Search

Current operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) primarily rely on voice communication designed to minimize lengthy conversations as well as simple data exchanges intended to supplement voice communication without adding additional fidelity to instructions. Advances in communication, data processing capabilities, and cultural acceptance of technology-enabled procedural changes are paving the way for implementation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) concepts based on Four-Dimensional Trajectories (4DT). Exchanging Four-Dimensional (4D) data (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time) and trajectories via an internet- based infrastructure is part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Office’s vision for Trajectory Based Operations (TBO). In 2020, the FAA successfully completed the 4DT Live Flight Demonstration (4DT LFD) project to demonstrate how 4DT-based operations in the NAS can be implemented with current technologies and to inform future research.The FAA partnered with key industry participants to conduct two live flights in the NAS using 4DT for controller-pilot negotiations, clearances, and aircraft intent information. The 4DT LFD leveraged a connected aircraft with an Internet Protocol (IP) data link that enabled Air-to-Ground (A/G) SWIM and Demo IP-based Clearance connectivity as the aircraft traversed the NAS. The project maximized use of current infrastructure while leveraging NextGen capabilities at the FAA’s Florida NextGen Test Bed (FTB) and communication systems available from industry partners.The 4DT LFD elaborated procedures, validated existing technology, and began to socialize the feasibility of TBO in the NAS to ATM stakeholders including the FAA, airspace users, and system providers. The project focused on new data exchange mechanisms for trajectory negotiations in the NAS enroute environment, leveraging commonly used avionics equipment with emphasis on Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and Flight Management System (FMS). The project also leveraged ongoing FAA NextGen investments, such as System Wide Information Management (SWIM), Performance Based Navigation (PBN), and research into Flight and Flow – Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE). Lessons learned from the project will inform future FAA system requirements and airspace users’ development of their own procedures and technologies. These lessons will help refine global concepts, standards, recommended practices, and implementation guidance.

ICAO’s Manual on Flight and Flow – Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) (ICAO Doc 9965), globally endorsed in 2012, was developed by the Air Traffic Management Requirements and Performance Panel (ATMRPP). The Panel is currently finalizing the necessary amendments to Provisions and Implementation Guidance for FF-ICE Release 1 (FF-ICE/R1). This first step, which focuses on the flight planning phase, with ATMRPP targeting applicability in 2025. To achieve the full FF-ICE vision, ATMRPP is now developing FF-ICE Release 2 (FF-ICE/R2), which focuses on strategic operations of the execution phase of flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated the FF-ICE/X Project to validate the FF-ICE/R2 concept, identify potential tactical implications of FF-ICE/R2, and explore the transition from flight planning to execution.In an information / data-rich environment where the majority of airspace users (AUs) operate a network of complex, interdependent schedules (advertised timetables, crew schedules, maintenance schedules, ground handling, etc.), timely, accurate information exchange is vital to the AU’s operations success. The FF-ICE/X Project explores the effects of the maturing FF-ICE concept on these operational aspects from the perspective of the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), AU, and other stakeholders (e.g., airport authorities, third party service providers).The investigation and analysis of potential challenges is crucial to successfully mature the concept and develop the necessary provision amendments and implementation guidance required for global, harmonized implementation of the envisioned capabilities described in FF-ICE/R2.

This paper outlines the methods used for validating the Flight & Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) Provisions and Implementation Guidance as well as the process of developing and executing tabletop activities, as conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The validation activities include both tabletop and laboratory exercises. The recommendations and observations from these activities are provided to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), whose members have the task of proposing processes to succeed the present-day operations to enable the realization of the Operational Concept. Global air traffic is increasing, and systems and processes that can manage the growth and standardize operations are required. The FAA's International Interoperability Harmonization and Validation (IIH&V) project is addressing these challenges by blending advances in airborne and ground technology, and focusing on the operational improvements that these technologies may enable. By exploring the interactions that Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airspace users (AUs) could encounter during these future operations, the team is able to provide feedback to that can be adopted by the international aviation community. The FAA provided recommended procedure diagrams to address message submissions and expected responses, a lexicon to normalize definitions for all users, and suggested further exercises exploring airborne message exchanges. These findings will be discussed in detail within this paper. Ultimately, these exercises allow the FAA to participate in the development of a cohesive operating environment while advancing the goals of global harmonization and interoperability.

Implantation requires communication between a receptive endometrium and a healthy blastocyst. This maternal-embryonic crosstalk involves local mediators within the uterine microenvironment. We demonstrate that a secreted protein, prokineticin 1 (PROK1), is expressed in the receptive endometrium and during early pregnancy. PROK1 induces expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in endometrial epithelial cells and first trimester decidua via a Gq-Ca2+-cSrc-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-mediated pathway. We show that human embryonic chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces sequential mRNA expression of PROK1 and LIF in an in vivo baboon model, in human endometrial epithelial cells, and in first-trimester decidua. We have used micro RNA constructs targeted to PROK1 to demonstrate that hCG-mediated LIF expression in the endometrium is dependent on prior induction of PROK1. Dual immunohistochemical analysis colocalized expression of the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor, PROK1, PROKR1, and LIF to the glandular epithelial cells of the first trimester decidual tissue. PROK1 enhances adhesion of trophoblast cells to fibronectin and laminin matrices, which are mediated predominantly via LIF induction. These data describe a novel signaling pathway mediating maternal-embryonic crosstalk, in which embryonic hCG via endometrial PROK1 may play a pivotal role in enhancing receptivity and maintaining early pregnancy.—Evans, J., Catalano, R. D., Brown, P., Sherwin, R., Critchley, H. O. D., Fazleabas, A. T., Jabbour, H. N. Prokineticin 1 mediates fetal-maternal dialogue regulating endometrial leukemia inhibitory factor.

The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes coordinated changes under the influence of steroid hormones. This results in proliferation and differentiation culminating in a receptive state, followed by menstruation and endometrial repair. These functions involve complex interactions between the epithelium, stroma and leucocytes in the endometrium. Understanding the underlying causes of endometrial disorders, such as infertility, endometriosis and heavy menstrual bleeding, therefore represents a considerable challenge. Recently developed techniques, such as differential display and DNA microarrays permit the abundance of thousands of mRNA transcripts within cells or tissues to be measured simultaneously. This provides a new approach to understanding the complex interactions that underlie both healthy and disease states. Responses of the endometrium to hormones or drugs can be studied and the response of the system as an integrated whole can be assessed. Comparisons of endometrium from healthy women and those with endometrial dysfunction have advanced our understanding of key areas of endometrial physiology, including infertility, receptivity, endometriosis and cancer. Using this approach, novel genes controlling specific endometrial functions like receptivity have been identified for functional testing. This paper will review the impact of these techniques for transcript profiling on our understanding of selected areas of endometrial biology and discuss the potential applications in future.