Production
When the complete paper is ready to enter the production process, it is copy edited in the style of the journal, typeset, and marked-up in a structured way to allow for Web publishing. The artwork is sized and
scanned according to the required specifications. We generate a page proof for you to carry out a final check.

Proofreading
As soon as your manuscript has been typeset, a one set of page proofs in PDF format will be sent to the corresponding author. (If we do not have an email address, paper proofs will be sent by post.)  This usually happens 4 to 5 weeks after we receive your complete manuscript.

Elsevier now sends PDF proofs which can be annotated.  For this, you will need to download Adobe Reader version 7, available for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Instructions for how to annotate PDF files will accompany your proofs.  Please use this proof only for checking typesetting, editing, completeness and correctness of text, tables and figures. Significant changes to the article as accepted for publication will only be considered at this stage with the expressed permissison of the Editor.

Remember to check your proofs for:

• typesetting or conversion errors
• the result of (copy)editing actions. For example: language, house style, linking of captions to figures, graphical conventions, scientific nomenclature, etc.
• the use of illustrations: are they depicted at their actual size and roughly in place?

Accurate proofreading and clear marking of corrections are essential for the production of a quality paper. Please note that careful proofreading is solely your responsibility. Please mark any necessary corrections in a distinct manner.

Elsevier will do everything it can to get your article corrected and published as quickly and accurately as possible. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all of your corrections are sent back to us in one communication. Please check carefully that your corrections are complete before returning the PDF, as subsequent corrections cannot be guaranteed.  Note that Elsevier will proceed with the publication of your article, as-is, if no response is received from the proofread request.

Please return your corrections to the Elsevier Log-in Department as soon as possible, preferably within 2 days of receipt, by e-mail, fax, courier, or airmail. The fax number and office address for courier services will be included with your proofs.

When returning corrections by fax, please also include a list of the corrections on a separate sheet. When returning proofs by mail please use the label enclosed with your proofs. Note that we may proceed with publication if no response is received.

Queries to you as the author
There may be a list of comments/queries from the copyeditor on a "Queries to Author" sheet enclosed with your proof. The copyeditor may also ask you to update items in your reference list that were unavailable ("in press") at the time you submitted your manuscript but are available now. Please answer all of the copyeditor's queries and return the form with your marked proof.