A proposal for the theoretical analysis of the interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations

Mega-urban agglomerations are strategic core areas for national economic development and the main regions of new urbanization. They also have important roles in shifting the global economic center of gravity to China. However, the development of mega-urban agglomerations has triggered the interactive coercion between resources and the eco-envi- ronment. The interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations represent frontier and high-priority research topics in the field of Earth system science over the next decade. In this paper, we carried out systematic theo- retical analysis of the interactive coupling mechanisms and coercing effects between ur- banization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. In detail, we analyzed the nonlinear-coupled relationships and the coupling characteristics between natural and human elements in mega-urban agglomerations. We also investigated the interactive coercion intensities between internal and external elements, and the mechanisms and patterns of local couplings and telecouplings in mega-urban agglomeration systems, which are affected by key internal and external control elements. In addition, we proposed the interactive coupling theory on urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. Furthermore we established a spatiotemporal dynamic coupling model with multi-element, multi-scale, multi-scenario, multi-module and multi-agent integrations, which can be used to develop an intelligent decision support system for sustainable development of mega-urban agglomera- tions. In general, our research may provide theoretical guidance and method support to solve problems related to mega-urban agglomerations and maintain their sustainable development.

Coupled interactive effects of ammonia and hydrogen additions on ethylene diffusion flames: A detailed kinetic study

In order to create effective combustion technologies and fuels with low or no carbon emissions,the research was conducted to assess the coupled interactive effects of NH_(3) and H_(2) additions on ethylene counterflow diffusion flames from a kinetic perspective.The effects of the NH_(3)/H_(2) combination on flame temperatures,major species,key radicals,important intermediate species,representative oxygenated species and NO_xwere examined.The results of the study utilizing fictitious inert NH_(3) and/or H_(2) revealed the chemical effects of the two components.It was found that the NH_(3)/H_(2) coupled effects had a more effective inhibitory effect on soot precursors than the effects of corresponding sum of single NH_(3) or H_(2) addition.The production of soot precursors was promoted by the coupled chemical effects of NH_(3) and H_(2),but the coupled dilution and thermal effects were observed to have a greater impact,resulting in a decrease of the mole fractions of soot precursors.As for the interaction of NH_(3) and H_(2) effects,the presence of H_(2) decreased the chemical effects of NH_(3) on the augmentation of C_(2)H_(2),A1,A2,and CH_(3)CHO mole fractions.The NH_(3) addition alleviated the H_(2) chemical effects on increasing C_(2)H_(2),C_(3)H_(3),A1 and A2 concentrations.Conversely,the NH_(3)chemical effects on C_(3)H_(3),OH and CH_(3)CHO were enhanced when H_(2) was added.The presence of NH_(3) augmented the chemical effects of H_(2) on the growth of OH mole fraction.Moreover,the H_(2) chemical effects hindered the production of NO and NO_(2) in the presence of NH_(3).

Coupling effects of depletion interactions in a three-sphere colloidal system

In a three-sphere system, the middle sphere is acted upon by two opposite depletion forces from the other two spheres. It is found that, in this system, the two depletion forces are coupled with each other and result in a strengthened depletion force. So the difference of the depletion forces of the three-sphere system and its corresponding two two-sphere systems is introduced to describe the coupling effect of the depletion interactions. The numerical results obtained by Monte- Carlo simulations show that this coupling effect is affected by both the concentration of small spheres and the geometrical confinement. Meanwhile, it is also found that the mechanisms of the coupling effect and the effect on the depletion force from the ~eometry factor are the same.

International progress and evaluation on interactive coupling effects between urbanization and the eco-environment

Global urbanization is exerting severe stress and having far-reaching impacts on the eco-environment, and yet there exists a complex non-linear coupling relationship between the two. Research on the interactive coupling effect between urbanization and the eco-environment will be a popular area of study and frontier in international earth system science and sustainability science in the next 10 years, while also being a high-priority research topic of particular interest to international organizations. This paper systematically collates and summarizes the international progress made in research on interactive coupling theory, coupling relationships, coupling mechanisms, coupling laws, coupling thresholds, coupling models and coupling optimization decision support systems. The research shows that urbanization and eco-environment interactive coupling theories include the Kuznets curve theory, telecoupling theory, planetary boundaries theory, footprint family theory and urban metabolism theory; most research on interactive coupling relationships is concerned with single- element coupling relationships, such as those between urbanization and water, land, atmosphere, climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity; the majority of research on interactive coupling mechanisms and laws focuses on five research paradigms, including coupled human and nature systems, complex social-ecological systems, urban ecosystems, social-economic-natural complex ecosystems, and urbanization development and eco-environment constraint ring; the majority of interactive coupling simulations use STIRPAT models, coupling degree models, multi-agent system models and big data urban computer models; and research has been carried out on urbanization and eco-environment coupling thresholds, coercing risk and optimal decision support systems. An objective evaluation of progress in international research on interactive coupling between urbanization and the eco-environment suggests that there are six main research focal points and six areas lacking research： a lot of research exists on macroscopic coupling effects, with little research on urban agglomeration and scale coupling effects; considerable research exists on sin-gle-dimension coupling effects, with little on multiple-dimension coupling effects; a great deal exists on ＂one-to-one＂ dual- element coupling effects, with little on ＂many-to-many＂ multiple-element coupling effects; a lot exists on positive feedback coupling effects, and little on negative feedback coupling effects; a great deal exists on empirical coupling effects, and little on theoretical coupling effects; a great deal exists on the use of simple quantitative methods, and little on using integrated simulation methods. Future studies should focus on coupling effects between urbanization in urban agglomerations and the eco-environment, spatial scale coupling effects, multi-dimensional coupling effects, telecoupling effects, ＂one-to-many＂ and ＂many-to-many＂ element coupling effects, and positive and negative feedback coupling effects. There is also a need to strengthen the development and application of dynamic models for multi-element,-scale,-scenario,-module and-agent integrated spatiotemporal coupling systems and further improve theoretical innovations in coupling effect research and integrate and form complete and diverse coupling theoretical systems.

Anisotropic nanocomposite soft/hard multilayer magnets

Experimental and theoretical researches on nanostructured exchange coupled magnets have been carried out since about 1988. Here, we review the structure and magnetic properties of the anisotropic nanocomposite soft/hard multilayer magnets including some new results and phenomena from an experimental point of view. According to the different component of the oriented hard phase in the nanocomposite soft/hard multilayer magnets, three types of magnets will be discussed：1） anisotropic Nd2Fe（14）B based nanocomposite multilayer magnets, 2） anisotropic SmCo5 based nanocomposite multilayer magnets, and 3） anisotropic rare-earth free based nanocomposite multilayer magnets. For each of them, the formation of the oriented hard phase, exchange coupling, coercivity mechanism, and magnetic properties of the corresponding anisotropic nanocomposite multilayer magnets are briefly reviewed, and then the prospect of realization of bulk magnets on new results of anisotropic nanocomposite multilayer magnets will be carried out.