BMC Proceedings abstract format

The abstract format originally proposed was actually very close to the BMC Proceedings abstract format. The general BMC Proceedings abstract preparation guidelines can be dowloaded here BMC Proceedings general author guidelines for abstracts preparation

BMC Proceedings allows some flexibility as far as word limit, inclusion of figures and tables as agreed with the conference organzation. Below we detail the final guidelines agreed with the BMC Proceedings management for the IUFRO Tree Biotechnology Conference abstracts proceedings.

Word limit. The 40 words maximum for the title and the 1,000 word maximum for the main text (including references and acknowledgments but excluding authors names and affiliations) continue as as they were. For each author, first and last names, e-mail and affiliation are required. A maximum of 12 authors per abstract are allowed. Authors and affiliations required formats will be automatically generated by the COMS system so authors should not worry with that. However keep in mind that the COMS will ony allow a single affiliation for each author.

Structured format. BMC allows and the Scientific Committee strongly encourages all authors to use as much as possible the word limit allowed and adopt a structured format with the following headings: Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions (these last two either separate of together) for all abstracts.

Content. To be published into BMC Proceedings the abstract HAS TO convey experimental results, exception made for invited speakers whose presentations might focus a review of the proposed theme. Description of ongoing or intended research projects, administrative project themes or "will be presented" results will not be included in the BMC publication. Abstracts whose english language use is considered inadequate cannot be considered for publication into BMC as well. The Scientific Committee members that will act as the editorial board for the BMC Proceedings issue, will review all abstract to make sure they abide to these requirements. Abstracts failing to meet these minimum standards will not be included in the BMC Proceedings publication, although they will still be presented at the Conference and be part of the abstract CD. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to do so in order to preserve the quality of the overall BMC Proceedings publications.

References. The main change from the previously annouced format has to do with the References that now have to follow the BMC Proceedings requirement, reminding that references will be computed towards the 1,000 allowed word count. Journal abbreviations should follow MEDLINE standards. References should be laid out at the end of the abstract in BioMed Central style and preceded by the relevant reference number.

Tables. Up to two tables can be included in the main text and they will also count toward the 1,000 word limit. Tables should be numbered (e.g. Table 1) with an optional title and legend, and should be included in the document where they are to appear. Tables must be cited/called out in the text. Tables should be formatted using the "Table function" in a word processing program to ensure that columns of data are kept aligned when the file is sent electronically. Tables should not be created with tabs or submitted as graphical items.

Figures. Up to two figures (color or B&W) can be included in the abstract. Figures must be supplied electronically in the body of the text at 300 dpi minimum and each with a maximum size of 1 Mbytes. Each figure must be inserted as a single, composite file (parts must not be separate graphical units). Don’t include figures with embedded hyperlinks.

Publication schedule. We plan to make all accepted abstracts available online at the Conference webpage during the Conference and in a CD or pen drive to be distributed to all Conference delegates. The abstracts published in the BMC Proceedings issue  will be freely accessible online as fully searchable full text and as both a printable PDF containing all the abstracts, and as an individual PDF for each abstract. BMC Proceedings production team requires 8 weeks from receipt of the abstracts in their final format, to online publication. We plan to have all abstracts finally formatted and sent to BMC by mid June and the BMC Proceedings issue come on line by the end of July/mid August.

Consent to publish. All abstracts accepted by the Scientific Committee will be published into BMC Proceedings. Submission of an abstract implies consent by the authors to have their abstract published by the Conference. Should an author not agree to have his/her abstract published he/she should contact the conference chair and request that his/her abstract be withdrawn from the BMC Proceedings publication.