Michael Meier

Foundations of SPARQL query optimization

We study fundamental aspects related to the efficient processing of the SPARQL query language for RDF, proposed by the W3C to encode machine-readable information in the Semantic Web. Our key contributions are (i) a complete complexity analysis for all operator fragments of the SPARQL query language, which -- as a central result -- shows that the SPARQL operator Optional alone is responsible for the PSpace-completeness of the evaluation problem, (ii) a study of equivalences over SPARQL algebra, including both rewriting rules like filter and projection pushing that are well-known from relational algebra optimization as well as SPARQL-specific rewriting schemes, and (iii) an approach to the semantic optimization of SPARQL queries, built on top of the classical chase algorithm. While studied in the context of a theoretically motivated set semantics, almost all results carry over to the official, bag-based semantics and therefore are of immediate practical relevance.

SPARQLing constraints for RDF

The goal of the Semantic Web is to support semantic interoperability between applications exchanging data on the web. The idea heavily relies on data being made available in machine readable format, using semantic markup languages. In this regard, the W3C has standardized RDF as the basic markup language for the Semantic Web. In contrast to relational databases, where data relationships are implicitly given by schema information as well as primary and foreign key constraints, relationships in semantic markup languages are made explicit. When mapping relational data into RDF, it is desirable to maintain the information implied by the origin constraints. As an improvement over existing approaches, our scheme allows for translating conventional databases into RDF without losing general constraints and vital key information. As much as in the relational model, those information are indispensable for data consistency and, as shown by example, can serve as a basis for semantic query optimization. We underline the practicability of our approach by showing that SPARQL, the most popular query language for RDF, can be used as a constraint language, akin to SQL in the relational context. As a theoretical contribution, we also discuss satisfiability for interesting classes of constraints and combinations thereof.

On chase termination beyond stratification

We study the termination problem of the chase algorithm, a central tool in various database problems such as the constraint implication problem, Conjunctive Query optimization, rewriting queries using views, data exchange, and data integration. The basic idea of the chase is, given a database instance and a set of constraints as input, to fix constraint violations in the database instance. It is well-known that, for an arbitrary set of constraints, the chase does not necessarily terminate (in general, it is even undecidable if it does or not). Addressing this issue, we review the limitations of existing sufficient termination conditions for the chase and develop new techniques that allow us to establish weaker sufficient conditions. In particular, we introduce two novel termination conditions called safety and inductive restriction, and use them to define the so-called T-hierarchy of termination conditions. We then study the interrelations of our termination conditions with previous conditions and the complexity of checking our conditions. This analysis leads to an algorithm that checks membership in a level of the T-hierarchy and accounts for the complexity of termination conditions. As another contribution, we study the problem of data-dependent chase termination and present sufficient termination conditions w.r.t. fixed instances. They might guarantee termination although the chase does not terminate in the general case. As an application of our techniques beyond those already mentioned, we transfer our results into the field of query answering over knowledge bases where the chase on the underlying database may not terminate, making existing algorithms applicable to broader classes of constraints.

A free radical chain mechanism for the isonitrile-nitrile rearrangement in solution and its inhibition

Abstract A large fraction of the isonitrile-nitrile rearrangement of t-alkyl isonitriles in solution follows a free radical chain mechanism of the addition-elimination type.

Semantic query optimization in the presence of types

Both semantic and type-based query optimization rely on the idea that queries often exhibit non-trivial rewritings if the state space of the database is restricted. Despite their close connection, these two problems to date have always been studied separately. We present a unifying, logic-based framework for query optimization in the presence of data dependencies and type information. It builds upon the classical chase algorithm and extends existing query minimization techniques to considerably larger classes of queries and dependencies. In particular, our setting requires chasing conjunctive queries (possibly with union and negation) in the presence of dependencies containing negation and disjunction. We study the applicability of the chase in this setting, develop novel conditions that guarantee its termination, identify fragments for which minimal query computation is always possible (w.r.t. a generic cost function), and investigate the complexity of related decision problems.

Towards Rule-Based Minimization of RDF Graphs under Constraints

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a cornerstone of the Semantic Web. Due to its few and elementary language constructs, RDF data can become large and contain redundant information. So far, techniques for eliminating redundancy rely on the generic notion of lean graphs. We propose a user-specific minimization technique based on Datalog rules, enabling a user to specify the structures in an RDF graph that are not relevant for an application and therefore are deleted, while still by means of the rules retaining the possibility to reconstruct the deleted data. We set this scenario on top of constraints to ensure data consistency, i.e. if an RDF graph satisfies some constraints before minimization, these constraints must be also satisfied afterwards. The problem is decidable but already for a restricted case intractable. In addition we give a fragment of the minimization problem which can be solved in polynomial time.

On the termination of the chase algorithm

In my PhD thesis I study the termination problem of the chase algorithm, a central tool in various database problems such as the constraint implication problem, conjunctive query optimization, rewriting queries using views, data exchange, and data integration.

Flash pyrolysis of isonitriles, a stereospecific high yield reaction

Abstract Nitriles are obtained from isonitriles in almost quantitative yields and with almost complete retention of the stereochemistry by a convenient flash pyrolytic procedure.