1) Authors who wish to present a paper (either oral or poster) at the AE IX International Congress must submit an abstract online via the abstract submission page of the Congress website. Any abstracts sent by post, fax or e-mail will not be accepted.

2) All abstracts must be written in English

3) The abstract title and text are limited to 1200 - 2500 characters (including spaces). A “blind” selection process will be used. No identifying features such as names of authors, hospitals, medical schools, clinics, services, associations or cities may be listed in the title or text of the abstract. The body of the abstract should be ordered as follows:

4) The first author of the abstract is expected to attend the meeting and present the paper (either oral or poster). Substitution by another author will be accepted only if the substitute has been indicated on the web page when submitting the abstract.

5)The first author and his/her substitute must provide a brief CV (min.100 - max.250 characters, including spaces).

6) Abstract deadlines will be strictly observed. Only abstracts received by the published deadline are guaranteed acceptance for evaluation. Abstracts submitted after the abstract deadline will be rejected.

7) Preferences expressed by the author for oral or poster presentation or for presentation on a particular day will be accommodated whenever possible at the discretion of the programme organizers.

8) Abstracts will be printed exactly as they are submitted. It is the author's responsibility to submit a correct abstract. Any error in spelling, grammar or scientific fact will be reproduced as typed by the author.

9) Notification of abstract selection will be made to the first author by e-mail no later than 30 April 2010.
Upon notification of acceptance of an abstract for presentation, it is the responsibility of the presenting author to fully register for the Congress via the Online Congress Registration page of the official Congress website and immediately confirm his/her participation by email notifying his/her Congress registration number to the Congress Organisers.

10) Only the first author may request the withdrawal of an abstract. Requests for withdrawals must reach the Congress organisation in writing by e-mail. It is the responsibility of the author to check whether the Congress organisation has received his/her withdrawal message. Withdrawals received prior to the printing of the programme will be withdrawn from the programme. Withdrawals received after the printing of the Programme will be reflected in the programme Corrigenda.

11) Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: This is a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT for all authors of all submissions. All authors, including all co-authors submitting abstracts are required to disclose their sources of contributed support (commercial, public, or private foundation grants, support for meeting attendance and off-label use of drugs, if any). Authors are also required to signify whether there may be a real or perceived conflict of interest. Any potential for financial gain that may be derived from reported work may constitute a potential conflict of interest. Authors presenting papers and posters at the Congress will be required to sign a personal Conflict of Interest statement. Disclosures will be included in the Book of Abstracts and must also take place at the time of presentation (both orally and in writing). Full details will be available in the Oral and Poster Presentation Instructions.

12) The time allotted for the presentation of oral papers is 15 (fifteen) minutes for presentation and 5 (five) minutes for questions.

13) Authors of abstracts assigned to poster sessions will have the opportunity to make a short oral presentation of their poster in the poster session. The time allotted for the poster oral presentation is 5 (five) minutes.

14) Presentation slides should be prepared and posters designed and displayed according to the instructions published on the Congress website. The size to fit poster boards is 90 cm wide and 120 cm high (vertical format).

15) Anonymity and Respect: Anonymity and respectful representation of any person portrayed in any presentation (oral or poster) is MANDATORY. Proof of written consent of the person and/or his or her legally authorized representative should be available for possible on-site review by the Scientific Programme Committee. Guidelines will be included in the Oral and Poster Presentation Instructions.