Propuesta de Decisión del Consejo relativa a la firma del Convenio de La Haya sobre la legislación aplicable a ciertos derechos sobre valores depositados en un intermediario.

[Context] Many security risk assessment methods are proposed both in academia typically with a graphical notation) and industry (typically with a tabular notation). [Question] We compare methods based on those two notations with respect to their actual and perceived efficacy when both groups are equipped with a domain-specific security catalogue (as typically available in industry risk assessments).[Results] Two controlled experiments with MSc students in computer science show that tabular and graphical methods are (statistically) equivalent in quality of identified threats and security controls. In the first experiment the perceived efficacy of tabular method was slightly better than the graphical one, and in the second experiment two methods are perceived as equivalent. [Contribution] A graphical notation does not warrant by itself better (security) requirements elicitation than a tabular notation in terms of the quality of actually identified requirements

Characterization and Stability of Emulsion Gels Based on Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Sepineo P 600, a concentrated dispersion of acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer in isohexadecane, has self-gelling and thickening properties and the ability to emulsify oily phases, which make it easy to use in the formulation of gels and o/w emulsion gels. In this paper, gels were prepared using a Sepineo P 600 concentration between the 0.5% and 5% (w/w), and then emulsion gel was also prepared from the 3% Sepineo gel by adding a specific amount of almond oil. All the prepared systems were analyzed and characterized by oscillation rheology and acoustic spectroscopy. The particle size of the oil droplets and the microrheological extensional moduli (G′ and G″) of the systems were determined from acoustic parameters and used together with the classical oscillatory rheological tests to assess the stability of the systems. Classical oscillatory analysis revealed that the dynamic moduli were very dependent on polymer concentration; as this parameter increased, there was progressive improvement in the sample elasticity. In fact, the mechanical spectra of the 0.5% and 1% (w/w) Sepineo samples were characterized by strong frequency dependence and multiple crossover points, typical of dilute polymer solution with no organized structure. On the other hand, the 3–5% (w/w) concentration systems showed typical gel-like spectra, marked by the absence of crossover points between the dynamic moduli and by weak dependence on frequency. Nevertheless, the elastic properties of the gel-like structure even at elevated polymer concentrations were not strongly long-lasting, as demonstrated by the increase of the viscous contribution in the low frequency range during acoustic spectroscopy analysis. This fact could indicate that the gel structure is characterized by weak polymer–polymer interactions, an advantageous characteristic for topical administration, as the sample is thus easier to rub into the skin. Finally, both rheology and acoustic spectroscopy indicated that addition of the oily phase caused minimal changes to the elastic character of the gel. Thus, Sepineo P 600 gel and emulsion gel are very effective systems for use in topical and other types of applications