A question about consistency of in-text bracketed reference numbers

[nomadreid]

This is not a contextual question, but a stylistic one; hence it doesn't seem to belong in the other threads.

I am proof-reading a paper, and I am unsure about the way the author uses square brackets for the indication of (numbered) sources. In order not to be quoting a source without authorization or citation, I will make up an example that follows the author's style:

"This solution can be used to develop further examples of the application of this technique [18], [26]. In particular, in [26], the transformations are used as new variables..."

Note that he uses the square brackets in two different ways: in the first case "technique [18], [26]" , he uses them to say "see [18] and [26] for details", whereas in the final case,"In particular, in [26]," he is using the brackets as a substitute for the title etc. of the source. Put another way, the first case is an aside, a parenthetical statement, whereas the second case is used as a noun in the sentence itself. This appears to be to be inconsistent.

Am I being too picky, or if not, what is the solution?

While I am here, the author occasionally (thinking in the structure of his native language) occasionally uses "the obtained solution"; more natural would be something like "the solution thereby obtained", but is "the obtained solution" also acceptable?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Am I being too picky

You are being too picky.

 

[nomadreid]

OK, thanks, Vanadium 50. It is certainly easiest to leave the text as is.
I presume your answer goes also for the question about "obtained".

 

[Klystron]

While I am here, the author occasionally (thinking in the structure of his native language) occasionally uses "the obtained solution"; more natural would be something like "the solution thereby obtained", but is "the obtained solution" also acceptable?

Both forms appear acceptable*. The first uses the past participle of the verb obtain as an adjective to modify solution. Your preferred form retains obtained as a following adverb. Example:

I own the red painted truck.
I own the truck painted red.

*As has been mentioned by grammarians in other threads, much of the grammar and syntactical forms I learned ~60 years ago are effectively obsolete due to numerous changes in predicate and propositional logic. The general term adverb seems safe to apply to most modifiers derived from verbs.

 

[nomadreid]

Thanks, Klystron. Interesting way to look at it.