Prediction of Vapor/Liquid Equilibrium Behavior from Quantum Mechanical Data

MOSCED (Modified Separation of Cohesive Energy Density) is a particularly attractive model for activity coefficients because it offers intuitive insights into how to tune solvent-solute interactions to achieve optimized formulations. Unfortunately, only 133 compounds have been characterized with the MOSCED method. Furthermore, there is no convenient method for extending MOSCED predictions to new compounds. The hypothesis of the present research is that the surface charge density of a molecule, once normalized over the molecule surface area, provided graphically by a σ-profile from density functional theory (DFT) computations, can be used to estimate the parameters used in the MOSCED model. DFT results are readily available for 1432 compounds through a public database at Virginia Tech, and further DFT computations for new compounds are relatively quick and simple due to minimal additional molecular properties. The predictive functions were regressed based on 4375 binary solution infinite dilution coefficients. The average logarithmic deviation for the predictive MOSCED model was 0.280 while using the original correlative model had a deviation of 0.106 compared to 0.183 for the UNIFAC model. Phase equilibrium predictions were also compared where various models were used for interpolating finite compositions. The average percent deviations of the pressure for the 39 binary systems tested were 17.39% for Wilson, 18.90% for NRTL, and 13.83% for SSCED

Yes, size does matter (for cycling safety)! Comparing behavioral and safety outcomes in S, M, L, and XL cities from 18 countries

Although most actions aimed at promoting the use of active transport means have been conducted in ‘large’ cities, recent studies suggest that their cycling dynamics could hinder the efforts put into infrastructural, modal share, and cycling culture improvements. Aim The present study aimed to assess the role of city sizes on riding behavioral and crash-related cycling outcomes in an extensive sample of urban bicycle users. Methods For this purpose, a full sample of 5705 cyclists from >300 cities in 18 countries responded to the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), one of the most widely used behavioral questionnaires to assess risky and positive riding behaviors. Following objective criteria, data were grouped according to small cities (S; population of 50,000 or fewer), medium cities (M; population between 50,000 and 200,000), large cities (L; population between 200,000 and one million), and megacities (XL; population larger than one million). Results Descriptive analyses endorsed the associations between city size, cycling behavioral patterns, and mid-term self-reported crash outcomes. Also, it was observed a significant effect of the city size on cyclists' traffic violations and errors (all p < .001). However, no significant effects of the city size on positive behaviors were found. Also, it stands out that cyclists from megacities self-reported significantly more violations and errors than any of the other groups. Further, the outcomes of this study suggest that city sizes account for cycling safety outcomes through statistical associations, differences, and confirmatory predictive relationships through the mediation of risky cycling behavioral patterns. Conclusion The results of the present study highlight the need for authorities to promote road safety education and awareness plans aimed at cyclists in larger cities. Furthermore, path analysis suggests that “size does matter”, and it statistically accounts for cycling crashes, but only through the mediation of riders' risky behaviors

Different measures for load securing create barriers in international road freight transport

The purpose of this article is to present measures related to the load securing on European level. The road transport plays significant role in Europe. With the increasing volume of goods carried by road the number of vehicles are increasing and also the number of accidents involving trucks. The appropriate load securing increases the safety of road freight transport. European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport issued by European Commission are the first document on European level offering the load securing information. There is also a lack of load securing training for truck drivers in most of the EU member states. In most member states the load securing is not the part of the training to obtain truck driving licence. The directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers shall improve the situation. The education of truck drivers from load securing began since September 2009. The standard EN 12195-1 offers calculation base to design load securing arrangements. There were cases when it has created unreasonable demands for load securing. The standard has been revised and finally published in May 2011. However, still the differences between the designs according to the EN 12195-1, methods using in Nordic countries, Germany and according to the IMO/ILO/UN ECE Guidelines on packing of cargo transport units exists. European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport are need to be revised to reflect the development in the area of load securing

Wpływ wyposażenia aerodynamicznego naczep na zmniejszenie oporu powietrza mierzonego w tunelu aerodynamicznym

The value of aerodynamic drag is the largest, when a vehicle is moving with higher velocity. It seems that drag reduction is the most important step for reducing the fuel consumption of haulage trailer sets. Using aerodynamic trailer devices is one of many ways for reduction of fuel consumption. This paper deals with experimental measuring of the truck set model in a wind tunnel. The scale of the model was 1/24. Resultant values of the drag reduction for chosen aerodynamic devices are discussed at the end of the paper.Wartość oporu aerodynamicznego jest największa gdy pojazd porusza się z większą prędkością. Wydaje się, że redukcja oporu jest najważniejszym krokiem do zmniejszenia zużycia paliwa zestawów transportowych zawierających naczepy. Zastosowanie wyposażenia aerodynamicznego naczep jest jednym z wielu sposobów na zmniejszenie zużycia paliwa. Niniejszy artykuł poświęcony jest eksperymentalnym pomiarom modelu zestawu ciągnika z naczepą w tunelu aerodynamicznym. Skala modelu wynosiła 1:24. Uzyskane wartości zmniejszenia oporu powietrza dla wybranych elementów wyposażenia aerodynamicznego omówiono w końcowej części pracy

Using demographic, psychosocial, behavioural and safety-related factors to assess cyclists' behaviour: A comparative approach across 19 countries

This Data in Brief (DiB) article presents the differences in cycling behaviors related to violations, errors, and positive behaviors by region. The study data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire applied to a full sample of 7,001 participants from 19 countries, distributed over 5 continents. This paper proposes descriptive statistics, as well as common statistical tests. The aim is to enable authors to make their own analyses, not to provide precise interpretations. For further information about the macro project supporting the collection of these data, it is advised to refer to the paper titled “Cross-culturally approaching the cycling behavior questionnaire (CBQ): Evidence from 19 countries”, published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior

Yes, size does matter (for cycling safety)! Comparing behavioral and safety outcomes in S, M, L, and XL cities from 18 countries

Although most actions aimed at promoting the use of active transport means have been conducted in ‘large’ cities, recent studies suggest that their cycling dynamics could hinder the efforts put into infrastructural, modal share, and cycling culture improvements. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the role of city sizes on riding behavioral and crash-related cycling outcomes in an extensive sample of urban bicycle users. Methods: For this purpose, a full sample of 5705 cyclists from &gt;300 cities in 18 countries responded to the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), one of the most widely used behavioral questionnaires to assess risky and positive riding behaviors. Following objective criteria, data were grouped according to small cities (S; population of 50,000 or fewer), medium cities (M; population between 50,000 and 200,000), large cities (L; population between 200,000 and one million), and megacities (XL; population larger than one million). Results: Descriptive analyses endorsed the associations between city size, cycling behavioral patterns, and mid-term self-reported crash outcomes. Also, it was observed a significant effect of the city size on cyclists' traffic violations and errors (all p &lt;.001). However, no significant effects of the city size on positive behaviors were found. Also, it stands out that cyclists from megacities self-reported significantly more violations and errors than any of the other groups. Further, the outcomes of this study suggest that city sizes account for cycling safety outcomes through statistical associations, differences, and confirmatory predictive relationships through the mediation of risky cycling behavioral patterns. Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the need for authorities to promote road safety education and awareness plans aimed at cyclists in larger cities. Furthermore, path analysis suggests that “size does matter”, and it statistically accounts for cycling crashes, but only through the mediation of riders' risky behaviors.</p