All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment before peer review. During this stage, the Editorial Office evaluates whether the manuscript:

• Falls within the journal's aims and scope.
• Complies with the Instructions for Authors.
• Meets formatting and submission requirements.
• Demonstrates adequate scientific quality.
• Includes all required ethical declarations.
• Passes plagiarism screening.

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for technical revision or rejected without external peer review.