The in vitro release behaviour of indomethacin (IMC, 1-[p-chlorobenzoyl]-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indoleacetic acid) encapsulated in poly(lactic acid-co-ethylene oxide) (PLA–PEO) nanospheres is investigated based on two mathematical models: the diffusion model derived from Fick’s law and the dissolution model from the mass balance of IMC. A dual chamber transport system (DCTS) is designed and used for the in vitro experiment. The release behaviour of IMC from the PLA–PEO drug delivery systems (DDSs) is compared to the mathematical models suggested in this work. The synthesis of PLA–PEO and the fabrication of the IMC-loaded PLA–PEO DDSs are discussed and characterized by1H NMR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) spectroscopy. Spherical PLA–PEO nanospheres are well prepared as a model DDS as suggested by the characterization results. The overall releasing behaviour of the model drug can be manipulated by varying several key parameters including the volumetric ratio between the organic and the aqueous phase (Vr), the partition coefficient (Kp) and the encapsulation efficiency (EE). Modelling results show that the releasing mechanism is different depending on the particle size. When large PLA–PEO nanospheres are fabricated, the dissolution mechanism can be effective, as the dissolution of IMC can be a rate-determining step due to its high hydrophobicity in an aqueous surrounding medium. In this manner, the optimum DDS can be suitably designed and the releasing profile can be also estimated by considering several major factors for a specific type of substance and its purpose.

A novel approach to load a hydrophilic bovine serum albumin into drug carriers was proposed in terms of temperature‐programmed “shell‐in‐shell” structures, which were fabricated with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), poly(lactide), poly(ethylene glycol), and Au nanoparticles. Spherically well‐defined “shell‐in‐shell” structures were constructed by a modified‐double‐emulsion method (MDEM). The lower critical solubility temperature of the structures was manipulated to 36.4 °C which was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry).TEM image of the Au@PLLA‐PEG@PNIPAAm‐PDLA structure.magnified imageTEM image of the Au@PLLA‐PEG@PNIPAAm‐PDLA structure.

Our study is based on the premise that there are differences between the key service attributes that restaurant managers prioritize and crucial DINESERV attributes that are important to customers’ perception of their experience at a restaurant. This paper investigated the perception gap between operators and customers on the service attributes of Korean all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants, and it suggests strategic alternatives to bridge this perception gap. To investigate this perception gap, we first used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the priority ranking of the service attributes that restaurant managers employ for enhancing customer satisfaction. Second, we used the importance-performance analysis (IPA) methodology to reveal the importance that customers place on individual restaurant service attributes and how they affect customer satisfaction. Finally, this paper integrated AHP and IPA to scrutinize the perception gap between managers’ prioritization and customers’ view of the importance of DINESERV attributes. The theoretical contribution of this study is the proposed integrated AHP-IPA model that combines the manager and customer perspectives. This model differentiates our study from previous studies that analyzed operator prioritizations and customer perceptions separately. Furthermore, we offer strategic alternatives for managing service attributes that are suitable for multiple types of buffet restaurants, including hotel, specific, and casual buffet restaurant types that are categorized by the food served and service procedures employed.

= Abstract =Objective: This study was to investigate the knowledge, health belief, and vaccination behavior on hepatitis A among university students. Methods:A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from 3 rd to 25 th March, 2014 and 197 subjects were enrolled in statistical analysis. Results:The result showed that the score for knowledge of the subjects on hepatitis A was 4.59±3.06 out of 15 points, for health belief 2.39±0.28 out of 4 points, and the vaccination rate of the subjects was 12.7%. There was significant difference in hepatitis A knowledge score according to experience of hepatitis A check-up and hepatitis A vaccination history of family members, and in health belief according to gender.For hepatitis A vaccination there was significant difference according to experience of hepatitis A check-up, family history of liver disease, hepatitis A vaccination history of family members, and education history of hepatitis A. As a result of logistic regression analysis experience of hepatitis check-up and hepatitis A vaccination history of family members were significant factors for hepatitis A vaccination. Conclusions:The level of knowledge, health belief for hepatitis A of the subjects was low and vaccination rate also low. The experience of hepatitis A check-up and hepatitis A vaccination history of family members were factors affecting hepatitis A vaccination. It would be necessary to develop programs for improving level of knowledge and health belief and raising the rate of hepatitis A vaccination for the university students in Korea.

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