Structural Index Research Articles

M-Polynomial and NM-Polynomial Methods for Topological Indices of Polymers

Topological indices (TIs) are numerical tools widely applied in chemometrics, biomedicine, and bioinformatics for predicting diverse physicochemical attributes and biological activities within molecular structures. Despite their significance, the challenges in deriving TIs necessitate novel approaches. This study addresses the limitations of conventional methods in dealing with dynamic molecular structures, focusing on the neighborhood M-polynomial (NM-polynomial), a pivotal polynomial for calculating degree-based TIs. Current literature acknowledges these polynomials but overlooks their limited adaptability to intricate biopolymer relationships. Our research advances by computing degree-based and neighborhood degree-based indices for prominent biopolymers, including polysaccharides, poly-γ-glutamic acid, and poly-L-lysine. Through innovative utilization of the NM-polynomial and the M-polynomial, we establish a fresh perspective on molecular structure and topological indices. Moreover, we present diverse graph representations highlighting the nuanced correlations between indices and structural parameters. By systematically investigating these indices and their underlying polynomials, our work contributes to predictive modelling in various fields. This exploration sheds light on intricate biochemical systems, offering insights into applications encompassing medicine, the food industry, and wastewater treatment. This research deepens our understanding of complex molecular interactions and paves the way for enhanced applications in diverse industries.

Mangrove gastropod distribution based on dominant vegetation classes and their relationship with physicochemical characteristics on fringe mangroves of Lembongan Island, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract. Ernawati NM, Dewi APWK, Sugiana IP, Dharmawan IWE, Ma’ruf MS, Galgani GA. 2024. Mangrove gastropod distribution based on dominant vegetation classes and their relationship with physicochemical characteristics on fringe mangroves of Lembongan Island, Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 156-166. Mangrove ecosystems are important in supporting diverse marine life, offering refuge, reproductive grounds, and sustenance to various species. However, mangroves possess distinct zoning patterns determined by dominant species due to environmental variations that significantly impact the biodiversity of biota, particularly gastropods. A study on the Indonesian island of Nusa Lembongan revealed distinct communities of coexisting gastropod species in each mangrove vegetation zone. We discovered 29 distinct species of mangrove gastropods, with the Sonneratia mangrove zone having the most and the Lumnitzera zone having the least. Certain species, including Amphidromus perversus, Cerithium adustum, and Echinolittorina sundaica, were detected in only one of the mangrove zones. In each mangrove zone, the composition of gastropod species changed depending on the substrate type, e.g., soil, mangrove trunks, or mangrove leaves. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index values range from low to high diversity, and the community structure index values in mangrove zones vary. The evenness index varied by region, with Avicennia, Bruguiera, and Sonneratia having the highest index value. The findings indicate that mangrove vegetation zones are essential for maintaining diverse gastropod populations, with distinct composition and abundance patterns influenced by the distance of each mangrove zone from the ocean. This data may influence conservation efforts to preserve mangrove habitats and the diverse array of organisms that depend on them.

Long-term fertilization and cultivation impacts on nematode abundance and community structure in tall fescue turfgrass.

Impacts of long-term fertilization and cultivation were evaluated on nematode communities associated with tall fescue turfgrass following 11 years of treatment applications. Fertilizer treatments of biosolid, synthetic, and plant-based fertilizers and cultivation treatments of 0×, 1×, and 2× aerification passes were applied to randomized and replicated tall fescue plots at the University of Maryland Paint Branch Turfgrass facility in College Park, Maryland. Free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes were identified, enumerated, and categorized into functional groups. Nematode count data were compared using generalized linear mixed modeling with negative binomial distribution and two-way ANOVA was used to compare nematode ecological indices. Biosolid treatments resulted in lower omnivore-predator densities than plant-based fertilizer treatments (p ≤ .001) and significantly greater Hoplolaimus densities than plant-based fertilizer plots (p ≤ .05). Synthetic fertilizer applications resulted in the greatest Eucephalobus (p ≤ .05) and total bacterivore densities (p ≤ .001) of all fertilizer treatments. Plant-based fertilizer-treated plots had the largest Maturity Index cp 2-5 and Structure Index (p ≤ .05). Cultivation of 1× resulted in fewer total bacterivore densities than 2× (p ≤ .01) while omnivore-predator densities were greater in 1× than 0× (p ≤ .001). Plant health, as measured by NDVI, was lowest in biosolid-treated turfgrass (p ≤ .05). These findings suggest that long-term turfgrass management practices can have variable impacts on nematode abundance and community structure in tall fescue and provide insights into ecological impacts of turfgrass management practices.

Structural Racism and Use of Labor Neuraxial Analgesia Among Non-Hispanic Black Birthing People.

To assess the association between structural racism and labor neuraxial analgesia use. This cross-sectional study analyzed 2017 U.S. natality data for non-Hispanic Black and White birthing people. The exposure was a multidimensional structural racism index measured in the county of the delivery hospital. It was calculated as the mean of three Black-White inequity ratios (ratios for lower education, unemployment, and incarceration in jails) and categorized into terciles, with the third tercile corresponding to high structural racism. The outcome was the labor neuraxial analgesia rate. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs of neuraxial analgesia associated with terciles of the index were estimated with multivariate logistic regression models. Black and White people were compared with the use of an interaction term between race and ethnicity and the racism index. Of the 1,740,716 birth certificates analyzed, 396,303 (22.8%) were for Black people. The labor neuraxial analgesia rate was 77.2% for Black people in the first tercile of the racism index, 74.7% in the second tercile, and 72.4% in the third tercile. For White people, the rates were 80.4%, 78.2%, and 78.2%, respectively. For Black people, compared with the first tercile of the racism index, the second tercile was associated with 18.4% (95% CI, 16.9-19.9%) decreased adjusted odds of receiving neuraxial analgesia and the third tercile with 28.3% (95% CI, 26.9-29.6%) decreased adjusted odds. For White people, the decreases were 13.4% (95% CI, 12.5-14.4%) in the second tercile and 15.6% (95% CI, 14.7-16.5%) in the third tercile. A significant difference in the odds of neuraxial analgesia was observed between Black and White people for the second and third terciles. A multidimensional index of structural racism is associated with significantly reduced odds of receiving labor neuraxial analgesia among Black people and, to a lesser extent, White people.

3-D probability density imaging of Euler solutions using gravity data: a case study of Mount Milligan, Canada

Euler deconvolution is a widely used automatic or semi-automatic method for potential field data. However, it yields many spurious solutions that complicate interpretation and must be reduced, eliminated, recognized, or ignored during interpretation. This study proposes a post-processing algorithm that converts Euler solutions produced by tensor Euler deconvolution of gravity data with an unprescribed structural index into probability values (p values) using the B-spline series density estimation (BSS) method. The p values of the Euler solution set form a probability density distribution on the estimation grid. The BSS method relies on the fact that while spurious solutions are sparse and ubiquitous, Euler deconvolution yields many similar or duplicate solutions, which may tightly cluster near real sources. The p values of the Euler solution clusters form multi-layered isosurfaces that can be used to discriminate neighboring target sources because the p values of spurious solutions are vanishingly small, making it simple to remove their interference from the probability density distribution. In all synthetic cases, the geometric outlines of anomaly sources are estimated from probability density isosurfaces approximating synthetic model parameters. The BSS method was then applied to airborne gravity data from Mount Milligan, British Columbia, Canada. Subsequently, results from synthetic models and field data show that the proposed method can successfully localize meaningful geological targets.

Reduced covariation between brain morphometry and local spontaneous activity in young children with ASD.

While disruptions in brain maturation in the first years of life in ASD are well documented, little is known about how the brain structure and function are related in young children with ASD compared to typically developing peers. We applied a multivariate pattern analysis to examine the covariation patterns between brain morphometry and local brain spontaneous activity in 38 toddlers and preschoolers with ASD and 31 typically developing children using T1-weighted structural MRI and resting-state fMRI data acquired during natural sleep. The results revealed significantly reduced brain structure-function correlations in ASD. The resultant brain structure and function composite indices were associated with age among typically developing children, but not among those with ASD, suggesting mistiming of typical brain maturational trajectories early in life in autism. Additionally, the brain function composite indices were associated with the overall developmental and adaptive behavior skills in the ASD group, highlighting the neurodevelopmental significance of early local brain activity in autism.

A structural heart-brain axis mediates the association between cardiovascular risk and cognitive function

Abstract Elevated vascular disease risk associates with poorer cognitive function, but the mechanism for this link is poorly understood. A leading theory, the structural-functional model argues that vascular risk may drive adverse cardiac remodelling, which, in turn, leads to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and subsequent brain structural damage. This model predicts that variation in heart and brain structure should associate with both greater vascular risk and lower cognitive function. This study tests that prediction in a large sample of the UK Biobank (N = 11,962). We assemble and summarise vascular risk factors, cardiac magnetic resonance radiomics, brain structural and diffusion MRI indices, and cognitive assessment. We also extract “heart-brain axes” capturing the covariation in heart and brain structure. Many heart and brain measures partially explain the vascular risk—cognitive function association, like left ventricular end-diastolic volume and grey matter volume. Notably, a heart-brain axis, capturing correlation between lower myocardial intensity, lower grey matter volume, and poorer thalamic white matter integrity, completely mediates the association, supporting the structural-functional model. Our findings also complicate this theory by finding that brain structural variation cannot completely explain the heart structure—cognitive function association. Our results broadly offer evidence for the structural functional hypothesis, identify imaging biomarkers for this association by considering covariation in heart and brain structure, and generate novel hypotheses about how cardiovascular risk may link to cognitive function.

Retracted: Mostar Index of Cycle-Related Structures

Retracted: Mostar Index of Cycle-Related Structures

Nonspecific immune, histology and accumulation of marine worm, Urechis unicinctus in response to bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the environmental endocrine disruptors, due to its chemical stability it exists in abundant concentrations in water and soil consequently accumulating in the food chain and causing many endocrine-related health problems. So far, studies on the effects of BPA on marine invertebrates have focused on acute toxicity, endocrine regulation, reproduction, and development. However, fewer studies have been conducted on marine benthos. The current study aimed to detect the accumulation of BPA and its impact on tissue structure, antioxidant capacity, and immune indexes in marine worm, Urechis unicinctus. U. unicinctus, as a common marine benthic animal, were exposed to different concentrations of BPA. Blood cells and intestinal tract were taken for tissue structure inspection, and supernatant of the coelomic fluid was collected for oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers. Results showed that the accumulation of BPA in muscles of U. unicinctus tended to increase with exposure time. BPA induced a rise in H2O2 and MDA content, and altered the activities of CAT, T-SOD, GST, LSZ and ACP, weaken the immune system functions. Moreover, pathological observation showed that BPA caused severe histopathology in the respiratory intestine, stomach, and midgut. These results will be helpful to understand the response mechanism of U. unicinctus under BPA exposure and provide a reference for controlling the aquaculture conditions and marine water quality of U. unicinctus.

Zooplankton studies warn abnormal protrusions on the copepods from coastal environments under anthropic impacts

Faced with a global scenario where the etiology of abnormal tissue protrusions in copepods and their ecological consequences are unclear, it is crucial to seek a better understanding about these abnormalities. In this study, supported by images confocal laser microscope, scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis, the levels and distribution of morphological abnormalities in copepods were analysed. The analysis of zooplankton samples from Todos-os-Santos Bay showed the occurrence of two types of abnormalities on the body surfaces of copepods. The images clearly showed that the abnormalities in the prosome were formed between the somites from a rupture of the intersomatic membrane, causing a process of herniation of the internal tissues, with part of the digestive tract projected outside the body. Abnormalities in the urosome observed by scanning electron microscopy showed continuity of the copepod intestine, forming a rectal prolapse. Overall, this study highlights a significant reduction in indices of zooplankton community structure and abnormal tissue protrusions, evidencing a pathological condition in copepods from coastal environments under anthropic impacts.

Trends in inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity prevalence: a repeat cross-sectional analysis of the Health Survey for England

ObjectiveTo examine trends in socio-economic and ethnic inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity in the England between 1995 and 2019 in survey data and to compare these to administrative data.DesignObservational...

Structural indices of brain aging in methamphetamine use disorder

BackgroundMethamphetamine use is surging globally. It has been linked to premature stroke, Parkinsonism, and dementia, suggesting that it may accelerate brain aging. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study to determine if structural indices of brain aging were more prevalent prior to old age (26 – 54 years) in individuals with Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MUD), who were in early abstinence (M ± SD = 22.1 ± 25.6 days) than in healthy control (HC) participants. We compared T1-weighted MRI brain scans in age- and sex-matched groups (n = 89/group) on three structural features of brain aging: the brain volume/cerebrospinal fluid (BV/CSF) index, volume of white matter hypointensities/lesions, and choroid plexus volume. ResultsThe MUD group had a lower mean BV/CSF index and larger volumes of white matter hypointensities and choroid plexus (p-values < 0.01). Regression analyses showed significant age-by-group effects, indicating different age trajectories of the BV/CSF index and choroid plexus volume, consistent with abnormal global brain atrophy and choroid plexus pathology in the MUD group. Significant age and group main effects reflected a larger volume of white matter hypointensities for older participants across groups and for the MUD group irrespective of age. None of the three measures of brain aging correlated significantly with recent use or duration of recent abstinence from methamphetamine. ConclusionsPremature brain pathology, which may reflect cerebrovascular damage and dysfunction of the choroid plexus, occurs in people with MUD. Such pathology may affect cognition and thereby efficacy of behavioral treatments for MUD.

Wind Resistance Performance Assessment of Long-Span Cable-Supported Bridges Based on Time-Varying Reliability Theory

Long-span cable-supported bridges constitute the most common type of bridge with a span of more than 400 m. They are generally designed as a double-tower long-span structure with good spanning capacity and economic performance. Wind resistance safety performance is the main index used to control the long-span cable-supported bridge structure. During the life of a long-span cable-supported bridge structure, because the service life of the cables is far shorter than the design life of the structure, the wind resistance performance of the structure will inevitably deteriorate significantly, which will seriously affect the structural service performance of symmetric cable-supported bridges. Under strong wind loads, the static wind stability and flutter stability of cable-stayed bridge structures are components of the limit state of bearing capacity, which directly affects the safety performance of the structure. We take the flutter and static wind stability of a long-span cable-supported bridge structure as the main design control index, use inverse reliability theory to calculate the reliability index of a symmetric cable-supported bridge structure, use inverse reliability theory to calculate the safety factor of a symmetric cable-supported bridge structure, and evaluate the time-varying wind resistance performance of a long-span cable-supported bridge structure by comprehensively considering the reliability index and safety factor. Taking a practical project concerning a long-span cable-supported bridge as a specific case, the time-varying wind resistance reliability of the bridge throughout its operation for more than 30 years is analyzed along with the parameter sensitivity. The results show that the wind resistance performance of the cable-supported bridge structure is obviously affected by its cables, and the degradation of cable performance will have a significant impact on the time-varying wind resistance performance of the structure, especially the critical wind speed of the structure, which has obvious time-varying characteristics. The safety factor and reliability index can be used to objectively evaluate the time-varying wind resistance performance of long-span cable-supported bridge structures.

When organizational dehumanization hits home: Short‐scale validation and test of a spillover–crossover model

AbstractOrganizational dehumanization, a concept that has garnered increasing scholarly attention, still faces two significant limitations within the current literature. First, there is a lack of rigorously validated scales in the field. Second, the effects of organizational dehumanization on the family domain have been largely overlooked. In light of these gaps, we embarked on a comprehensive research project comprising five studies (NTotal = 2635) to address these limitations. Our primary objectives were twofold: (1) to develop and validate a concise five‐item scale for measuring organizational dehumanization based on Caesens et al.'s (Eur. J. Work Org. Psychol., 26, 2017, 527‐540) 11‐item measure (Studies 1, 2 and 3) and (2) to investigate a novel spillover–crossover model of organizational dehumanization (Studies 4 and 5). Our results indicated that our proposed short scale has a good factorial structure and high reliability indices, correlates strongly with the 11‐item full scale, is invariant over time and demonstrates evidence for convergent, discriminant and incremental validity. In addition, using data from both employees and their family members, we showed that organizational dehumanization contributes to an increase in work‐to‐family conflict among employees, as perceived by their family members. This, in turn, heightens relationship tension within their family members, ultimately leading to a decline in their relationship satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications and avenues for future research are also discussed.

Statistical Analysis of the Role of Cavity Flexibility in Thermostability of Proteins.

Conventional statistical investigations have primarily focused on the comparison of the simple one-dimensional characteristics of protein cavities, such as number, surface area, and volume. These studies have failed to discern the crucial distinctions in cavity properties between thermophilic and mesophilic proteins that contribute to protein thermostability. In this study, the significance of cavity properties, i.e., flexibility and location, in protein thermostability was investigated by comparing structural differences between homologous thermophilic and mesophilic proteins. Three dimensions of protein structure were categorized into three regions (core, boundary, and surface) and a comparative analysis of cavity properties using this structural index was conducted. The statistical analysis revealed that cavity flexibility is closely related to protein thermostability. The core cavities of thermophilic proteins were less flexible than those of mesophilic proteins (averaged B' factor values, -0.6484 and -0.5111), which might be less deleterious to protein thermostability. Thermophilic proteins exhibited fewer cavities in the boundary and surface regions. Notably, cavities in mesophilic proteins, across all regions, exhibited greater flexibility than those in thermophilic proteins (>95% probability). The increased flexibility of cavities in the boundary and surface regions of mesophilic proteins, as opposed to thermophilic proteins, may compromise stability. Recent protein engineering investigations involving mesophilic xylanase and protease showed results consistent with the findings of this study, suggesting that the manipulation of flexible cavities in the surface region can enhance thermostability. Consequently, our findings suggest that a rational or computational approach to the design of flexible cavities in surface or boundary regions could serve as an effective strategy to enhance the thermostability of mesophilic proteins.

Validation of the digital health literacy assessment among the university students in China.

With the development of the internet, digital health literacy (DHL) has become increasingly important for managing health. Consequently, various digital health literacy scales have been created for different groups. The purpose of this study was to verify the reliability and validity of the simplified Chinese version of the Digital Health Literacy Assessment (DHLA) scale among university students in China. Snowball sampling was used to recruit the participants via an online platform (Wenjuan.com), and finally 304 university students were included in the survey. Demographic information and the status of DHL were collected through the online questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability were used to test the internal consistency of the scale, while the structural validity was verified by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, the convergence of the scale was tested by composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE). Two dimensions were generated from 10 entries in the scale, named Self-rated Digital Health Literacy and Trust Degree of Online Health Information, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability of the total scale were 0.912 and 0.828, while the Cronbach's alpha of the two dimensions were 0.913 and 0.830, respectively. The structural validity-related indexes of the scale met the standards (RMSEA = 0.079, GFI = 0.943, AGFI = 0.902, CFI = 0.971). In each dimension, the CR and AVE also reached critical values (CR > 0.7 and AVE > 0.5). The scale had high reliability and validity, indicating the simplified Chinese DHLA scale could be used to evaluate the DHL of university students in China.

Структурализм и строение УК РФ 1996 года

The article is devoted to the analysis of the evolution and perfection of the structure of the current Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in the light of the system-structural approach, using the dichotomous pairs “law” and “law”, “system” and “structure”. The author shows and evaluates the most important structural transformations in the domestic criminal legislation, identifies adaptive and homeostasis norms in the structure of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, justifies the usefulness of using the structuring index to achieve optimal harmony of the text of the criminal law.

Structural overall damage index based on structural strain energy

In order to accurately evaluate the overall damage degree of a structure after an earthquake and provide guidance for structural reinforcement and repair, it is crucial to develop a reasonable damage model that can effectively describe the structural overall damage. This has been a focal point of research in the field of seismic engineering. Structural strain energy (SSE) is a parameter that can sensitively reflect the damage condition of the entire structure. Therefore, based on SSE and considering the coupling effect of the first transcendental failure and cumulative hysteretic energy dissipation, a structural overall damage index is derived through theoretical analysis. This index aims to capture the extent of damage based on SSE. To validate the credibility of the proposed damage index, a 60-story truss frame-core tube structure model with outrigger (TCO), measuring 237.60 m in height, is selected as an example. Six representative damage indices are chosen for comparison purposes. The nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the entire structure are analyzed using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). Additionally, the seven damage indices, including the code-specified values, are compared to verify the credibility and applicability of the proposed structural overall damage index.

Reduced thoracic skeletal muscle size is associated with adverse outcomes in diabetes patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: quantitative analysis of sarcopenia by using cardiac MRI

BackgroundSarcopenia is frequently found in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and is associated with reduced exercise capacity, poor quality of life and adverse outcomes. Recent evidence suggests that axial thoracic skeletal muscle size could be used as a surrogate to assess sarcopenia in HFrEF. Since diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common comorbidities with HFrEF, we aimed to explore the potential association of axial thoracic skeletal muscle size with left ventricular (LV) remodeling and determine its prognostic significance in this condition.MethodsA total of 243 diabetes patients with HFrEF were included in this study. Bilateral axial thoracic skeletal muscle size was obtained using cardiac MRI. Patients were stratified by the tertiles of axial thoracic skeletal muscle index (SMI). LV structural and functional indices, as well as amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), were measured. The determinants of elevated NT-proBNP were assessed using linear regression analysis. The associations between thoracic SMI and clinical outcomes were assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsPatients in the lowest tertile of thoracic SMI displayed a deterioration in LV systolic strain in three components, together with an increase in LV mass and a heavier burden of myocardial fibrosis (all P < 0.05). Moreover, thoracic SMI (β = -0.25; P < 0.001), rather than body mass index (β = -0.04; P = 0.55), was independently associated with the level of NT-proBNP. The median follow-up duration was 33.6 months (IQR, 20.4–52.8 months). Patients with adverse outcomes showed a lower thoracic SMI (40.1 [34.3, 47.9] cm2/m2 vs. 45.3 [37.3, 55.0] cm2/m2; P < 0.05) but a similar BMI (P = 0.76) compared with those without adverse outcomes. A higher thoracic SMI indicated a lower risk of adverse outcomes (hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.92–0.99; P = 0.01).ConclusionsWith respect to diabetes patients with HFrEF, thoracic SMI is a novel alternative for evaluating muscle wasting in sarcopenia that can be obtained by a readily available routine cardiac MRI protocol. A reduction in thoracic skeletal muscle size predicts poor outcomes in the context of DM with HFrEF.

Magnetic Structural Depth Classification Using Center for Exploration Targeting And 3D Euler Deconvolution: A Case Study of Shanga (Sheet 96) North West, Nigeria

The present study involved the use of 3D Euler deconvolution to classify the depth of occurrences of magnetic structures as explicated and elucidated by the Centre for Exploration Targeting Plug-in (CET). To achieve this aim, the residual magnetic anomaly was first reduced to the equator (RTE) to centre the anomaly peaks directly above each causative source. After that, the RTE data was imputed into the CET plug-in, which is an extension of Oasis Montaj, to delineate structures that occur within the area. A 3D Euler deconvolution map with a structural index of one (SI = 1) that identified faults, dykes, and horizontal bodies was created using the RTE data. The Euler deconvolution depths were classified for depths that are &lt;150 m, between 150 m and 300 m, 300 m and 450 m, and &gt; 450 m. The CET delineated structures were superimposed over the 3D Euler deconvolution map with SI = 1, and most of the CET structures coincided with the structures from the Euler deconvolution map with SI = 1. Since Euler solutions are classified based on depth, the Euler structural map was used to classify the CET delineated structures based on their depths. The Euler structural map was imported into ArcGIS version 10.8 to digitize the structures based on their corresponding depth as displayed on the 3D Euler deconvolution map of SI = 1. After digitizing the Euler map with a structural index equal to one (SI = 1) with classified depth, a new structural map was then produced depicting each structure delineated with the CET based on their respective depth.