Thymoquinone inhibition of acquisition and expression of alcohol-induced behavioral sensitization

Repeated low doses of alcohol have been shown to progressively enhance locomotor activity in mice, and this phenomenon is designated as behavioral sensitization. Thymoquinone, a major active component of Nigella sativa oil has been investigated in a number of studies for its neuroprotective effects against a variety of ailments. This study was conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone on the acquisition and expression of alcohol-induced behavioral sensitization. Mice treated with alcohol (2.2 g/kg/day) or saline for 13 days and subsequently challenged with an acute alcohol dose (2.2 g/kg) 5 days later were orally administered acute doses of thymoquinone (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg). Thymoquinone subacute treatment with all doses throughout alcohol exposure significantly inhibited both the development and expression phases of alcohol behavioral sensitization in a dose-dependent manner. However, acute treatment with thymoquinone (30 mg/kg) only reversed the expression phase of sensitization. These findings are explained in terms of the known GABA promoting action of thymoquinone in relation to the motive circuit within the limbic component of the basal ganglia. It is concluded that thymoquinone may be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment and prevention of alcohol induced behavioral sensitization

Experimental investigation of tribological properties of laser textured tungsten doped diamond like carbon coating under dry sliding conditions at various loads

Laser micro texturing technique has shown its potential in reducing friction and wear at various mechanical interfaces such as automotive and cutting tools etc. Automotive parts are coated with Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coatings to enhance their performance. Due to stringent condition at the automotive contacts and demand for performance enhancement, increase in performance of DLC coatings is required. In this study laser micro texturing is being combined with tungsten doped DLC coating. In order to analyze the benefits of laser micro texturing on tungsten doped DLC coating. Tribological testing was conducted on a reciprocating test rig at various loading conditions. The results indicated that laser textured tungsten doped DLC coating showed the lower coefficient of friction compared to un-textured tungsten doped DLC coating at a load of 15 N, 25 N and 35 N. Higher graphitization was observed in the case of un-textured coating at 35 N load

Wear characteristics of patterned and un-patterned tetrahedral amorphous carbon film in the presence of synthetic and bio based lubricants

In this article, wear performance of patterned and non-patterned tetrahedral carbon thin film (ta-C) is compared in the presence of various lubricants. For this purpose, wear tests were conducted at temperatures (40 °C-125 °C) which are normally found during automotive engine operation. Wear test were conducted at 100 N load and 120 min. The results showed that bio-based lubricant show better wear performance at 40 and 80 °C compared to PAO lubricant for both laser patterned and non-patterned ta-C thin film. However, at the temperature of 125 °C, PAO showed better wear performance than palm based TMP ester. This can be because of unstable film formation at higher temperatures in case of bio-based lubricant. It was also found that patterned ta-C thin films shows higher wear resistance than non-patterned thin film. This can be because of micro pores which can provide lubricant, capture micro and nano wear particle and behave as micro hydrodynamic bearings

Experimental investigation of tribological properties of laser textured tungsten doped diamond like carbon coating under dry sliding conditions at various loads.

Laser micro texturing technique has shown its potential in reducing friction and wear at various mechanical interfaces such as automotive and cutting tools etc.. Automotive parts are coated with Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coatings to enhance their performance. Due to stringent condition at the automotive contacts and demand for performance enhancement, increase in performance of DLC coatings is required. In this study laser micro texturing is being combined with tungsten doped DLC coating. In order to analyze the benefits of laser micro texturing on tungsten doped DLC coating. Tribological testing was conducted on a reciprocating test rig at various loading conditions. The results indicated that laser textured tungsten doped DLC coating showed the lower coefficient of friction compared to un-textured tungsten doped DLC coating at a load of 15 N, 25 N and 35 N. Higher graphitization was observed in the case of un-textured coating at 35 N load