Since December 2019, the COVID-19 epidemic has been spreading all over the world. This epidemic has brought a risk of death in the daily activity (physical and social) participation that influences travellers’ physical, social, and mental health. To analyze the impact of the COVID-19-induced daily activities on health parameters of higher education institutes, 150 students of the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia, were surveyed through an online web survey using random sampling techniques. The data were analyzed through RStudio and SPSS using multilevel linear regression analysis and Hierarchical Structural Equation Modeling. The estimated results indicate that restricting individuals from doing out-of-home activities negatively influences physical and social health. A unit increase in the in-home maintenance activities during the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a daily increase of 0.5% in physical health. Moreover, a unit increase in the in-home activities at leisure time represents a 1% positive improvement in social health. Thus, physical activity has proven to be beneficial in improving physical and social health with severe COVID-19. In contrast, the coefficient of determination (R²) for all endogenous variables ranges from 0.148 to 0.227, which is incredibly acceptable in psychological research. For a healthier society with a better quality of life, this study adopted multidisciplinary approaches that are needed to be designed.

The tenacious thirst for fuel-saving and desirable physical and mechanical properties of the materials have compelled researchers to focus on a new generation of aluminum hybrid composites for automotive and aircraft applications. This work investigates the microhardness behavior and microstructural characterization of aluminum alloy (Al 7075)-titanium carbide (TiC)-graphite (Gr) hybrid composites. The hybrid composites were prepared via the powder metallurgy technique with the amounts of TiC (0, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%), reinforced to Al 7075 + 1 wt.% Gr. The microstructural characteristics were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. A Box Behnken design (BBD) response surface methodology (RSM) approach was utilized for modeling and optimization of density and microhardness independent parameters and to develop an empirical model of density and microhardness in terms of process variables. Effects of independent parameters on the responses have been evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The density and microhardness of the Al 7075-TiC-Gr hybrid composites are found to be increased by increasing the weight percentage of TiC particles. The optimal conditions for obtaining the highest density and microhardness are estimated to be 6.79 wt.% TiC at temperature 626.13 °C and compaction pressure of 300 Mpa.

A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is a non-imaging device generally used in PV, thermal, or PV/thermal hybrid systems for the concentration of solar radiation on the target surface. This paper presents the geometric design, statistical modeling, parametric analysis, and geometric optimization of a two-dimensional low concentration symmetric compound parabolic concentrator for potential use in building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaic applications. The CPC was initially designed for a concentration ratio of “2×” and an acceptance half-angle of 30°. A MATLAB code was developed in-house to provoke the CPC reflector’s profile. The height, aperture width, and concentration ratios were computed for different acceptance half-angles and receiver widths. The interdependence of optical concentration ratio and acceptance half-angle was demonstrated for a wide span of acceptance half-angles. The impact of the truncation ratio on the geometric parameters was investigated to identify the optimum truncation position. The profile of truncated CPC for different truncation positions was compared with full CPC. A detailed statistical analysis was performed to analyze the synergistic effects of independent design parameters on the responses using the response surface modeling approach. A set of optimized design parameters was obtained by establishing specified optimization criteria. A 50% truncated CPC with an acceptance half-angle of 21.58° and receiver width of 193.98 mm resulted in optimum geometric dimensions.