Poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) [Poly(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm)] with different feed ratios were obtained by radiation polymerization using Co60γ‐rays. Swelling equilibrium data in various media: deionized water, aqueous NaCl solutions and different pH buffer solutions, were determined. It appeared that the lower critical transition temperature (LCST) of the hydrogels increased with an increasing acrylamide content and decreased with increasing ionic strength. Moreover, LCST was affected by pH.

Vohwinkel syndrome (VS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition, also known as mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma accompanied by sensorineural deafness. The LOR and GJB2 genes are reported to be responsible for VS. The GJB2 gene encodes connexin 26, a component of intercellular gap junctions expressed in various tissues. We report the case of a 31‐year‐old Chinese woman with classic VS characterized by sensorineural deafness and mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma. Further genetic studies demonstrated a nucleotide change (c.175G>A) in the GJB2 gene, leading to an amino acid alteration (G59S). This identical missense mutation (G59S) has also been reported in a patient with Bart–Pumphrey syndrome. Together with our findings and previous studies, we conclude that the identical mutation (G59S) in the GJB2 gene contributes to various manifestations.

The thermosensitive poly ( N-isopropylacrylamide ) (PNIPAAm) and poly ( N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide ) [ poly (NIPAAm-co-AAm) ] hydrogels with different acrylamide molar percentage are prepared by radiation polymerization using Co e° s-ray. Their swelling equilibrium data in the media of deionized water, NaCI aqueous solutions and different pH buffer solutions are determined. It appears that lower critical solution temperature (IX~ST) of the hydrogels will drop with the increase of ionic strength and increase with the rising of acrylamide content. A semi-empirical formula is set up with the experimental results. Moreover, it also indicates that this copolymer is pH-sensitive, which is similar to the homopolymer of PNIPAAm.

Summary The metro‐induced vibrations and seismic safety are both big issues for historical buildings in modern cities. This paper proposed a novel hybrid vibration bearing (HVB) to isolate horizontal earthquakes and mitigate vertical metro‐induced vibrations. The HVB consists of lead rubber bearing and thick rubber bearing with decoupled horizontal and vertical behaviors. The mechanical model of HVB is developed, and a new vertical stiffness formula of thick rubber bearing is proposed to calculate the compression stiffness, without conducting test. A static test of the prototype HVB and a dynamic experiment of an SDOF system were performed. The bearing has stable behavior under different pressures and lateral deformations. The bidirectional test confirmed the decoupling characteristics. The isolation design and retrofitting of an overtrack historical building was conducted. After retrofitting, the average maximum vibration level and the average subfrequency vibration level decreased 25% and 18%, respectively. The horizontal accelerations of isolated structure were 65% to 70% of the input, and the shear strains of bearings were smaller than 200% under rare earthquakes. Finally, case study of structures with different types of foundations is introduced. The vibration mitigation efficiency of different structures is confirmed.

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