Technological Valorization of Algerian Dates Downgraded from <i>Deglet Nour</i>Variety to Semi-Candied Dates in Dates Syrup

The objective of this study is the valorization of downgraded dates from a high Algerian date variety Deglet Nour, locally called “h’chef”. The work starts with the implementation of a food formulation of semi-candied dates in syrup extracted from dates. This formulation was based on dehydration-impregnation by immersion (D.I.I.). The downgraded dates were cleaned, cut, blanched, and then immersed in date syrups with increasing differential concentrations in Brix degrees: 65°, 70° and 75°. The chosen date/syrup immersion ratio is 1:2 (w/w). The obtained semi-candied dates were the subject of physicochemical and sensory analyses. The characterization of the downgraded dates before immersion showed high sugar content with a rate 52.67 g% g of dry matter and low water content (14%) which favors their use in semi-candied products. The physico-chemical analyses results of the three semi-candied dates products show an increase in their final sugar content, i.e. from 53.55% to 60.78% and in ashes between 1.76 p.cent and 1.94 p.cent. On the other hand, sensory analysis results confirm that the semi-candied dates with a syrup of 75° Brix present the most appreciated and preferable organoleptic characteristics than the other variables. Finally, following appertisation, the stability test reveals good microbiological quality (100°C for 20 minutes) of the three (3) semi-candied formulations of dates. Thus, the valorization of the “h’chef” as sorting gap Deglet Nour date allowed its transformation into semi-candied dates, stable, appreciable on the organoleptic side. This new formulation could constitute a value-added product if eventually manufactured on an industrial scale, mainly in southern Algeria.

An investigation of influential factors of downgrade truck crashes:A logistic regression approach

Truck crash occurrence causes extensive damage to lives and property. Truck crashes on downgrades exacerbate these costs due to the likelihood of a runaway being involved.Highway agencies have continuously sought engineering measures to reduce the incidence of such crashes. However, most past studies on truck crashes have focused on level roadway sections of highways without considering the effects of downgrades. The difference in geometric characteristics of downgrades and the mechanics of truck operations on such sections mean different factors may be at play in contrast to level roadway sections.This paper investigated the factors influencing truck crashes on downgrades; an attempt to fill in some of the research gaps. An empirical analysis of factors affecting truck crashes on two-lane downgrade roadways in Wyoming was carried out using a binary logistic regression technique. After calibrating the model, the effect of each significant variable was determined using theoretical concepts established in previous studies and engineering intuition. Crash factors including driver gender and age, weather, lighting and road conditions, number of crest curves, crash type, number of driveways, day of week and posted speed limit were found to be significant. The results of the study offer new understandings into how the identified factors influence truck crashes on downgrades.

Predicting injury severity and crash frequency:Insights into the impacts of geometric variables on downgrade crashes in Wyoming

Road deaths,injuries and property damage places a huge burden on the economy of most nations.Wyoming has one of the highest truck-related fatality rates among the states in the US.The high crash rates observed in the state is as a result of many factors mainly related to the challenging mountainous terrain in the state,which places extra burden on truck drivers in terms of requiring higher levels of alertness and driving skills.The difficult geometry of roads characteristic of mountainous terrain in terms of steep grade lengths adds extra risks of fatalities or injuries occurring as a result of a crash.These risks are more pronounced for truck-related crashes due to their weight and sizes.As part of the measures to reduce the incidence of truck-related crashes on mountainous areas,the Wyoming Department of Transportation(WYDOT)initiated a study to investigate causes of truck crashes on downgrade areas of Wyoming.Several studies have investigated the contributory factors to severe injury crashes but the focus has mostly been on level sections.This study analyzed the contributory geometric factors of truck crashes on downgrades by estimating three crash prediction negative binomial models.These models took into account the injury severity of the crashes.The results indicate that downgrade length,shoulder width,horizontal curve length,number of lanes,number of access points and truck traffic on the highway all impact truck-related crashes and injury frequencies ondowngrades in Wyoming.The results of this study will be helpful to future downgrade road design policy aimed at reducing downgrade truck related crashes.

The impact of bond rating downgrades on common stock prices in China

In this paper,we examine how bond rating downgrades affect common stock prices in China by using the data of all the bond rating downgrades in China during the period from 1 January 2008 to 30 May 2016.To provide empirical evidence for the theory in Goh and Ederington(1993),we classify the samples according to the downgrade reasons and the bonds’time to maturity and examine the abnormal returns of each group in different windows.The empirical results show that the downgrades due to deteriorating financial prospects have a negative effect on stock prices and that this effect lags behind.The downgrades due to leverage changes have no significant effect on stock prices.Meanwhile,the variation in the decrease in stock prices due to rating downgrades of bonds that will mature within three years is significantly larger than that of those which will mature after more than three years.

WORLD

PAKISTAN Prime Minister Imran Khan(left)hosts a meeting of the National Security Council in Islamabad on August 7.Pakistan announced it would downgrade diplomatic ties and suspend trade with India due to tensions over Kashmir.

Debts and Downgrades

An analysis of the context of the U.S. debt ceiling debate helps put the crisis into perspective The months-long debt ceiling debate in the United States has affected the global financial market,and its impact may further spread to the real economy and even