Preparation
Manuscripts should be typed in English, double spaced and singlesided on A4 sheets (8.5 x 11''), and should be numbered beginningwith the title page. The first page of an article should contain only(1) the title of the paper, the name(s) and address(es) of theauthor(s), (2) a short title not exceeding 45 letters and spaces, (3)the name and address of the author to whom correspondence and proofsshould be sent. If possible, an electronic-mail address or telex orfax number should also be provided. An abstract of 50--250 words and4--8 key words should follow the title page on a separate sheet.
Headings and subheadings for different sections of the paper (e.g.Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) should be clearlyindicated. Detailed mathematical discussion should be placed in anappendix. Units of measurement, abbreviations and symbols shouldfollow the international system of units (SI). Equations and formulasshould be typewritten wherever possible. Equations should be numberedconsecutively with arabic numerals in parentheses on the right-handside of the page. Special symbols should be identified in the margin.
Tables and figures
Tables should be given short informative titles and should benumbered consecutively in arabic numerals. Tables may be reproducedby photo-offset, i.e. directly from the typed manuscript. Figures ina form suitable for reproduction should be submitted separately fromthe text as original drawings in Indian ink, or as high contrast,sharp unmounted photographs on glossy paper. Lettering on figuresshould be proportional to the size of the figure to ensure legibilityafter reduction. On the back of each figure should be indicatedlightly in soft pencil: (1) the top of the figure by an arrow, (2)the author and figure number. All figures and tables should be citedconsecutively in the text and a list of short captions should beprovided at the end of the paper.
References
The references should be cited in the text in a sequential manner,indicated by numbers in square brackets. References should be listedat the end of the paper in the reference section in numerical order.
References to journals should give in this order: Initial(s) and lastname(s) of author(s), standard abbreviated title of periodical(according to the system co-sponsored by the American ChemicalSociety and listed in Bibliographical Guide for Editors and Authors),volume number, first relevant page, year of publication inparentheses, e.g.:
D.J. Blundell and B.N. Osborn, Polymer, 24, 953 (1983)
References to a paper or chapter in a book, an authored/edited bookshould be listed in the following style respectively:
F.H.J. Maurer, in ``Controlled Interphases in Composite Materials'',H. Ishida, Ed., Elsevier Science, New York (1990) p. 491
B.D. Agarwal and L.J. Broutman, ``Analysis and Performances of FiberComposites'', John Wiley and Sons, New York (1980) pp. 185--232
References to patents should be listed as follows:
A.Y. Coran and R. Patel, U.S. Pat. 4,323,625 (1982)
If a publication is in press the reference should be made as completeas possible, e.g. stating the name of the journal and adding ``inpress''.
Proofs
Proofs will be sent to the nominated author to check typesettingaccuracy. Alterations to the original manuscript at this stage willresult in considerable delay in publication and, therefore, are notaccepted unless charged to the author. Proofs should be returnedwithin two days of receipt.
Offprints
A password-protected PDF-file will be supplied with eacharticle for personal use. Offprints may be ordered at pricesshown on the order form, which will be sent to the authortogether with the proofs.
There is no page charge.
Short communications should be presented in the same style as a fullpaper.
Word-processor disks
The publisher's production department can use your word-processordisks. If available, please send a copy of the disk with your finalrevised manuscript (together with two copies of the printout). Thisgives a substantial decrease in typesetting time and ensures thatthere are no re-keying errors in the article. Moreover, usingword-processor disks helps us to shorten publication times. If youprovide a disk, please follow these instructions:
1. Label the disk with the author's name; the word processor/computerused (e.g., IBM-PC, Macintosh); the name of the program (e.g.,WordPerfect, TEX, MS-Word). If you have an editor's manuscriptnumber, include it in the label.; 2. Send the manuscript as threefiles; if possible keep the text, figure legends, and tables inseparate files. File names must clearly indicate the content of eachfile; 3. Send separate disks if you submit more than one article atthe time; 4. A hard copy printout of the manuscript that exactlymatches the disk files must be supplied. Special characters andsymbols which are not included in the printer used, should be left asblank spaces in the files and these should be correctly written inthe printout in red; 5. Do not use footnotes; 6. Do not justify theright-hand margin.
VSPPostal address: P.O. Box 9000, 2300 PA Leiden, The Netherlands