Hidden GCIs

Hidden General Concept Inclusion (GCI) axioms are a common design pattern in Uberon.

What are hidden GCIs?

From the OWLAPI docs

A GCI is regarded to be a "hidden" GCI if it is essentially introduce via an equivalent class axiom and a subclass axioms where the LHS of the subclass axiom is nameed. For example, A equivalentTo p some C, A subClassOf B results in a "hidden" GCI.

An Uberon example"

'pedal digit bone' = bone and part_of some 'pedal digit'
'pedal digit bone' SubClassOf part_of some 'pedal digit skeleton'

This can also be read as a rule "if X is a bone, and X is part of a digit, then X is part of the pedal digit skeleton". The equivalent "true" (non-hidden) GCI is written:

bone and part_of some 'pedal digit' SubClassOf part_of some 'pedal digit skeleton'

This pattern should be familiar from evolutionary variable GCIs

Why use hidden GCIs

Hidden GCIs are powerful, but must be used carefully. They provide a means to auto-classify on partonomy (something that is difficult with true GCIs)

Organ component layer GCIs

Subdivisions and layers of the digestive tract follow a similar pattern.

E.g.

'gall bladder lamina propria' = 'lamina propria' and part_of some 'gall bladder'
'gall bladder lamina propria' SubClassOf part_of some 'gall bladder mucosa'

Skeletal Hidden GCIs

• Skeleton-partonomy-Design-Pattern