University of Applied Sciences Biberach

Abstract. Wave-abrasion terraces are geomorphic marker horizons that provide information of past water levels, in marine and lacustrine environments. By integrating elevation measurements and age knowledge they serve as strain markers to assess vertical deformation rates associated with tectonic and/or climatic processes. As most geomorphic markers, wave-abrasion terraces are ephemeral features, and their topographic signature has variable levels of noise. Therefore, accurate and precise estimates of marine terrace morphology are essential to obtain significant uplift/subsidence rates. TerraceM-3 enables users to reduce non-systematic and systematic errors in terrace mapping by integrating machine learning techniques to replicate human mapping criteria, and standardized and reproducible workflows to handle systematic errors. In many regions, the availability of high-resolution topographic data remains relatively scarce limiting precision in geomorphic marker mapping. TerraceM-3 introduces a new module for downloading, filtering, and processing centimeter-resolution topographic data from the ICESat-2 satellite at global scale. The TerraceM-ICESat module produces vegetation-free profiles ready for assisted machine-learning mapping into a graphical user interface. Shallow bathymetry may be also extracted to extend the mapping of drowned terraces offshore. The new functionalities of TerraceM-3 were tested along tectonically active coasts in Peru and Algeria, revealing detailed deformation histories controlled by subducted seamounts and crustal faults. TerraceM-3 is designed to support research in tectonic geomorphology and paleoclimate studies by enhancing the precision and accuracy of wave-abrasion terrace mapping with applications in the assessment of coastal hazards.

This paper critically examines the dominance of quantification in sustainability practices in cities and buildings, particularly in sectors like construction and urban building practices (and urban agriculture), and its impact on broader societal and ecological dimensions. It explores the limits of data-driven approaches and multi-level average scores like for certification and KPIs, arguing for a more “holistic” understanding and communication of sustainability. “Holistic” is meant here as additionally considering both, emotions and narrations. Emotions are elementar for (1) constitution of personal meaningfulness and also (2) intersubjective sharability. That is valid especially in the age of social media communications. Narrations (3) are expressions of first-personal or cultural contextualization of information or experience. Incorporating such perspectives demands conventional measurement frameworks like life cycle assessment (LCA). This contribution first traces the historical shift from a broader “cultural” to a purely quantitative understanding of (ecological) sustainability, proposing that this transformation may represent a "tragedy of sustainability", that can be defined as the shift from a culturally and sensually “rich” orientation (“good intention”) to a mainly technical and quantitative practice (“reversing the initial value of striving for a better, multi-relational life”). After discussing objectification epistemiologically, regarding insights of linguistics and embodiment, it points out a need not only to accompany KPIs and ratings by narration focused interviews and real-life-storytelling in architecture and urban planning, but also priorizing them. Relevant perspectives of empirical aesthetics, cultural science and hermeneutics are suggested.

Abstract Despite the rise in mass timber buildings globally, challenges remain with timber’s limitations in low-frequency sound and vibration. This is due to timber’s lower density compared to concrete and steel, leading to natural frequencies more susceptible to disturbances from footfall vibrations. This study identifies areas for further research in floor sound and vibration through a combined analysis of practitioner consultations and systematic review. A total of 112 discussions across 13 countries captured varying perspectives from producers of mass timber products through to designers of mass timber structures, as well as researchers of these different approaches. Of those consulted, 75% of producers noted increased mass timber product demand alongside a need for more design data, with 61% of designers and builders facing challenges related to sound and vibration. In addition, 17% of builders reported receiving tenant complaints over sound and vibration-related concerns, with 44% of practitioners noting concerns over sound and vibration performance. Several standards/design guides were analysed and ranked through the systematic review and practitioner consultation finding FprEN 1995-1-1, CCIP-016, and BS 6472-1 to be highly ranked from both analysis approaches. However, there were several cases, where standards ranked highly through the literature analysis approach were not highly ranked through the analysis of practitioner responses. Three under-researched areas were identified: (1) long-span floor systems, (2) the influence of mass timber product material properties, and (3) the undefined relationship between lab and in-situ performance. Furthermore, 71% of practitioners highlighted that the perception of comfort by occupants is under-represented in current research.

Monoclonal antibodies' Fc N-glycans play a crucial role in their therapeutic efficacy, as they influence effector functions through Fc receptor binding. However, the impact of asymmetrical Fc glyco-pairs is often overlooked in assessing Fc receptor binding and effector functions. This study addresses this gap by generating pure asymmetrical Fc glyco-pairs and evaluating their Fc receptor binding properties, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Fc N-glycans. Utilizing redox pairing and affinity chromatography, homogeneously asymmetrical Fc glyco-pairs were generated, and their interaction properties toward Fcγ receptors IIIa, IIa, IIb, and I were determined by surface plasmon resonance. The results underscore the importance of considering the apparent glycan distribution of Fc N-glycans as glycan pairing was found to individually influence Fc receptor binding. Notably, single afucosylation significantly increased the affinity for FcγRIIIa, while the effect of galactosylation was detectable but less pronounced. Galactosylation, however, played a crucial role in FcγRIIa binding, with asymmetrical galactosylation being sufficient for the whole effect. In contrast, for FcγRIIb, afucosylation was more important, while galactosylation played a minor role. Furthermore, glycosylation-dependent Fc-FcγRI complex stability differences could be resolved, challenging the commonly held belief that this interaction is glycosylation independent.

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Timber-concrete composite (TCC) floors offer an efficient solution for taller buildings by combining the advantages of timber and concrete. To optimise material use and reduce emissions, multi-span configurations could replace single-span beams. However, in practice, TCC slabs are still designed as simply supported. This study investigates the moment-rotation relation over the centre support of multi-span TCC slabs using experimental and numerical methods. Nine three-point bending tests were conducted, complemented by finite element modelling and a probabilistic component analysis. Results indicate that the structural configuration achieves significant rotational stiffness, which can be exploited to reduce material consumption and lower the carbon footprint of TCC construction. This is an extended abstract of a paper published in the Special Issue of the COST Action HELEN in the journal Wood Material Science & Engineering. The full open-access article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2025.2509083