or economy to handle and treat the entire event