Research Integrity

Images submitted as part of a manuscript must accurately represent the original data. Adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable only when applied uniformly across the entire image and disclosed where they are material to the interpretation of the image. Splicing, cloning, selective enhancement, removal of image features, or any manipulation that could misrepresent the underlying data is not permitted.

Authors are encouraged, and in certain cases required, to make the underlying data supporting their study publicly available through a recognized data repository or as supplementary material. Where data are deposited in a repository, the repository name, accession number, persistent identifier, or access link should be provided in the article.

Methods, materials, experimental conditions, and analytical procedures must be described in sufficient detail to enable independent replication of the reported results. Authors should retain the underlying raw data, laboratory records, and other relevant supporting materials for an appropriate period after publication and be prepared to provide them upon reasonable editorial request.

Allegations of research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication, and authorship disputes, are investigated by the editorial board in accordance with COPE flowcharts and guidance. Where appropriate, the author’s institution or other relevant authorities may be contacted. Confirmed findings may result in a correction, retraction, article withdrawal, or expression of concern, depending on the nature and severity of the case.