def _align(self, axis):
if axis is None:<EOL><INDENT>return self[<NUM_LIT:0>, <NUM_LIT:0>]<EOL><DEDENT>elif axis==<NUM_LIT:0>:<EOL><INDENT>return self<EOL><DEDENT>elif axis==<NUM_LIT:1>:<EOL><INDENT>return self.transpose()<EOL><DEDENT>else:<EOL><INDENT>raise ValueError("<STR_LIT>")<EOL><DEDENT>
A convenience function for operations that need to preserve axis
        orientation.