Persistent Identifier System for Biological Name Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid and continuous changes in bacterial nomenclature lead to inconsistencies and errors in classification, making it difficult for end-users and information providers to maintain accurate information, which can result in misinterpretation and unintended consequences, especially in regulated contexts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically identifying and tagging name-like-strings in digital resources using an expertly curated database with persistent, globally unique identifiers, ensuring that biological names are linked to their current definitions and synonyms, thus providing on-demand access to accurate information and synchronizing updates across all relevant platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If biological names are used as primary entry points for information retrieval, then access to scientific literature and databases is enabled, but reliability deteriorates due to name changes, synonyms, and homonymy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a persistent identifier system that acts as an intermediary between biological names and their definitions. Instead of directly using biological names which change over time, the system assigns stable persistent identifiers to taxa and uses these as the reliable entry point for information retrieval, while maintaining mappings to current and historical names
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing persistent identifiers and comprehensive name-to-identifier mappings before information retrieval occurs. This allows the system to anticipate and accommodate future name changes without affecting the reliability of information access
2Reliability
If expert curation is used to maintain taxonomic accuracy, then reliability of biological names is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming nature of manual updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal persistent identifier system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides stable identification, enables automated information retrieval, supports synonym tracking, and facilitates cross-database linking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate manual curation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated name resolution using persistent identifiers. Instead of requiring expert intervention for each name lookup or update, the system automatically resolves biological names to their corresponding taxa and information using the persistent identifier system, with experts only needing to update the underlying taxonomic database
3Measurement precision
If manual tracking of name changes is performed, then accuracy of information is maintained, but loss of time increases due to the effort required to keep pace with nomenclature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the persistent identifier system automatically detects and processes name changes. When a biological name changes or new synonyms are introduced, the system receives feedback through updated database entries and automatically adjusts the name-to-identifier mappings, eliminating the need for manual tracking of each change
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods for automatically identifying name-like-strings in digital resources, matching these name-like-string against a set of names held in an expertly curated database, and for those name-like-strings found in said database, enhancing the content by associating additional matter with the name, wherein said matter includes information about the names that is held within said database and pointers to other digital resources which include the same name and it synonyms.