Borderline Index Research Articles

Investigation of the suitability of activated and non-activated bentonites from the Imerys Mine (South Africa) for geosynthetic clay liners

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) have become a suitable substitute for compacted clay liners used for prevention of leachate percolation from landfills and tailings dams into the groundwater system. The characteristics of most bentonites is improved through a process of activation by mixing with soda ash (Na2CO3). This paper presents the investigation results of the suitability of bentonites from the Imerys Mine in South Africa for use in GCLs. Both activated and non-activated bentonites were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and swell index, fluid loss, plate water absorption and Atterberg limits tests. The XRD analysis results indicate that the activated and non-activated bentonite have a smectite content of 58% and 67%, respectively. The swell index of non-activated bentonite was significantly lower than that of activated bentonite. The activated bentonite samples tested at different times subsequent to activation revealed that a minimum of 4 weeks of activation time is required to fully activate it to the ideal soda ash to bentonite ratio of 1:16. The fluid loss tests displayed results slightly above the required minimum of 18 mL because of the low swell index of the bentonites tested. The activated and non-activated bentonites have absorption capacities of 133% and 121%, respectively. The plasticity index of the activated bentonite is 101%, 15% higher than the non-activated bentonite. The overall results concluded that the Imerys bentonite is a medium-quality bentonite with borderline index properties that requires at least 4 weeks of beneficiation to achieve complete activation to suitably be used as GCLs. Significance: The significance of this paper is the beneficiation process of bentonite in the geotextile industry. This study is relevant to geotechnical engineers, environmental geologists, engineering geologists and other related professionals working with geosynthetic clay liners whereby bentonite is the key ingredient. The study provides an optimum ratio of bentonite to sodium carbonate and the required time for beneficiation. We further recommend that quality control measures should be implemented to ensure complete activation of bentonite, including the blending process of different qualities of bentonite.

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy for risk assessment of posthepatctomy liver failure

Background: Aims of the study:. 1) to assess the role of hepatobiliary scintigraphy for prognosis of hepatic failure after liver resection. 2) to determine the borderline index of hepatic uptake (IHU) of radioactive agent as an indication for surgical prophylactic of hepatic failure. Methods: Ninety nine patients were investigated by hepatobiliy scintigraphy for different liver diseases and liver tumors(2015-2016 year):. 1) 50 patients from hepatology department with liver biopsy(METAVIR assessment) because of different liver disorders (chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis). 2) 49 patients underwent major liver resections (more than 3 segments) for liver tumors. Results: The mean value of IHU of 2,86 was revealed in patients with liver fibrosis F1, and IHU of 2,02 was identified in patients with liver fibrosis F4. Bordeline mean value of IHU made up of 2,4. In 18 patients with IHU<2,4 and remnant liver <40% surgical prophylactic of hepatic failure was performed: ligation of portal vein(1), portal embolization (12), percutaneous embolization of the right portal vein with radiofrequency ablation along the plane of future liver transaction (5). The increase of index of hepatic uptake up to 2.7±0.47 was revealed in future remnant liver in 14-21 days after devascularization. Conclusion: Dynamic hepatobiliaryscintigraphy is valuable in assessment of volume and function of different areas of liver. IHU of 2.4 and volume of the future remnant liver <40% are the indication for surgical prevention of postresectionliver failure.

Relationship among methadone dose, polymorphisms of dopamine D2 receptor and tri-dimensional personality questionnaire in heroin-addicted patients.

BackgroundWe investigated whether variation in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and tri-dimensional personality questionnaire (TPQ) scores could be used to aid adjustment of daily methadone requirements of heroin addicts. DRD2 TaqI B polymorphisms and TPQ scores were determined in 138 male Taiwanese heroin addicts who were receiving methadone treatment. Borderline index (harm avoidance + novelty seeking—reward dependence) was calculated for each subject, and three groups were defined: high (mean from all subjects plus 1 standard deviation, or greater), low (half of the calculated high score, or lower) and medium (all values between the high and low scores).ResultsNo significant differences in age (p = 0.60), mean methadone dose (p = 0.75) or borderline index group (p = 0.25) were observed between subjects bearing the B1/B1, B1/B2 and B2/B2 DRD2 TaqI genotypes. Among the individuals with low (≤10), medium (11–20) and high (≥21) borderline index scores, there was a significant difference in mean methadone dose (p = 0.04), but not age (p = 0.90). Further analysis showed that mean methadone dose was significantly higher in subjects with low borderline index scores than in those with high scores (62.5 vs. 47.0 mg/day, p = 0.03). The odds ratio for a daily methadone requirement ≥60 mg (median dose across the 138 subjects) was 2.64-fold greater in the low borderline index group than in the high group (p = 0.04).ConclusionsAlthough the DRD2 TaqI B genotype was not associated with methadone use requirements, borderline index was revealed as a potential predictive marker for the adjustment of methadone dosage requirements in heroin addicts.

Association of orthodontic treatment needs and oral health-related quality of life in Saudi children seeking orthodontic treatment.

IntroductionThe objective was to assess the effects of different orthodontic treatment needs on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Saudi children seeking orthodontic treatment as perceived by the children and their parents.MethodsA cross-sectional evaluation of orthodontic patients and their attending parents was conducted to assess the relationship between orthodontic treatment needs and the OHRQoL. The study sample comprised 120 young orthodontic patients (36 boys, 84 girls; age range, 12–15 years). Each participant was assessed for orthodontic treatment needs and OHRQoL using the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs and the Michigan Oral Health-related Quality of Life Scales–Version C (child) and Version PG (parent/guardian), respectively.ResultsOrthodontic treatment needs significantly affected mouth aching, chewing and biting, going to school, and playing. Higher income and borderline index of orthodontic treatment needs are significantly related to oral health impact on quality of life perceived by the child, while younger age and high school education are related to oral health impact on quality of life as perceived by the parent/guardians.ConclusionThese findings emphasize the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL in children.

Methadone-Mediated Autonomic Functioning of Male Patients with Heroin Dependence: The Influence of Borderline Personality Pattern

BackgroundWe hypothesize that the population with borderline personality shows different autonomic response to methadone compared to individuals with other personalities. This study applies heart rate variability (HRV) measurements and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) to examine this hypothesis.Methodology/Principal FindingsForty-four male patients with heroin dependence were recruited from a methadone maintenance treatment program. Eight personality patterns were classified according to the TPQ norm used in Taiwan. The borderline pattern (BP, composed of high novelty seeking, high harm avoidance and low reward dependence) and the other personality patterns (OP) were separated into two groups. We compared the HRV profiles between the BP and OP groups. Correlation and regression analysis were performed to clarify relationship between HRV differences and the borderline index (BI, a new concept defined by us, which is calculated as novelty seeking + harm avoidance – reward dependence). The HRV targets investigated included low frequency (LF) power, high frequency (HF) power, total power (TP), normalized LF (LF%), and LF/HF. No baseline HRV parameters showed any inter-group difference. The BP group had a significantly lower ΔHF and a higher ΔLF/HF than the OP group. The personality dimension, reward dependence, showed a negative correlation with ΔLF/HF and ΔLF%. BI was negatively correlated with ΔHF and positively correlated with ΔLF/HF and ΔLF%.Conclusions/SignificanceBorderline personality individuals show increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity compared to other personalities after taking methadone. The results support the hypothesis that there is an interaction between borderline personality and autonomic modulation.

Borderline Personality Disorder From the Perspective of General Personality Functioning

The authors extended previous work on the hypothesis that borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be understood as a maladaptive variant of personality traits included within the 5-factor model (FFM) of personality. In each of 3 samples, an empirically derived prototypic FFM borderline profile was correlated with individuals’ FFM profiles to yield a similarity score, an FFM borderline index. Results across all samples indicated that the FFM borderline index correlated as highly with existing borderline measures as they correlated with one another, and the FFM borderline index correlated as highly with measures of dysfunction, history of childhood abuse, and parental psychopathology as did traditional measures of BPD. Findings support the hypothesis that BPD is a maladaptive variant of FFM personality traits.

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Borderline Syndrome Index

The convergent and discriminant validity of the Borderline Syndrome Index was examined by using a multitrait-multimethod matrix 80 subjects with DSM-III—R diagnoses of Borderline Personality Disorder completed three self-report measures, namely, the Borderline Syndrome Index, the MMPI Schizophrenia subscale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. A semistructured interview was blindly conducted with each subject, and symptom ratings were made on the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, New Haven Schizophrenia Index, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. High convergent validity was found on the Borderline Index and the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. While fulfilling most of the criteria for discriminant validity, the Borderline Syndrome Index scores were also significantly correlated with depression scores on the Beck and Hamilton measures of depression.

Identification of borderline personality disorder with the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

No lay-administered interviews are currently available to identify persons with borderline personality disorder. The authors studied 79 subjects with the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), a lay-administered interview, and the Diagnostic Interview for Borderline Patients (DIB) and used the results to construct a DIS-based diagnostic index to identify borderline personality disorder. Using the clinician-administered DIB as the diagnostic standard, the authors found that the DIS borderline index had a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 86.2%, and a kappa of 0.67. The DIS borderline index is a promising extension of the DIS that will facilitate studies of borderline personality disorder in clinical and community settings.

Self-mutilation and the borderline personality.

As part of a larger study of pathological self-injury, 14 self-mutilators and 14 psychiatric controls matched for age, sex, and inpatient/outpatient status were administered the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. Consistent with Gunderson's theory of borderline personality disorder, the self-mutilators scored significantly higher on impulse-action patterns, affects, psychoticism, and interpersonal relations as well as on the total borderline index. A review of clinical records likewise revealed that self-mutilators were more likely than controls to have been diagnosed as borderline and to have received a greater number of different diagnoses during their treatment career. The results have implications for developmental theory, diagnosis, and treatment and provide support for the construct validity and clinical utility of the borderline syndrome and the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines.