Manuscript Preparation

File requirements (for double-blind review)

Upload two separate files:

  1. Title Page (with author identifiers)
  2. Main Manuscript (blinded) — no author names/affiliations, no institutional identifiers that reveal authorship.

General formatting

  • Language: English (clear scientific style)
  • Font: 12-point, readable font (Times New Roman/Arial)
  • Line spacing: double
  • Pages: numbered consecutively
  • Units: SI units (and conventional units in parentheses when needed)
  • Abbreviations: define at first mention; avoid excessive abbreviations

Title Page must include

  • Full title and short running title
  • Authors’ full names, affiliations, and highest degrees (optional)
  • Corresponding author details (email, address, phone optional)
  • Author contributions (recommended, e.g., CRediT roles)
  • Funding statement
  • Conflict of interest statement
  • Acknowledgments (if any)

Main Manuscript must include (as applicable)

  • Title (no authors)
  • Abstract + 3–6 keywords
  • Main text (see structures below)
  • References (Vancouver style)
  • Tables and figure legends (figures uploaded separately)

Declarations: ethics approval, consent, conflicts, funding, data availability (as applicable)