Lindy Walton

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  • in reply to: down tack #38818
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    HI Deborah.

    The Nemeth Code does not have a symbol for the "down tack". You get to devise one! I'll ask for some advice and get back to you soon.

    Lindy

    in reply to: Nemeth with UEB graphics #38668
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    It sounds like you have the right idea. The decision whether or not to switch to Nemeth for a graphic is the same, really, as switching decisions within the narrative. A tactile graphic is not in any "code" per se -- it is the braille symbols associated with it, such as labels or keyed items, that obey the rules of UEB or Nemeth, as appropriate.

    There are spacing issues in a graphic, however. If the labels can all be done in UEB, do so. If, however, a label requires a switch to Nemeth, it is ideal to place the switch indicators out of the way of the graphic -- that is, open Nemeth, blank line, graphic (with Nemeth labels), blank line, terminate Nemeth (if needed).

    This will encompass the entire page only if the drawing itself takes the entire page. If the page has text before the graphic, open Nemeth after the text. The opening Nemeth Code indicator can go on the same line as the narrative, but if it doesn't fit, put it in cell 1 on the next line. The blank line the precedes the graphic will be on the following line.

    An exception is made regarding Cartesian graphs, which may be transcribed without the use of code switch indicators as long as the omission is clearly stated on the Transcriber's Notes page.

    Code switching needs to be considered individually with each graphic.

    Lindy

    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Don't you just love puzzles? If I understand this right, the four answer choices (T A L E) are shared among the three questions (1 2 3). I expect the instructions come first and perhaps apply to several problems in the riddle puzzle?

    Braille Formats Section 10 gives guidelines for exercise material. I'm sure you've read them. I think you need to be creative with your worksheet.

    I would draw the triangle first, followed by the four shared answer choices (listed in cell 3), then the three questions (listed in cell 1). Keep it all together on the same page. Disregard the circles around the letters and numbers.

    I'll sketch it out, below. (You will use the horizontal-fraction-line fraction style shown in your image.)

    (switch to Nemeth)
    -----------blank line
    [graphic]
    -----------blank line
    T 12/13
    A 5/13
    L 13/5
    E 5/12
    -----------blank line
    1 sin A
    2 cos A
    3 tan A
    -----------blank line

    If your layout doesn't seem clear to the reader, compose a short transcriber's note. Something like "Four lettered answer choices are given before each set of numbered questions."

    Another idea is to insert "Answer Choices" as a transcriber's note before each list of answer choices and "Questions" before each list of questions. The TNs in cell 5 (like a cell-5 heading) and each list in cell 1. This would require a lot of code switching, however, since the TNs must be in UEB.

    You might like to run your question by the Braille Formats forum and see what other folks suggest.

    Thanks for your puzzling question.

    Lindy

    in reply to: web address with equal signs in UEB with Nemeth #38607
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    The BANA Nemeth committee is advising that you follow UEB rules and use UEB symbols for web addresses.

    On your Special Symbols page, I suggest specifying the context in which the UEB "math" symbol is used. For example, "Equals sign used in web address"

    Lindy

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Lindy Walton.
    in reply to: Splitting Mathematical Expressions #38604
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    I'm happy to see your question because there has been much misinterpretation of this rule. Current recommendations under discussion are that you need not divide at every location "higher on the priority list". Regarding the example you sent, you are correct that the (red) baseline indicator attached to the plus symbol should begin the runover line, however it is not necessary to divide again before the final addend (blue). The second example (Example 15.16-4 in the Provisional edition of the Nemeth lesson manual) shows a grouped expression that will not fit on the line. In my opinion, it does not need to be divided further. It is not necessary to divide before the division symbol.

    You will be happy to know that the upcoming new edition of the Nemeth Code and the upcoming new edition of the Nemeth instruction manual will be presenting much clearer guidelines to follow when faced with a long mathematical expression that requires division between lines. Until their release, I am happy to address your questions in this forum.

    Lindy

    in reply to: worded fraction #38599
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    This entire statement is a mathematical expression. Start with an opening Nemeth Code indicator and a space; end with a space and a Nemeth Code terminator. Embedded or displayed, you will need to start a new line with the comparison sign (equals) and also start a new line with the operation sign (diagonal fraction line).

    Using the example in your post, fraction indicators are not used because the numerator and denominator are each printed on the baseline of writing and there is no difference in type size. The letter E in the numerator does not need an English-letter indicator because it is not followed by a space. (Even though it will end the braille line, it would not be followed by a space were it touching the fraction line.) All words will be uncontracted.

    This simbraille uses a 40-cell line.

    _% ,P(,E)
    .K NUMBER OF OUTCOMES CORRESPONDING TO
    THE EVENT ,E
    _/TOTAL NUMBER OF EQUALLY LIKELY
    OUTCOMES _:

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Lindy Walton.
    • This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Lindy Walton.
    in reply to: Underline in UEB with Nemeth #38545
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi Laurie. Your question certainly makes me pause. This has been a topic of debate for a long time. Here is my advice. The Nemeth Code tells us to disregard typeform if it is not mathematically significant. Section 34.b: "When any material, mathematical or literary, is printed in non-regular type that has no mathematical significance, the variant type form must not be represented in the transcription."

    I would not underline "top 3%" in the braille transcription. If you feel the student will be missing a hint that the print readers get from the underlining, you can inform the reader by means of a transcriber's note that "top 3%" is underlined in print.

    Hope this helps.

    Lindy

    in reply to: Graphing Calculator #38524
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    James Williams has some answers and suggestions for you.

    Section 6.2 of the Graphing Calculator Guidelines does say no spaces before or after the keystroke Y=, but the examples given on pages 16 and 20 are referring to actual graphing screens, not keystrokes. An example of the Y= keystroke can be found on pages 10 (print) and 11 (braille), as indicated by the post's author, and follows Section 6.2. More examples reinforcing Section 6.2 appear on pages 36 (print) and 40 (braille), pages 43 (print) and 44 (braille), and pages 56 (print) and 57 (braille).

    As for keystrokes not shown in boxes, I would say to use the keystroke indicator since GCG 2.1 states "The keystroke may be shown in print text with brackets, a clear or shaded rectangular box, a clear rectangular box with rounded corners, etc." The "etc." leaves wiggle-room here. I would put a note on the TN page regarding how the keystrokes are presented in print. All keystrokes are transcribed within Nemeth switches (GCG 2.2).

    In addition, I would offer a caveat to the transcriber regarding the context of the "keystroke," especially if all keystrokes and references to screens in general are fully-capped. From the example given, that last "STAT" might refer to the "STAT" screen and not necessarily a "STAT" key since the last keystroke used in the example was "ENTER." A reference to the "STAT" screen would follow GC 3 and be brailled as it would appear on the screen (double-capped and uncontracted), but not within switch indicators. Samples 1 and 9 show how to treat references to screens within surrounding text. Sample 12 specifically shows the "STAT PLOTS" menu as both a reference in surrounding text and as a screen.

    Hope this helps! Let us know if you have further questions.

     

    in reply to: Hypercomplex fraction #38520
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi, Susan.
    The parentheses don't have an impact on the Nemeth Code's definition of a complex or hypercomplex fraction.

    You have three fractions here.
    --The first one (the anchor) is a simple fraction. The words in the numerator and the denominator will be uncontracted.
    --The second fraction (the first link) is a complex fraction.
    --The third fraction (the second link) contains the simple fraction "r over n".

    The Nemeth Code defines "complex fraction" as follows. A complex fraction is one whose numerator, denominator, or both, contains at least one simple fraction.

    It goes on to say that a fraction is not a complex fraction if the only simple fractions it contains are at the superscript or subscript level. That is not the case with your example.

    There are no hypercomplex fractions in the expression. To be a hypercomplex fraction, the numerator, denominator, or both, must contain at least one complex fraction.

    The complex fraction indicators and fraction line start with one dot 6.

    Opening Complex Fraction Indicator (6, 1456)

    Horizontal Complex Fraction Lind (6, 34)

    Closing Complex Fraction Indicator (6, 3456)

    --Lindy

     

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    in reply to: Excel spreadsheets the formulae #38519
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Sorry for the delay. We feel that Nemeth symbols should be used, and that the spacing should follow print. I can see how there are times the transcription will be ambiguous. Those cases may benefit from a transcriber's note explaining. Are you disregarding the capitals? If so, the commas will be unlikely to be misread.

    Please send examples of formulae that you find to be difficult. It would be interesting to see how they look in braille.

    Thank you for your question.

    Lindy

    in reply to: Letter Permutations in Nemeth #38518
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    What an interesting question!

    My *opinion* is that the word BANANA in the sentence can be in UEB, but the permutations should be in Nemeth. Each letter will be individually capitalized in the permutations. If the UEB word contained contractions, you would not use them.

    This brings up a fond memory of Dr. Nemeth's sense of humor when he suggested that the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) change its name to the Braille and Nemeth Authority of North America (BANANA).

    Lindy

     

    in reply to: Chemistry Structures and Statements in a Graph #38446
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi Beth.
    The BANA Chemistry committee has discussed the encircled plus and minus at length and is suggesting that we implement two shorter symbols when the these symbols appear in a spatial diagram. These new symbols have not been published yet, but I see no reason why you can't use them as long as you state in a TN what they are.

    For the encircled plus, use "ed" "c" "+" (1246, 14, 346) which is the shape symbol for "circle" followed by a plus sign.
    For the encircled minus, use "ed" "c" "-" (1246, 14, 36) which is the shape symbol for "circle" followed by a minus sign.
    These symbols are to be used only in the context of a spatial diagram when the plus or minus sign stands alone.

    $c+     $c-

    You can move the detached charge symbols in order to accommodate the surrounding material in the spatial diagram, as long as the symbol is close to the letter to which it applies.

    Regarding the graph, keying the items is a good idea. Yes, upper-cell numbers are used in a key. I suggest not keying the bottom two formulas though, because they will fit without interfering with the graph line.

    "Deprotonation" and "Reaction Progress" will need to be uncontracted. If that doesn't leave you with enough room for the arrows on that line, you can divide "Deprotonation" (deproto -nation). According to Tactile Graphics guidelines, when a label needs to be split between two braille lines, the runover should be left justified, not indented.

    Please let me know if you have further questions.

    Lindy

    in reply to: Excel spreadsheets the formulae #38411
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi. We are discussing your question and will provide a response soon.

     

    in reply to: Chemistry Questions #38367
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi Beth.
    Thank you for your questions.

    Q#1: About those labels As, Bp, Bs, Cp, Cs, Dp, and Ds. Yes, a 2-letter technical term is to be transcribed in Nemeth. You will use a dot 6 comma since these are not abbreviations.

    I would not retain the bold here because the typeform has no meaning other than to catch the attention of the print reader (as far as I can tell. Is there some indication in the text that gives importance to the bold being used?) We are wisely advised to disregard typeform when all instances of the same item are in the same typeform, and/or when the typeform has no technical meaning. Likewise for the bold applied to letters s and p in s = supernatant; p = pellet. The bold is just eye candy here, as far as I can tell. (If you *were to retain boldface for these 2-letter labels, you would treat them as two bold letters, not one bold word.)

    To answer your question about indicators, if you were to use the 3-cell Nemeth typeform indicators right next to a code switch indicator, a space is not required between them. The space required before the opening switch does double-duty for the space required before the typeform indicator. Same goes for the terminators.

    I want you to know that the upcoming much-anticipated Nemeth Code will have much clearer rules and examples of the use of typeform indicators inside the switches. Likewise, the upcoming much-anticipated Nemeth Code lesson book will reflect the new rules.

    Q#2:
    Regarding "4,000 x g" etc. OH MY GOODNESS. A little googling brought up the fact that "g" is indeed a unit of measure here (in the context of physics, centrifugal force, and such). It doesn't mean "grams" in this case, but for our purposes just knowing it is a unit of measure helps us know what to do with it. (Space before, ELI needed.) But what about that "x"? We encounter a similar dilemma in "4x6" where the x doesn't really mean "multiply".

    On this topic, UEB 3.9.1, Crosses, is interesting to read. Yes, you need to determine the meaning of the "cross" sign. UEB says that if the cross is used to show dimensions or degree of magnification, to use the multiplication sign. Okay, then in Nemeth-with-UEB that is our cue to switch to Nemeth because we don't use the UEB multiplication cross in a Nemeth transcription.

    So ... put "4,000 x g" all in Nemeth, spacing only before the unit "g". I notice that the print document is inconsistent with their spacing (not an uncommon thing). As long as you are consistent with your intentional treatment of these items, your reader will not stumble.

    Here is the link to the meaning of "g", if you're curious: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What-is-the-difference-between-the-G-and-the-RPM-in-Centrifugae-Machine-Is-it-same-or-what-Does-it-have-any-specific-formula-for-conversion

    Q#3:
    Regarding "1x Laemmli" and "4x Laemmli" etc., yes, this refers to a concentration of a solution. So you need to apply the same logic to this as mentioned in Q#2. Even though 4x is not "math" here, the cross sign requires a switch to Nemeth.

    Q#4:
    Yes, I would assume SDS (on the last line) is an abbreviation. Without any context to rely upon, I would use UEB for SDS, using the capitalized word indicator.

    Q#5:
    When you are doing worksheets, it can be very helpful to obtain a braille copy of the textbook (if available!) or contact the transcriber (if known!) so you can be consistent with what they did.

    About Handout-9-Table1.jpg: In the context of a table, you can either put just (x g) in Nemeth and switch to NC after the column separation lines, or you can do the entire table in Nemeth, which I recommend. See attached brf file.

     

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    in reply to: Division of Mathematical Expressions Between Braille Lines #38352
    Lindy Walton
    Moderator

    Hi Veeah.

    The division of expression guidelines are hard to understand, and frankly are not very clear in the code because of the wide variation in issues we face with long expressions.
    Over the years, we all got a little carried away trying to make sense of the priority list outlined in the code book.

    In retrospect, the statement in Lesson 14 that says "If an expression must be divided at a site lower on the priority list, a new line is required at each sign which occurs higher on the list" is simply not practical. You'll be happy to hear that this topic will be easier to comprehend in the updated lesson material and code book, due out some time in 2022. In the meantime...

    Honestly, the concept is simple and if we step back a bit, usually we can come up with a clear transcription.

    In a long linked expression, the first thing to keep in mind is to begin each link on a new line. There are two links in your example. A new line begins with each of those links, beginning with the equals sign. When the anchor is so small (in this case, "a"), it may seem strange to leave it all alone on a line by itself, but by starting each link on a new line, the structure of the equation is not lost.

    The issue now is what to do with the long fraction. Yes, divide before the fraction line, to keep the numerator distinct from the denominator. A numeric indicator is not needed for the "1" in the denominator because it is not preceded by a space.

    Now what to do with the factor "9.81 m/s^2"? Since no operation sign is present, you don't need to begin a new line. It's okay if you do, for clarity, but it's not required. If you do begin a new line with "9.81 m/s^2" then you need a numeric indicator before the 9 because it is the first symbol on the line. On the other hand, if you keep "9.81 m/s^2" unspaced from the closing fraction indicator on the previous line, the numeric indicator is not needed.

    One correction needed: Delete the space between the plus symbol and "2" in the numerator.

    I love your questions. Thank you for sharing this with everyone on the forum.

    Lindy

Viewing 15 posts - 106 through 120 (of 401 total)