Endoscopic retrieval of ingested magnets in children and role of magnetic retrievers

Background Various high-powered magnetic toy sets constitute a major hazard as the small magnets can be easily swallowed or aspirated by young children. Multiple ingested magnets or the ingestion of a magnet with another metallic object can pose a serious threat as this may lead to bowel perforation, fistulation, intestinal volvulus, bowel obstruction and death. Main body Retrieval of ingested magnets from the stomach is routinely performed endoscopically but can become a painstaking quest involving many tedious attempts to secure the magnet(s). Historically, pre-routine endoscopy, magnetic retrievers were used under fluoroscopic control for the removal of metallic objects in the stomach. With the advent of endoscopic retrieval instruments, they fell out of favour and are no longer readily available on the market. Despite this, conventional endoscopic instruments are likely to be less effective than endoscopic-assisted magnetic retrievers due to confounding weak bonds which form between the metal retrieval device and the magnet. Preoperative testing, and selection of the retrieval instrument with the strongest coupling effect with a magnet, might be beneficial. A simple, endoscopic-assisted magnetic retriever created in theatre can allow for more effective, time-efficient and safe removal of ingested magnets under direct vision. Conclusion Urgent removal of multiple ingested magnets or a single ingested magnet coupled with another ingested metallic object should be highlighted. Stricter implementation of a widespread ban over loose magnetic toys is needed. Standardised protocols for the surgical management of ingested magnets should be available in every hospital.

Modeling the Depth of Surface Cracks in Brake Disc

The article presents the state of knowledge and research in the field of surface cracks occurring in disc braking systems of rail and car vehicles. The craze formed during the operation of vehicles is particularly dangerous and leads to breaking the disc into several pieces. It may lead to a loss of braking force and damage to the entire disc brake caliper. The main aim of the research is to identify surface cracks in brake discs made of cast iron and use experimental methods to estimate their depth. Research were conducted on the disc braking system developed by the authors. In examining the location and depth of cracks, the penetration method, ultrasound, as well as a special probe were used. This device measures the crack depth based on the electrical resistance between two points on the surface of the metallic object. The tests showed that the first microcracks on the brake discs appeared after 309 braking tests on the test stand. In addition, it was observed that the surface cracks length of the disc increased linearly to depth until they reached about 11.5–12 mm with corresponded to crack lengths in the range of 65–70 mm. However, determination of the regression functions presented in the article allows to estimate the depth of surface cracks up to 70 mm long on cast iron brake discs by measuring their length.

Peritricuspid annular prostate pellet

A 75-year-old was treated for prostate adenocarcinoma with brachytherapy in September 2018. A routine follow-up chest radiograph 3 months later revealed a metallic object of the same dimensions as a brachytherapy pellet located in the right ventricle. Further imaging showed the brachtherapy pellet was located in the anterobasal right ventricular endocardium close to the tricuspid valve. Frequent asymptomatic premature ventricular contractions were observed with likely origin from the left ventricular outflow tract, an area remote from the site of the pellet. The patient remains asymptomatic and subsequent imaging shows that the position of the pellet has not changed.

Black Currency of Middle Ages and Case for Complementary Currency

Monetary historians argue that two types of currencies were circulating in the middle ages of Europe. The first was the standard historical form of money made up of gold and silver coins, and the second was a set of small pieces of copper and other metallic substances used mainly in towns and townships for local trade as currency. Jetton and tokens are monetized objects that are not official currencies; they were of lower quality of the inferior metallic object, which were used for day-to-day transaction needs. The drive for local monetary decentralization is pointed to build up fiscal autonomy and responsible local monetary institutions. This paper reasons that the monetary regime of the Renaissance was a real and genuine trimetallic currency regime.

The Blind Leading the Blindable

In this case, a middle-aged patient is referred to a tertiary referral eye hospital by an ophthalmologist for the diagnostic assessment of a pigmented lesion on the sclera of his left eye. Ostensibly, the referral is to rule out malignant melanoma. The patient has a history of a penetrating injury to his left eye from a high-velocity metallic object 10 years earlier. He is seen by multiple ophthalmologists who ruled out melanoma, concluding the lesion is a metallic foreign body exterior to the globe that did not require removal. However, an obvious and important detail is missed by all but one ophthalmologist.

Fragmentation modelling of the 2019 August impact on Jupiter

On 2019 August 7, an impact flash lasting ∼1 s was observed on Jupiter. The video of this event was analysed to obtain the light curve, and determine the energy release and initial mass. We find that the impactor released a total energy of 96–151 kilotons of TNT, corresponding to an initial mass between 190 and 260 metric tonnes with a diameter between 4 and 10 m. We developed a fragmentation model to simulate the atmospheric breakup of the object and reproduce the light curve. We model three different materials: cometary, stony, and metallic at speeds of 60, 65, and 70 km s−1, respectively, to determine the material make-up of the impacting object. The slower cases are best fitted by a strong, metallic object while the faster cases require a weaker material.