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Manuscript preparation

Step-by-step guidance on the submission package, manuscript structure, equations, artwork, references and materials required after acceptance.

Step 1

General submission conditions

Before preparing the files, make sure that the manuscript fits the journal’s scope and originality requirements.

  • The journal accepts original research articles and review articles that have not been published previously and are not under consideration by another journal at the same time.
  • Authors are encouraged to consult the Editorial Office before preparing a review article.
  • The recommended manuscript length is up to 20 pages. Justified exceptions may be agreed with the Editorial Office.
  • These instructions govern the Ukrainian editorial route. Original English-language manuscripts are submitted through Springer Nature under the publisher’s requirements.

Step 2

Initial submission package

For initial peer review, send one complete and editable manuscript file.

File and contents

  • .docx is recommended; .doc files are also accepted;
  • include the text, tables, editable equations and figures placed near their first citation;
  • LaTeX is not currently accepted for the Ukrainian editorial route.

Bilingual information

  • provide the title, author information and affiliations in Ukrainian and English;
  • provide an abstract of 150–250 words in each language;
  • provide 4–6 keywords in each language.

Author information

  • Identify the corresponding author and provide the authors’ email addresses.
  • Provide ORCID identifiers for all authors who have them. A missing ORCID does not prevent initial peer review.

Step 3

Manuscript structure and formatting

The structure should allow readers to follow the problem statement, method, results and conclusions.

Order of material

  1. article title;
  2. authors, affiliations and contact details;
  3. abstract and keywords;
  4. main text with a logical heading structure;
  5. conclusions;
  6. declarations;
  7. reference list.

Main text

  • Times New Roman, 10 pt;
  • single line spacing;
  • a consistent heading hierarchy and uniform formatting for elements of the same type;
  • all parts of the manuscript must remain editable in Word for editorial processing.

Step 4

Equations and mathematical notation

Mathematical content must remain editable and use a consistent system of notation.

  • Create equations using Word or MathType; do not insert equations as raster images.
  • Number equations cited in the text by section, for example (2.13).
  • Equations that are not cited may remain unnumbered.
  • Use the same notation in equations, text, tables and figures, and define it at first use.
  • Set variables and symbols for physical quantities in italic type; set units, numbers and function names in upright type.

Step 5

Figures and graphs

Prepare every figure for direct reproduction after it is reduced to its final size in the article.

Quality and legibility

All lines, markers, labels, legends and numerical values must remain clear. Number figures in the order in which they are first mentioned and place them, with captions, near their first citation in the text.

Graphs

  • label every axis and give the unit next to the symbol for the physical quantity;
  • identify every curve unambiguously;
  • distinguish curves not only by colour but also by line style, markers or other graphical means;
  • do not use decorative backgrounds, gradients, three-dimensional effects or excessively dense coordinate grids;
  • do not allow labels to overlap curves or other important elements.

Fonts and notation

  • use Times New Roman for Latin and Cyrillic text, and Symbol for Greek letters;
  • set variables and symbols for physical quantities in italic type;
  • set units, numbers, function names and explanatory text in upright type;
  • match the notation style used in the equations and main text.

Final size and consistent styling

Within a figure, the font size used for axis labels, numerical values, legends and explanatory text should be practically the same. A smaller size is permitted only for subscripts and auxiliary notation. After scaling, text within the figure should visually match the main article text, that is, approximately 10 pt.

Across multiple figures in the same article, use the same fonts, text sizes, line weights, markers and overall style.

Files and placement

At initial submission, insert figures in the manuscript near their first citation. After acceptance, the Editorial Office may request separate files. Vector formats are preferred.

Raster artwork

Recommended resolution at final size:

  • 1200 dpi for line art;
  • 600 dpi for combination artwork;
  • 300 dpi for photographs.

Colour

Colour is permitted, but the meaning of a figure must not be conveyed by colour alone.

Step 6

Tables

Tables should be understandable without duplicating the same data in the text or graphs.

  • Create editable tables using Word tools rather than inserting them as images.
  • Number tables in the order in which they are first mentioned and add a short, informative title.
  • Explain abbreviations and notation, and give units in the relevant column or row headings.
  • Place each table after its first citation and check that it is legible within the page width.

Step 7

Physical quantities and units

Use consistent notation and SI units throughout the manuscript.

  • Express physical quantities in SI units.
  • Set units in upright type and format them consistently in the text, equations, tables and figures.
  • Do not change the symbol used for the same quantity in different parts of the article.

Step 8

References

Citations must link unambiguously to complete bibliographic records in the reference list.

  • Prepare one numbered list in the order in which sources are first cited.
  • Use square brackets for citations in the text, for example [1] or [2, 3].
  • Check that the bibliographic information for every source is complete and accurate.
  • Where a source has a DOI, provide it as an active link in the form https://doi.org/....
  • There is no percentage limit on self-citation; the editorial team evaluates the scientific relevance of each reference.

Step 9

Declarations and publication ethics

Include every required declaration at the end of the manuscript, even when there is nothing to report under a particular heading.

Author Contributions

State each author’s contribution to the formulation of the problem, development of the methodology, calculations or experiments, analysis of the results, and drafting or revising the manuscript.

Funding

Name the institutions or organizations that funded the research and provide the relevant grant or project numbers. If the research received no specific funding, state this explicitly.

Conflict of Interest / Competing Interests

Disclose any financial or non-financial interests that may have influenced the results or their interpretation. If no conflict of interest exists, state this explicitly.

Data Availability

State where and under what conditions the data, software, or other research materials are available. If this declaration is not applicable to the work, state this explicitly.

Use of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence cannot be listed as an author. Substantive use of artificial-intelligence tools during the research or preparation of the manuscript must be disclosed. Routine language editing does not require a separate declaration.

Submission confirms that the manuscript is original, is not being considered by another journal, attributes authorship correctly and contains accurate declarations.

Step 10

Materials after acceptance

After the acceptance decision, the Editorial Office will specify which final materials are required.

  • Send the final corrected Word file and verified bilingual information about the article and its authors.
  • If requested, supply figures as separate files in a publication-ready format and at the required resolution.
  • Ensure that the final equations, tables, references and declarations match the accepted version.
  • Copyright documents are completed only after the article is accepted; the obsolete copyright transfer agreement is not used.

Step 11

Pre-submission checklist

Check the submission package before sending it to the Editorial Office.

  • The manuscript is original and is not under consideration by another journal.
  • The file is in .docx or .doc format.
  • The manuscript does not exceed the recommended 20 pages, or an exception is justified.
  • The main text uses Times New Roman, 10 pt, with single line spacing.
  • The title, author information, affiliations, abstract and keywords are provided in both languages.
  • Each abstract is 150–250 words and each language version has 4–6 keywords.
  • A corresponding author is identified, and email addresses and available ORCIDs are provided.
  • Equations are editable and numbered correctly.
  • Figures are legible at final size, and graphs do not rely on colour alone.
  • Tables are editable, notation is consistent and SI units are used.
  • There is one numbered reference list ordered by first citation, and DOIs are active links.
  • All required declarations are included and substantive AI use is disclosed.
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