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The flipped classroom has been widely discussed in recent years, but some important issues still need in-depth exploration, including how to increase learners’ autonomous learning motivation before the class, how to work with in-class discussion activities, and how to improve learner’s concentration on discussions and lower their learning anxieties for high-level cognitive thinking. This study integrated theories of digital game-based learning (DGBL) and flipped classrooms, proposing the mini-game-based flipped classroom (MGFC) teaching model. In this teaching model, learners used a mini-educational game developed based on cognitive theories for DGBL autonomous learning in class, and then worked with collaborative problem solving (CPS) activities to improve learning and discussions. The study involved a quasi-experiment to evaluate this teaching model. The experimental group used MGFC, while the control group used the traditional flipped classroom teaching method by watching the video first and then having group discussions. The study analyzed the differences in the learning performance and acceptance of the two groups, and analyzed gender differences. Moreover, this study used quantitative content analysis (QCA) to explore learner’s concentration on their discussion content. The results showed that the MGFC group had significantly higher scores than the control group in their learning performance and acceptance. The MGFC group also showed a high level of flow. The QCA results showed that MGFC enhanced the frequency of learner’s learning discussions and their concentration in the learning process.

This study investigates the risk-return relations in dry-bulk shipping freight, and to analyse how it was influenced by the 2008 financial tsunami. Empirical results show that the shipping freight's risk-return relation, measured by risk premium parameter β, varies by different types of ship. The risk-return relations of capesize freight have changed after the financial tsunami, from high-risk/high-return into high-risk/low-return. In other words, compared to the case of Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500), there have been significant declines in the freight risk premiums. Furthermore, the risk premium parameter β is not only affected by the financial tsunami, but also significantly affected by the previous parameter β and previous freight return. The results of this study can make shipping operators aware of the dynamics of risk-return relations among various ships, so as to secure the optimal asset allocation of ship investments.

In this study, matchhead WOx-capped ZnO nanorods (NRs) were formed by hydrothermal and sputtering processes. In order to examine the morphology and material properties, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed. Amorphous circular-shaped WOxheads were successfully grown on top of ZnO NRs. In order to explore the optical and gas responses of the nanostructures, UV-light responses and H2gas responses were measured for pure ZnO NRs and WOx/ZnO NRs. The results indicate that the WOxmatchhead cap can function like an umbrella to block the light absorption and gas reaction. Furthermore, the light and gas response times were lengthened due to the coverage of the WOxmatch head. WOxmatchhead/ZnO nanocomposites can function as light and gas modulation components for optoelectronic devices.