Video analysis of dogs with separation-related behaviors

Separation-related behaviors are described as problematic behaviors that occur exclusively in the owner's absence or virtual absence. Diagnosis is generally based on indirect evidence such as elimination or destruction that occurs during owner absence. Questionnaire studies are based on owner perception and might therefore underestimate the actual proportion of dogs with separation problems. The aim of this study was to film dogs with separation-related problems when left home alone and compile objective information on behaviors exhibited. Twenty-three dogs, ranging in age from 5 months to 13 years (2.9 \ub1 22.7 years), were filmed home alone for 20-60 min (49.87 \ub1 12.9 min) after owner departure. Analysis of behaviors on tape showed that dogs spent most of their time vocalizing (22.95 \ub1 12.3% of total observed time) and being oriented to the environment (21 \ub1 20%). Dogs also exhibited panting (14 \ub1 18%), were passive (12 \ub1 27%) and were destroying (6 \ub1 6%) during owner absence. Most dogs displayed signs within less than 10 min after owner departure, such as vocalizing (mean latency 3.25 min) and/or destroying (mean latency 7.13 min). Barking and oriented to the environment tended to decrease (respectively p = 0.08 and p = 0.07) and conversely panting tended to increase over time (p = 0.07). Diagnosis of separation-related problems is traditionally dependant on owner reports. Although owner observation may be informative, direct observation and standardized behavioral measurement of dogs with separation-related problems, before and after treatment, would be the best way to diagnose and to measure behavioral improvement

Controlled Periodic Illumination Enhances Hydrogen Production by over 50% on Pt/TiO2

[Image: see text] Efficient solar water photosplitting is plagued by large overpotentials of the HER and OER. Even with a noble metal catalyst, the hydrogen evolution reaction can be limited by the strong M–H bonding over some metals, such as Pt, Pd, and Rh, inhibiting hydrogen desorption. H absorption is regulated by the potential at the metal nanoparticles. Through controlled periodic illumination of a Pt/TiO(2) suspension, we hypothesized a fast variation of the photopotential that induced catalytic surface resonance on the metal, resulting in more than a 50% increase of the efficiency at frequencies higher than 80 Hz