Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of determining a predisposition to atrial fibrillation (AF) in a subject comprising: determining the presence of at least one copy of a risk allele from at least one polymorphic marker in a sample from the subject, wherein the presence of at least one copy of the risk allele is indicative of a predisposition to AF, and wherein said at least one polymorphic marker is: a) rs4674485; b) rs1466560; c) rs1880039; d) rs3849387; e) rs7039; f) rs2952860; g) rs9312515; h) rs1897527; i) rs2299277; j) rs2418828; k) rs2385833; l) rs6717960; m) rs10510266; or n) a substitute polymorphic marker in linkage disequilibrium with any one of the polymorphic markers of a) to m). Also described are kits for determining a predisposition to atrial fibrillation (AF).

Abstract: A system and method for distance learning of systems knowledge and integrated procedures using a real-time, full-scope simulation. The system includes a server component with at least one simulation server, and a client computer with a run-time engine. The simulation runs on the server component and conditions of the simulation that affect the user interface are communicated to the client computer and displayed to the student, to reinforce and promote systems knowledge and procedure learning. Courseware can also be used to enhance the learning experience.