"Independent review?" The editors were all sowhat surprised.
Ordinary manuscripts wouldn’t necessitate such a high-level review protocol.
After all, independent reviews... they cost money!
However, thinking about Hoffman’s wife’s illness, everyone began to understand his actions a bit more.
"Although I think this is sowhat redundant, according to what Professor Zheng said, if the experint is reproducible, then it shouldn’t be difficult to validate."
"Okay! I agree!"
Once the manuscript selection eting was over, Hoffman turned on his computer and sent the relevant information about the paper to his friend Richard’s email.
Then he made an international long-distance call...
...,
Across the ocean, in Gotham City.
PFE Headquarters, R&D Center Office.
"Richard, you’ve failed again! Ti after ti!
How many years has it been? Your bad news is as persistent as those little devils knocking on doors every Halloween, never missing an occurrence!
How much more of the budget do you want to take from this ti, huh!
Alright, I must tell you so good news, the President’s Office has decided to revoke your team’s research funding for the second half of the year!
Stop! Don’t talk to about its vast prospects, I know better than you how much money it could make us, but that’s under the condition that you develop this damned Alzheir’s disease target drug!
Without results, your team is nothing but a bottomless pit!
If you don’t want your entire team to pack up and leave, then you better bring a feasible research proposal as soon as possible.
Rember! In this proposal, don’t let hear the damned ’Alzheir’s’ ntioned, not a single letter!
Now, close the door, let have a mont of peace!"
A few monts later, a balding white man in his fifties erged from the office looking disheveled.
Richard slumped back to his own office, leaning back in his chair weakly, staring blankly at the sowhat disorganized files on his desk.
Yes, how many years has it been?
Seems like sixteen years now...
Since completing his doctorate, he had been imrsed in this field, hoping to make a na for himself one day.
But all these years, it’s as if he’s been on a road of no return.
People always tell him... it’s almost there, almost there...
Yet after more than a decade, he still couldn’t see the end...
Is it... really ti to give up...
"Professor, how did it go?" the office assistant asked cautiously.
"Sigh!"
A long sigh said it all.
Seeing this, the young assistant also sighed.
It might not be long before he had to start sending out resus again...
"Ding-a-ling-a-ling!"
Just then, the phone on the desk suddenly rang.
Richard picked up the receiver, listless.
"Hello!"
[Richard, it’s , your old friend Hoffman.]
"Hoffman, if you’re calling to catch up, I’m afraid I’m not really in the mood today..."
[Oh! That’s unfortunate because I’m not here to reminisce, I’m here to talk business, an independent review for ten thousand US dollars, do you accept?]
"Hmm..."
Considering the team’s dire financial situation, Richard’s enthusiasm was piqued.
"Of course, my old friend, it seems your journal has co across so valuable research papers?"
[Hmm... It’s too early to say, but I’m willing to put in so effort...
I’ve already sent the materials to your email; the rest is up to you!]
Richard imdiately turned on his computer...,
"Hmm! I’ve received them; let take a look... uh..."
After speed-reading the abstract, Richard’s eyes widened in astonishnt.
"Are you kidding? Don’t you know Professor Silvan is a close friend of mine?"
[Hypocrisy in flattery is the poison of friendship, sincere critique is the thin gift of amity, I believe your close friend won’t mind.]
"Uh..."
Stifled by the response, Richard could only roll his eyes and drop a line.
"For the beloved ’dolla-dolla,’ I will get back to you as soon as possible!"
Richard hung up, sowhat reluctantly perking up as he began to carefully go over the contents of the paper in the email...
After half an hour...
"Hiss~"
Though Hoffman was also an expert in neuroscience, how could he compare to Richard, who spent day and night racing in this field?
The data looked... completely free of any trace of fraud...
And... would anyone be foolish enough to tell a lie that could be exposed almost instantly?
Even without experintal validation, Richard had already used his intuition to make his judgnt...
But... how could this be possible?
That was one of the top five most cited papers in the field with over 2300 citations!
Clutching the printed docunt, his expression was one of changing hues.
That paper, like a streak of lightning, ripped through his dark, profound night sky!
The road to nowhere before him remained, with no end in sight.
Yet... a different path suddenly appeared before him...
"What’s the matter, Professor?" the assistant inquired, puzzled.
"Go! Prepare for the validation experint!"
"Huh? But it’s almost lunchti?"
"Imdiately! Right now! Gather everyone, I want you to get the results as fast as possible! Otherwise, you’ll have lunch outside with the holess!"
"I... alright, Professor! I’m on it!"
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