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Renewable generation is a main component of most hybrid generation systems. However, randomness on its generation is a characteristic to be considered due to its direct impact on reliability and performance of these systems. For this reason, renewable generation usually is accompanied with other generation elements to improve their general performance. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the power generation system, composed of solar, wind and diesel generation and power outsourcing option from the grid as means of reserve source. A multi-objective optimization for the design of hybrid generation system is proposed, particularly using the cost of energy, two different reliability indexes and the percentage of renewable energy as objectives. Further, the uncertainty of renewable sources and demand is modeled with a new technique that permits to evaluate the reliability quickly.

The multi-state model of the generators and the load is modeled with the Universal Generating Function (UGF) to estimate the reliability indexes for the whole system. Then an evolutionary algorithm NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) is used to solve the multi-objective optimization model.

The use of UGF methodology reduces the computation time, providing effective results. The validation of reliability assessment of hybrid generation systems using the UGF is carried out taking as a benchmark the results obtained with the Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed multi-objective algorithm gives as a result different generators combinations that outline hybrid systems, where some of them could be preferred over others depending on its results for each independent objective. Also it allows us to observe the changes produced on the resulting solutions due to the impact of the power fluctuation of the renewable generators.

The main contributions of this paper are: an extended multi state model that includes different types of renewable energies, with emphasis on modeling of solar energy; demonstrate the performance improvement of UGF against SMC regarding the computational time required for this case; test the impact of different multi-states numbers for the representation of the elements; depict through multi-objective optimization, the impact of combining different energies on the cost and reliability of the resultant systems.

The purpose of this paper is to offer an economic analysis of the convenience store format and the various categories thereof for the Spanish case in the period 1998‐2004.

Using secondary information sources, the analysis methodology is based on economic indicators of the output level and on the calculation of output/input ratios.

The results show a positive evolution of the format regarding both the sales volume and the number of establishments, a high‐concentration rate in the sector and a positive trend of the productivity ratios. However, differences are observed between distribution groups or chains, as well as between the various analysed types.

The analysis uses secondary data, namely generally accepted apparent economic indicators that cannot reflect the entire reality of the market. The analysed market is the Spanish market. So, more effort of analysis is needed with primary data and it emerges the convenience of that the competent authorities provide more statistical information about the sector.

This work provides knowledge about management decisions by retailers regarding a specific format (the convenience format), which is emerging in some categories and is mature in others. This research covers a lack of both conceptual and empirical studies that are targeted at understanding these formats and at analysing their current and future situation. The most specific contribution is the focus on a specific format not analysed previously, from the point of view of economic ratios including an approximation to marketing productivity, a priority area of study in this area of knowledge. The analysis performed allows verifying the positive evolution shown by the format in recent years. It also reflects upon the fact that it would be advisable for competent authorities to publish periodic statistics on the global format and on its types.

This paper aims to analyze decisions about payment rates on credit card statements by using background factors and perceptions that indirectly influence beliefs, according to the theory of planned behavior.

Since legal and institutional frameworks and household financial surveys are heterogeneous among countries, household data on the Chilean economy is used as the starting point in this matter.

The probability that an individual chooses to pay amounts less than the total billing of their credit cards rises with essential variables related to perceived behavioral control. Being the head of the household, being younger, perceiving a high or excessive financial burden of debt and facing unfavorable and unexpected situations that divert the budget, among others, are relevant to repayment decisions.

The novelty of this article is that its psychological approach differs from the traditional focus of economic rationality regarding credit cards. The results are relevant for policymakers and financial regulators due to implications for household behavioral finance and means of payment.

Analizamos la decisión de la tasa de pago de los estados de cuenta de tarjetas de crédito a través del uso de factores de fondo y percepciones que indirectamente inciden en las creencias de acuerdo a la teoría del comportamiento planeado.

Debido a que los marcos legales e institucionales, así como también las encuestas financieras de hogares son heterogéneas entre países, se utilizan datos de los hogares de la economía chilena como un punto de partida en esta materia.

La probabilidad de que un individuo elija pagar un monto menor que el total de facturación de sus tarjetas de crédito es afectada por variables proxy asociadas al control conductual percibido. La condición de ser jefe de hogar, ser más joven, la percepción de una alta o excesiva carga financiera de la deuda, y enfrentar situaciones desfavorables e inesperadas que desvían del presupuesto, entre otras, son relevantes para las decisiones de pago.

La novedad de este artículo es que su enfoque difiere del enfoque tradicional de la racionalidad económica en relación a las tarjetas de crédito. Los resultados son relevantes para los hacedores de política y reguladores financieros debido a sus implicancias para las finanzas conductuales de los hogares y sus medios de pago.

The purpose of this study was the development and the nutritional, physical-chemical and sensorial characterization of probiotic and synbiotic sorbets elaborated with jussara pulp (Euterpe edulis), Lactobacillus spp. and polydextrose.

Five formulations of jussara sorbets (one control, two probiotics and two synbiotics) were produced and evaluated according to their centesimal composition, pH, soluble solids, instrumental color, overrun, apparent density, sensory acceptability and purchase intent.

All sorbets exhibited low calorific value, with no difference between them (p = 0.96). The synbiotic samples (S3 and S5) showed the higher carbohydrate (30.4 and 30.2 per cent) and crude fiber content (0.4 and 0.5 per cent). Regarding to sensory acceptance, the probiotic samples (S2 and S4) presented greater global acceptability (averages acceptance 6.4 and 6.6, respectively) while the polydextrose samples (S3 and S5) showed low values (5.9 for both samples), although this prebiotic was able to increase the overrun to values above 40 per cent.

The functional jussara sorbets are a promising possibility for diversification of the probiotic foods already offered. The combination of its probiotic, prebiotic and bioactive properties can provide technological improvement and superior nutritional quality, with good sensorial acceptance. Likewise, jussara pulp showed nutritional properties favorable to its application in the food industry, which can help preserve its endangered palm tree.

The probiotics and synbiotics jussara sorbets showed to be adequate as a lactose-free and low-calorie functional product, with high nutritional, commercial and ecological value. Also, it was possible to notice that while the addition of probiotics improved the sensorial acceptance of jussara sorbets, polydextrose raised the technological quality by increasing its overrun.

The characteristics of a particular organizational culture may affect performance in achieving the objectives of international joint ventures (IJVs), a type of partnership that is often used in international business relations between developed and emerging countries. The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the underlying dimensions that characterize organizational culture in these countries may affect firms’ performance, specifically their competitiveness, effectiveness and efficiency.

The survey conducted for this study was addressed to Spanish-Moroccan IJVs trading in Morocco. The research hypotheses were tested using multivariate analysis techniques (exploratory factor analysis and linear regression model).

Based on information provided by the CEOs of Spanish-Moroccan IJVs between small- to medium-sized firms, the present study shows that levels of competitiveness, effectiveness and/or efficiency in these organizations are influenced by the involvement of staff in management, the degree of centralization of decision taking and the firms’ emphasis on results or on procedures.

This research contributes to the knowledge of the main factors related to the organizational culture of joint ventures that influence competitiveness, effectiveness and efficiency achieved.

The value provided by this research lies in the sample examined, in its focus on a very common type of partnership between SMEs, which has been little studied previously, and in the fact that the results obtained are extensible to other realities, such as partnerships between European companies and those from countries with similar characteristics (located in Africa or in countries where an Arab culture prevails).

Broad-spectrum cephalosporin resistance is rapidly increasing in Escherichia coli, representing a food safety problem. The purpose of this paper is to characterize eight extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase (ESBL) and acquired AmpC ß-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates and virotypes associated, obtained from chicken and pork food samples in Puebla, Mexico.

Samples (36 from chicken and 10 from pork) were cultured on Levine agar plates supplemented with cefotaxime (2 mg/L) for isolation of cefotaxime-resistant (CTXR) E. coli. CTXR-E. coli isolates were detected in 33 of 46 samples (72 percent), and one isolate/sample was characterized (28 from chicken and 5 from pork), for ESBL production, phylogenetic group, sequence typing, resistance and virulence genes by PCR and sequencing.

Results showed 16 ESBL-E. coli (35 percent) (12/16 belonging to phylogroup B1) and 8 CMY-2-E. coli (17 percent). ESBL detected were as follows (number of isolates): CTX-M-2 (8); CTX-M-1 (2); CTX-M-15 (1); SHV-2a (4) and TEM-52c (1). In total, 20 different sequence types (STs) were identified among the ESBL- or CMY-2-producing E. coli strains, which included four new ones. The CTX-M-15 β-lactamase was detected in one E. coli ST617-ST10 Cplx-B1 strain that also carried ibeA gene. One CMY-2-positive strain of lineage ST224-B2 was detected and it carried the qnrA1 gene.

In this study, a ST131-based virotyping scheme for strains from food of animal origin was established since this kind of strains constitutes an important vehicle of virulent ESBL- and CMY-2-producing E. coli isolates, which could be transmitted to humans by direct contact or through the food chain.

The purpose of this paper is to explore empirically how the two kinds of strategic orientations including export market orientation (EMO) and technology orientation (TO) predict innovation performance (IP) and export performance (EP), by investigating the mediation effect of IP and the moderation effect of external network (EN).

The statistical population of this research is the food and agricultural products exporting firms which participated in the 26th International Agrofood Exhibition in Tehran, Iran. The sample of 296 managers filled out questionnaires using systematic random sampling methods. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Results demonstrate that the increase of EMO and IP is related to a rise in EP. Furthermore, the research finds that IP is a partial mediator in the link between EMO and EP. Finally, the moderation impact of the external networks in an association between TO and IP is supported by the data.

This study is one of the limited number of studies to consider the mediation impact of innovation performance in the relationship between EMO and EP, and it is actually the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to investigate the moderating impact of EN in the relationship between TO and IP in the context of one developing country.

The purpose of this paper is to explore lawsuits involving police response to domestic violence incidents. Focusing on the specific legal remedy of due process under Section 1983, the paper seeks to examine federal case law dealing with police response to domestic violence victims. The paper also aims to discuss differences in procedural and substantive due process violations, highlighting circumstances under which the police may be held liable for improper response to domestic violence incidents.

This paper qualitatively examines relevant Section 1983 federal court decisions (n=27 as of May, 2008) identified through a query of Lexis Nexis for the last ten years (before and after Castle Rock) dealing with lawsuits arising from domestic abuse investigations.

The preponderance of cases have resulted in dismissals of summary judgments filed against police officers and agencies for allegations that the police violated plaintiffs' due process rights. The recent Supreme Court decision in Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales has prevented plaintiffs from seeking relief under procedural due process; however, domestic abuse victims have been successful to some extent using substantive due process as a basis for civil action. Plaintiffs have prevailed in federal courts alleging that the police acted with deliberate indifference or conscious disregard for victims' civil rights.

The paper is limited to federal court decisions involving due process violations and does not account for factors resulting in state tort negligence lawsuits filed against the police. Moreover, federal courts will likely continue to use substantive due process as a Section 1983 remedy for domestic violence victims as research and awareness on domestic violence policy evolves.

The paper suggests that police agencies should take note of recent court decisions applicable to their jurisdictions as domestic violence enforcement policy remains fragmented. Agencies should ensure that police dispatcher 911 call classification policies are current and that training guidelines comport with these policies.

Given the prevalence of domestic violence in the USA, police agencies should expect increases in the number of lawsuits filed against the police for violations of substantive due process.