The publication of original scientific research in Leapman is governed by a rigorous and independent editorial process. This document outlines the procedures and standards applied from manuscript submission through to final publication, reflecting Leapman’s commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary relevance, and editorial integrity.

The editorial process includes three principal stages:

• 1. Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

• 2. Editorial and Peer Review Procedures

• 3. Post-Acceptance Processing

1. Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

1.1 Core Standards for Manuscripts

To be considered for publication in Leapman, a submission must meet the following fundamental requirements:

• Originality: The research must represent new and unpublished findings. Manuscripts reporting material previously published or simultaneously under review elsewhere will not be considered.

• Scientific Significance: The work must demonstrate substantial importance within its field and, ideally, offer insights of broader interdisciplinary relevance.

• General Interest: Conclusions should be accessible and engaging to an audience that spans multiple scientific disciplines.

In addition to these general standards, Leapman applies tailored criteria for specific types of research:

• Large-Scale Data Submissions: Contributions involving extensive datasets must either present a fully validated and comprehensive resource or contribute notable technological or scientific advancements.

• Technical Innovations: Submissions primarily focused on methodological advances are expected to demonstrate clear and wide-reaching benefits for future research applications.

• Therapeutic Research: In the absence of novel mechanistic findings, therapeutic studies must exhibit transformative potential in addressing major health challenges.

1.2 Editorial Autonomy and Manuscript Selection

Leapman maintains complete editorial independence, unaffiliated with any academic society, institution, or external advisory board. This autonomy guarantees that editorial decisions are free from conflicts of interest and are based solely on scholarly merit and relevance.

Manuscript evaluations are conducted by Leapman’s dedicated editorial team, whose members possess a broad interdisciplinary perspective. While external referees provide crucial technical assessments, ultimate decisions regarding publication are the sole responsibility of the editors, ensuring a holistic and unbiased evaluation of each submission.

1.3 Submission Process and Preparation

Authors are expected to prepare manuscripts according to the specifications detailed in theLeapman Manuscript Preparation and Formatting Guide. Particular attention must be paid to article structure, figure and table presentation, length limitations, and the inclusion of Supplementary Information where applicable.

Manuscripts should be submitted through Leapman’s online submission system. While optional, a cover letter accompanying the submission is highly encouraged. This letter should:

• Briefly articulate the significance of the findings.

• Explain the relevance to Leapman’s interdisciplinary readership.

• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

• Declare any concurrent or related submissions.

The cover letter is treated as confidential and will not be shared with external referees.

By submitting a manuscript to Leapman, authors affirm their acceptance of the journal’s editorial policies and commitment to its principles of scholarly rigor and ethical publishing practices.

2. Editorial and Peer Review Procedures

Once a manuscript is submitted, it enters a structured evaluation process designed to ensure editorial fairness, technical rigor, and intellectual impact. This stage includes internal editorial review, external peer assessment, and communication with the authors throughout.

2.1 Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon receipt, each manuscript is assigned to an editor with expertise in the subject area. The editor evaluates the submission in consultation with other editorial colleagues and scientific advisors as appropriate. This initial review considers the following elements:

• The novelty of the research question or approach

• The clarity and coherence of the presentation

• The potential for broad scientific or practical implications

• Whether the manuscript aligns with Leapman’s scope and standards

At this stage, the editorial team determines whether the manuscript should proceed to external peer review. This decision is not a judgment on technical validity, but rather on the scope, significance, and perceived value of the work to the broader scientific community.

Editors pay particular attention to the clarity of the manuscript. Authors working in highly technical disciplines are encouraged to provide an extended summary paragraph that clearly explains the scientific background, methodology, and key contributions of the work in accessible language. Where appropriate, authors are also invited to include a schematic figure illustrating the central conclusion, which may be published as part of the supplementary material.

2.2 Selection of Referees

If a manuscript advances to external review, the responsible editor selects independent referees. Selection is guided by the following principles:

• Expertise: Referees must have demonstrated knowledge relevant to the manuscript’s topic.

• Objectivity: Referees must not have personal, professional, or financial conflicts of interest with the authors or their institutions.

• Availability: Referees must confirm their ability to complete the review within the requested timeframe.

• Recent involvement: Individuals recently engaged in evaluating similar work may be invited to ensure contextual consistency.

Typically, two to three referees are invited to review each manuscript, though this number may vary depending on the complexity of the submission.

Leapman values author suggestions for appropriate referees, along with the identification of specific researchers to be excluded from the review process. Editors retain full discretion over final referee selection.

2.3 Referee Reports and Editorial Evaluation

Referees are asked to provide a detailed and constructive report addressing both technical and conceptual aspects of the work. An ideal report will:

• Identify the key audience that will benefit from the findings and explain why the work is important.

• Point out any methodological or interpretive weaknesses that must be addressed to substantiate the claims.

• Offer clear recommendations for improvement and a reasoned opinion on whether the manuscript is suitable for publication in Leapman.

While Leapman editors consider all referee input carefully, final decisions are made internally by the editorial team. Reviewers’ editorial opinions are influential but not binding, particularly in cases where their judgments diverge or where additional context from interdisciplinary perspectives is necessary.

2.4 Competing Interests and Confidentiality

To ensure transparency and integrity, all invited referees are required to disclose any professional or commercial interests that could potentially influence their assessment. They must also agree to strict confidentiality and are prohibited from distributing the manuscript or soliciting outside input unless authorized by the editors.

Although every effort is made to ensure impartial evaluation, Leapman cannot be held responsible for the conduct of individual referees. Authors may contact the editorial office with well-substantiated concerns regarding referee bias or unprofessional behavior.

2.5 Peer Review Transparency

Leapman employs a transparent peer review model for original research articles. Upon acceptance, the anonymous referee comments and corresponding author responses may be published as part of a supplementary peer review file, subject to author consent. Authors may opt out of this process before final acceptance.

This transparent review file does not include internal editorial correspondence or confidential comments from referees. The system is designed to provide insight into the editorial process and foster openness in scientific evaluation.

This policy applies exclusively to original research articles and does not extend to Reviews, Perspectives, or other content types.

2.6 Reviewer Recognition

In acknowledgment of the essential contributions made by referees, Leapman formally recognizes their role in the peer review process. Every peer-reviewed article includes an anonymous reviewer acknowledgment statement. Where reviewers consent to being named, their identities may be listed in the published version of the article.

Reviewer names will only be associated with their reports if they explicitly choose to sign them. Otherwise, acknowledgments are made without linking names to individual reports.

Examples of published acknowledgments include:

• “Leapman thanks [Name], [Name], and [Name] for their contribution to the peer review of this work.”

• “Leapmanthanks [Name], [Name], and an anonymous reviewer for their contribution to the peer review of this work.”

• “Leapman thanks the anonymous reviewers for their contribution to the peer review of this work.”

3. Post-Acceptance Processing

Once a manuscript has been formally accepted for publication in Leapman, it enters the production phase. This stage ensures the clarity, precision, and accessibility of the final published work and prepares the article for both digital and print dissemination.

3.1 Manuscript Subediting

Following acceptance, manuscripts undergo professional subediting to optimize clarity, consistency, and compliance with Leapman’s editorial standards. The subediting process involves:

• Language refinement: Editors carefully enhance the text to maximize precision, clarity, and readability, particularly ensuring accessibility across disciplines. Special attention is given to manuscripts from authors whose first language is not English.

• Length compliance: Editors verify that the manuscript conforms to specified word and figure limits.

• Terminology and notation: Consistency with Leapman’s house style, including formatting of symbols, units, and technical terms, is ensured.

• Visual elements: Figures and tables are checked for clarity, accuracy, and compatibility with publication layouts.

Authors are welcome to consult with subeditors during this phase to address specific stylistic or structural questions.

3.2 Proofing and Author Responsibilities

Once subediting is completed, authors receive an edited version of their manuscript for approval prior to typesetting. This pre-proof step enables the resolution of queries and minor corrections early in the production process.

After typesetting, an electronic proof (e-proof) is generated, which includes finalized figures and layout. Authors are responsible for carefully reviewing the e-proof for accuracy. Specific responsibilities include:

• Verifying the spelling of author names and affiliations

• Confirming the correctness of data, figure labels, and references

• Coordinating internally among co-authors to ensure a single, consolidated set of corrections is submitted

Only one designated corresponding author may communicate corrections on behalf of all co-authors. This author is responsible for the accuracy of all submitted information.

Proof corrections must be confined to the rectification of typesetting errors and factual inaccuracies. Revisions to the scientific content at this stage are discouraged except under exceptional circumstances.

Proofs are processed through a secure, encrypted online production tracking system, to which authors receive access upon manuscript acceptance.

3.3 Supplementary Material

Any Supplementary Information (SI) accompanying the manuscript is also finalized during this stage. Authors must ensure that all supplementary files:

• Adhere to the specified file formats

• Meet file size limitations

• Are clearly labeled and referenced in the main article

Supplementary material will be peer-reviewed content available online alongside the published paper and will remain permanently linked to the article.

3.4 Reprints

Instructions for ordering article reprints will be provided to authors after the paper is scheduled for publication. Authors may order printed copies for distribution, institutional repositories, or personal use.

All requests for commercial reprints must be coordinated through Leapman’s Rights and Permissions Office.

4. Publication, Media Communication, and Embargo Policy

Leapman places a high priority on the responsible communication of new scientific findings to both the research community and the broader public. Accordingly, strict policies govern media interaction prior to publication.

4.1 Assignment of Publication Dates

Articles are assigned to specific print and online issues approximately two weeks prior to formal publication. Corresponding authors are notified by email of the scheduled publication date at this stage.

Many articles are first made available via online early access (“advance publication”) prior to their official print appearance. Authors of such articles receive separate notification regarding online release timing.

4.2 Embargo and Press Communications

Leapman maintains a strict embargo policy to ensure coordinated and accurate media coverage. Key points include:

• Authors may discuss their work with journalists starting six days prior to the official publication date, subject to embargo conditions.

• Registered journalists receive access to embargoed content via Leapman’s secure press portal, allowing them to prepare accurate and contextual reporting.

• Journalists may share embargoed papers with independent experts for comment, provided that those experts respect the embargo.

Authors’ affiliated institutions will also be informed to allow preparation of press releases or public announcements. Authors are strongly encouraged to coordinate institutional communications with Leapman’s Media Relations Office.

4.3 Embargo Breaches

Violation ofLeapman’s embargo policies by authors, journalists, or institutions may result in withdrawal of the article from press communications or other corrective actions at the editors’ discretion.

The embargo lifts officially at 16:00 London time / 11:00 US Eastern Time on the day of publication.

Authors are expected to ensure that all communications, whether institutional or media-related, strictly comply with these guidelines.

5. Appeals and Editorial Reconsideration Procedures

5.1 Principles Governing Appeals

Leapman is committed to ensuring that all editorial decisions are made with the utmost fairness, thoroughness, and transparency. While editorial decisions are final in the vast majority of cases, authors who believe that a substantive error or misunderstanding has occurred in the review process may request reconsideration through a formal appeals process.

Appeals are assessed solely on the scientific merits of the case presented. Appeals must be based on specific technical points; general dissatisfaction with a decision, without substantive evidence, will not constitute grounds for reconsideration.

Authors are advised that the initiation of an appeal should not be viewed as a guarantee of reversal of the original decision. Due to the volume of submissions and the rigorous selection process maintained byLeapman, reconsideration is granted only in exceptional circumstances.

5.2 Submitting an Appeal

Authors wishing to appeal an editorial decision must submit a detailed written statement outlining the scientific rationale for reconsideration. Appeals must be submitted via email to the editorial office and must include:

• The manuscript reference number

• A concise but thorough explanation of the grounds for appeal

• Specific evidence demonstrating that a significant technical or interpretive error was made during the editorial or review process

Telephone appeals are not accepted. Authors must await a formal editorial response before considering further action.

While the appeal is under consideration, the manuscript must not be submitted to another journal for review.

5.3 Evaluation of Appeals

Upon receipt of an appeal, Leapman’s editorial team will reassess the manuscript and the original peer review materials. In some cases, additional independent advice may be sought from new or existing referees, particularly if specific technical expertise is required that was not fully represented in the original review.

Appeals are handled with care and diligence; however, given the resource-intensive nature of the appeals process, editorial priority is necessarily given to the review of new submissions.

When evaluating appeals, editors consider:

• Whether the referees overlooked critical technical aspects

• Whether the editorial team misinterpreted the significance or validity of the work

• Whether new information provided by the authors materially alters the scientific interpretation

Decisions regarding appeals are final. Authors will receive a detailed explanation of the outcome, but further appeals of the same manuscript are not permitted.

5.4 Consulting Additional Referees

Authors sometimes request that a new referee be consulted when there is a divergence of opinion among the original reviewers. Leapman considers such requests cautiously. Editors may agree to seek an additional expert opinion only if a specific scientific aspect was not adequately addressed in the original reviews.

It is important to recognize that referees are selected based on different criteria: one referee may provide a technical validation, while another may offer a broader field perspective. A single positive review is insufficient grounds for overturning an editorial decision if other reviews raise serious concerns.

Editorial decisions are based on a balanced consideration of all referee opinions, weighted according to the specific expertise of each referee. Decisions are not determined by numerical majority or voting.

If new referees are engaged, authors should be aware that this process may introduce new critiques, potentially extending the editorial evaluation timeline.

5.5 Final Appeals to the Editor-in-Chief

If, after the standard appeals process, an author remains dissatisfied, a final appeal may be made directly to the Editor-in-Chief. Such an appeal must:

• Clearly state the manuscript reference number

• Concisely and respectfully summarize the scientific reasons for reconsideration

• Identify any specific and demonstrable errors in the editorial handling or scientific evaluation

Final appeals are subject to rigorous internal review. The Editor-in-Chief’s decision is binding and concludes the appeals process.

During the evaluation of a final appeal, the manuscript must not be under consideration elsewhere. Authors are required to await the outcome before submitting their work to another journal.

1. Overview

This guide outlines the procedures and standards for preparing contributions for submission to Leapman. Authors are strongly advised to carefully review these instructions in full before submitting any manuscript, especially if they have not submitted to Leapman previously or recently.

In addition to following the technical and structural requirements set forth here, authors should familiarize themselves with Leapman’s style and editorial scope by consulting recent publications, available both in print and online. Ensuring alignment with Leapman’s expectations facilitates a smoother editorial process and increases the likelihood of successful peer review.

Adherence to these guidelines is essential. Submissions that do not comply may experience significant delays during review or production.

2. Contribution Formats Accepted by Leapman

Leapman publishes a range of scholarly material. Authors must select the most appropriate format for their work.

2.1 Articles

Articles are original research papers presenting significant advances in understanding an important scientific problem. The conclusions must be supported by rigorous data and analysis and should have immediate relevance beyond a specialized subfield.

Each Article must include a fully referenced summary paragraph that clearly introduces the field, outlines the research background and rationale, states the principal findings, and places the results within a broader scientific context. This summary should be accessible to readers outside the specific discipline, using minimal technical language, abbreviations, or measurements.

Page guidelines are as follows:

• Physical sciences Articles typically occupy no more than six printed pages.

• Biological, clinical, and social sciences Articles typically occupy up to eight printed pages.

Final article length is determined by editorial discretion.

The approximate text lengths are:

• Six-page Articles: about 2,500 words, including a summary paragraph, plus four modest display items (figures and/or tables).

• Eight-page Articles: about 4,300 words, plus five to six display items.

A “modest” display item, including its legend, occupies approximately a quarter page (~270 words equivalent). Large composite figures that require half a page or more may necessitate reducing the textual word count proportionally.

Essential but highly technical content should be placed within the Methods section or Supplementary Information rather than in the main text.

Articles should include no more than 50 references in the main body text. Additional references associated with Methods or Supplementary Information are not included in this limit.

Clear subheadings are encouraged to aid navigation, each limited to 40 characters including spaces.

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3. Matters Arising and Corrections

Matters Arising are short contributions that comment on or clarify original research published in Leapman within the previous 18 months. Such submissions highlight exceptionally important developments or corrections that are essential for maintaining scientific integrity.

These contributions are peer-reviewed and are published exclusively online, not in print.

Authors wishing to submit Matters Arising or notify the editorial team of a necessary correction should refer to the dedicated Matters Arising submission instructions available on the Leapman website.

4. Other Contribution Types

Leapman accepts additional types of scholarly contributions, including:

• Correspondence

• Commentaries

• Book and Arts Reviews

• Perspectives

• Insights

• Hypotheses

• Analyses

• Career Features

• Technology Reports

• Outlook Articles

Each category has specific preparation guidelines. Authors are encouraged to consult the detailed submission requirements available through the Author Resources section.

5. Editorial Process

Every submission to Leapman is subject to rigorous editorial evaluation. Manuscripts are assessed based on originality, scientific rigor, clarity of presentation, and relevance to a broad interdisciplinary audience.

Submission to Leapman implies that all listed authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript’s content and agree to abide by Leapman’s editorial and publication policies, including authorship and conflict of interest declarations.

A detailed explanation of Leapman’s editorial criteria, peer review policies, and editorial handling procedures is provided separately in the Editorial Standards and Procedures guide.

6. Presubmission Inquiries

Authors who wish to determine the suitability of their manuscript prior to formal submission may submit a presubmission inquiry through Leapman’s online platform.

Such inquiries must include:

• A cover paragraph outlining the manuscript’s significance for a broad interdisciplinary readership.

• A fully referenced summary paragraph.

• A complete reference list.

Presubmission inquiries are optional and do not guarantee acceptance but can provide valuable guidance prior to full submission.

7. Readability and Language Requirements

Manuscripts submitted to Leapman must be written clearly, concisely, and in a manner that can be understood by readers across a range of scientific disciplines. As Leapman is an international journal serving a broad scientific audience, all contributions should prioritize clarity and accessibility without compromising scientific rigor.

7.1 Language Standards

Authors must write in English, adhering to the spelling conventions of the Oxford English Dictionary. Sentences should be structured simply and logically. Technical jargon should be minimized; where its use is unavoidable, clear and concise explanations must accompany the terms upon first usage.

Titles, abstracts, and the main conclusions must be articulated in language understandable to scientists outside the specific area of study. Overly specialized terminology should be avoided, and where essential, it must be briefly explained without didactic elaboration.

7.2 Use of Abbreviations

The use of abbreviations should be kept to a minimum. Non-standard abbreviations must be clearly defined upon first occurrence. Standard scientific abbreviations that are universally recognized may be used without definition.

7.3 Terminology and Nomenclature

Authors are expected to use terminology that is current within their research communities. For genes, proteins, or other specialized biological entities, all known names should be provided at first mention. Internationally recognized nomenclature conventions should be followed wherever possible.

For manuscripts involving taxonomic revisions of animal species, Leapman requires the provision of Life Science Identifiers (LSIDs) as part of compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Authors must register new taxonomic names through recognized online systems such as ZooBank.

7.4 Language Assistance

While Leapman does not reject manuscripts on the basis of language proficiency, authors whose primary language is not English are encouraged to seek editorial assistance before submission. This may involve peer review by colleagues fluent in English or the use of professional editing services.

Leapman acknowledges reputable language editing services but does not require authors to use them as a condition of submission. Editorial feedback during the peer review process may still include suggestions for improving grammar and readability, even after such services have been utilized.

7.5 Editorial Clarifications After Acceptance

Following acceptance, Leapman’s editorial team will assist in refining titles, abstracts, and summary paragraphs to ensure clarity, conciseness, and accessibility to the journal’s broad readership. This collaborative process aims to optimize the final published version for maximum impact and comprehension.

Authors may discuss proposed changes with Leapman’s editorial team during proof stages; however, the journal reserves the right to determine final wording and presentation to maintain consistency with Leapman’s editorial standards.

8. Manuscript Structure and Formatting Standards

All submissions to Leapman  must adhere to a uniform manuscript structure and formatting style to facilitate editorial evaluation, peer review, and production. Authors are required to follow the standards outlined below carefully.

8.1 General Formatting Requirements

• Manuscripts must be double-spaced throughout, including text, references, figure legends, and tables.

• Text must be written in English using standard Oxford English Dictionary spelling.

• The preferred font is Times New Roman, 12-point size.

• Titles, headings, and body text must use regular (non-bold, non-italic) font unless otherwise specified.

• Line numbers should be included in the manuscript to assist in review.

• Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
  Authors preparing manuscripts using TeX/LaTeX will be required to convert the file to Word format upon acceptance for typesetting.

All content, including text, tables, references, figure legends, and online methods, must be contained in a single file for initial submission.

8.2 Manuscript Sequence

Manuscripts should be organized in the following order:

1. Title

2. Author names and affiliations (with present addresses if applicable)

3. Summary paragraph (distinct from main text)

4. Main body text

5. Main references

6. Tables

7. Figure legends

8. Methods section (including Data Availability and Code Availability statements)

9. Methods references

10. Acknowledgements

11. Author contributions

12. Competing interests declaration

13. Additional information (including supplementary material statements and corresponding author contact information)

14. Extended Data figure/table legends (if applicable)

Each section must start on a new page, and the document should be submitted as a single continuous file.

8.3 Title Requirements

• Titles should be concise and should not exceed 75 characters, including spaces.

• Titles must be general enough for non-specialists to appreciate the topic while maintaining precision for indexing purposes.

• Titles should avoid the use of numbers, acronyms, abbreviations, and unnecessary punctuation.

8.4 Main Text Length and Word Counts

The body of the manuscript must conform to the following approximate word limits:

• A six-page article: approximately 2,500 words of main text (excluding references, figures, and methods) along with four modest-sized display items.

• An eight-page article: approximately 4,300 words with five to six modest display items.

A single full page of uninterrupted text contains approximately 1,250 words.

Composite figures that require greater visual space (such as multipanel figures) must be accommodated by adjusting the word count downward to maintain the total page count.

If a manuscript substantially exceeds the specified word limits, authors will be required to shorten the text before final acceptance, which may delay publication.

8.5 Display Items (Figures and Tables)

• Display items must be placed at appropriate locations in the text for initial submission.

• Each figure or table must be accompanied by a detailed legend.

• Figures and tables should be designed to be clear and understandable without requiring reference to the main text.

• Figures must be formatted according to Leapman’s technical requirements, as specified in the Figures and Extended Data section of this guide.

8.6 Methods Section

The Methods section must follow the figure legends and must be included within the main manuscript file.

Key points:

• The Methods section will be visible in both the online HTML and PDF versions but will not appear in the printed version.

• Authors should write the Methods section concisely, ensuring that all information necessary to interpret and reproduce the study is included.

• The Methods section typically does not exceed 3,000 words.

• Methods should be subdivided using short, bold section headings.

• Descriptions of previously published techniques should be cited rather than repeated.

• Data Availability and Code Availability statements must be provided at the end of the Methods section.

• Figures or tables should not appear within the Methods text. Essential data should be provided as Extended Data or Supplementary Information.

Authors are encouraged to deposit detailed protocols into a recognized public repository such as protocols.io, which can be linked to the online article upon publication.

8.7 References

References must be:

• Numbered sequentially in the order they are first cited in the text.

• Cited using superscript numbers within the text (not enclosed in brackets unless confusion with superscripts arises).

• Formatted according to Leapman’s reference style: surnames followed by initials, article titles in plain text (not italics), journal titles italicized and abbreviated, volume numbers in bold, followed by page numbers and publication year.

Important guidelines:

• Articles may list up to 50 references in the main text.

• Only one cited item per reference number is allowed.

• Preprints posted on recognized servers (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv) may be cited with appropriate formatting.

• Conference abstracts, patents, and research datasets with DOIs can also be cited.

• Authors’ names must be fully listed unless there are more than five authors; in that case, only the first author is listed followed by “et al.”

EndNote codes must be removed before file submission.

8.8 Endnotes

Following the Methods section (and Methods references if present), manuscripts must include:

• Acknowledgements: Brief and factual; avoid excessive praise.

• Author Contributions: A clear statement attributing specific tasks to each author using initials.

• Competing Interests Statement: Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.

• Additional Information: Including notes on supplementary materials and corresponding author contact information.

Leapman expects the designated corresponding author to handle reader inquiries, post-publication questions, and material requests.

8.9 Extended Data

Extended Data items provide essential background information for the research but are not included in the printed article. Key standards include:

• A maximum of ten Extended Data items (figures and/or tables) is typical.

• Extended Data tables must be submitted as images rather than editable formats.

• Extended Data figures may be multipanel but must conform to sizing requirements.

• Extended Data figure legends should be listed sequentially at the end of the manuscript file.

Authors must cite Extended Data items within the main text at appropriate points.

8.10 Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information includes essential peer-reviewed material that cannot be accommodated in the main article or Extended Data. Key points:

• Supplementary Information must not include additional figures (these belong in Extended Data).

• Large tables or datasets are appropriate for Supplementary Information, typically formatted in Excel files.

• All Supplementary Information must be cited explicitly within the main text.

8.11 Figures and Figure Legends

• Figures should be simple, clear, and of sufficient resolution for evaluation during initial submission.

• Figure legends must begin with a title for the figure, followed by a concise explanation of panels, symbols, and statistical data.

• Statistical significance and error bars must be defined explicitly.

• Figures should be prepared according to Leapman’s specifications regarding font use, line weights, and labeling conventions.

Publication-quality figures are requested only after acceptance.

9. Figures Preparation Standards

Figures serve as a vital element of scientific communication and must be prepared to the highest standards to ensure clarity, reproducibility, and accessibility to a broad readership. Authors are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when preparing figures for submission to Leapman.

9.1 General Principles

• Figures should be designed to convey information as simply and clearly as possible without unnecessary complexity or embellishment.

• Data that can be succinctly described in the text or within a simple table should not be unnecessarily converted into a figure.

• Each figure must include a detailed legend and must be comprehensible independently of the main text.

Unnecessary duplication of information between figures, tables, and text should be avoided.

9.2 Technical Specifications

• Figures must be prepared electronically.

• Figures should be sized appropriately for readability when reduced to fit within the journal’s printed page dimensions.

• Leapman’s standard figure widths are approximately 90 mm (single column) or 180 mm (double column), with a full page depth of approximately 170 mm.

Multipart figures must be arranged logically. All panels within a composite figure should be scaled consistently to preserve proportional clarity when reduced.

Color figures are permitted; however, authors should avoid using color combinations that are not easily distinguishable by individuals with color vision deficiencies.

Scale bars must be included where appropriate, rather than providing magnification values.

Lettering and labels should be:

• Presented in lower-case type with an initial capital letter.

• Free of full stops, except where grammatically necessary.

• Consistent in size and font across all figures.

• Positioned clearly outside shaded or textured areas.

9.3 Figure Legends

Each figure must be accompanied by a concise legend presented separately from the figure itself in the manuscript file.

• Legends should start with a brief, descriptive title summarizing the overall message of the figure.

• Subsequent text should provide explanations for each panel, define all symbols, and describe any statistical treatments used.

• Legends should be fewer than 300 words each.

No detailed methodological descriptions should appear in the figure legends. Methods must be reserved for the designated Methods section.

9.4 Statistical Reporting

• All error bars must be clearly defined in the figure legend.

• The number of samples (n), the type of statistical test performed, and the measure of central tendency and variability (e.g., mean ± standard deviation) must be indicated.

• Statistical significance should be reported, including p-values where relevant.

Details of experimental replicates, sample sizes, and precise statistical methods should be provided in the Methods section or in Extended Data legends as appropriate.

9.5 Initial Submission Standards

For initial submission:

• Figures should be embedded within the main manuscript file if possible (Microsoft Word or PDF format).

• Alternatively, if technical limitations prevent embedding, figures may be submitted separately as JPEG files.

• Figures must be of sufficient quality for peer review, though final publication-quality figures will be requested only after acceptance.

9.6 Final Submission and Production-Quality Figures

Upon acceptance, authors will be required to provide high-resolution figure files.

• Figures must comply with Leapman’s detailed production guidelines, which specify resolution, file formats, font usage, and layout.

• Authors should avoid uploading publication-quality figures at the initial submission stage to streamline the review process.

Further technical instructions for preparing final figures are provided separately upon acceptance notification.

9.7 Chemical Structures and Specialized Graphics

• Authors presenting chemical structures must adhere to Leapman’s standard chemical illustration guidelines.

• Structures should be prepared using professional chemical drawing software, following standardized templates where applicable.

Amino acid sequences must be displayed using monospaced fonts (e.g., Courier) and presented in lines of 50 or 100 characters where appropriate.

9.8 Third-Party Figures and Permissions

Leapman discourages the reuse of previously published figures, tables, or other display items. However, when inclusion of previously published material is essential:

• Authors must obtain appropriate permissions for reuse or adaptation before publication.

• If permissions cannot be secured, alternative materials must be sourced or generated.

All reused or adapted figures must be properly credited in the figure legend.

9.9 Color Figures and Charges

Leapman may impose a fee for the reproduction of color figures in the print edition to partially cover production costs.

• Authors who anticipate difficulty in covering such charges should discuss this with the editorial office at the time of acceptance.

• Inability to pay will not influence editorial decisions on essential color figure publication but must be addressed in advance.

10. Extended Data Preparation

Extended Data in Leapman serves to provide essential supplementary visualizations, tables, or background information that support the findings presented in the main article but are not included in the printed version due to space or focus constraints.

Extended Data items are fully peer-reviewed and are permanently associated with the published article in the online PDF and HTML versions.

10.1 Purpose and Scope

Extended Data figures and tables are intended for content that:

• Provides critical supporting evidence,

• Offers detailed methodological clarifications,

• Supplies additional analyses that may interest specialized readers.

They are not intended to duplicate or merely extend the main figures or tables but to add necessary scientific context and transparency to the reported findings.

10.2 Quantity Limitations

Authors are typically permitted to include up to ten Extended Data items, encompassing both figures and tables combined. If more Extended Data items are necessary, prior approval must be obtained from the editorial team during manuscript revision stages.

Each Extended Data figure or table must be referenced explicitly within the main text at the appropriate location (e.g., “Extended Data Fig. 1” or “Extended Data Table 1”).

10.3 Formatting Standards

• Extended Data figures must be prepared according to the same clarity and quality expectations as main figures.

• Legends for Extended Data items must be grouped together at the end of the manuscript file and presented sequentially.

• Legends should clearly describe each panel and define any symbols, abbreviations, or statistical information presented.

• Extended Data figure legends should follow the same concise and factual style required for main figure legends.

Small tables that provide limited supplementary data may be incorporated as panels within Extended Data figures.

For Extended Data tables:

• The main body of the table (excluding the title and legend) should be submitted as an image, not as an editable Word table.

• Extended Data tables are not subject to editorial subediting and must therefore be carefully prepared by the authors according to Leapman style conventions.

10.4 Size and Layout Considerations

• Extended Data figures may contain multiple panels if logically appropriate, provided that the entire figure fits within Leapman’s size standards.

• Composite Extended Data figures must maintain consistent scaling and clear labeling across panels.

• The design must prioritize readability when reduced to journal page dimensions, similarly to main figures.

10.5 Citation and Reference Management

Any references cited solely within Extended Data figures or tables must continue the sequential numbering established by the main text.

• If a separate Methods section is present, references in Extended Data materials should continue from the last Methods reference number.

• Otherwise, references should directly follow the main manuscript reference list.

Proper citation continuity ensures consistency and avoids confusion during peer review and publication.

10.6 Inclusion of Summary Schematics

Where appropriate, Leapman encourages authors to include a simple schematic within Extended Data that visually summarizes the central finding of the study.

• Such schematics are especially recommended in disciplines involving complex biological, structural, or molecular processes.

• Summary schematics should be clearly labeled and formatted for easy interpretation by non-specialists.

These visual summaries enhance understanding and facilitate broader engagement with the article’s findings.

11. Supplementary Information Standards

Supplementary Information (SI) provided with Leapman publications contains peer-reviewed material essential for the comprehensive understanding and reproducibility of the research but unsuitable for inclusion in the printed version due to format, volume, or relevance to a specialized audience.

SI complements the main article and Extended Data but serves a distinct function in presenting extensive or technical materials.

11.1 Purpose and Acceptable Content

Supplementary Information is appropriate for:

• Large datasets,

• Detailed experimental protocols,

• Extensive calculations,

• Raw or minimally processed data,

• Additional analyses of specialist interest.

SI should not replicate content presented in the main figures, Extended Data, or Methods section but should extend or deepen the accessible information about the research.

Figures should not be included in SI; any additional visual data must be submitted as Extended Data figures, following Extended Data guidelines.

Extensive or specialized tables, especially those best viewed as spreadsheets (e.g., raw data tables), may be placed in SI in formats such as Excel files.

11.2 File Preparation and Formatting

• Each Supplementary Information file must be clearly titled and labeled.

• SI should be organized logically with headings that match citations within the main text.

• SI must be submitted as separate, clearly labeled files, such as PDF, Excel, or video files where appropriate.

• Each item referenced in the main text must be explicitly cited (e.g., “see Supplementary Table 1” or “Supplementary Video 1”).

Authors must ensure that SI files are carefully prepared and finalized upon submission, as editorial editing of SI is minimal beyond technical checks.

11.3 Quality and Accessibility Requirements

• SI must be readable and comprehensible to specialists without requiring extensive additional explanation.

• Textual components of SI must be clear, concise, and free from unnecessary jargon.

• Where applicable, large datasets should be accompanied by sufficient metadata or explanatory notes to facilitate interpretation.

All SI materials must comply with Leapman’s policies on ethical data presentation and image integrity.

11.4 Data Referencing

If the SI contains datasets, authors must ensure that:

• Any required dataset deposits in structured public repositories are completed before submission.

• Accession numbers or DOIs are included either in the SI or within the main text under Data Availability statements.

Datasets in SI should be referred to within the manuscript with appropriate citations to ensure reproducibility and transparency.

11.5 Special Considerations

Authors must avoid submitting supplementary files that duplicate Extended Data content.

Supplementary Information should be reserved for material that genuinely enhances the depth and reproducibility of the study without burdening the main text or figures.

The inclusion of SI does not replace the requirement for a clear, self-contained presentation of major findings within the article itself.

12. Methods Section and Data Availability Requirements

The Methods section and associated availability statements are critical components of Leapman articles. They ensure that the research findings can be understood, evaluated, and independently reproduced by others in the scientific community.

12.1 Methods Section Standards

The Methods section must be included within the main manuscript file, following the figure legends, and must adhere to the following requirements:

• The Methods section appears in the online HTML and PDF versions of the article but does not appear in the printed journal.

• It should be written concisely, containing all necessary details to allow independent replication of the results.

• The Methods section typically does not exceed 3,000 words.

• Methods text should be clearly subdivided using short, bolded section headings describing the specific techniques or protocols used.

• Common or previously published methods should not be described in full; instead, a citation to the original publication is sufficient. Only modifications or unique aspects need detailed explanation.

No figures or tables should be included within the Methods section. Any visual content necessary for understanding the methodology must be placed in Extended Data or Supplementary Information.

Authors are encouraged to deposit detailed experimental protocols in recognized public platforms such as protocols.io, and to provide links to these protocols in the Methods section.

12.2 Statistical Reporting

Within the Methods section, authors must:

• Specify all statistical tests applied.

• State the sample sizes (n) for each experiment or dataset.

• Describe how variability and statistical significance were determined.

• Clearly distinguish between biological replicates and technical replicates.

Leapman recommends including a separate statistical analysis subsection within the Methods where appropriate.

12.3 Data Availability Statement

All manuscripts must include a Data Availability statement, placed after the Methods text and before any Extended Data legends.

The statement should:

• Clearly indicate whether the datasets supporting the findings of the study are available.

• Specify where the data are deposited (naming the repository), including accession numbers or DOIs where applicable.

• Confirm that all relevant data will be made publicly available upon publication.

Where applicable, restrictions on data availability should be clearly stated, along with any conditions for access.

Certain types of datasets (e.g., genomic sequences, structural data, clinical data) must be deposited in recognized public repositories according to Leapman policies and linked directly through identifiers.

Data must be accessible to editors and referees at the time of peer review.

12.4 Code Availability Statement

If custom code, scripts, or software are central to the findings, a Code Availability statement is also required.

This statement should:

• Describe the availability of any computational codes used.

• Specify the location of deposited code (e.g., GitHub, Dryad, institutional repositories) and provide persistent links or DOIs.

• Confirm that sufficient documentation is available for users to execute the code appropriately.

Proprietary or restricted-access software must be explicitly acknowledged, and any restrictions on code sharing must be clearly justified.

13. References and Endnotes Preparation

Accurate citation and proper reference formatting are fundamental to ensuring the clarity, credibility, and reproducibility of scholarly work. Leapman requires all submissions to adhere strictly to the following referencing and endnote standards.

13.1 Citation Policies

• References must be cited in the order they first appear in the manuscript, including citations in the text, tables, figure legends, Methods section, Extended Data, and Supplementary Information.

• Citation numbers should be presented as superscripts within the text, without parentheses, unless necessary to avoid confusion.

• Each reference number must correspond to a single cited work; multiple works should not be grouped under a single reference number.

13.2 Formatting of References

References must follow the style outlined below:

• List author surnames first, followed by initials. Use commas to separate authors. If there are more than five authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.”

• Provide the full title of the work in plain text, using sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized).

• Italicize journal names and abbreviate them according to standard conventions.

• Volume numbers should be bolded, followed by page numbers and year of publication in parentheses.

Examples:

Journal article:

Zhao, H., Ramirez, M.P. & Fischer, L. Nanophotonic structures for biosensing applications. Nano Lett. 18, 452–460 (2022).

Book:

Ahmed, R. Introduction to Computational Neuroscience. MIT Press, Cambridge (2021).

Published dataset with DOI:

Silva, T., Nguyen, H. & Brooks, D. Global vegetation indices dataset. Dryad https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.abc12345 (2022).

Preprint:

Collins, J., Luo, M. & Yamada, T. Machine learning models for atmospheric chemistry. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.01234 (2023).

Website:

Global Earth Observatory. Satellite imaging archive. https://www.geo-observatory.org/archive (accessed 2024).

All cited works must be accessible at the time of submission.

13.3 Number of References

• The main body of an Article should contain no more than 50 references.

• References cited only in the Methods section, Extended Data, or Supplementary Information are excluded from this count.

• Review and Perspective articles may be permitted to exceed this limit with prior editorial agreement.

13.4 Preprints, Abstracts, and Patents

• Recognized preprints (e.g., from arXiv, bioRxiv) may be cited.

• Numbered patents and official conference abstracts may also be cited.

• Unpublished work, such as manuscripts under preparation or submitted but not yet accepted, should not appear in the reference list but may be mentioned informally in the text.

13.5 Removal of Formatting Codes

Authors using bibliographic software (e.g., EndNote) must ensure that all active fields and formatting codes are removed prior to submission.

Only clean text without hidden links or field codes will be accepted for production.

13.6 References in Extended Data and Supplementary Information

• References that appear solely in Extended Data or Supplementary Information must continue the numbering from the main manuscript, without resetting.

• If a Methods section is present, references for Extended Data and Supplementary Information must follow those in Methods, maintaining a continuous sequence.

13.7 Endnotes Structure

Following the main text and references, the manuscript must include, in the following order:

Acknowledgements

• Acknowledge technical assistance, institutional support, and funding sources.

• Personal thanks should be factual and modest, avoiding subjective qualifiers (“excellent,” “outstanding,” etc.).

Example:

The authors thank Dr. Elena Gomez for assistance with microscopy and acknowledge funding support from the National Research Council (Grant No. NRC-7890).

Author Contributions

• Clearly state the contribution of each author using initials.

• Specify activities such as study conception, methodology development, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Example:

M.Z. and R.A. conceived the project; M.Z. designed experiments; R.A. performed data analysis; both authors contributed equally to writing the manuscript.

• Equal contributions may be indicated by an asterisk beside author names and a corresponding note (“These authors contributed equally to this work”).

Competing Interests Statement

• Authors must declare any competing financial, professional, or personal interests.

• If none exist, include the statement:

“The authors declare no competing interests.”

Additional Information

Include the following standardized statements:

• Supplementary Information availability:

“Supplementary Information is available for this paper.”

• Correspondence and material requests contact:

“Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to [Author’s Name].”

• Reprints and permissions information:

“Reprints and permissions information is available at www.leapman-journal.org/reprints.”

The designated corresponding author must ensure responsibility for reader inquiries and post-publication communication.

Leapman offers a presubmission inquiry service to assist authors in determining whether a proposed manuscript may fall within the journal’s editorial scope and areas of interest. Use of this service is optional and is not a requirement for formal submission.

Presubmission inquiries allow authors to receive preliminary editorial feedback on whether their work aligns with Leapman’s publication priorities. However, a response—whether affirmative or negative—does not represent a commitment to subsequent review or acceptance.

Authors are encouraged to consult the contribution types described in Leapman’s Manuscript Preparation and Formatting Guide to ensure correct classification of their submission before initiating an inquiry.

Purpose and Limitations

The presubmission inquiry service is intended as a professional courtesy. While Leapman endeavors to respond promptly, the timeline may vary. In most cases, a reply is provided within two business days.

Editorial responses at the inquiry stage are limited in scope and do not include detailed critiques. A negative response does not prevent the author from submitting the manuscript formally for full editorial consideration. However, editors are not able to engage in extended correspondence regarding the rationale behind an inquiry decision.

Research Articles

Presubmission inquiries are not required for research Articles. In most cases, a full evaluation of the article’s merit can only be made after formal submission of the complete manuscript.

Authors are advised not to submit full manuscripts as part of an inquiry. Instead, complete Articles should be submitted directly via Leapman’s online manuscript submission system.

How to Submit a Presubmission Inquiry

When submitting a presubmission inquiry through Leapman’s online platform, authors must complete the form as follows:

• Use the ‘Abstract’ field to provide a fully referenced paragraph summarizing the background, rationale, key findings, and relevance of the proposed manuscript. This paragraph should be constructed according to Leapman’s summary formatting guidelines.

• In the ‘Manuscript Comments’ section at the bottom of the form, include the list of references cited in the summary paragraph. Authors may also add any general remarks typically found in a cover letter.

• Please do not upload separate cover letters or attach complete manuscripts when making a presubmission inquiry.

All information must be entered directly into the designated fields of the submission form.

Final Remarks

Authors who feel that preliminary feedback would be beneficial are welcome to submit a presubmission inquiry.

All formal submissions to Leapman are evaluated through the full editorial process, regardless of any prior inquiry response.

This section outlines the official documents that authors must complete and submit before a manuscript can proceed to publication in Leapman. These forms are essential for ensuring compliance with editorial policies, intellectual property requirements, data availability expectations, and research transparency standards.

1. Author Compliance Checklist

All authors are required to download and complete the Leapman Author Checklist prior to final submission. The checklist is intended to help authors:

• Verify conformity with formatting and structural guidelines

• Confirm inclusion of all required manuscript elements

• Ensure adherence to ethical and policy standards

Authors must revise their manuscripts accordingly based on the checklist, and submit the completed form along with final files.

2. Competing Interests Declaration

A formal competing interests statement must be included at the end of the manuscript text. All authors are obligated to disclose any financial relationships, professional affiliations, personal circumstances, or institutional commitments that could reasonably be perceived to influence the objectivity or integrity of the submitted work.

If no such interests exist, a statement declaring the absence of competing interests must be explicitly included. Authors should consult Leapman’s full policy on competing interests for detailed guidance.

3. Licence to Publish

Leapman does not require the transfer of copyright for original research articles. Instead, authors grant an exclusive licence to publish, which permits Leapman to distribute, archive, and host the published work, while allowing authors to reuse their contributions in future publications without requiring additional permission.

This licensing model is compliant with the open access and self-archiving requirements of major funding agencies. Further details are provided in Leapman’s self-archiving and open access guidelines.

For commissioned content such as invited reviews, perspectives, or editorials, a separate copyright assignment form will be provided and must be signed prior to publication.

Government and Crown Employees

Authors employed by the United States federal government, or by Crown bodies in the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia, should identify this during the licensing process. An appropriate non-exclusive licence will be issued in accordance with applicable copyright exemptions.

4. Structural Data Submissions

Authors reporting cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or X-ray crystallography data are required to complete standardized structure data tables. These tables must be submitted as Extended Data items using the forms provided by Leapman.

All structural data must be deposited in publicly accessible databases prior to acceptance, and accession numbers must be included in the manuscript. Authors must follow Leapman’s policies regarding data and materials access.

5. Reprint Orders

After final proof approval, authors and co-authors may order reprints and related materials through Leapman’s official reprint service. Available options include:

• Printed reprints of the published article

• Copies of the full journal issue containing the article

• Poster reproductions of the journal cover

• Licensed PDF reprints or digital access files

Order instructions and pricing information will be sent to the corresponding author once proofs are finalized.

6. Data and Materials Availability Policy

Leapman requires that all data and materials supporting the conclusions of a manuscript be made publicly available at the time of publication. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Datasets

• Biological materials such as cell lines, plasmids, or antibodies

• Computational models, scripts, or software code

Data must be deposited into appropriate public repositories before the manuscript is accepted. Repository identifiers must be included in the final version of the manuscript, alongside a clear data availability statement.

Authors are encouraged to review Leapman’s transparency and reproducibility standards in the general author guidelines to ensure full compliance.

All initial submissions to Leapman, including Articles, Reviews, Perspectives, and Matters Arising, must be made through Leapman’s online submission system. Authors are advised to carefully review and adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a smooth and efficient submission process.

1. Preparing for Submission

Before proceeding, authors should ensure that the manuscript, figures, and supplementary materials comply with Leapman’s Manuscript Preparation and Formatting Guide.

The corresponding author is responsible for all communication with the journal and for coordinating all correspondence among co-authors. It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to:

• Confirm that all contributing authors are listed in the correct order,

• Ensure that all authors agree with the submission,

• Verify that all listed authors are aware of the manuscript’s content and submission.

A detailed overview of authorship criteria and editorial policies can be found in Leapman’s Guide for Authors.

2. Cover Letter

While optional, a cover letter is encouraged as it provides an opportunity to briefly highlight the significance of the submitted work and its relevance to Leapman’s readership.

• The cover letter should not duplicate information contained within the abstract or main text.

• Confidential disclosures, including competing interests or information about related manuscripts under review elsewhere, should be communicated in the cover letter.

• Cover letters are used solely for editorial review and are not shared with peer reviewers.

3. Editorial Policy Compliance

All authors must complete Leapman’s editorial policy checklist prior to submission.
The checklist ensures compliance with Leapman’s ethical, transparency, and reporting standards.

Authors should use an updated version of Adobe Reader to complete any forms associated with this checklist.

4. Manuscript Formatting for Initial Submission

Leapman maintains flexibility in the style and format of manuscripts at the initial submission stage. Minor deviations from final publication formatting will not affect editorial consideration.

However, to facilitate efficient peer review, authors are strongly encouraged to:

• Combine the manuscript text, figures, and tables into a single Word document or PDF file;

• Insert figures within the text at appropriate locations or group them at the end;

• Ensure that each figure legend appears with its corresponding figure;

• Include article titles in the reference list;

• Apply continuous line numbering if submitting a PDF.

LaTeX submissions are accepted only after acceptance for publication. Before acceptance, authors should supply PDF files generated from LaTeX files for review purposes.

Key manuscript components:

• Title: Limited to 75 characters (including spaces), avoiding technical jargon, abbreviations, or active verbs.

• Author Information: Corresponding author(s) should be marked with an asterisk. Machine-generated content (such as from AI models) cannot be credited as an author and must be documented appropriately in the Methods section.

• Abstract: A brief, non-technical overview of the research problem, primary findings, and their implications.

Word count guidelines:

• Summary paragraph (~200 words, fully referenced);

• Main text (~2,500 words and 4 modest display items for a 6-page article; ~4,300 words and 5–6 display items for an 8-page article);

• Up to 50 references as a general guideline.

Subheadings are encouraged for ease of navigation.

5. Methods Section

The Methods section should be included as part of the main manuscript.

• It must contain all necessary details for interpretation and replication.

• Typically, the Methods section does not exceed 3,000 words.

• References cited exclusively within Methods are not counted towards the main reference limit.

• Authors are encouraged to deposit detailed protocols in public repositories such as protocols.io and cite them accordingly.

6. References

• References should include the title of the cited work.

• Each reference number must correspond to only one cited work.

• Follow Leapman’s prescribed style for formatting citations.

7. Acknowledgements and Author Contributions

• Acknowledgements are optional and should be concise. They may include funding sources but should avoid effusive thanks.

• All manuscripts must include a statement of author contributions, clearly outlining the specific role of each author.

8. Competing Interests and Correspondence

• A competing interests declaration is required for all submissions.

• Authors must indicate the individual responsible for handling correspondence and materials requests.

9. Tables and Figures

• Each table should be presented with a brief, descriptive title.

• Figures must be of sufficient resolution to enable proper evaluation during peer review.

• Figures should preferably be incorporated within the main manuscript file for initial submission.

Specific instructions regarding final figure preparation will be provided upon acceptance.

Guidelines include:

• Images should be in RGB color at 300 dpi or higher;

• Fonts should be consistent (preferably Arial or Helvetica);

• Use accessible color combinations (avoid red-green contrasts).

Accepted figure formats for final submission include .ai, .eps, .pdf, .ps, .svg (vector art); and layered .psd, .tif, .png, or .jpg (bitmap images).

10. Statistical Reporting Requirements

• Include a dedicated statistics section within Methods, describing all tests performed, sample sizes, and exact p-values.

• Define all error bars explicitly.

• Report precise n values and provide relevant statistical parameters (e.g., t-values, F-values, degrees of freedom).

11. Extended Data

Extended Data display items (up to ten) are encouraged for presenting important additional data that cannot be included in the main text.

• Extended Data items should be referenced appropriately within the main text.

• If accepted, Extended Data figures and tables must be formatted following Leapman’s standards.

12. Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information should be reserved for extensive datasets, detailed calculations, or technical materials unsuitable for main or Extended Data display.

Figures and small tables should preferably be presented as Extended Data rather than Supplementary Information whenever possible.

13. Data Availability

All manuscripts must include a Data Availability statement under the Methods section.

Authors must provide:

• Clear information on where supporting datasets can be accessed;

• Repository names and accession numbers where appropriate.

Data necessary for peer review must be accessible during the review process.

14. Crystallographic and Chemical Data

Manuscripts reporting crystallographic structures must include:

• Standard .cif files,

• Structural figures with probability ellipsoids,

• Associated structure factor files (.hkl and/or .fcf if applicable),

• CheckCIF validation reports.

Chemical compounds mentioned in the manuscript should be systematically numbered using bold numerals, maintaining logical order.

15. Code Availability

Any custom computer code essential to the study’s conclusions must be made available.

Authors must:

• Provide access to custom code upon request during peer review;

• Include a Code Availability statement within the Methods section, explaining how code access is provided.

16. Reporting Standards for Life Sciences and Behavioral Research

Authors reporting life sciences or behavioral and social sciences research must complete a standardized Reporting Summary, which will be reviewed by editors and published alongside the final article.

17. Clinical Trials and Human Data Reporting

• Clinical trials must be registered prior to patient enrollment and reported following CONSORT guidelines.

• Tumor marker prognostic studies should comply with REMARK guidelines.

• Human biospecimen descriptions should meet BRISQ standards.

18. Related Manuscripts

Authors must disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press at other journals.
Copies of related works must be submitted as supplementary files.

19. Preprints

Leapman supports the posting of manuscripts on community preprint servers such as arXiv or bioRxiv.

• The originally submitted version may be posted at any time;

• The accepted manuscript may be posted six months after publication;

• The final published version must not be uploaded to preprint servers.

20. Double-Blind Peer Review

Authors wishing to participate in double-blind peer review must anonymize their manuscripts fully before submission and select the double-blind option in the submission system.

21. Manuscript Transfers

If a manuscript is declined, authors may have the opportunity to transfer it, along with peer reviews and editorial comments, to a suitable Leapman partner journal without re-entering submission data.

22. Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a detailed point-by-point rebuttal addressing all reviewer and editor comments.
Appeals are granted only when editors determine that the original decision was made in error or critical new information is provided.

This section outlines the requirements and procedures for the submission, formatting, and publication of Supplementary Information (SI) associated with articles published in Leapman. SI refers to peer-reviewed material that directly supports the main findings of the manuscript but cannot be accommodated in the printed article due to space or format constraints.

1. General Principles

Supplementary Information is intended to enhance the transparency, reproducibility, and contextual depth of a publication. It may include extended data sets, methods, calculations, figures, multimedia content, and other supporting material.

SI is peer-reviewed alongside the main manuscript. However, it is not copyedited by Leapman’s production team. Authors are therefore responsible for ensuring clarity, coherence, and consistency in style and terminology with the main text.

A standard Leapman coversheet will be added to the main SI PDF during processing, but the contents will remain as submitted. After acceptance, SI cannot be altered, and it must not be hosted independently by authors for peer review or publication purposes.

Leapman does not assume responsibility for the functionality of external links or e-mail addresses embedded in SI files.

2. Acceptable Content Types

Supplementary Information may include the following types of content:

2.1 Flat Document Elements (should be combined into one PDF):

• Supplementary Methods

• Supplementary Tables

• Supplementary Discussion

• Supplementary Equations

• Supplementary Notes (e.g., clarifications of statistical methods, funding acknowledgements, grant numbers)

These components are best merged into a single PDF, arranged according to the author’s preferred structure for readers and reviewers.

2.2 Files Best Submitted Separately (editable or multimedia):

• Supplementary Data Files (e.g., large raw datasets or structured outputs)

• Supplementary Videos

• Supplementary Audio Files

• Legends for Video and Audio Files (should be submitted as a separate editable document or within the SI Guide)

Note: Tables that contain extensive raw data or are best formatted in spreadsheet form should be included in Supplementary Information rather than as Extended Data.

3. Formatting and File Preparation

3.1 File Types

Leapman accepts the following formats for Supplementary Information:

• Documents:
  .pdf (preferred), .doc, .docx, .txt, .rtf, .wpd, .ps, .eps, .htm

• Spreadsheets:
  .xls, .xlsx

• Multimedia:
  .mov (preferred), .wav, .mp3, .mpg, .mp4

• Structured data:
  .xml, .sbml, .owl

For video materials, H.264 encoding is preferred. The standard aspect ratio should be 16:9 (4:3 is also acceptable), and files should not be overly compressed.

3.2 File Size Constraints

To facilitate user access and efficient hosting:

• Individual PDF, video, or audio files: Maximum 30 MB each

• Total cumulative size of all SI files: Maximum 150 MB

• Images in PDF: Maximum 640 × 480 pixels (approximately 9 × 6.8 inches at 72 dpi)

These size limits are strict. Most SI files should be significantly smaller than the upper thresholds. If your content exceeds these limits or cannot be converted to an acceptable format, please contact the editorial team for guidance before submission.

4. Supplementary Information Guide (SIGuide.doc)

Authors are required to provide a supplementary file titled SIGuide.doc, which should include the following:

• Titles of each SI item
  (e.g., Supplementary Methods, Supplementary Table 3, Supplementary Video 1)

• Brief description (≤50 words) of each file
  For single combined PDFs, indicate the number and type of items it includes and their collective purpose.
  For individual files (especially videos or datasets), the description should explain their content and relevance.

• Legends for videos and audio files
  Provide a one-sentence title and a short, citation-free legend (≤100 words) for each media file. This must be supplied in a separate editable file or appended within the SIGuide document (but not within the SI PDF).

All discrete SI files, such as videos or datasets, must be referenced at least once in the main manuscript.

5. Numbering and Referencing

• Supplementary Tables and Figures must use a distinct numbering system separate from those used in the main article and Extended Data.
  Example: Supplementary Table 1, Supplementary Figure 2, etc.

• If references are provided within SI, they should continue the numbering from the main article.
  Repeating the main-text reference numbers in SI is not permitted.

Please note that references in Supplementary Information will not be hyperlinked and do not contribute to citation metrics.

6. Submission Procedures

6.1 Initial Submission

• SI files should be uploaded together with the main manuscript during initial submission via Leapman’s online system.

6.2 After Acceptance

• Upon acceptance, the final version of all SI files must be submitted through Leapman’s production system.

• Ensure that the SI files are named clearly and submitted in their final state—no post-acceptance changes are permitted.

• The required SIGuide.doc must also be uploaded at this stage.

7. Supplementary Information Checklist

Before submitting, ensure that:

• Each file is clearly labeled and belongs to one of the defined SI categories;

• A distinct numbering system is used for SI items (e.g., not overlapping with main text or Extended Data);

• All file formats are among those permitted by Leapman;

• Individual and cumulative file sizes do not exceed the stated limits;

• A SIGuide.doc file is included, listing:

  • All SI file names and titles;

  • Summaries (≤50 words) for each file;

  • Video/audio legends (if applicable).

Leapman provides authors with a transparent and legally robust framework for licensing, copyright retention, and permissible uses of published articles. Whether a manuscript is published through Leapman’s open access model or under subscription access, authors retain significant rights while also contributing to a responsible and clearly governed system of academic reuse. This policy outlines how others may interact with published work and the rights authors maintain under each publishing arrangement.

Publishing Models and License Terms

Leapman supports both open access and subscription publishing models. Articles published open access are licensed under Creative Commons terms, which are internationally recognized and enforceable legal instruments designed to facilitate and regulate scholarly sharing. Authors may select from available license types during the submission process, subject to funder and institutional requirements. For subscription-based articles, authors typically grant Leapman an exclusive license to publish, while retaining copyright and core reuse rights as detailed in the publication agreement.

Under all licensing models, authors must be credited in every instance of reuse or redistribution. The published version must be properly cited, and, where relevant, the applicable license must be clearly referenced. Attribution must include the names of the authors and a persistent link to the version of record on the Leapman journal website. The integrity of the scholarly record must be preserved in all forms of reuse.

Creative Commons Licensing in Open Access Publishing

Leapman offers two principal Creative Commons license types for open access publishing. The Creative Commons Attribution license permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, adaptation, and commercial utilization of the work, provided that authors are credited and the original source is cited. The Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license allows non-commercial sharing of the article with appropriate attribution, but prohibits modifications or commercial exploitation of the content without prior written permission.

Both licenses require that the complete terms be referenced whenever the work is reused in full or in part. The appropriate license symbol and link to the legal text must accompany any redistribution, quotation, or adaptation. Leapman advises authors to review their funder’s open access compliance obligations when selecting a license and to choose the one that best satisfies these terms.

Rights of Reuse and License-Specific Conditions

The rights that others may exercise with respect to published articles differ according to the selected license. All license models require attribution, but the following distinctions apply:

Under the CC BY license, anyone may read, print, download, share, adapt, translate, text-mine, or commercially reuse the work, including through derivative creations such as educational software or academic summaries, provided full credit is given and no misrepresentation occurs.

Under the CC BY-NC-ND license, the article may be read, printed, downloaded, and shared for non-commercial purposes with full attribution, but derivative or adapted versions may not be created or distributed, and no commercial use is permitted without separate written permission.

Articles published under Leapman’s subscription model are available only to subscribers or through institutional access, and may not be redistributed, translated, adapted, or republished in any medium without prior authorization. However, users may view, print, and download the article for private academic research. Authors and readers may not sell, license, or incorporate such material into derivative commercial works unless explicit permission is granted.

Leapman recognizes that certain uses fall within the scope of fair use or statutory educational exemptions. Nevertheless, all intended uses of subscription content beyond private research require institutional or publisher approval.

Examples of Permitted and Restricted Reuse

Under the CC BY license, authors and readers may incorporate portions of the article into new scholarly works, perform text and data mining on the full text, translate the manuscript into any language, or develop digital platforms that embed or adapt the research content. Commercial reuse, including republication in edited volumes or integration into educational applications, is also permitted.

Under the CC BY-NC-ND license, authors may incorporate their own work into future publications and share the article in its original form through non-commercial means, such as institutional repositories, academic networks, and email communication with peers. Translation is permitted only for private use and may not be distributed publicly. No derivative works or adapted formats may be shared under this license.

Under the subscription model, authors may share their final published work in print or PDF format directly with colleagues, students, or potential employers for research or career advancement purposes. Course instructors may reproduce the published article in non-commercial classroom settings. Authors may reuse individual figures or tables in conference presentations and academic lectures, provided that proper citation is maintained and the material is not modified.

All forms of reuse must respect the moral rights of authors and must not compromise the original meaning, data integrity, or scholarly attribution of the work. In the context of text and data mining, Leapman permits non-commercial extraction of linguistic or structural elements, provided no substantial portion of the article is reproduced verbatim.

Teaching Use and Reproduction for Educational Purposes

Authors may reuse their published articles in classroom teaching, course packets, or lecture materials under both open access licenses and the subscription model, so long as such use is non-commercial and citation requirements are observed. Commercial educational platforms or fee-based online courses seeking to reproduce full articles or large excerpts must obtain explicit permission.

Under open access licenses, educational use is unrestricted for CC BY content, while CC BY-NC-ND allows such use only in the original form and prohibits commercial redistribution. Subscription articles may be reproduced for in-person teaching or internal institutional access with appropriate credit and without modification.

Author Rights and Self-Use Permissions

Leapman affirms that authors retain extensive rights over their own work. Under all models, authors may:

• Reuse their material in future books, reviews, or derivative scholarly work without prior permission.

• Reproduce their article for in-person course instruction or inclusion in their dissertation or thesis.

• Incorporate figures, tables, or textual extracts into conference presentations or invited talks.

• Post preprints on public repositories prior to submission and update such records upon publication.

• Deposit the accepted manuscript into funder- or institution-mandated repositories, subject to the license terms and applicable embargoes.

Under the CC BY license, all the above rights are unrestricted. Under CC BY-NC-ND, reuse for new scholarly publications requires that the original content remain unchanged unless new permission is granted. For subscription articles, accepted manuscript deposits are permitted after the standard embargo period, and final published versions may be reused under the self-archiving terms outlined in Leapman’s editorial policies.

License Documentation and Access to Agreements

Leapman provides model license-to-publish agreements for each publishing pathway, including the CC BY, CC BY-NC-ND, and subscription-exclusive licenses. These agreements are made available to submitting authors and may be requested at any time. Authors are encouraged to review the license terms prior to submission and to consult Leapman’s Rights and Permissions support team with any questions regarding reuse, compliance, or intellectual property protection.

Government, Institutional, and Intergovernmental Author Considerations

Authors employed by the United States Government, the Crown (United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia), or intergovernmental organizations such as the European Commission, United Nations, or World Bank may require specialized licensing arrangements. Leapman supports non-standard and intergovernmental Creative Commons licensing options where appropriate. Authors should inform the editorial office at the time of acceptance to ensure proper implementation of these agreements.

Post-Publication License Modification

In exceptional cases, authors may request modification of the open access license assigned to their article after publication. Such requests must be submitted in writing to Leapman’s Open Research Support team, along with the article title, DOI, and journal of publication. Approval is at the discretion of the publisher and is subject to the licensing terms in effect at the time of the original publication.

Copyright Retention and Enforcement

Leapman affirms that authors retain copyright for all open access publications and for most subscription-based articles. Where copyright transfer is required—for example, for commissioned content or select society-owned journals—authors maintain extensive reuse rights and the ability to archive and disseminate their work. Leapman proactively monitors unauthorized uses of published content, pursues instances of infringement, and works to protect the scholarly contributions and legal rights of its authors.

Leapman considers the safeguarding of author rights essential to academic publishing and will continue to support transparency, enforceability, and clarity in all aspects of licensing and copyright management.

This document outlines the requirements for submitting final production-quality materials to Leapman after a manuscript has been accepted in principle. Authors must carefully adhere to the following instructions to ensure timely and accurate processing before publication.

1. General Requirements

Following provisional acceptance, authors are required to upload the finalized versions of:

• The complete text of the article (including figure legends, Extended Data figure legends, full tables, and titles and legends for Extended Data tables);

• Production-quality figures and Extended Data figures and tables, as separate files;

• Supplementary Information, if applicable;

• All signed forms and declarations requested by the editorial office.

All files must be uploaded via Leapman’s submission platform. If electronic upload is not possible, authors must immediately contact the editorial office for alternative arrangements.
Scanned copies of signed documents are preferred; if scanning is not feasible, faxed versions are acceptable, provided they are clearly labeled with the corresponding author’s name and manuscript reference number.

Following these guidelines will minimize delays and reduce the risk of processing errors.

2. Final Manuscript File

2.1 File Preparation

• Upload the complete final version of the manuscript text (including all legends and titles) separately from figures and Extended Data items.

• Ensure that the uploaded version matches precisely the accepted manuscript.

2.2 File Format

• Preferred text format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) with all style tags removed.

• Ensure that references are embedded in the document without linked fields (e.g., remove EndNote or similar program codes before saving).

3. Submissions Prepared with TeX/LaTeX

Authors using TeX/LaTeX must:

• Upload both the source .tex file and a compiled PDF version.

• Use standard class files only (e.g., article.cls, revtex.cls, aastex.cls, amsart.cls).

• Avoid custom packages and macros.

• Ensure all manuscript content (tables, figure captions, Methods, references) is included in a single .tex file.

• Submit figures separately (figures should not be included in the compilation process).

When using BibTeX:

• Copy the final reference list from the .bbl file directly into the main .tex file;

• Remove all \bibliography and \bibliographystyle commands.

Use numerical citation style only.
Ensure that the complete .tex file compiles successfully without errors or warnings before submission.

4. Text Formatting Specifications

4.1 Document Order

The manuscript should follow this sequence:

1. Title

2. Authors

3. Affiliations (including present addresses, if any)

4. Bold summary paragraph

5. Main text

6. References

7. Tables

8. Figure legends

9. Online-only Methods section (with Data Availability and Code Availability statements)

10. Acknowledgements

11. Author Contributions

12. Competing Interests Declaration

13. Additional Information (Supplementary Information notice and Correspondence details)

14. Extended Data figure legends and Extended Data table titles and footnotes (any unique references associated with Extended Data should be listed at the end of the online Methods section).

4.2 Fonts and Symbols

• Standard font: 12-point Times New Roman.

• Apply true superscript/subscript formatting; avoid simulated superscripts/subscripts.

• Use ‘Insert Symbol’ to insert mathematical symbols and Greek letters.

• Do not use unusual or decorative fonts, as they may cause errors during typesetting.

If non-standard symbols were used, they must be documented in the submission correspondence.

4.3 Layout

• Separate paragraphs with a single return; no double spacing between paragraphs.

• Do not indent paragraphs or insert manual page breaks.

• Do not insert double spaces at the end of sentences.

5. References

• Use superscript numerals for citations.

• Remove all linked fields generated by bibliography software (e.g., EndNote).

• Ensure reference numbering matches the order of appearance in the manuscript (not alphabetical).

6. Tables

Tables must:

• Follow Leapman formatting standards;

• Include descriptive titles;

• Contain footnotes where necessary to define terms, symbols, or abbreviations.

Special templates must be used for tables reporting cryo-EM, NMR, or crystallographic data, available from Leapman’s Forms and Declarations page.

7. Figures and Extended Data Figures

7.1 General Standards

All production figures must be of high quality, following Leapman’s artwork standards.

• Use Arial or Helvetica fonts consistently across all figures.

• All figure parts in multi-panel figures must be labeled with bold upright lowercase letters (e.g., a, b, c).

• Main text within figures should use font sizes between 5 pt and 7 pt.

• Amino acid sequences should be shown using the one-letter code in Courier font.

• Maintain vector text and avoid rasterizing or outlining labels.

7.2 Sizing

Figures should be designed to fit the following dimensions:

• Single column width: 89 mm

• Double column width: 183 mm

• Full page depth: 247 mm

• Column-and-a-half width: 120–136 mm

Authors should check legibility at the intended print size using photocopier reduction.

Lines must have a weight between 0.25 pt and 1 pt after reduction.
Excessively thin lines risk disappearing in print.

8. Electronic Figure Formats

8.1 Preferred Formats

• Rasterized images (photos, micrographs): PSD or TIFF (300–600 dpi).

• Line art and graphs: AI, EPS, or layered PDF.

• Acceptable alternatives (if necessary): high-resolution JPEG, editable PowerPoint files.

Unacceptable formats: Canvas, DeltaGraph, TeX figures, ChemDraw (unless converted to EPS/PDF).

8.2 Color Mode

• Preferred color mode: RGB (for maximum color fidelity online).

• CMYK can be used if authors wish to control the printed appearance.

Authors converting from RGB to CMYK must carefully check for color loss.

9. Extended Data Files

• Should be saved in RGB;

• Resolution: up to 300 ppi;

• Max file size: 10 MB per item;

• Acceptable formats: JPEG (preferred), TIFF, or EPS.

Each Extended Data figure/table must fit a single page (maximum: 18 cm × 24 cm).
Label panels within figures appropriately.
Naming convention:

• Figures: CorrespondingAuthorSurname_EDfig1.jpg

• Tables: CorrespondingAuthorSurname_EDtable1.jpg

10. Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information (SI) should be limited to:

• Large datasets,

• Technical background details,

• Specialized content not suited for main figures or Extended Data.

SI must comply with Leapman’s accepted file types and size constraints.
Any figures or small tables should preferably be submitted as Extended Data wherever possible.

11. After Acceptance

Following final submission:

• The manuscript undergoes editorial subediting to align with Leapman house style;

• Authors receive an edited text version for approval before typesetting;

• Authors then receive electronic proofs for review and final corrections.

The corresponding author is responsible for:

• Coordinating feedback from all co-authors;

• Submitting a single, consolidated list of corrections.

Authors must carefully check:

• Spellings of all author names;

• Institutional affiliations;

• Consistency of data across text, tables, and figures.

Proofs are handled via Leapman’s online production system.