On 2016 Oct 16, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva commented:

There are possible concerns with images in this paper.

Fig 1e and f appear to be the same section, just rotated and/or with contrast adjusted. In addition, key findings of this study, the “crystal formations”, appear to be inserted objects into the image, at least one of which appears to be a 4-copy carbon copy (purple circles). http://imgur.com/ZcHzSYq

Fig 1g, 1h and 1i “crystal formations” appear to be cloned, in some cases with sizes adjusted. They have remarkably similar features, shape, etc. http://imgur.com/UY82sIQ

Authors and editors and Springer management contacted on June 15, 2016. To date, no response by any party.

On 2016 Oct 16, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva commented:

There are possible concerns with images in this paper.

Fig 1e and f appear to be the same section, just rotated and/or with contrast adjusted. In addition, key findings of this study, the “crystal formations”, appear to be inserted objects into the image, at least one of which appears to be a 4-copy carbon copy (purple circles). http://imgur.com/ZcHzSYq

Fig 1g, 1h and 1i “crystal formations” appear to be cloned, in some cases with sizes adjusted. They have remarkably similar features, shape, etc. http://imgur.com/UY82sIQ

Authors and editors and Springer management contacted on June 15, 2016. To date, no response by any party.