VLDB 2026 Research / reviewers in the wild / expert
Paul Wild
dblp:200/8152
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21ranked-venue papers
9as first author
16since 2021 · last 2026
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Theory of computation · 17 · 6 first-author · 15 since 2021Software engineering, systems software and programming languages · 4 · 2 first-author · 4 since 2021Artificial intelligence and machine learning · 3 · 2 first-author · 1 since 2021Graphics, computer vision, multimedia, augmented reality and games · 3 · 2 first-author · 1 since 2021Applied, interdisciplinary, general and emerging computing · 1 · 1 first-author
| Year | Publication | Venue | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Threshold-Based Behavioural DistancesabstractBehavioural distances generally offer more fine-grained means of comparing quantitative systems than two-valued behavioural equivalences. They often relate to quantitative modal logics that characterize a given behavioural distance in terms of the induced logical distance. We develop a unified framework for behavioural distances and logics induced by a special type of modalities that lift two-valued predicates to quantitative predicates. A typical example is the probability operator, which maps a two-valued predicate A to a quantitative predicate on probability distributions assigning to each distribution the respective probability of A. Correspondingly, the prototypical example of our framework is ε-bisimulation distance of Markov chains, which has recently been shown to coincide with the behavioural distance induced by the popular Lévy-Prokhorov distance on distributions. Other examples include behavioural distance on metric transition systems and Hausdorff behavioural distance on fuzzy transition systems. We establish a number of general results in this framework, including existence and polynomial-time computation of distinguishing formulae in two characteristic modal logics: A two-valued logic with a notion of satisfaction up to ε, and a quantitative logic. These general results instantiate to new results in many of the mentioned examples. Notably, we obtain polynomial-time computation of distinguishing formulae for ε-bisimulation distance of Markov chains in a quantitative logic featuring a "generally" modality used in probabilistic knowledge representation. Jonas Forster, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild, Barbara König 0001, Pedro Nora |
CONCUR | 3 |
| 2026 | Generalized Kantorovich-Rubinstein Duality beyond Hausdorff and Kantorovich
Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder, Karla Messing, Barbara König 0001, Jonas Forster |
FoSSaCS | 1 |
| 2025 | Quantitative Graded Semantics and Spectra of Behavioural MetricsabstractBehavioural metrics provide a quantitative refinement of classical two-valued behavioural equivalences on systems with quantitative data, such as metric or probabilistic transition systems. In analogy to the linear-time/ branching-time spectrum of two-valued behavioural equivalences on transition systems, behavioural metrics vary in granularity, and are often characterized by fragments of suitable modal logics. In the latter respect, the quantitative case is, however, more involved than the two-valued one; in fact, we show that probabilistic metric trace distance cannot be characterized by any compositionally defined modal logic with unary modalities. We go on to provide a unifying treatment of spectra of behavioural metrics in the emerging framework of graded monads, working in coalgebraic generality, that is, parametrically in the system type. In the ensuing development of quantitative graded semantics, we introduce algebraic presentations of graded monads on the category of metric spaces. Moreover, we provide a general criterion for a given real-valued modal logic to characterize a given behavioural distance. As a case study, we apply this criterion to obtain a new characteristic modal logic for trace distance in fuzzy metric transition systems. Jonas Forster, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild, Harsh Beohar, Sebastian Gurke, Barbara König 0001, Karla Messing |
CSL | 3 |
| 2025 | Relational Connectors and Heterogeneous SimulationsabstractAbstract While behavioural equivalences among systems of the same type, such as Park/Milner bisimilarity of labelled transition systems, are an established notion, a systematic treatment of relationships between systems of different types is currently missing. We provide such a treatment in the framework of universal coalgebra, in which the type of a system (nondeterministic, probabilistic, weighted, game-based etc.) is abstracted as a set functor: We introduce relational connectors among set functors, which induce notions of heterogeneous (bi)simulation among coalgebras of the respective types. We give a number of constructions on relational connectors. In particular, we identify composition and converse operations on relational connectors; we construct corresponding identity relational connectors, showing that the latter generalize the standard Barr extension of weak-pullback-preserving functors; and we introduce a Kantorovich construction in which relational connectors are induced from relations between modalities. For Kantorovich relational connectors, one has a notion of dual-purpose modal logic interpreted over both system types, and we prove a corresponding Hennessy-Milner-type theorem stating that generalized (bi)similarity coincides with theory inclusion on finitely-branching systems. We apply these results to a number of example scenarios involving labelled transition systems with different label alphabets, probabilistic systems, and input/output conformances. Pedro Nora, Jurriaan Rot, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
FoSSaCS | 4 |
| 2025 | Non-expansive Fuzzy ALCabstractFuzzy description logics serve the representation of vague knowledge, typically letting concepts take truth degrees in the unit interval. Expressiveness, logical properties, and complexity vary strongly with the choice of propositional base. The Łukasiewicz propositional base is generally perceived to have preferable logical properties but often entails high complexity or even undecidability. Contrastingly, the less expressive Zadeh propositional base comes with low complexity but entails essentially no change in logical behaviour compared to the classical case. To strike a balance between these poles, we propose non-expansive fuzzy ALC, in which the Zadeh base is extended with Łukasiewicz connectives where one side is restricted to be a rational constant, that is, with constant shift operators. This allows, for instance, modelling dampened inheritance of properties along roles. We present an unlabelled tableau method for non-expansive fuzzy ALC, which allows reasoning over general TBoxes in EXPTime like in two-valued ALC. Stefan Gebhart, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
IJCAI | 3 |
| 2025 | Conformance Games for Graded SemanticsabstractGame-theoretic characterizations of process equivalences traditionally form a central topic in concurrency; for example, most equivalences on the classical linear-time / branching-time spectrum come with such characterizations. Recent work on so-called graded semantics has led to a generic behavioural equivalence game that covers the mentioned games on the linear-time / branching-time spectrum and moreover applies in coalgebraic generality, and thus instantiates also to equivalence games on systems with non-relational branching type (probabilistic, weighted, game-based etc.). In the present work, we generalize this approach to cover other types of process comparison beyond equivalence, such as behavioural preorders or pseudometrics. At the most general level, we abstract such notions of behavioural conformance in terms of topological categories, and later specialize to conformances presented as relational structures to obtain a concrete syntax. We obtain a sound and complete generic game for behavioural conformances in this sense. We present a number of instantiations, obtaining game characterizations of, e.g., trace inclusion, probabilistic trace distance, bisimulation topologies, and simulation distances on metric labelled transition systems. Jonas Forster, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
LICS | 3 |
| 2025 | Relators and Notions of Simulation RevisitedabstractSimulations and bisimulations are ubiquitous in the study of concurrent systems and modal logics of various types. Besides classical relational transition systems, relevant system types include, for instance, probabilistic, weighted, neighbourhood-based, and game-based systems. Universal coalgebra abstracts system types in this sense as set functors. Notions of (bi)simulation then arise by extending the functor to act on relations in a suitable manner, turning it into what may be termed a relator. We contribute to the study of relators in the broadest possible sense, in particular in relation to their induced notions of (bi)similarity. Specifically, (i) we show that every functor that preserves a very restricted type of pullbacks (termed 1/4-iso pullbacks) admits a sound and complete notion of bisimulation induced by the coBarr relator; (ii) we establish equivalences between properties of relators and closure properties of the induced notion of (bi)simulation, showing in particular that the full set of expected closure properties requires the relator to be a lax extension, and that soundness of (bi)simulations requires preservation of diagonals; and (iii) we show that functors preserving inverse images admit a greatest lax extension. In a concluding case study, we apply (iii) to obtain a novel highly permissive notion of twisted bisimulation on labelled transition systems. Sergey Goncharov 0001, Dirk Hofmann, Pedro Nora, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
LICS | 5 |
| 2025 | Behavioural Conformances based on Lax CouplingsabstractBehavioural conformances – e.g. behavioural equivalences, distances, preorders – on a wide range of system types (non-deterministic, probabilistic, weighted etc.) can be dealt with uniformly in the paradigm of universal coalgebra. One of the most commonly used constructions for defining behavioural distances on coalgebras arises as a generalization of the well-known Wasserstein metric. In this construction, couplings of probability distributions are replaced with couplings of more general objects, depending on the functor describing the system type. In many cases, however, the set of couplings of two functor elements is empty, which causes such elements to have infinite distance even in situations where this is not desirable. We propose an approach to defining behavioural distances and preorders based on a more liberal notion of coupling where the coupled elements are matched laxly rather than on-the-nose. We thereby substantially broaden the range of behavioural conformances expressible in terms of couplings, covering, e.g., refinement of modal transition systems and behavioural distance on metric labelled Markov chains. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder |
LICS | 1 |
| 2025 | Identity-Preserving Lax Extensions and Where to Find ThemabstractGeneric notions of bisimulation for various types of systems (nondeterministic, probabilistic, weighted etc.) rely on identity-preserving (normal) lax extensions of the functor encapsulating the system type, in the paradigm of universal coalgebra. It is known that preservation of weak pullbacks is a sufficient condition for a functor to admit a normal lax extension (the Barr extension, which in fact is then even strict); in the converse direction, nothing is currently known about necessary (weak) pullback preservation conditions for the existence of normal lax extensions. In the present work, we narrow this gap by showing on the one hand that functors admitting a normal lax extension preserve 1/4-iso pullbacks, i.e. pullbacks in which at least one of the projections is an isomorphism. On the other hand, we give sufficient conditions, showing that a functor admits a normal lax extension if it weakly preserves either 1/4-iso pullbacks and 4/4-epi pullbacks (i.e. pullbacks in which all morphisms are epic) or inverse images. We apply these criteria to concrete examples, in particular to functors modelling neighbourhood systems and weighted systems. Sergey Goncharov 0001, Dirk Hofmann, Pedro Nora, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
STACS | 5 |
| 2024 | Behavioural Metrics: Compositionality of the Kantorovich Lifting and an Application to Up-To TechniquesabstractBehavioural distances of transition systems modelled via coalgebras for endofunctors generalize traditional notions of behavioural equivalence to a quantitative setting, in which states are equipped with a measure of how (dis)similar they are. Endowing transition systems with such distances essentially relies on the ability to lift functors describing the one-step behavior of the transition systems to the category of pseudometric spaces. We consider the category theoretic generalization of the Kantorovich lifting from transportation theory to the case of lifting functors to quantale-valued relations, which subsumes equivalences, preorders and (directed) metrics. We use tools from fibred category theory, which allow one to see the Kantorovich lifting as arising from an appropriate fibred adjunction. Our main contributions are compositionality results for the Kantorovich lifting, where we show that that the lifting of a composed functor coincides with the composition of the liftings. In addition, we describe how to lift distributive laws in the case where one of the two functors is polynomial (with finite coproducts). These results are essential ingredients for adapting up-to-techniques to the case of quantale-valued behavioural distances. Up-to techniques are a well-known coinductive technique for efficiently showing lower bounds for behavioural distances. We illustrate the results of our paper in two case studies. Keri D'Angelo, Sebastian Gurke, Johanna Maria Kirss, Barbara König 0001, Matina Najafi, Wojciech Rozowski, Paul Wild |
CONCUR | 7 |
| 2024 | Expressive Quantale-Valued Logics for Coalgebras: An Adjunction-Based ApproachabstractWe address the task of deriving fixpoint equations from modal logics characterizing behavioural equivalences and metrics (summarized under the term conformances). We rely on earlier work that obtains Hennessy-Milner theorems as corollaries to a fixpoint preservation property along Galois connections between suitable lattices. We instantiate this to the setting of coalgebras, in which we spell out the compatibility property ensuring that we can derive a behaviour function whose greatest fixpoint coincides with the logical conformance. We then concentrate on the linear-time case, for which we study coalgebras based on the machine functor living in Eilenberg-Moore categories, a scenario for which we obtain a particularly simple logic and fixpoint equation. The theory is instantiated to concrete examples, both in the branching-time case (bisimilarity and behavioural metrics) and in the linear-time case (trace equivalences and trace distances). Harsh Beohar, Sebastian Gurke, Barbara König 0001, Karla Messing, Jonas Forster, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
STACS | 7 |
| 2024 | A point-free perspective on lax extensions and predicate liftingsabstractAbstract Lax extensions of set functors play a key role in various areas, including topology, concurrent systems, and modal logic, while predicate liftings provide a generic semantics of modal operators. We take a fresh look at the connection between lax extensions and predicate liftings from the point of view of quantale-enriched relations. Using this perspective, we show in particular that various fundamental concepts and results arise naturally and their proofs become very elementary. Ultimately, we prove that every lax extension is induced by a class of predicate liftings; we discuss several implications of this result. Sergey Goncharov 0001, Dirk Hofmann, Pedro Nora, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
Math. Struct. Comput. Sci. | 5 |
| 2023 | Quantitative Hennessy-Milner Theorems via Notions of DensityabstractThe classical Hennessy-Milner theorem is an important tool in the analysis of concurrent processes; it guarantees that any two non-bisimilar states in finitely branching labelled transition systems can be distinguished by a modal formula. Numerous variants of this theorem have since been established for a wide range of logics and system types, including quantitative versions where lower bounds on behavioural distance (e.g.~in weighted, metric, or probabilistic transition systems) are witnessed by quantitative modal formulas. Both the qualitative and the quantitative versions have been accommodated within the framework of coalgebraic logic, with distances taking values in quantales, subject to certain restrictions, such as being so-called value quantales. While previous quantitative coalgebraic Hennessy-Milner theorems apply only to liftings of set functors to (pseudo-)metric spaces, in the present work we provide a quantitative coalgebraic Hennessy-Milner theorem that applies more widely to functors native to metric spaces; notably, we thus cover, for the first time, the well-known Hennessy-Milner theorem for continuous probabilistic transition systems, where transitions are given by Borel measures on metric spaces, as an instance. In the process, we also relax the restrictions imposed on the quantale, and additionally parametrize the technical account over notions of closure and, hence, density, providing associated variants of the Stone-Weierstrass theorem; this allows us to cover, for instance, behavioural ultrametrics. Jonas Forster, Sergey Goncharov 0001, Dirk Hofmann, Pedro Nora, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
CSL | 6 |
| 2023 | Kantorovich Functors and Characteristic Logics for Behavioural DistancesabstractAbstract Behavioural distances measure the deviation between states in quantitative systems, such as probabilistic or weighted systems. There is growing interest in generic approaches to behavioural distances. In particular, coalgebraic methods capture variations in the system type (nondeterministic, probabilistic, game-based etc.), and the notion of quantale abstracts over the actual values distances take, thus covering, e.g., two-valued equivalences, (pseudo)metrics, and probabilistic (pseudo)metrics. Coalgebraic behavioural distances have been based either on liftings of $$\textsf{Set}$$ Set -functors to categories of metric spaces, or on lax extensions of $$\textsf{Set}$$ Set -functors to categories of quantitative relations. Every lax extension induces a functor lifting but not every lifting comes from a lax extension. It was shown recently that every lax extension is Kantorovich, i.e. induced by a suitable choice of monotone predicate liftings, implying via a quantitative coalgebraic Hennessy-Milner theorem that behavioural distances induced by lax extensions can be characterized by quantitative modal logics. Here, we essentially show the same in the more general setting of behavioural distances induced by functor liftings. In particular, we show that every functor lifting, and indeed every functor on (quantale-valued) metric spaces, that preserves isometries is Kantorovich, so that the induced behavioural distance (on systems of suitably restricted branching degree) can be characterized by a quantitative modal logic. Sergey Goncharov 0001, Dirk Hofmann, Pedro Nora, Lutz Schröder, Paul Wild |
FoSSaCS | 5 |
| 2022 | Characteristic Logics for Behavioural Hemimetrics via Fuzzy Lax ExtensionsabstractIn systems involving quantitative data, such as probabilistic, fuzzy, or metric systems, behavioural distances provide a more fine-grained comparison of states than two-valued notions of behavioural equivalence or behaviour inclusion. Like in the two-valued case, the wide variation found in system types creates a need for generic methods that apply to many system types at once. Approaches of this kind are emerging within the paradigm of universal coalgebra, based either on lifting pseudometrics along set functors or on lifting general real-valued (fuzzy) relations along functors by means of fuzzy lax extensions. An immediate benefit of the latter is that they allow bounding behavioural distance by means of fuzzy (bi-)simulations that need not themselves be hemi- or pseudometrics; this is analogous to classical simulations and bisimulations, which need not be preorders or equivalence relations, respectively. The known generic pseudometric liftings, specifically the generic Kantorovich and Wasserstein liftings, both can be extended to yield fuzzy lax extensions, using the fact that both are effectively given by a choice of quantitative modalities. Our central result then shows that in fact all fuzzy lax extensions are Kantorovich extensions for a suitable set of quantitative modalities, the so-called Moss modalities. For nonexpansive fuzzy lax extensions, this allows for the extraction of quantitative modal logics that characterize behavioural distance, i.e. satisfy a quantitative version of the Hennessy-Milner theorem; equivalently, we obtain expressiveness of a quantitative version of Moss' coalgebraic logic. All our results explicitly hold also for asymmetric distances (hemimetrics), i.e. notions of quantitative simulation. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder |
Log. Methods Comput. Sci. | 1 |
| 2021 | A Quantified Coalgebraic van Benthem TheoremabstractAbstract The classical van Benthem theorem characterizes modal logic as the bisimulation-invariant fragment of first-order logic; put differently, modal logic is as expressive as full first-order logic on bisimulation-invariant properties. This result has recently been extended to two flavours of quantitative modal logic, viz. fuzzy modal logic and probabilistic modal logic. In both cases, the quantitative van Benthem theorem states that every formula in the respective quantitative variant of first-order logic that is bisimulation-invariant, in the sense of being nonexpansive w.r.t. behavioural distance, can be approximated by quantitative modal formulae of bounded rank. In the present paper, we unify and generalize these results in three directions: We lift them to full coalgebraic generality, thus covering a wide range of system types including, besides fuzzy and probabilistic transition systems as in the existing examples, e.g. also metric transition systems; and we generalize from real-valued to quantale-valued behavioural distances, e.g. nondeterministic behavioural distances on metric transition systems; and we remove the symmetry assumption on behavioural distances, thus covering also quantitative notions of simulation. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder |
FoSSaCS | 1 |
| 2020 | Characteristic Logics for Behavioural Metrics via Fuzzy Lax ExtensionsabstractBehavioural distances provide a fine-grained measure of equivalence in systems involving quantitative data, such as probabilistic, fuzzy, or metric systems. Like in the classical setting of crisp bisimulation-type equivalences, the wide variation found in system types creates a need for generic methods that apply to many system types at once. Approaches of this kind are emerging within the paradigm of universal coalgebra, based either on lifting pseudometrics along set functors or on lifting general real-valued (fuzzy) relations along functors by means of fuzzy lax extensions. An immediate benefit of the latter is that they allow bounding behavioural distance by means of fuzzy bisimulations that need not themselves be (pseudo-)metrics, in analogy to classical bisimulations (which need not be equivalence relations). The known instances of generic pseudometric liftings, specifically the generic Kantorovich and Wasserstein liftings, both can be extended to yield fuzzy lax extensions, using the fact that both are effectively given by a choice of quantitative modalities. Our central result then shows that in fact all fuzzy lax extensions are Kantorovich extensions for a suitable set of quantitative modalities, the so-called Moss modalities. For non-expansive fuzzy lax extensions, this allows for the extraction of quantitative modal logics that characterize behavioural distance, i.e. satisfy a quantitative version of the Hennessy-Milner theorem; equivalently, we obtain expressiveness of a quantitative version of Moss' coalgebraic logic. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder |
CONCUR | 1 |
| 2019 | A Modal Characterization Theorem for a Probabilistic Fuzzy Description LogicabstractThe fuzzy modality probably is interpreted over probabilistic type spaces by taking expected truth values. The arising probabilistic fuzzy description logic is invariant under probabilistic bisimilarity; more informatively, it is non-expansive wrt. a suitable notion of behavioural distance. In the present paper, we provide a characterization of the expressive power of this logic based on this observation: We prove a probabilistic analogue of the classical van Benthem theorem, which states that modal logic is precisely the bisimulation-invariant fragment of first-order logic. Specifically, we show that every formula in probabilistic fuzzy first-order logic that is non-expansive wrt. behavioural distance can be approximated by concepts of bounded rank in probabilistic fuzzy description logic. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder, Dirk Pattinson, Barbara König 0001 |
IJCAI | 1 |
| 2018 | A van Benthem Theorem for Fuzzy Modal LogicabstractWe present a fuzzy (or quantitative) version of the van Benthem theorem, which characterizes propositional modal logic as the bisimulation-invariant fragment of first-order logic. Specifically, we consider a first-order fuzzy predicate logic along with its modal fragment, and show that the fuzzy first-order formulas that are non-expansive w.r.t. the natural notion of bisimulation distance are exactly those that can be approximated by fuzzy modal formulas. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder, Dirk Pattinson, Barbara König 0001 |
LICS | 1 |
| 2017 | A Characterization Theorem for a Modal Description LogicabstractModal description logics feature modalities that capture dependence of knowledge on parameters such as time, place, or the information state of agents. E.g., the logic S5-ALC combines the standard description logic ALC with an S5-modality that can be understood as an epistemic operator or as representing (undirected) change. This logic embeds into a corresponding modal first-order logic S5-FOL. We prove a modal characterization theorem for this embedding, in analogy to results by van Benthem and Rosen relating ALC to standard first-order logic: We show that S5-ALC with only local roles is, both over finite and over unrestricted models, precisely the bisimulation-invariant fragment of S5-FOL, thus giving an exact description of the expressive power of S5-ALC with only local roles. Paul Wild, Lutz Schröder |
IJCAI | 1 |
| 2017 | Void Formation and Their Effect on Reliability of Lead-Free Solder Joints on MID and PCB SubstratesabstractSince the introduction of lead-free solder alloys, the impact of voids in solder joints has rapidly gained in importance. Particularly in power electronics, voids in solder joints can reduce their reliability due to less heat dissipation and a significant reduction of the cross-sectional area. While void formation in the printed circuit board (PCB) technology has been the focus of many research projects, the increasing application of molded interconnect devices (MIDs) demands a vivid understanding of void formation and its impact on reliability. This report will show that those processes specific to MID technology do not significantly influence the void formation in SAC305 solder deposits. The processed different roughness levels on Vectra, Vestamid, and FR4 substrate materials show no significant impact on void formation. The surface finish metallization was detected as the most important factor. Especially, the chemical-Sn (iSn) surface finish is inclined to having more voids compared to a nickel-phosphor-gold (NiP-Au) finish. Furthermore, three solder processes were investigated: convection, condensation, and vacuum-condensation soldering. The vacuum-condensation processes significantly reduced the voids in the Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (simplified as SAC305) solder joints of CR0805, MLF20, and switches on all the investigated substrates. An accelerated thermal cycling test of these components according to JESD22-A104D demonstrates no significant effect of the void content of <;19% on the solder joints' reliability. Finally, the result of accelerated thermal cycling shows the possibility to achieve an equivalent lifetime of the solder joints on Vectra in comparison to the FR4 substrate. Paul Wild, Tobias Grözinger, Dominik Lorenz, André Zimmermann |
IEEE Trans. Reliab. | 1 |