The array factor (sidelobe level, SLL) of a linear array is optimized using modified continuous genetic algorithms in this work. The amplitudes and phases of the currents as well as the separation of the antennas are all taken as variables to be controlled. The results of the design using modified GA versions are compared with other methods. Two design problems were studied using several contin...

Introduction: High resolution EPI at high field is severely affected by T2* relaxation and susceptibility artifacts. To address both effects and to keep the echo-time (TE) short, the EPI readout duration must be reduced, which can be achieved using parallel imaging [1]. For sub-millimeter fMRI in humans large acceleration factors (AF) are essential, which are feasible at high field strength [2]...

Objective(s): Drug-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered an adverse effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. AF is a crucial risk factor for stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and mortality. Pulmonary veins (PVs) are considered triggers inducing AF, and the sinoatrial node (SAN) may modulate PV activity and participate in AF genesis. AF was associated with...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a potential to cause serious complications. Mitochondria play central roles in cardiomyocyte function and have been implicated in AF pathophysiology. MicroRNA (miR) are suggested to influence both mitochondrial function and the development of AF. Yet mitochondrial function and miR expression remain largely unexplored in human a...

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) involves substantial electrophysiological, structural and contractile remodeling. We hypothesize that characterizing gene expression might uncover important pathways related to AF. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed genome-wide whole blood transcriptomic profiling (Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST Array) of 2446 participants (mean age 66 ± 9 years, 55% women) fro...

BACKGROUND Recently, the temporal excitable gap during atrial fibrillation (AF) has been identified as a vulnerable parameter for cardioversion of AF. In this study, we evaluated 5 methods to measure the refractory period (RP(AF)) and the excitable period (EP(AF)) during persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS In 11 goats instrumented with 83 epicardial atrial electrodes, persistent AF (43+/-34 da...

Aspergillus flavus is the major producer of carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs) in crops worldwide. Natural populations of A. flavus show tremendous variation in AF production, some of which can be attributed to environmental conditions, differential regulation of the AF biosynthetic pathway and deletions or loss-of-function mutations in the AF gene cluster. Understanding the evolutionary processes t...

Low magnesium levels have been implicated as a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, like many interventions before it, supplementing magnesium levels does not necessarily lead to a successful cardioversion or better prevention of AF in high-risk groups. This issue is clinically important in view of the high burden that AF poses, the increasing incidence of AF, a...

Low magnesium levels have been implicated as a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, like many interventions before it, supplementing magnesium levels does not necessarily lead to a successful cardioversion or better prevention of AF in high-risk groups. This issue is clinically important in view of the high burden that AF poses, the increasing incidence of AF, a...