Pan-Atlantic University

The World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan (GAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emphasises the need for awareness, education, and training of health workers. Globally, there are major gaps in AMR awareness and knowledge among pre-service healthcare professionals. This study evaluated the inclusion of AMR content in pre-service pharmacy curricula across five sub-Saharan African universities. This study was part of the award winning One Health Pan-African Internship Program 2020–2021, hosted by the Ducit Blue Foundation in collaboration with the African Regional Office of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF AfRO). Five universities were included based on their students’ participation in the internship programme. The pre-service pharmacy curricula of the universities were evaluated against the WHO AMR training competency framework, followed by inductive thematic analysis, using Microsoft Excel. Results showed limited progress in the inclusion of AMR content in the pre-service curricula. Though some AMR-related topics were present, they were obscured within other subjects. Those topics included were not well aligned with antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) objectives of the AMR Global Action Plan. There are still major gaps in AMR inclusion in pre-service curricula, which may contribute to the poor AMR outcomes seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Feasibility studies are recommended to assess the costs of designing, upgrading, and implementing new curricula. Training and capacity building for pharmacy lecturers and educators are also needed to update their knowledge on current advances in AMR research. Finally, the integration strategy for implementing the curriculum should include both short-term and long-term plans, with regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure that key AMS goals are embedded at the pre-service level.

Chalcogenide perovskites have attracted growing interest as inorganic materials with tunable electronic and optical properties and enhanced chemical stability compared to halide counterparts. In this work, we present a first-principles density functional theory (DFT) investigation of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the cesium-based chalcogenide perovskites CsNbS3 and CsVS3. Structural optimizations are performed within the generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) to establish equilibrium geometries within the ABX3 perovskite framework. The electronic properties are analyzed primarily using PBE-GGA to ensure internal consistency between band structures, density of states, and derived optical spectra. Both compounds exhibit narrow indirect band gaps at the PBE-GGA level, with valence-band maxima dominated by S-3p states and conduction-band minima arising mainly from Nb-4d and V-3d orbitals. Hybrid-functional (HSE06) calculations are additionally employed to assess the sensitivity of the electronic structure to exchange–correlation effects, revealing pronounced band-edge renormalization near the Fermi level rather than serving as a basis for electronic classification. Optical properties, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, and optical conductivity, are calculated consistently from the PBE-GGA electronic structures and show strong optical activity in the visible to near-infrared energy range, originating from S-p to transition-metal d interband transitions. A model-based thickness-dependent efficiency analysis is further presented to compare relative optoelectronic trends, without making predictive device-performance claims. Overall, this study provides a coherent and internally consistent description of the electronic and optical behaviour of CsNbS3 and CsVS3, clarifies the functional dependence of their electronic structures, and highlights the importance of careful methodological interpretation in first-principles studies of transition-metal chalcogenide perovskites.

Purpose The supply chain resilience (SCR) literature has largely conceptualised governance, technology and collaboration as parallel, independently deployable capabilities. This study aims to re-examines that assumption by investigating how resilience capabilities are hierarchically sequenced in supply chains (SCs). Focusing on the downstream oil and gas SC in Nigeria, the study enriches debates on the design and coordination of SCR capabilities. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory, this study adopts a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key SC actors, including refinery operators, distributors and regulators, and were analysed thematically to examine how governance, technology and collaboration interact under conditions of institutional voids. Findings The findings reveal that SCR capabilities do not operate in parallel. Instead, resilience emerges through a hierarchical sequence in which macro-level governance stability enables meso-level technology adoption, which, in turn, facilitates micro-level collaboration. Resilience is therefore produced through bricolage that combines formal institutional arrangements with grassroots improvisation. Practical implications For SC managers and policymakers operating in volatile environments, the findings promote prioritising governance stability before advanced digital investments and recognising informal coordination mechanisms as foundational components of resilience. Originality/value This study conceptualises governance, technology and collaboration as an emergent, sequentially interdependent system of capabilities shaped by institutional constraints. By integrating CAS theory into SCR research, this approach extends the dominant parallel-capability perspective and offers new insights into how resilience develops in fragile and regulated SCs.

Hypertension remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, with increasing prevalence observed among younger populations. Although avoidable lifestyle factors account for a substantial proportion of hypertension risk, prevention efforts depend heavily on adequate awareness and understanding of these factors. This study examines the level of knowledge of avoidable risk factors of hypertension among university students in England and evaluates the relationship between these factors and hypertension status. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to students at a large English university. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Findings indicate a high level of knowledge of avoidable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, obesity, high salt intake, and junk food consumption. Despite this, significant associations were observed between several avoidable risk factors and hypertension status, particularly alcohol use, body mass index, salt intake, and frequent consumption of junk food. The results highlight a clear disjunction between knowledge and health behaviour, suggesting that awareness alone is insufficient to reduce hypertension risk among university students. The study underscores the need for prevention strategies that extend beyond information provision to address behavioural, social, and environmental drivers of risk.

Background: Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers encompass a heterogeneous group of malignancies with distinct histological and biological characteristics. Histological classification remains central to diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutic decision-making, particularly in settings where molecular profiling is not routinely available. Objective: This study examined the histological spectrum and classification patterns of gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers diagnosed over a ten-year period in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer cases diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2020 across four major histopathology laboratories in Anambra State. Archived haematoxylin and eosin–stained slides and paraffin blocks were reviewed. Tumours were classified according to the 2019 World Health Organization classification of gastric tumours, with carcinomas further categorised using the Lauren classification system. Descriptive statistics and chi-square testing were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Ninety-three cases met inclusion criteria. Carcinomas constituted the majority of tumours, followed by mesenchymal tumours, lymphomas, and neuroendocrine tumours. Tubular adenocarcinoma was the most frequent carcinoma subtype, while intestinal-type carcinoma predominated under the Lauren classification. Most graded carcinomas were well differentiated. No statistically significant associations were identified between histological subtype and patient age or sex. Conclusion: Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers in this setting are dominated by epithelial malignancies, particularly tubular and intestinal-type adenocarcinomas. The observed histological profile aligns with patterns reported across Nigeria and other low- and middle-income settings, underscoring the continuing relevance of morphology-based classification in regional cancer practice.

Blockchain technology is a somewhat new approach to finding the integrity and chain of digital evidence in various industries, including law enforcement, forensic investigations, supply chain management, and judicial proceedings. Although traditional evidence-keeping systems are prone to manipulation, loss, and inefficiency, blockchain offers an immutable, transparent, and decentralized ledger that securely records and validates every evidence-related transaction. Blockchain technology increases reliability in handling both physical and digital evidence. It uses distributed consensus, intelligent contracts, and cryptographic hashing to eliminate human error and backdoor intervention by assuring immutability, accountability, and automation. This study offers a model blockchain (Chain of Digital Evidence) based on the Ethereum blockchain to guarantee integrity and authenticity in the chain of digital evidence. Ethereum's decentralization ensures that digital evidence is free from manipulation, transparent, and easily verifiable. The study discusses other challenges and prospects for integrating the Ethereum blockchain into the digital evidence chain.

This research has explored the efficiency of green sukuk financing in enhancing food sufficiency in Nigeria by determining its usefulness in gathering sustainable marketing capital to finance agricultural production, agro processing and food linkage chain creation. In a completely quantitative study, secondary data of sukuk issuances, agricultural capital formation, conventional credit, macroeconomic variables and food sufficiency indicators were studied using studies of autoregressive distributed lag modelling, error correction mechanisms and Granger causality. The findings showed that Green Sukuk financing had statistically significant positive impact on food sufficiency as compared to conventional agricultural credit. In short run, food sufficiency was responsive to Green Sukuk financing in the short term and the error correction term showed the responsiveness towards the equilibrium in the long run. The findings of Granger causality test confirmed that there was a unidirectional association between financing of Green Sukuk and food sufficiency where the engineering of food system changes was initiated by Green Sukuk financing, as opposed to food system changes that might have occurred before. The results highlight the potential of Green Sukuk to offer patient, sustainability focused capital, which is climatic resilient agriculture, agro processing and healthy food supply chains. Some of the policy implications would be the encouragement of specific Green Sukuk issue, enhancement of regulatory frameworks, and facilitation of the involvement of the private sector in financing sustainable agriculture.