Graphical Abstract

PURPOSE

What is a graphical abstract?

A Graphical Abstract serves as a concise visual summary of the key findings within an article, analogous to a text-based abstract. Its primary purpose is to enable rapid comprehension of the article's core message, stimulate reader interest, and ultimately enhance the probability of the full article being accessed. Consequently, authors must dedicate significant attention and effort to the design of the graphical abstract, as it represents the initial entry point to their scholarly contribution.

TIMING & RESPONSIBILITY

Creation and submission process

The author is solely responsible for the creation of the graphical abstract. This submission will undergo rigorous evaluation, verification, and potential refinement by the editorial board to ensure both accuracy and completeness.

The process for graphical abstract creation will commence only after the article has been formally accepted for publication and the author has been notified of the final peer review result by the editorial board. Following this notification, the author is required to produce the graphical abstract and submit it to the editorial board concurrently with the revised text abstract for subsequent review and editing.

FILE SPECIFICATIONS

Graphical abstract specifications

FROM FINDINGS TO A VISUAL SUMMARY

Five steps to prepare your graphical abstract

Authors must adhere to the following steps when developing their graphical abstract:

1. Identify core content

   Select one to three of the most critical findings or key conclusions presented in the article.

2. Structure and layout

   Allocate distinct visual space for arranging content elements corresponding to each key issue. Authors are strongly encouraged to utilize the journal's official graphical abstract template.

3. Inclusion of textual elements

   Incorporate the article title, the author's name, and the key findings into the template.

4. Visual representation

   Utilize images, icons, and symbols to effectively convey each identified point. It is imperative that all visual elements employed (images, icons, and symbols) do not infringe upon existing copyrights. They must either be the author's original work or available under an open license (e.g., Creative Commons). The editorial team reserves the right to reject submissions containing copyrighted material.

5. Accuracy verification

   Conduct a final, thorough check to confirm the accuracy and fidelity of the information presented in the graphical abstract with respect to the accepted manuscript.