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Hartfield, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Hartfield, K..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Appia: a web interface for chromatography

Chromatography is an essential family of assays for molecular biology and chemistry. Typically, only a qualitative assessment of peak height, position, and shape are sufficient to proceed. However, there are more advanced forms of chromatography that require integration of peak width, baseline subtraction, and precise peak position calling. To handle these precise workflows, instrument manufacturer software is complicated and arcane; this makes simpler day-to-day analyses inefficient. Additionally, each manufacturer reports the data in their own proprietary format, requiring that analysis is performed at instrument computers and making data sharing between labs difficult. Here we present Appia, a free, open-source chromatography processing and visualization package focused on making analysis, collaboration, and publication quick and easy.

biochemistry↗

Oxytocin promotes convergence in personality between members of a monogamous pair

Coordinated responses to challenge are essential to survival for bonded monogamous animals and may depend on behavioral compatibility. Oxytocin (OT) context-dependently regulates social affiliation and vocal communication, but its role in pair members decision to jointly respond to challenge is unclear. To test for OT effects, California mouse females received an intranasal dose of OT (IN-OT) or saline after bonding with males either matched or in their approach response to an aggressive vocal challenge. Pair mates were re-tested jointly for approach response, time spent together, and vocalizations. Females and males converged in their approach after pairing, but mismatched pairs with females given a single dose of IN-OT displayed a greater convergence that resulted from behavioral changes by both pair members. Unpaired females given IN-OT did not change their approach, indicating a social partner was necessary for effects to emerge. Moreover, IN-OT increased time spent approaching together, suggesting behavioral coordination beyond a further increase in bonding. This OT-induced increase in joint approach was associated with a decrease in the proportion of sustained vocalizations, a type of vocalization that can be associated with intra-pair conflict. Our results expand OTs effects on behavioral coordination and underscore the importance of emergent social context.

animal behavior and cognition↗