Una Revisión de los tipos de Fraude Científico más Frecuentes / A Review of the most frequent types of Scientific Fraud

La presión que existe hoy por publicar ha llevado a que muchos investigadores cometan malas conductas científicas, siendo el fraude la más grave de todas. Este ocurre en forma de fabricación, falsificación, plagio, problemas de autoría, manipulación de imágenes y publicaciones redundantes. El fraude científico se define como una tergiversación deliberada por parte de alguien que conoce la verdad. En la historia de la humanidad se han conocido importantes casos de fraude científico, dentro de ellos se pueden destacar: el hombre de Piltdown, caso Shinichi Fujimura, el escándalo de las vacunas, caso Pearce, el caso Yoshitaka Fujii, entre otros. Con el objetivo de neutralizar el fraude, se han desarrollado diferentes estrategias dirigidas a detectarlo, dentro de ellas encontramos: evaluación mediante pares evaluadores, programas de Conducta de Investigación Responsable (RCR), regulaciones que la misma comunidad científica realiza, donde encontramos la fundación PubPeer y el blog For Better Science. Del mismo modo, se han impuesto diferentes medidas para contrarrestar el fraude, tales como: transparencia de las presiones y oportunidades, disponibilidad pública de los datos que sustentan la hipótesis y denuncia pública de los fraudes científicos. El impacto de un fraude trae consecuencias importantes para la ciencia, estudiar a partir de información falsa o errónea conlleva a un gran retroceso en los avances científicos del mundo actual. Es responsabilidad de cada uno ser consciente de lo que se escribe y lo que se lee, ya que como se sabe, esa es la única manera de combatirlo. Como investigadores somos responsables de actuar éticamente en nuestras investigaciones y tener conocimiento de las medidas que existen hoy para detectar y combatir el fraude científico.

The pressure to publish today has led many researchers to commit scientific misconduct, fraud being the most serious of all. This occurs in the form of fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, authorship problems, image manipulation, and redundant posting. Scientific fraud is defined as deliberate misrepresentation by someone who knows the truth. In the history of humanity, important cases of scientific fraud have been known, among them the following can be highlighted: the Piltdown man, the Shinichi Fujimura case, the vaccine scandal, the Pearce case, the Yoshitaka Fujii case, among others. In order to neutralize fraud, different strategies have been developed to detect it, among them we find: evaluation by peer reviewers, Responsible Research Conduct (RCR) programs, regulations that the scientific community itself carries out, where we find the PubPeer Foundation and the For Better Science blog. Similarly, different measures have been imposed to counteract fraud, such as: transparency of pressures and opportunities, public availability of the data that support the hypothesis, and public denunciation of scientific fraud. The impact of a fraud has important consequences for science, studying from false or wrong information leads to a great setback in scientific advances in the world today. It is the responsibility of each one to be aware of what is written and what is read, since as is known, that is the only way to combat it. As researchers we are responsible for acting ethically in our research and being aware of the measures that exist today to detect and combat scientific fraud.

Confessions of an Ayurveda professor

In this essay, I narrate my experiences of teaching Ayurveda physiology through an approach that involved laborious re-interpretation of ancient literature using the recent advances in the field of medical physiology. Though this approach made the ancient concepts and theories appear modern and relevant, it did not contribute much except for apparently reducing cognitive dissonance among students. I cite examples describing the processes of formation of shukra (semen) and rakta (blood) to show how we often overinterpret Ayurveda concepts to make them sound rational by proposing ad hoc conjectures. I illustrate why my previous writings were faulty by applying the falsification principle proposed by Karl Popper. I further explain how this approach made these concepts only verifiable but not refutable, and hence, non-falsifiable. I argue that instead of using such re-interpretation to prove obsolete concepts, they can be dropped altogether from the curricula of Ayurveda programmes. There is a need to develop a reliable method to identify such outdated content.

Counterfeit medicines: relevance, consequences and strategies to combat the global crisis

Abstract Counterfeiting of medicines, also known as "falsification" or "adulteration", is the process in which the identity, origin, or history of genuine medicines are intentionally modified. Currently, counterfeit medicines are a global crisis that affects and is mostly caused by developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These countries lack strict law enforcement against this practice and have low-income populations with medicinal needs. Lately, the crisis has escalated, impacting developed countries as well, e.g., the US and the EU, mainly via the Internet. Despite this extension, some current laws aim to control and minimize the crisis' magnitude. Falsification of medicines maintains an illegitimate supply chain that is connected to the legitimate one, both of which are extremely complex, making such falsification difficult to control. Furthermore, political and economic causes are related to the crisis' hasty growth, causing serious consequences for individuals and public health, as well as for the economy of different countries. Recently, organizations, technologies and initiatives have been created to overcome the situation. Nevertheless, the development of more effective measures that could aggregate all the existing strategies into a large functioning network could help prevent the acquisition of counterfeit medicines and create awareness among the general population.

Pharmacobotanical characterization of Monteverdia ilicifolia (Mart. ex Reiss.) Biral leaves and its adulterants sold as medicinal tea in Brazil: a contribution to quality control / Caracterización farmacobotánica de hojas de Monteverda ilicifolia (Mart. ex Reiss.) Biral y sus adulterantes vendidos como té medicinal en Brasil: una contribución al contol de calidad

Leaves of Monteverdia ilicifolia ("espinheira-santa") are considered a medicinal tea by the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), by their anti-dyspeptic, anti-acid and protective of the gastric mucosa properties. Their spiny margins are similar to those of other botanical species, which may lead to misidentifications. The aim of this work was to evaluate the authenticity of 32 samples of herbal drugs commercialized as "espinheira-santa" in the formal trade in Brazil, by macro and microscopic morphological studies of the leaves. The evaluation of the botanical authenticity was based on leaf venation patterns, shape and anatomy of the petiole and midrib region in cross section, vascular system arrangement and epidermal characters. Analysis of these characters compared to literature data suggests that 34% of the samples are M. ilicifolia and the remaining 66% are Sorocea bonplandii, a species with no clinical studies assuring its effective and safe use, representing thus a potential risk to public health.

Las hojas de Monteverdia ilicifolia ("espinheira-santa") son consideradas tés medicinales por la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (Anvisa), Brasil, por las indicaciones terapéuticas como antidispépticos, antiácidos y protectores de la mucosa gástrica. Sus márgenes foliares espinescentes se parecen a los de otras especies, conduciendo a identificaciones erróneas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la autenticidad de 32 muestras de drogas vegetales vendidas como "espinheira-santa" en el comercio legal de Brasil, realizando un estudio morfológico de las hojas. Esta evaluación se ha basado en observar de la hoja, sus patrones de nerviación, su forma y anatomía (pecíolo y nervadura central en corte transversal), disposición del sistema vascular y caracteres epidérmicos. El análisis de la morfología, comparado con los datos de literatura, sugiere que el 34% de las muestras son M. ilicifoliay el 66% son Sorocea bonplandii, una especie que no cuenta con los estudios clínicos que garantizan su uso efectivo y seguro, representando un riesgo para la salud pública.

Plagio en artículos de investigación en revistas biomédicas cubanas. 2016 / Plagiarism in Cuban biomedical research articles. 2016

Introducción: El plagio junto a la fabricación y falsificación de resultados constituyen las formas más graves de mala conducta científica. Sin embargo, la escasez de estudios concretos sobre esta mala práctica, motivó realizar la presente investigación. Objetivo: Caracterizar los artículos que incurren en plagio publicado en revistas biomédicas cubanas indizadas en SciELO, durante 2016. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, con una muestra probabilística de 50 artículos originales, obtenida por muestreo aleatorio simple de 786 investigaciones publicadas en 32 revistas biomédicas cubanas indizadas en SciELO. Se realizó un análisis textual a través de Google Scholar, para identificar textos idénticos. Luego se cotejaron los artículos con similitudes, y se seleccionó como original el de fecha de publicación más antigua. Para el análisis se utilizó el Software RStudio 1.0.136. No se revelan títulos de artículos, autores, instituciones ni revistas en que se publicaron. Resultados: Más de la mitad de los artículos (52 por ciento) cumplía el criterio de plagio. Los hallazgos se encontraron en todas las secciones del artículo, fundamentalmente en introducción (52 por ciento), discusión (18 por ciento) y material y métodos (10 por ciento). El patrón de plagio más frecuente fue "en mosaico" (sustitución, adición, sustracción), seguido por "plagio directo" (copia exacta de bloques de texto). Conclusiones: La frecuencia de plagio en los artículos revisados es alta, con predominio hacia las estructuras teóricas del artículo (introducción y discusión), y fundamentalmente a partir del uso de sinónimos, cambios de verbos, adición y/o sustracción de texto, correspondiente al plagio en mosaico(AU)

Introduction: Plagiarism and the fabrication and falsification of results constitute the most serious forms of scientific misconduct. However, there is a lack of solid studies on this malpractice which motivated us to carry out this research work. Objective: To characterize the articles engaged in plagiarism published in Cuban biomedical journals indexed in SciELO in 2016. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a probabilistic sample of 50 original articles obtained by simple random sampling of 786 research studies published in 32 Cuban biomedical journals indexed in SciELO. A textual analysis was performed using Google Scholar to identify identical texts. After that, similar articles were compared and the oldest data of publication was taken into account to determine the original article. R Studio Software 1.0.136 was used for the analysis. The titles of the articles, authors, institutions and journals were not shown. Results: More than half of the articles (52 percent) met the criteria of plagiarism. Similarities were found in all sections of the article, mainly in the introduction (52 percent), discussion (18 percent) and material and methods (10 percent). The most frequent pattern of plagiarism was in "mosaic" (substitution, addiction, subtraction), followed by "direct plagiarism" (exact copy of sections of text). Conclusions: The frequency of plagiarism in the articles reviewed is high, predominating in the theoretical structures of the article (introduction and discussion), where synonyms, changes in verbs, addition or omission of parts of the text were identified, corresponding to plagiarism in mosaic.

El hurto de automotores bajo el enfoque prospectivo: una caracterización actual y futura de la actividad criminal en Colombia / Automobile theft under the prospective approach: a current and future characterization of this criminal activity in Colombia / O roubo de automóveis sob a aproximação prospectiva: uma caracterização atual e futura da atividade criminal na Colômbia

Con el objetivo de identificar cuáles pueden ser los escenarios futuros que al 2024 presente el hurto de automotores en Colombia, así como las estrategias que permitan reducir la tasa de este delito, se aplicó la metodología de la prospectiva como una herramienta capaz de ofrecer resultados precisos frente a los componentes generadores de cambio para este delito. Tal investigación arrojo que: el trabajo interinstitucional, la alternabilidad penal, la aplicación de tecnología en contra del hurto automotriz y la evolución de la criminalidad son algunos de los componentes de máxima importancia, sobre los cuales se desarrollaron las estrategias de cambio como las principales para la reducción del delito, que van desde la aplicación de sistemas tecnológicos de vigilancia, hasta la creación de oportunidades económicas para el mercado secundario automotriz.

With the objective of identifying what the future scenarios of automobile theft could be working by year 2014, as well as the strategies allowing for a reduction in the rate of this robbery specialty, the methodology of foresight as a tool capable of rendering accurate results visà- vis the generators of change components was applied. The relevant investigation revealed that inter-institutional work, criminal alternability, the application of technology Resumo Com o objetivo de identificar quais podem ser os futuros cenários que para 2024 apresente o roubo automotriz na Colômbia, assim como as estratégias que permitam reduzir a taxa deste crime, a metodologia da prospectiva como uma ferramenta capaz de fornecer resultados precisos aos componentes geradores da mudança para este crime é aplicada. Tal investigação produziu as seguintes resultados: o trabalho interinstitucional, o alternabilidaagainst automobile theft and the current evolution of criminality were some of the components of paramount importance around which the main change strategies were developed for the reduction of this kind of crime, from the application of technological surveillance to the creation of economic opportunities for the secondary automotive market.

Como objetivo de identificar quais podem ser os futuros cenários que para 2024 apresente o roubo automotriz na Colômbia, assim como as estratégias que permitam reduzir a taxa deste crime, a metodologia da prospectiva como uma ferramenta capaz de fornecer resultados precisos aos componentes geradores da mudança para este crime é aplicada. Tal investigação produziu as seguintes resultados: o trabalho interinstitucional, o alternabilidaagainst de penal, a aplicação da tecnologia contra o roubo automotriz e a evolução da criminalidade são alguns dos componentes da máxima importância, sobre os quais as estratégias da mudança como as principais para a redução do crime foram desenvolvidas. Elas vão da aplicação de sistemas tecnológicos da monitoração, até a criação de oportunidades econômicas para o mercado secundário automotriz.

Hurto de automotores y estrategias contra el delito: una mirada desde la academia, el victimario y la Policía / Automobile theft and strategies against crime: a glance from the academy, the offender, and the Police / Roubo de veículos automotores e estratégias contra o crime: um olhada da academia, do vitimário e da Polícia

Se identifican las variables que deben abordarse en el estudio del hurto o robo de automotores y el diseño de estrategias contra este delito. Para tal propósito, se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en diferentes bases científicas de datos, se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a personas condenadas en Colombia por el delito de hurto de automotores y se contrastó con la evidencia empírica obtenida en diferentes análisis y trabajos de campo realizados por el OBSER-DIJIN. Se utilizó como marco teórico para el análisis la teoría de elección racional y la de la oportunidad. Como resultado, se identificaron once variables que intervienen en el fenómeno: a) rentabilidad, b) tecnología, c) facilidad de legalización, d) nivel organizativo de los delincuentes, e) seguridad, f) vigilancia informal, g) nodos de actividad, h) conducta espacial, i) penalidad, j) transnacionalidad y k) instrumentalización; se terminó por exponer una visión criminológica holística e integradora de los elementos vinculados al fenómeno, y la sugerencia de acciones de control surgidas del análisis multivariado del delito. Se concluye con recomendaciones que pueden ser usadas en la política criminal, en países o territorios con afectación de este tipo de criminalidad.

As variáveis que devem abordar-se no estudo do furto ou roubo de veículos automotores e o projeto das estratégias contra a este crime são identificados. Para tal propósito, uma busca sistemática foi feita em diferentes bancos de dados científicas, uma entrevista semi-estruturada foi feita a pessoas condenadas na Colômbia pelo crime do roubo de veículos automotores e foi contrastada com a evidência empírica obtida em análises diferentes e nos trabalhos do campo feitos pelo OBSER-DIJIN. A teoria da eleição racional e aquela da oportunidade foi usada como o enquadramento teórico para a análise. Como resultado, onze variáveis que intervêm no fenômeno foram identificadas: a) renda, b) tecnologia, c) facilidade do legalização, d) nível organizacional dos delinquentes, e) segurança, f) vigilância informal, g) nós da atividade, h) conduta espacial, i) penalidade, j) transnacionalidade, k) e instrumentalização; finalmente, expõe se uma visão holística criminológica e integradora dos elementos vinculados ao fenômeno, e a sugestão das ações do controle surgidas dos diferentes tipos de análise do crime. Em conclusão se apresentam recomendações que podem ser usadas na política criminal, nos países ou nos territórios com afetação deste tipo de criminalidade.

The variables that should be approached in the study of automobile theft or robbery are identified, as well as the strategies designed to fight against this crime. For such purpose, a systematic search was carried out through different scientific databases; a semi-structured interview was applied with people convicted in Colombia for automobile theft, and it was examined in contrast with the empirical evidence obtained through diverse analysis and field work carried out by the OBSER-DIJIN. The theory of rational choice and opportunity was used as a theoretical framework for the analysis. As a result, eleven variables involved in the occurrence were identified: a) profitability, b) technology, c) easy legalization, d) criminals’ organizational level, e) security, f) informal surveillance, g) activity nodes, h) special conduct, i) penalty, j) trans-nationality, and k) instrumentalization; a holistic criminological vision integrating the elements connected to the occurrence was finally exposed, along with control actions suggested as a result of the multivaried analysis of the crime. The article concludes with recommendations that may be used in criminal police in countries or territories affected with this kind of criminality.

Cultural Difference in Applicants for FAA Physical Performed in Korea 1997~2008 / 항공우주의학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been some reports that under-reporting of pilots concerning their medical history and current use of medications resulted in fatal accidents. From the AME (Aviation Medical Examiner)'s perspective, accurate documentation of the application forms with careful examination of the applicant is necessary to avoid errors and any mishaps that may be contributed by falsification by the pilot. This article examines FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) physicals performed in Korea from 1997 to 2008 to show how Korean and foreign applicants differ in terms of making statements concerning their medical history and current use of medications and to see what can be done to overcome such differences. METHODS: From 1997 to 2008, all FAA physicals performed in one medical institution, was examined. Using the SPSS, the data was analyzed to compare the two groups, the Korean and the expatriate pilots. RESULTS: The total number of applicants was 811 with 785 (96.7%) males and 26 (3.2%) females. Some of the astounding results found among the group of applicants with different citizenship, basically between the Korean applicants and those out of the country including the U.S. and other nations, was that the reporting of any current use of medication (prescription or nonprescription) and of the medical history was vastly different. In reporting the current use of any medication, 13 among 429 (3.0%) Koreans reported yes, whereas for expatriates 82 among 382 (21.5%) reported the current use of medicine. In describing the medical history of the past and present, only 86 (20.0%) Koreans described yes, whereas 217 (56.8%) expatriates did so (Fig. 3). In any visits to a health professional within the last 3 years, only 48 (11.2%) Koreans described yes, whereas there were 188 (49.2%) expatriates. CONCLUSION: In this study, the difference between Korean pilots and the expatriates concerning the disclosure of applicants' medical history, the current use of medication(s), and recent visit to a health professional is obvious. Issues of debate may be that Korean applicants comprise of young age pilots as opposed to relatively older group of expatriates, and so age-related factor cannot be disregarded. In conclusion, proper documentation and examination of pilots may prevent many mishaps related to medical conditions and the use of medication(s) that were not initially recognized and the failure to do will result in fatal accidents.

Manifestaciones impropias en la publicación científica: [revisión] / Inappropriate signs found in the scientific publication: [review]

La ocurrencia de algunas manifestaciones impropias en la producción y comunicación de resultados científicos ocurridas en el período 2004-2006, motivó la realización de esta revisión con la intención de profundizar en el conocimiento de las distintas formas en que pueden presentarse estas conductas. Se definen y comentan las formas severas como la fabricación y falsificación de datos, el plagio y otras menores o menos severas que las anteriores, como la publicación duplicada o redundante, autoría injustificada, sesgos de publicación, inexactitud en las citas bibliográfícas, entre las más importantes. Se comentan los aspectos éticos de estos problemas y se ofrecen algunos ejemplos de fraudes científicos ocurridos entre 1974 y 2006 que parecieron interesantes exponer.

Some inappropriate signs found in the production and communication of scientific results in the 2004-2006 period prompted to make this literature review, with the objective of delving into the different ways in which these misconducts may appear. The most important inappropriate signs such as data fabrication and falsification, and plagiarism as well as other minor or less severe expressions like duplicate or redundant publication, unjustified autorship, publication biases, and inaccurate bibliographic quotations were defined and discussed. Also, comments were made on the ethical aspects of these problems and some interesting examples of scientific frauds that have occured from 1974 to 2006 were provided.