Crypto Bestiary: \u3ci\u3eA monstrous manual to the many fraudulent accounts involved in cryptocurrency scams and fraud.\u3c/i\u3e

Cryptocurrencies have fueled the growth of online fraud in various forms. They are poorly understood by many users, have value that shifts quickly and unexpectedly, and are easy to move in a digital world without borders. Cryptocurrency is seemingly purpose built as a tool for hucksters and scammers. The Federal Trade Commission claims that 46,000 people reported losing over a billion dollars in cryptocurrency to scammers in the first six months of 2021,1 a figure only including those potentially few people have been brave enough to share that they have been victims. The world of cryptocurrency can be scary for the uninitiated. One common way in which crypto-fraud is accomplished is through social media and the use of fake accounts. Some accounts purport to be crypto-fans, others make you belive they are experts in crypto-investment and are happy to help you uncover hidden riches. All of them, however, are seeking to take your money and leave you with nothing but fear and regret. This crypto-bestiary will present you, the neophyte, six of the most terrifying of crypto-creatures seeking to steal your treasure. Heed what we tell you as a lesson, be wary of where you venture and watch for the signs

A New Approach to Port Choice Modelling

With the progressive integration of ports in supply chains, it has become clear that shippers no longer choose a port per se, but rather a supply chain – a package or bundle of logistics services; a pathway to markets – in which a port is just an element albeit an important one of the system. Yet, surprisingly, a number of studies continue to focus on how a shipper chooses a port in isolation of the chain systems in which it is embedded. Clearly, shipper's influence on port choice decisions is diminishing, particularly now that a single shipping line, a third-party service provider or a supply chain integrator may control the freight from the origin to the final destination using various transport arrangements and multiple alternative pathways designed to minimise the total logistics cost and maximise value for both the customer and the supplier. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest a new and more effective analytical framework within which the modelling of port choice can be conducted and shipper choice decisions well understood. The proposed framework is fundamentally an operationalisation of the earlier paradigm of ports as elements in value-driven chain systems proposed by Robinson in 2002. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2008) 10, 9–34. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100189

Understanding mode choice decisions: A study of Australian freight shippers

This research paper examines the Australian domestic freight transport market, focusing on the decision-making process by which cargo interests and their agents make mode choice allocation decisions between land-based transport and sea. It evaluates the willingness to pay for various attributes of modal options on specific transport corridors. Such understanding lays the groundwork for being able to assess the likely impact of changes to transport prices arising from the introduction of carbon pricing or other regulatory factors. Reporting the results of a stated choice experiment, this paper identifies and quantifies freight shippers’ preferences for components of services offered by freight transport providers across modes with distinct characteristics (i.e., mixes of speed (transit time), frequency of departure, reliability (two measures) and cost) in three corridors. There are seven variables examined: frequency, transit time, freight distance, direction (headhaul/backhaul), reliability as measured by delivery window, reliability as measured by delay, and price offered by the operator. The paper concludes by providing guidance on what trade-offs are relevant in shippers’ choice of mode on the specific corridors under investigation in a more complex mode choice model than explored in previous research. It also examines what will likely happen if price rises as a result of carbon pricing regulation

Microbial contamination of light curing units: a pilot study

Visible light units (LCU) used in routine dentistry to cure light activated materials may become contaminated with oral micro-organisms. This pilot study was designed to investigate whether the fan, handle and base unit mains on/off button areas of three different designs of quartz tungsten halogen LCUs (3M Unitek 2500, Elipar Highlight, Demetron Optilux 401) were effectively disinfected after use in a dental teaching hospital. Over a period of seven days 52 LCUs were swabbed before clinics in the morning and 28 were swabbed again after clinics in the afternoon. Bacterial contamination was detected on approximately 40% (20/52) of units before use and 64% (18/28) after use: few viable organisms were detected on the fan or handle areas, but many were isolated from the mains button, including Staphylococus aureus. These findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the potential risk of contamination of the base unit and compliance with recommendations to clean and disinfect all areas of the units. </jats:p