VLDB 2026 Research / reviewers in the wild / expert
Hanchao Ma
dblp:212/6996
· DBLP profile ↗
16ranked-venue papers in the field
4as first author
11since 2021 · last 2025
0000-0002-5811-4305ORCID · corroborated
Domains — venue-derived; a paper can count in several
Database Systems & Data Management · 11 (3 first)Data Mining & Knowledge Discovery · 2 (1 first)Information Retrieval & Web Search · 2Big Data, Cloud & Distributed Data Systems · 1
| Year | Publication | Venue | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Generating Skyline Datasets for Data Science Models
Mengying Wang 0001, Hanchao Ma, Yiyang Bian, Yangxin Fan, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
EDBT | 2 |
| 2024 | ModsNet: Performance-aware Top-k Model Search using Exemplar DatasetsabstractWe demonstrate ModsNet , a search tool for pre-trained data science MOD el s recommendatio N using E xamplar da T aset. Given a set of pre-trained data science models, an "example" input dataset, and a user-specified performance metric, ModsNet answers the following query: "what are top-k models that have the best expected performance for the input data?" The need for searching high-quality pre-trained models is evident in data-driven analysis. Inspired by "query by example" paradigm, ModsNet does not require users to write complex queries, but only provide an "examplar" dataset, a task description, and a performance measure as input, and can automatically suggest top- k matching models that are expected to have desirable performance to perform the task over the provided sample dataset. ModsNet utilizes a knowledge graph to integrate model performances over datasets and synchronizes it with a bipartite graph neural network to estimate model performance, reduce inference cost, and promptly respond to top- k model search queries. To cope with strict cold-start (upon receiving a new dataset when no historical performance of registered models are observed), it performs a dynamic, cost-bounded "probe-and-select" strategy to incrementally identify promising models. We demonstrate the application of ModsNet in enabling efficient scientific data analysis. Mengying Wang 0001, Hanchao Ma, Sheng Guan, Yiyang Bian, Haolai Che, Abhishek Daundkar, Alp Sehirlioglu, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
Proc. VLDB Endow. | 2 |
| 2023 | Selecting Top-k Data Science Models by Example DatasetabstractData analytical pipelines routinely involve various domain-specific data science models. Such models require expensive manual or training effort and often incur expensive validation costs (e.g., via scientific simulation analysis). Meanwhile, high-value models remain to be ad-hocly created, isolated, and underutilized for a broad community. Searching and accessing proper models for data analysis pipelines is desirable yet challenging for users without domain knowledge. This paper introduces ModsNet, a novel MODel SelectioN framework that only requires an Example daTaset. (1) We investigate the following problem: Given a library of pre-trained models, a limited amount of historical observations of their performance, and an "example" dataset as a query, return k models that are expected to perform the best over the query dataset. (2) We formulate a regression problem and introduce a knowledge-enhanced framework using a model-data interaction graph. Unlike traditional methods, (1) ModsNet uses a dynamic, cost-bounded "probe-and-select" strategy to incrementally identify promising pre-trained models in a strict cold-start scenario (when a new dataset without any interaction with existing models is given). (2) To reduce the learning cost, we develop a clustering-based sparsification strategy to prune unpromising models and their interactions. (3) We showcase of ModsNet built on top of a crowdsourced materials knowledge base platform. Our experiments verified its effectiveness, efficiency, and applications over real-world analytical pipelines. Mengying Wang 0001, Sheng Guan, Hanchao Ma, Yiyang Bian, Haolai Che, Abhishek Daundkar, Alp Sehirlioglu, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
CIKM | 3 |
| 2023 | GALE: Active Adversarial Learning for Erroneous Node Detection in GraphsabstractWe introduce GALE, an active adversarial learning framework to detect nodes with erroneous information in attributed graphs. GALE is empowered by a new adversarial active error detection framework, which interacts active learning with a graph generative adversarial model to best exploit limited labeled examples of erroneous nodes. It dynamically determines diversified query nodes in batches with bounded size in terms of node typicality to enrich a pool of examples, which in turn provides representative examples to best train an adversarial classifier to capture different types of errors. Moreover, GALE provides an annotation algorithm to suggest a context of possible correct attribute values and error types, to facilitate the labeling of query nodes. We show that using limited queries and examples, GALE significantly improves competing methods such as constraint-based detection, outlier detection, and Graph Neural Networks (e.g. GCNs), with 32%, 31%, and 17% gain in F-1 score on average, and is feasible in learning cost for large graphs. Sheng Guan, Hanchao Ma, Mengying Wang 0001, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
ICDE | 2 |
| 2023 | Fair Group Summarization with Graph PatternsabstractGiven a set of node groups in a graph (e.g., gender or race groups), how to succinctly summarize their neighbors, and meanwhile ensure a "fair" representation to mitigate under- or over-representation of a certain group? We propose a novel framework to compute concise summaries of node groups with fairness guarantees. (1) We introduce a pattern-correction structure called r-summaries. An r-summary uses a graph pattern set to specify representative nodes and an auxiliary edge correction set to losslessly describe their r-hop neighbors. (2) We formulate the fair group summarization problem, which is to compute an r-summary that can select and accurately describe high quality nodes and their neighbors with small edge corrections, and meanwhile guarantee a desirable coverage for each group. The need for generating such summaries is evident in social recommendation, healthcare and graph search. We show that the problem is $\Sigma _2^p$-complete with the verification problem already NP-complete. (3) We present approximation algorithms that can generate r-summaries with (a) guaranteed quality and coverage properties, and (b) relative approximations on optimal edge correction costs. For large groups, we introduce an efficient algorithm that interleaves node selection and localized pattern discovery to reduce unnecessary computation. In addition, we introduce an algorithm to incrementally maintain the r-summaries over dynamic graphs with evolving edges. Using real-world data, we experimentally verify the efficiency and effectiveness of our algorithms and verify their applications. Hanchao Ma, Sheng Guan, Mengying Wang 0001, Qi Song 0004, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
ICDE | 1 |
| 2022 | CRUX: Crowdsourced Materials Science Resource and Workflow ExplorationabstractModern multidisciplinary materials science routinely processes scientific workflows that integrate different data resources (e.g., X-ray data, scripts, analytical results). Most of such data resources are isolated in research labs, created ad-hocly, and remain underutilized. We demonstrate CRUX, a Crowdsourced platform for materials data ResoUrces and workflow eXploration. CRUX is empowered by coherent data-workflow modeling, knowledge-based resource assembly for workflow search, and data provenance to support workflow exploration. CRUX allows users to declare parameterized workflows as graph patterns, and automatically recommends crowdsourced resources with quality guarantees. We demonstrate the ease-of-use and the performance of CRUX with three categories of queries: data search, workflow recommendation, and resource exploration. We make case of CRUX for peak finding in X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data, a cornerstone task in materials research. We show that CRUX enables new interactive paradigms to explore and design workflows for data analysts in general. Mengying Wang 0001, Hanchao Ma, Abhishek Daundkar, Sheng Guan, Yiyang Bian, Alp Sehirlioglu, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
CIKM | 2 |
| 2022 | Subgraph Query Generation with Fairness and Diversity ConstraintsabstractThis paper studies the problem of subgraph query generation with guarantees on both diversity and group fairness. Given a query template (with parameterized search predicates) and a set of node groups in a graph, it is to compute a set of sub-graph queries that instantiate the query template, and each query ensures diversified answers that meanwhile covers each group with a desired number of nodes. Such need is evident in web and social search with fairness constraints, query optimization, and query benchmarking. We formalize a bi-criteria optimization problem that aims to find a Pareto optimal set of query instances in terms of diversity and fairness measures. We show the problem is in Δ$P$2 and verify its hardness (NP-hard and fixed-parameter tractable). We provide (1) two efficient algorithms that can approximate Pareto optimal sets with E-dominance relations that yield representative query instances with a bounded size, and (2) an online algorithm that progressively generates and maintains fixed-size ∊-Pareto set with small delay time. We experimentally verify that our algorithms can efficiently generate queries with desired diversity and coverage properties for targeted groups. Hanchao Ma, Sheng Guan, Mengying Wang 0001, Yen-Shuo Chang, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
ICDE | 1 |
| 2022 | Diversified Subgraph Query Generation with Group FairnessabstractThis paper investigates the problem of subgraph query generation with output that satisfies both diversity and fairness constraints. Given a set of groups with associated cardinality requirements, it is to compute subgraph queries with diversified output that meanwhile covers the groups with the desired cardinality. Such need is evident in web and social search with fairness constraints. We formalize subgraph query generation as a bi-criteria optimization problem on the diversity and fairness properties of queries, and verify its hardness and approximability. We show that the problem is in Σp2 , and remains NP-complete even for single-node queries. Despite the hardness, (1) we show that approximations exist whenever a corresponding subset selection process provides good solutions, and provide feasible algorithms with performance guarantees for two practical query generation scenarios. We also present a fast heuristic algorithm for the general problem, which early terminates without enumerating queries. We experimentally verify that our algorithms can efficiently generate queries with desired diversity and coverage properties for targeted groups. Hanchao Ma, Sheng Guan, Christopher Toomey, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
WSDM | 1 |
| 2021 | Explaining Missing Data in Graphs: A Constraint-based ApproachabstractThis paper introduces a constraint-based approach to clarify missing values in graphs. Our method capitalizes on a set Σ of graph data constraints. An explanation is a sequence of operational enforcement of Σ towards the recovery of interested yet missing data (e.g., attribute values, edges). We show that constraint-based approach helps us to understand not only why a value is missing, but also how to recover the missing value. We study Σ-explanation problem, which is to compute the optimal explanations with guarantees on the informativeness and conciseness. We show the problem is in Δ2Pfor established graph data constraints such as graph keys and graph association rules. We develop an efficient bidirectional algorithm to compute optimal explanations, without enforcing Σ on the entire graph. We also show our algorithm can be easily extended to support graph refinement within limited time, and to explain missing answers. Using real-world graphs, we experimentally verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our algorithms. Qi Song 0004, Hanchao Ma, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
ICDE | 3 |
| 2021 | GRIP: Constraint-based Explanation of Missing Answers for Graph Queries
Qi Song 0004, Hanchao Ma, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
SIGMOD Conference | 2 |
| 2021 | GEDet: Detecting Erroneous Nodes with A Few ExamplesabstractDetecting nodes with erroneous values in real-world graphs remains challenging due to the lack of examples and various error scenarios. We demonstrate GEDet, an error detection engine that can detect erroneous nodes in graphs with a few examples. The GEDet framework tackles error detection as a few-shot node classification problem. We invite the attendees to experience the following unique features. (1) Few-shot detection . Users only need to provide a few examples of erroneous nodes to perform error detection with GEDet. GEDet achieves desirable accuracy with (a) a graph augmentation module, which automatically generates synthetic examples to learn the classifier, and (b) an adversarial detection module, which improves classifiers to better distinguish erroneous nodes from both cleaned nodes and synthetic examples. We show that GEDet significantly improves the state-of-the-art error detection methods. (2) Diverse error scenarios . GEDet profiles data errors with a built-in library of transformation functions from correct values to errors. Users can also easily "plug in" new error types or examples. (3) User-centric detection . GEDet supports (a) an active learning mode to engage users to verify detected results, and adapts the error detection process accordingly; and (b) visual interfaces to interpret and track detected errors. Sheng Guan, Hanchao Ma, Sutanay Choudhury, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
Proc. VLDB Endow. | 2 |
| 2020 | GEDet: Adversarially Learned Few-shot Detection of Erroneous Nodes in GraphsabstractDetecting nodes with erroneous information in graphs is important yet challenging, due to the lack of examples and the diversified s cenarios o f e rrors. W e i ntroduce GEDet, a few-shot learning based framework to detect erroneous nodes in graphs. GEDet consists of two novel components, each addresses a unique challenge. (1) To cope with the lack of examples, we introduce a graph augmentation module to enrich training labels. The module not only generates additional synthetic training labels by simulating different erroneous scenarios, but also exploits non-local relations to enrich neighborhood information. (2) To further improve the accuracy, we introduce an adversarially learned module that can better detect erroneous nodes by distinguishing nodes with synthetic and real labels encoded by graph autoencoders. Unlike conventional error detection models, GEDet yields effective classifiers that are optimized for a few yet diversified examples in the presence of multiple error scenarios. We show that using only a small number of examples, GEDet significantly improves the competing methods such as constraint-based detection and anomaly detection, with a gain of 35% on recall, and 30% on precision. Sheng Guan, Hanchao Ma, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
IEEE BigData | 3 |
| 2019 | Attribute-Driven Backbone DiscoveryabstractBackbones refer to critical tree structures that span a set of nodes of interests in networks. This paper introduces a novel class of attributed backbones and detection algorithms in richly attributed networks. Unlike conventional models, attributed backbones capture dynamics in edge cost model: it specifies affinitive attributes for each edge, and the cost of each edge is dynamically determined by the selection of its associated affinitive attributes and the closeness of their values at its end nodes. The backbone discovery is to compute an attributed backbone that covers interested nodes with smallest connection cost dynamically determined by selected affinitive attributes. While this problem is hard to approximate, we develop feasible algorithms within practical reach for large attributed networks. (1) We show that this problem is fixed-parameter approximable parameterized by the number of affinitive attributes, by providing a Lagrangean-preserving 2-approximation. (2) When the attribute number is large and specifying closeness function is difficult, we provide a fast heuristic, which learns an edge-generative model, and applies the model to infer best backbones, without the need of specifying closeness functions. Using real-world networks, we verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our algorithms and show their applications in collaboration recommendation. Sheng Guan, Hanchao Ma, Yinghui Wu 0001 |
KDD | 2 |
| 2019 | Ontology-based Entity Matching in Attributed GraphsabstractKeys for graphs incorporate the topology and value constraints needed to uniquely identify entities in a graph. They have been studied to support object identification, knowledge fusion, and social network reconciliation. Existing key constraints identify entities as the matches of a graph pattern by subgraph isomorphism, which enforce label equality on node types. These constraints can be too restrictive to characterize structures and node labels that are syntactically different but semantically equivalent. We propose a new class of key constraints, Ontological Graph Keys (OGKs) that extend conventional graph keys by ontological subgraph matching between entity labels and an external ontology. We show that the implication and validation problems for OGKs are each NP-complete. To reduce the entity matching cost, we also provide an algorithm to compute a minimal cover for OGKs. We then study the entity matching problem with OGKs, and a practical variant with a budget on the matching cost. We develop efficient algorithms to perform entity matching based on a (budgeted) Chase procedure. Using real-world graphs, we experimentally verify the efficiency and accuracy of OGK-based entity matching. Hanchao Ma, Morteza Alipour Langouri, Yinghui Wu 0001, Fei Chiang, Jiaxing Pi |
Proc. VLDB Endow. | 1 |
| 2018 | An Efficient Ride-Sharing Framework for Maximizing Shared RoutesabstractRide-sharing (RS) has great values in saving energy and alleviating traffic pressure. In this paper, we propose a new ride-sharing model, where each driver requires that the shared route percentage (SRP, the ratio of the shared route's distance to the driver's total traveled distance) exceeds her expected rate (e.g., 0.8) when sharing with a rider. We consider two variants of this problem. The first considers multiple drivers and multiple riders, and aims to compute a set of driver-rider pairs to maximize the overall SRP. We model this problem as the maximum weighted bigraph matching problem. We propose an effective exact algorithm, and an efficient approximate solution with error-bound guarantee. The second considers multiple drivers and a single rider and aims to find the top-k drivers for the rider with the largest SRP. We devise pruning techniques and propose a best-first algorithm to progressively selects drivers with high probability to be in the top-k results. Na Ta 0001, Guoliang Li 0001, Tianyu Zhao 0006, Jianhua Feng, Hanchao Ma, Zhiguo Gong |
ICDE | 5 |
| 2018 | An Efficient Ride-Sharing Framework for Maximizing Shared RouteabstractRide-sharing (RS) has great values in saving energy and alleviating traffic pressure. Existing studies can be improved for better efficiency. Therefore, we propose a new ride-sharing model, where each driver has a requirement that if the driver shares a ride with a rider, the shared route percentage (i.e., the ratio of the shared route's distance to the driver's total travel distance) exceeds an expectation rate of the driver, e.g., 0.8. We consider two variants of this problem. The first considers multiple drivers and multiple riders and aims to compute driver-rider pairs to maximize the overall shared route percentage (SRP). We model this problem as the maximum weighted bigraph matching problem, where the vertices are drivers and riders, edges are driver-rider pairs, and edge weights are driver-rider's SRP. However, it is rather expensive to compute the SRP values for large numbers of driver-rider pairs on road networks. To address this problem, we propose an efficient method to prune many unnecessary driver-rider pairs and avoid computing the SRP values for every pair. To improve the efficiency, we propose an approximate method with error bound guarantee. The basic idea is that we compute an upper bound and a lower bound for each driver-rider pair in constant time. Then, we estimate an upper bound and a lower bound of the graph matching. Next, we select some driver-rider pairs, compute their real shortest-route distance, and update the lower and upper bounds of the maximum graph matching. We repeat above steps until the ratio of the upper bound to the lower bound is not larger than a given approximate rate. The second considers multiple drivers and a single rider and aims to find the top-$k$drivers for the rider with the largest SRP. We first prune a large number of drivers that cannot meet the SRP requirements. Then, we propose a best-first algorithm that progressively selects the drivers with high probability to be in the top-$k$results and prunes the drivers that cannot be in the top-$k$results. Extensive experiments on real-world datasets demonstrate the superiority of our method. Na Ta 0001, Guoliang Li 0001, Tianyu Zhao 0006, Jianhua Feng, Hanchao Ma, Zhiguo Gong |
IEEE Trans. Knowl. Data Eng. | 5 |