1. First Review

Manuscripts are screened by the editorial office regarding the manuscript format and the duplication rate. Manuscripts are then preliminarily evaluated by the editors-in-chief and editorial board members to ensure they meet the journal's rigorous scientific standards and are eligible for peer review.

2. Peer Review

Manuscripts that meet these criteria are single-blind reviewed by at least two referees. The referees provide detailed comments and recommendations to help the editorial board members arrive at the appropriate editorial decision.

3. Author Revision

Authors should carefully address all reviewer comments when submitting a revised manuscript.

4. Re-review

Revised manuscripts are evaluated by the editorial board members and may be sent to the original or new referees. The editors-in-chief have the ultimate authority to accept or reject a submission.

5. Appeal:

Authors may appeal to the editorial office to reconsider a rejection decision if they believe that the reviewers have seriously misjudged the manuscript. All appeals will be given careful consideration. The editorial board members and/or editors-in-chief will determine if further consideration is merited or if the original decision should stand.

*Submissions from members of the editorial board are handled by an editorial board member who is not connected with the manuscript to ensure that such submissions receive an objective and unbiased evaluation. Information about the review process for such submissions is redacted from the view of any editors who are authors of the paper within the journal's online submission and review system.