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Author Instructions

7.2.1 Acceptable Use
Authors may use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Jasper) to create or edit figures and images, ensuring compliance with OAE’s
editorial and ethical standards.

7.2.2 Accuracy
AI-generated figures must accurately reflect the data in the manuscript. Authors are responsible for ensuring data integrity
and proper representation.
7.2.3 Acknowledgment
If AI tools are used for figures, authors must disclose this in the manuscript, including the tool’s name, version, model,
source, input prompts, and output.
7.2.4 Ethical Compliance
AI-generated content must adhere to ethical standards, avoiding plagiarism or misrepresentation. Authors must verify the
accuracy of AI-generated content.

7.2.5 Supplementary Files
Authors are encouraged to submit AI prompts and outputs as supplementary files for transparency.

7.2.6 Disclosure in Methods
The use of AI tools should also be disclosed in the methods section if applicable.

7.2.7 Legal Compliance
Authors should ensure AI-generated content complies with copyright and intellectual property laws.

7.3 AI Use in Peer Review
Confidentiality requirements:
• Reviewers must not upload manuscripts/materials to AI platforms, as this:
1. Violates OAE’s confidentiality policies
2. Risks intellectual property infringement
3. May compromise personal data in identifiable content
Review integrity standards:
• Peer review must remain human-driven - AI tools cannot replace critical scholarly judgment.
• Reviewers must not use AI for manuscript evaluation due to risks of:
1. Inaccurate/incomplete assessments
2. Algorithmic bias
Declaration requirement: Reviewers retain full accountability for their reports, if any aspect of the manuscript’s evaluation
was supported in any way by an AI tool, reviewers must explicitly disclose it in their report.
OAE will periodically reassess this policy to align with technological advancements and academic standards.
8. Conflict of Interests
OAE journals require authors to declare any possible financial and/or non-financial conflicts of interest at the end of their
manuscript and in the cover letter, as well as confirm this point when submitting their manuscript in the submission system.
If no conflicts of interest exist, authors need to state “The authors declare no conflicts of interest”. We also recognize that
some authors may be bound by confidentiality agreements, in which cases authors need to sate “The authors declare that
they are bound by confidentiality agreements that prevent them from disclosing their competing interests in this work”.
9. Editorial Process
9.1 Initial check
9.1.1 Initial manuscript check
Our in-house editorial team will ensure that you have uploaded all necessary files in usable format and that you have
provided all the information we require. If your manuscript does not meet one or more of these requirements, we will return
it for further revisions.
9.1.2 Publishing ethics
All manuscripts submitted to MRR are screened using iThenticate powered by CrossCheck to identify any plagiarized
content. Your study must also meet all ethical requirements as outlined in our Editorial Policies. If the manuscript does not
pass any of these checks, we may return it to you for further revisions or decline to consider your study for publication.

9.2 Editorial assessment

Microbiome Research Reports XV