Note from the Editor

Scientific misconduct includes ‘fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism’ and clearly involves intention to deceive. In the review manuscript written by Drs Schaller and Graf, reviewed, accepted, and published by JCBFM, there were significant portions taken from another manuscript (Stroke 32(10): 2318–2327, 2001). The intent to deceive comes from the fact that the Stroke manuscript was not referenced in the Schaller/Graf manuscript. I want the readership of JCBFM to understand that I consider plagiarism a significant breach of publication ethics, and I have imposed certain sanctions on both Drs Schaller and Graf for their part in this misconduct.

First, upon learning of this plagiarism, I performed a thorough investigation, comparing the two manuscripts involved, word-for-word, sentence-for-sentence, and paragraph-for-paragraph, to determine exactly how much plagiarism was involved. When the situation was clear, I asked for a letter of apology to our readership to be signed by both authors (Schaller and Graf). Dr Graf quickly submitted a letter, but without Dr Schaller's signature. Dr Schaller has not commented on this incident. I can no longer locate Dr Schaller, nor has he submitted his letter, and I feel that I must make public the events surrounding this incident at this time.

Second, as a result of this incident, I have barred Dr Schaller from submitting manuscripts to or reviewing manuscripts from JCBFM for a three (3)-year period. Although it appears that Dr Graf was not the one who actually plagiarized parts of the manuscript, I felt that he must share in these sanctions because he was an author and bears responsibility for what appears under his authorship. Thus, for Dr Graf, who was a member of the Editorial Board of JCBFM, I have asked that he resign his position as Editorial Board Member. He has already complied with this request. In addition, I have barred Dr Graf from submitting manuscripts to or reviewing manuscripts from JCBFM for a period of one (1) year.

Finally, I have notified the institutions of both authors of this situation.

I assure you this has been a difficult, time-consuming, and unpleasant task as Editor-in-Chief. I would much prefer to be making the difficult decisions concerning publishing or not publishing a manuscript on a scientific basis. I believe I have taken appropriate action concerning this incident, and I hope I have been fair to the authors involved, and especially to our readership.