Miguel Agostinho Cardoso

Urban water infrastructure asset management – a structured approach in four water utilities

Water services are a strategic sector of large social and economic relevance. It is therefore essential that they are managed rationally and efficiently. Advanced water supply and wastewater infrastructure asset management (IAM) is key in achieving adequate levels of service in the future, particularly with regard to reliable and high quality drinking water supply, prevention of urban flooding, efficient use of natural resources and prevention of pollution. This paper presents a methodology for supporting the development of urban water IAM, developed during the AWARE-P project as well as an appraisal of its implementation in four water utilities. Both water supply and wastewater systems were considered. Due to the different contexts and features of the utilities, the main concerns vary from case to case; some problems essentially are related to performance, others to risk. Cost is a common deciding factor. The paper describes the procedure applied, focusing on the diversity of drivers, constraints, benefits and outcomes. It also points out the main challenges and the results obtained through the implementation of a structured procedure for supporting urban water IAM.

Dental Dam Application for Endodontics in Dogs—A Novel Clamp Kit:

Although rubber dams are widely used in endodontic treatment in humans with well-known advantages, their use in veterinary medicine is uncommon. The use of a dental rubber dam provides better control of cross-infection, prevents soft tissue contact of chemicals, and improves treatment efficiency. The purpose of this article is to describe a new line of clamps specifically designed for dogs and to review the procedure and materials used for isolating the operative field in endodontic patients. This new design of clamps, better adapted to canine tooth anatomy with different sizes and conformations, has been successfully used in dogs by the authors with good clinical results. The clamps allow for better adaptation to the tooth without injuring the gingiva or the furcation and provide increased retention of the dam for more effective isolation. Given the proven benefits in humans, the authors expect that the widespread use of a rubber dam with clamps specifically designed for canine dental anatomy will improve clinical outcomes in endodontics.

Sewer asset management planning – implementation of a structured approach in wastewater utilities

Abstract Wastewater services are fundamental for the protection of public health and environment, population well-being and sustainable development of communities. The value of urban water assets represents a major part of all public infrastructures. These assets must be managed rationally and efficiently, justifying investment priorities in a clear and straightforward way. Effective decision-making requires a comprehensive approach allowing the incorporation of desired performance at acceptable risk levels, considering investment and operational costs. Advanced sewer infrastructure asset management (IAM) is key to achieve and ensure adequate future levels of service, in issues such as flooding of urban areas, pollution prevention, balancing performance, risk and cost. The paper illustrates the integration of different support tools and methods by implementation of the AWARE-P procedure for planning IAM, demonstrated by the experience of fourteen wastewater utilities. Results showed the effectiveness of the tools and methods at different stages of the AWARE-P methodology.

Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment of fused teeth with transposition: a case report

Tooth transposition is a disorder in which a permanent tooth develops and erupts in the normal position of another permanent tooth. Fusion and gemination are developmental disturbances presenting as the union of teeth. This article reports the nonsurgical retreatment of a very rare case of fused teeth with transposition. A patient was referred for endodontic treatment of her maxillary left first molar in the position of the first premolar, which was adjacent to it on the distobuccal side. Orthopantomography and periapical radiography showed two crowns sharing the same root, with a root canal treatment and an associated periapical lesion. Tooth fusion with transposition of a maxillary molar and a premolar was diagnosed. Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment was performed. At four yr follow-up, the tooth was asymptomatic and the radiolucency around the apical region had decreased, showing the success of our intervention. The diagnosis and treatment of fused teeth require special attention. The canal system should be carefully explored to obtain a full understanding of the anatomy, allowing it to be fully cleaned and obturated. Thermoplastic techniques were useful in obtaining hermetic obturation. A correct anatomical evaluation improves the set of treatment options under consideration, leading to a higher likelihood of esthetically and functionally successful treatment.