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S.M. Op den Orth

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Bridging gaps in metadata supply and demand

Master thesis (2025) - S.M. Op den Orth, C. Lofi, Thomas Abeel
Efficient and inclusive data reuse across research disciplines is based on high quality metadata that bridges the gap between data producers and consumers. This gap, referred to as the metadata gap, arises when the metadata provided by producers do not meet the needs of consumers. Through a comprehensive analysis of metadata supply and demand, this thesis identifies the motivations and barriers faced by producers in creating metadata, along with the challenges consumers face when reusing datasets. To address these issues, the thesis introduces context-bridging data conversations, a framework designed to make metadata creation a more collaborative and adaptive process. The proof-of-concept is built on four key mechanisms: involving consumers as co-creators, recognising and incorporating contextual metadata, leveraging real-time dialogue, and dynamically adapting metadata elicitation questions. Qualitative interviews were conducted to identify the factors that shape metadata practices, and AI-generated summaries were evaluated as a scalable tool to synthesise the insights of these conversations. The findings are applied to the data management plans of CropXR, an interdisciplinary research institute. This case study illustrates how the metadata gap analysis can identify specific areas for improvement in metadata practices and how the context-bridging data conversations framework can provide actionable recommendations to enhance data reusability. By analysing data reusability as a dynamic and context-dependent process, this thesis advances both practical methodologies and theoretical understanding of metadata management. These contributions offer actionable strategies to close the metadata gap, foster collaboration across scientific domains, and promote more efficient and inclusive research practices. ...
Bachelor thesis (2021) - S.M. Op den Orth, K. Liang, H. Chen, O.E. Scharenborg
Within the context of the Ethereum blockchain protocol, reentrancy is a well-known and well-researched smart contract vulnerability. However, when considering GoQuorum, an Ethereum soft fork, barely any research discussing smart contract vulnerabilities exists. This report aims to partly fill this research gap by evaluating the reentrancy smart contract vulnerability in the context of a GoQuorum network. First, the reentrancy attack was demonstrated and its attack features evaluated. Then any known countermeasures were collected. Moreover, it was proposed that some GoQuorum features may also be used as mitigation techniques. Finally, each countermeasure was assessed and categorized. Of all the methods, the checks-effects-interactions pattern is the most direct way to deal with the reentrancy vulnerability. To maximize contract security, however, it is advised to use a combination of the specified prevention and mitigation techniques. ...