A conflict of interest exists when personal, financial, professional, academic, or institutional interests could improperly influence an individual's responsibilities in conducting, reviewing, editing, or publishing scholarly research.

A conflict of interest does not necessarily imply misconduct. However, failure to disclose a relevant conflict may compromise the transparency and credibility of the publication process.

The journal requires all relevant conflicts to be disclosed so that they can be assessed and managed appropriately.

Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Financial interests: Employment, consultancy, honoraria, stock ownership, patents, royalties, research funding, or other financial benefits related to the research.
• Personal relationships: Family relationships, close friendships, personal disputes, or other relationships that could affect impartial judgment.
• Professional or academic interests: Collaboration, competition, supervisory relationships, institutional affiliations, or professional rivalries involving the authors or their work.
• Institutional interests: Relationships with institutions, organizations, or companies that may benefit from the publication or its findings.
• Editorial conflicts: Situations in which an editor or reviewer has a relationship with the authors, their institutions, or the subject matter that could compromise impartial assessment.

This list is not exhaustive. Any relationship that could reasonably be perceived as influencing professional judgment should be disclosed.

All authors must disclose relevant actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission.

Authors are responsible for:

• Declaring financial and non-financial interests related to the submitted work.
• Disclosing funding sources and the role of sponsors in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, and publication decisions, where applicable.
• Ensuring that all co-authors are aware of and agree with the disclosed conflicts.
• Providing accurate and complete declarations in the manuscript and the journal's submission system.
• Informing the editorial office if a relevant conflict arises or is identified after submission.

The corresponding author is responsible for coordinating the collection and submission of conflict-of-interest declarations from all co-authors.

Reviewers must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest before accepting a peer-review assignment.

Reviewers should decline the assignment when a conflict could compromise, or reasonably be perceived to compromise, their impartiality. Relevant situations may include recent collaboration with the authors, close personal relationships, direct competition, or financial interests related to the research.

Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and must not use unpublished information obtained during peer review for personal, professional, or financial advantage.

Editors must make editorial decisions objectively and independently, based on the manuscript's scholarly merit, relevance, originality, and compliance with the journal's policies.

Editors must disclose relevant conflicts and withdraw from handling a manuscript when their impartiality may be compromised. In such cases, the manuscript should be assigned to an independent editor or another appropriately qualified editorial representative.

Editors must not use confidential information obtained through editorial duties for personal benefit or allow commercial, personal, or institutional interests to improperly influence publication decisions.

Authors must include a conflict-of-interest statement in their manuscript. If no relevant conflict exists, the following statement may be used:

If a relevant conflict exists, authors must provide a clear description of the nature of the conflict and the parties involved, where appropriate.

The declaration must accurately reflect the circumstances of the research. Authors should not use the no-conflict statement if a relevant conflict exists.

The journal will assess disclosed conflicts and determine whether additional measures are necessary to protect the integrity of the editorial process.

Depending on the circumstances, appropriate measures may include:

• Requesting further information or clarification from the relevant individuals.
• Reassigning a manuscript to an independent editor or reviewer.
• Requiring additional disclosure in the published article.
• Implementing safeguards to maintain an independent and impartial review process.
• Taking appropriate editorial action if a material conflict was deliberately concealed or inaccurately reported.

All decisions will be made proportionately and in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies.

If a previously undisclosed conflict of interest is identified after submission or publication, the journal may request an explanation and supporting information from the authors or other relevant individuals.

Depending on the findings, the journal may require a correction, publish an appropriate editorial notice, reconsider an editorial decision, or take other measures consistent with its publication ethics and corrections policies.

Serious concerns involving potential research or publication misconduct will be assessed in accordance with the journal's procedures for allegations of research misconduct.

All authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to comply with this policy and to disclose relevant conflicts in a timely and transparent manner.

The journal handles conflicts of interest in accordance with its publication ethics policies and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This policy should be read alongside the journal's policies on authorship, peer review, research ethics, and allegations of research misconduct.