PurposeThe prosthodontics sector is facing major challenges because of scientific and technological advances that imply a clearer definition of lines of action and decision making processes. Measuring quality of service in this sector is a complex decision problem since the perceptions of three main players need to be considered: patients, dentists and dental technicians. This study sought to develop an artificial-intelligence-based (AI-based) method for assessing service quality in the dental prosthesis sector.Design/methodology/approachUsing strategic options development and analysis (SODA), which is grounded on cognitive mapping, and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (MACBETH), a constructivist decision support system was designed to facilitate the assessment of service quality in the dental prosthesis sector. The system was tested, and the results were validated both by the members of an expert panel and by the vice-president of the Portuguese association of dental prosthesis technicians.FindingsThe methodological process developed in this study is extremely versatile and its practical application facilitated the development of an empirically robust evaluation model in this study context. Specifically, the profile analyses carried out in actual clinics allowed the cases in which improvements are needed to be identified.Originality/valueAlthough already applied in the fields of AI and decision making, no prior work reporting the use of SODA and MACBETH for assessing service quality in the prosthodontics sector has been found.

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This study aimed to analyze the narratives of health professionals working in a Emergency Care Unit that deal with decision making in situations of scarce resources. An exploratory research, of a qualitative nature, was carried out through a narrative interview technique with 25 professionals. Three categories emerged from the study: Decision making in the face of scarce resources; Ethical conflicts; Academic p reparation for confrontation and the sentimental framework. Prioritization of patients is a reality in this health service. The prevalent problems are the scarcity of materials and medicines and the lack of human resources. The discourse preached the lack of ethical preparation of the academy for decision making. Most of the interviewees believe that they had little preparation to face the reality of the service. Some interviewees showed feelings of regret, impotence, insecurity, desire to abandon service, anguish and personal conflicts in the face of the wear and tear caused by the situation. It is necessary to invest in constant dialogues, health education and awareness-raising strategies in order to contribute to consensual actions that best subsidize dec ision-making in situations of scarce resources and that favor equitable health care in order to maximize benefits and reorient processes job.

This article examines young people's narratives of rejection of social networking sites (SNSs). It draws upon data of 30 semi-structured interviews with young people aged 18-26 from Portugal. The findings show that reasons for rejecting SNSs are related to three main categories: perceived usefulness of SNSs; specific social practices in SNSs (e.g., disclosure of personal data and gossip); and self-presentation and identity. In addition, our data point to four types of non-users: resisters, rejecters, surrogate users, and potential converts. This typology challenges dichotomies, such as, usage versus non-usage, access versus non-access, and consumption versus non-consumption. Finally, we explore feelings of missing out and social strategies set in place by non-users to cope with the pervasive use of SNSs among young people. We contribute, therefore, to the limited literature on rejection of social media amongst this group, by giving voice to young non-users and their choices.

In order to investigate the effects of fat level and protein and other components on lipid bioaccessibility, the bioaccessibility of total lipids and particular fatty acids ( FA s) of fish samples with different fat levels (5.4% w/w, 10.2% w/w, and 16.6% w/w) and cod liver oil supplement in different quantities (82, 154, 313, 604, and 1,027 mg) was determined by an in vitro digestion model. Digestion of the fish and oil (up to 154 mg) samples as measured by TAG disappearance was complete. Lipolysis was impaired by high amounts of oil (313 mg and higher). Bioaccessible FA profiles had similarities with the initial (before digestion) FA profiles. However, total MUFA and oleic acid contents were higher in the bioaccessible fraction. The bioaccessibility of EPA and DHA was generally lower than that of oleic acid and total MUFA . Fat level did not affect FA s’ bioaccessibility. On the other hand, protein and other components may have interfered in lipid bioaccessibility and it was found that the reduction of bioaccessibility was stronger when the ratio of the lipid fraction to the nonlipid fraction (mainly protein) was smaller.