title: KELVIN: a software package for rigorous measurement of statistical evidence in human genetics.
abstract: This paper describes the software package KELVIN, which supports the PPL (posterior probability of linkage) framework for the measurement of statistical evidence in human (or more generally, diploid) genetic studies. In terms of scope, KELVIN supports two-point (trait-marker or marker-marker) and multipoint linkage analysis, based on either sex-averaged or sex-specific genetic maps, with an option to allow for imprinting; trait-marker linkage disequilibrium (LD), or association analysis, in case-control data, trio data, and/or multiplex family data, with options for joint linkage and trait-marker LD or conditional LD given linkage; dichotomous trait, quantitative trait and quantitative trait threshold models; and certain types of gene-gene interactions and covariate effects. Features and data (pedigree) structures can be freely mixed and matched within analyses. The statistical framework is specifically tailored to accumulate evidence in a mathematically rigorous way across multiple data sets or data subsets while allowing for multiple sources of heterogeneity, and KELVIN itself utilizes sophisticated software engineering to provide a powerful and robust platform for studying the genetics of complex disorders.
authors.affiliation: Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Veronica.Vieland@nationwidechildrens.org
authors.forename: Veronica J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Vieland
authors.forename: Yungui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Sang-Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burian
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Catalyurek
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segre
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Valentine-Cooper
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010375:Pedigree; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012984:Software