Retraction notice regarding several articles published in Tumor Biology

The publisher and the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with former publisher of Tumor Biology, retract a total of 15 articles from the journals’ online catalog. The articles were published in different issues of the journal during the period 2014–2016. All articles affected by this retraction notice have problems related to image manipulation or misuse. A detailed explanation is given for each retracted article. The investigations were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Results of a study of remote reporting over virtual applications and using visually calibrated monitors

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine differences in image quality, discrepancy rates, productivity and user experience between remote reporting over Virtual Application (VA) using visually calibrated monitors, and reporting using diagnostic grade workstations in hospital premises. Methods Three specialist accredited radiologists examined and provisionally reported outpatient CT and MR studies over PACS delivered as a VA, using visually calibrated monitors from their homes. They then proceeded to view the same studies within hospital premises and issue a final report. Surveys were filled out for each imaging study. Discrepancies were reviewed and assigned RADPEER scores. Results A total of 51 outpatient CT and MRIs were read. Relative to hospital premise reporting, on a Likert scale of 5 (the higher the better), average image quality was 3.9, speed of loading and image manipulation was 4.4 and productivity was 4.1. Remote reporting user experience did not differ significantly between CT versus MRI studies. Complete concordance rate was 80.4% (41/51) and only one of the studies had a significant discrepancy, which may have been due to extra time given to interpretation. All three radiologists reported factors influencing image display and quality as the top factor impacting remote reporting throughput. Conclusions Remote reporting over VA with visually calibrated monitors for CT and MR can be useful in periods of staffing difficulty to augment on-site radiologists, though attention must be paid to its limitations and policies defined by local leadership with reference to relevant national position

Image manipulation in scholarly publications: are there ways to an automated solution?

PurposeThis paper provides an introduction to research in the field of image forensics and asks whether advances in the field of algorithm development and digital forensics will facilitate the examination of images in the scientific publication process in the near future.Design/methodology/approachThis study looks at the status quo of image analysis in the peer review process and evaluates selected articles from the field of Digital Image and Signal Processing that have addressed the discovery of copy-move, cut-paste and erase-fill manipulations.FindingsThe article focuses on forensic research and shows that, despite numerous efforts, there is still no applicable tool for the automated detection of image manipulation. Nonetheless, the status quo for examining images in scientific publications remains visual inspection and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. This study summarizes aspects that make automated detection of image manipulation difficult from a forensic research perspective.Research limitations/implicationsResults of this study underscore the need for a conceptual reconsideration of the problems involving image manipulation with a view toward the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in conjunction with library and information science (LIS) expertise on information integrity.Practical implicationsThis study not only identifies a number of conceptual challenges but also suggests areas of action that the scientific community can address in the future.Originality/valueImage manipulation is often discussed in isolation as a technical challenge. This study takes a more holistic view of the topic and demonstrates the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach.