Off on a Tangent
A Fortnightly Electronic Newsletter from the Hope College Department of Mathematics
 February 8, 2012 Vol. 10, No. 8
http://www.math.hope.edu/newsletter.html


Next week's colloquium will look at statistical genetics

Title: Statistical Analysis of Rare Variants in Human DNA Sequence
Speaker: Matthew Zawistowski, PhD, University of Michigan
Time:  Thursday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Place:  VanderWerf 102

Abstract: The identification of genetic variants that contribute to complex disease is currently an area of intense interest in the field of human statistical genetics. Modern high-throughput sequencing technologies are revolutionizing our ability to study the genetic basis of disease by producing unprecedented quantities of molecular data. As a result, the challenge of complex disease genetics is shifting from acquiring suitably large genetic data sets to powerfully analyzing this data.

Of particular interest are rare single nucleotide variants, inter-individual differences in DNA sequence that occur at very low frequency in the general population. Existing statistical methods for analyzing genetic variants are not powerful for rare variants due to low observation counts. In this talk, I will describe the Cumulative Minor Allele Test (CMAT), a more powerful alternative for analyzing rare variants. The CMAT accumulates evidence of association across multiple rare variant sites within the same genic region using a simple and intuitive statistic based on extending standard single variant tests. I will describe the steps involved in a statistical genetics project including simulation experiments to explore CMAT performance and present results on the analysis of a real data set.

Upcoming Colloquia


The mathematics department continues to interview candidates for two faculty positions.  Each of these candidates will be presenting colloquium talks.  Details of the third one are given above.  The only other one that is currently scheduled is as follows:
  • Diana Perdue, Thursday, February 16 at 4:00 in VWF 104


Math in the News: New TV Series Uses Numbers to Connect People


“Touch,” a science fiction show from Fox Broadcasting Co., examines the connections between people and the mathematical patterns that underlie life.  A recent article by Emilie Lorditch in Inside Science described the series:

The show centers on Martin Bohm (played by Kiefer Sutherland), who is trying desperately to find a way to connect with his autistic son, Jake (played by David Mazouz). Jake is unable to speak and doesn't like to be touched, but he does see where patterns intersect. Martin's discovery that his son is using numbers instead of words to communicate compels him to try to put together a puzzle full of seemingly unrelated pieces.

Lorditch interviewed MAA columnist and NPR’s Math Guy Keith Devlin to get his response to the basic concept.

"Mathematics sees patterns that are already there, but normally are invisible," said Devlin. "If the show uses that idea, they would capture the very essence of mathematics."


Problem Solvers of the Fortnight


We had the following story in our last problem of the fortnight:

"I hear some kids playing in the backyard," said Suzie Smartsema.  "Are they all yours?"  "Heavens, no," replied Professor Von Den Two, the eminent number theorist.  "My children are playing with friends from three other families in the neighborhood, although our family happens to be the largest.  The Carlsons have fewer children, the Bensons fewer still, and the Andersons have the fewest of all."  "How many children are there altogether?" asked Suzie.  "Let me put it this way," said Professor Von Den Two.  "There are fewer than 18 children, and the product of the numbers in the four families happens to be my house number, which you saw when you arrived."  Suzie took her notebook out of her bag and began scribbling.  A few moments later, she said, "I need more information.  Is there more than one child in the Anderson family?"

As soon as Professor Von Den Two replied, Suzie smiled and correctly stated the number of children in each family.  How many children are in each family?

Congratulations to Erica Budge, Cara Connon, Yubing Mao, Allison Leigon, Elisa Shibley, Lauren Warren, Cassidy Duffy, Nicole Zeinstra, Carlie Anderson, Hunter Ford, Rebecca Budde, Isabel Morris, Nick DeJong, Donald Kuick, Meghanne Tighe, Rachel Elzinga, Julie Brdicka, Kelsey Cooper, Andrew Kreichelt, Catherine Calyore, Brant Bechtel, David Dolfin, Daniel Simpson, Morgan Kelley, Joshua Kammeraad, Tim Lewis, Tim Cooke, Matt Johnson, Dominic Surya, and Morgan McCardel -- all of whom correctly determined that the Andersons have 2 kids, the Bensons 3, the Carlsons 4, and Professor Von Den Two's family has 5 kids.


Problem of the Fortnight


"Valentine's Day is coming up soon," thought Mrs. Hartsema.  "I should get a little something for my grandchildren."  She decided to give each of her 31 grandchildren a number of candy hearts along with their Valentines.  After counting her candy hearts and finding 470 of them, Mrs. Hartsema figured that each girl would get 7 more candy hearts than each boy.  She gave 74 candy hearts to the children of her eldest son Art.  How many girls did Art have?

Write your solution (not just the answer!) on the back of a Valentine, and drop it in the Problem of the Fortnight slot outside Professor Pearson's office (VWF 212) by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17.  As always, be sure to include your name and the name(s) of your math professor(s) -- e.g. Val N. Tyne, Professor Hallmark -- on your solution.   


If I have been able to see further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants.

Isaac Newton

Off on a Tangent