United States electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) test-bed project : system requirements specification

In 1989 the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a provisional performance Standard for ECDIS (MSC/Circ. 515). This standard defines an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) that is the legal equivalent of a paper chart, and that fulfills the requirement imposed on all vessels (reg. V /20 of SOLAS 1974) to carry up-to-date nautical charts covering intended voyages. The U.S. Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) Test-Bed Project responds to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) call to member states to evaluate its Provisional Performance Standards for ECDIS. The central objective of the ECDIS Test-Bed Project is to assemble an experimental ECDIS unit that meets or exceeds the IMO standard, for evaluation on ships at sea. The first part of the project focussed on translating the IMO Provisional Performance Standard into an ECDIS system requirement specification, describing in an engineering context what an ECDIS must do to meet the standard. This task began with a document written by Mr. Mortimer Rogoff, of Digital Directions Co., and was carried to full detail and documentation by Ms. Carolyn K. Ocel and Mr. David J. Scott, of Intergraph Corporation. Their work was reviewed by members of the Consultative Group, the advisory body to our Project. The result of this process is contained in this report. Details of this ECDIS System Requirement Specification (SRS) will no doubt be disputed as ambiguities, inherent contradictions, and the different priorities of various interested parties become manifest. This is an expected part of the standard setting process and we welcome itFunding was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, the American Petroleum Institute, American Telephone and Telegraph, Exxon Shipping Company, and the Marine Spill Response Corporation. In-kind contributions are coming from the National Ocean Service (NOAA), Raytheon Marine Company, RACAL Marine Electronics, Ltd., COMSAT Maritime Servces, and American President Lines

First metatarsophalangeal hemiarthroplasty for hallux rigidus

There is a paucity of objective information in the literature about first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) hemiarthroplasty. The authors postulate that it is a reasonable treatment option for severe hallux rigidus in selected patients. Twenty-two elective first MTP hemiarthroplasties were performed on 20 patients that met the inclusion criteria. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were done using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, range of motion (ROM) measurements, and radiographs. Average ROM and dorsiflexion improved by 15° and 8°, respectively. VAS pain scores improved from 5 to 2.5 after six weeks. Painless ambulation occurred after six weeks, with maximum improvement by six months. After 24 months, two patients had pain at the surgical site interfering with function, leading to an unsatisfactory result that required conversion to arthrodesis. First MTP hemiarthroplasty for severe hallux rigidus can be considered an alternative to fusion in properly selected patients who wish to maintain a functional range of motion