def sync_status(self, status):
        """Synchronize persistent identifier status.

        Used when the provider uses an external service, which might have been
        modified outside of our system.

        :param status: The new status to set.
        :returns: `True` if the PID is successfully sync.
        """
        if self.status == status:
            return True

        try:
            with db.session.begin_nested():
                self.status = status
                db.session.add(self)
        except SQLAlchemyError:
            logger.exception("Failed to sync status {0}.".format(status),
                             extra=dict(pid=self))
            raise
        logger.info("Synced PID status to {0}.".format(status),
                    extra=dict(pid=self))
        return True
Synchronize persistent identifier status.

        Used when the provider uses an external service, which might have been
        modified outside of our system.

        :param status: The new status to set.
        :returns: `True` if the PID is successfully sync.