Bank of England

Adipose tissue is an abundant and clinically accessible source of stromal cells. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and nanofat have been widely investigated for their regenerative potential; however, commercial systems vary considerably in yield, viability, and regulatory oversight. Most devices report fresh results only, with limited validation following cryopreservation. Mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue have also attracted attention due to their accessibility, immunomodulatory effects, and multipotent differentiation capacity. Uvence has developed a proprietary workflow for adipose tissue processing that integrates washing, cryopreservation, thawing, and emulsification within a Human Tissue Authority-regulated laboratory. The process includes Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Annex 1-aligned environmental monitoring and independent quality control (QC) testing. Critically, this workflow validates postthaw cell viability, addressing a gap in current SVF/nanofat approaches. Three cryopreserved donor samples demonstrated a mean postthaw viability of ∼91% (range 90.5-92%), consistently exceeding the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS)/ International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) 70% threshold. Benchmarking against global systems showed Uvence postthaw viability to be equivalent to or higher than fresh outcomes reported for enzymatic platforms (Celution, 85-91%; InGeneron, 86%) and mechanical platforms (Lipocube, Tulip, ∼96%). Unlike competitor devices, Uvence has validated freeze-thaw performance, providing a stable and compliant platform. This study also presents in vitro culture and characterization of stromal cells expanded from Uvence nanofat-derived SVF samples, including flow cytometry, morphology, and trilineage differentiation. Flow cytometry confirmed high expression of CD73, CD90, and CD105, with minimal expression of CD34/CD45, consistent with the ISCT criteria. While these findings are limited to research characterization and do not constitute approval for therapeutic use, they demonstrate that the Uvence workflow delivers a quality-focused approach to adipose tissue processing.

This quantitative study examined the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)–based personalized learning on students’ motivation and self-regulated learning in higher education. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from 120 students through a structured questionnaire employing a Likert-scale format. Descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and ANOVA analyses were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between AI-based personalized learning and both student motivation and self-regulated learning, indicating that adaptive AI tools enhance learners’ engagement, autonomy, and strategic learning behaviors. Regression results confirmed that AI-based personalized learning was a strong predictor of motivation and self-regulated learning, while ANOVA findings showed significant differences based on academic level, with postgraduate students demonstrating higher levels of motivation and self-regulation than undergraduates. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as digital literacy gaps, ethical concerns, and equitable access were identified. Overall, the study highlights the potential of AI-based personalized learning to foster motivated, autonomous, and self-regulated learners, while emphasizing the need for thoughtful and ethical implementation in higher education settings.

Abstract With the monetary policy lower bound a re-emerging concern in some locations, we present new insights on the impact of negative policy rates. We develop a new theoretical model to match the empirical evidence on their effects. The model features a heterogeneous, oligopolistic banking sector where loan pricing is determined in part by the availability of deposit funding and in part by wholesale funding. The use of non-deposit funding ensures that the bank lending channel of negative rates remains active. We explore the impact of the policy on different types of banks: High-deposit banks may experience a fall in interest margins and profitability, which can result in reduced lending. But this is more than compensated for by greater lending from low-deposit banks. We embed this banking sector in an open-economy macroeconomic model, featuring exchange-rate and capital market transmission channels, which continue to work as normal when rates are negative. These non-bank channels, combined with general equilibrium effects and an active bank lending channel, mean that the transmission of negative rates is only somewhat weaker than the transmission of conventional policy.

Purpose Protectionist measures and trade restrictions have far-reaching consequences on the world economy. The increasing popularity of economic nationalism is creating challenges to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their indicators. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the consequences of economic nationalism on the SDGs in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development framework. Design/methodology/approach The research administered a mixed-methods approach to integrate quantitative analysis and qualitative insights. The research deepens the complex interaction between economic nationalism and sustainable development. Findings The study’s findings identified the direct effects of economic nationalism on various SDGs, including poverty eradication, gender equality, industry and innovation, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships. The research found that low-income countries are the most suffering due to the protectionism policies of the world. The study also noticed the role of far-right political outfits in promoting economic nationalism. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on how economic nationalism can be aligned with the 2030 Agenda, facilitating the realization of the SDGs and a more sustainable future for all. Practical implications The outcomes of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers, enabling them to navigate the complexities of economic nationalism and its effects on sustainable development. Originality/value The insights of the study offer interconnectedness between economic nationalism and sustainable development, taking into consideration the complexity and potential trade-offs.

Employers are highlighting the importance of knowledge and professional skills, including personal, interpersonal, communication, and thinking, in their quest for graduates who are prepared for the workforce. Collaborative research is an essential toolbox that integrates knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which is important for future engineers; nonetheless, undergraduate students often struggle to engage effectively in this key competency. This study presents an undergraduate sustainability research experience (CUSRE) that is built into two courses, utilizing a collaborative-based learning (CBL) setting aimed at creating knowledge, improving skills and competencies, encouraging inclusivity, and advancing equitable education. The objective of the study is to narrow the achievement gap, improve graduation rates, and boost students’ enthusiasm and readiness for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It encompasses a strategy that integrates key approaches, including collaborative research, sustainability as a core value and practice, and educational equity supported by compensatory pedagogy that emphasizes teamwork. Introduced at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) in Canada, the initiative engaged students to deepen their understanding of the SDGs through research cases and projects. This experience yielded significant knowledge gains and a considerable success rate among participants. Moreover, it has been successfully scaled and adapted for the Global Banking School (GBS) in the UK, thereby broadening its impact to a larger audience.

Electromagnetic (EM) fields, as one of the basic forms of energy in the built and lived environment (BLE), present an environmental health challenge, yet they often remain an overlooked concern, particularly with the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) and energy systems. Although these fields are essential for the contemporary infrastructure, society needs to engage in a thorough discussion regarding their potential impact on health. In light of this, a commitment should be made to design and manage technologies and infrastructure that strive to lower EM pollution, while ensuring optimal functionality. Achieving this goal requires viable urban planning and sustainability strategies. The motivation of this study is to examine various instances to foster a deeper understanding of the EM in the BLE. It explores significant sources of exposure and major safety guidelines. A literature review and EM field audits in three locations within two cities in Canada and the UK have been provided to understand the trends and serve as a comparative sample. Key transition pathways towards EM sustainability have been proposed, including the establishment of observatory systems in urban locations, hygiene practices, risk governance, and an interplay between sustainability and technology.

Neural network connections require adequate blood flow to deliver sufficient oxygen and glucose. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) significantly impairs neural function due to insufficient blood flow, leading to diffuse microvascular dysfunction and compromised white matter integrity, both indicators of poor prognosis. Post-stroke neural recovery hinges on promoting neovascularization around the infarct and restoring white matter integrity. Therefore, strategies to enhance angiogenesis and white matter repair are crucial for post-stroke neuro-rehabilitation. Emerging research highlights the pivotal roles of activated microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells in facilitating neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neural functional recovery following cerebral ischemia. In this review, we explore the mechanisms by which these neuroglial cells contribute to angiogenesis and white matter repair after AIS. We also propose potential therapeutic strategies that target the intricate interactions at the glial cell-endothelial cell interface. A deeper understanding of oligovascular signaling in ischemic conditions could unveil novel therapeutic targets for improving outcomes after AIS.