<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<article article-type="Original Articles">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">journal-of-discrete-mathematical-sciences-and-cryptography</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences and Cryptography</journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn publication-format="electronic">2169-0065</issn>
      <issn publication-format="print">0972-0529</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Taru Publications</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.47974/JDMSC-2566</article-id>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>A novel degree based topological index and its application in decision making</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes">
          <name>
            <surname>Christilda</surname>
            <given-names>E. Virgin</given-names>
          </name>
          <aff>Department of Mathematics, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600086, India</aff>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Arockiamary</surname>
            <given-names>S. Teresa</given-names>
          </name>
          <aff>Department of Mathematics, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600086, India</aff>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <volume>29</volume>
      <issue>6</issue>
      <fpage>2269</fpage>
      <lpage>2278</lpage>
      <pub-date date-type="pub">
        <day>16</day>
        <month>06</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <abstract>
        <p>Topological indices quantify graph structure, aiding complex decision-making. Fuzzy graphs incorporate uncertainty, while neutrosophic graphs address indeterminacy and inconsistency. This work introduces a novel degree based topological index, establishes its bounds for general fuzzy graphs, and demonstrates its utility in neutrosophic decision making frameworks.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>Fuzzy graphs</kwd>
        <kwd>Topological index</kwd>
        <kwd>Neutrosophic graphs</kwd>
        <kwd>Decision making</kwd>
        <kwd>Laplacian energy</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
      <custom-meta-group>
        <custom-meta>
          <meta-name>access</meta-name>
          <meta-value>open</meta-value>
        </custom-meta>
        <custom-meta>
          <meta-name>retracted</meta-name>
          <meta-value>no</meta-value>
        </custom-meta>
      </custom-meta-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
</article>
