African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 1, January 2026 | pp. 33–40
DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000105

Case Study Article

Bridging the Educational Gender Gap: Community-Led Mentorship Programs for Adolescent Girls in Rural Ghana

Efua Mensah¹, Kofi Owusu²

¹Department of Educational Foundations, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
²Institute for Development Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Abstract: Despite national free secondary education policies in Ghana, adolescent girls in rural agrarian districts experience high dropout rates driven by early pregnancy, domestic burdens, and menstrual poverty. This article evaluates a two-year community-led mentorship intervention implemented across 15 junior high schools in the Central Region. Using a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design, tracking 600 female students aged 12 to 16 years, we measured changes in school retention rates and academic self-efficacy. Statistical evaluation using a chi-square test of independence demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in dropout rates from 18.5 percent in the control cohort to 4.2 percent in the intervention cohort (p < 0.001). Key success factors included peer-led reproductive health workshops, distribution of reusable sanitary products, and parental engagement seminars addressing cultural barriers to female education. The findings suggest that localized, mentorship-driven support models effectively complement national educational policies.

Keywords: Educational equity, adolescent girls, rural Ghana, mentorship, school retention, menstrual hygiene

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 10, 2025; Revised: December 12, 2025; Accepted: December 24, 2025; Published: January 28, 2026

Citation: Mensah, E., & Owusu, K. (2026). Bridging the Educational Gender Gap: Community-Led Mentorship Programs for Adolescent Girls in Rural Ghana. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(1), 33–40. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000105

International Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 17, No. 3, March 2026 | pp. 17–24

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJC/000203

Original Research Article

Three-Dimensional Threshold Quantification of Fibrotic Gaps via Isotropic Macro-Aqueous Structural Mapping

David M. Ross¹, Sarah L. Jenkins¹, Richard G. Carter²

¹Department of Cardiovascular Imaging, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

²Division of Electrophysiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Abstract:
Catheter ablation using pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective strategy for managing atrial fibrillation, but recurrent arrhythmia occurs due to gaps in procedural scar lines. Visualizing and quantifying thin left atrial (LA) myocardial scar tissue requires optimized high-spatial-resolution imaging. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a novel high-resolution 3D late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) sequence for identifying and quantifying LA scars, using electroanatomical voltage mapping (EAM) as the reference standard. We prospectively evaluated 45 patients with recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias scheduled for a repeat ablation procedure who underwent 3D LGE CMR (1.3 mm isotropic resolution) within 48 hours prior to the intervention. Scars were quantified off-line using a threshold of 3 standard deviations above normal atrial myocardium. Atrial structures were merged with intraprocedural 3D EAM. On a segment-based analysis (432 segments total), high-resolution 3D LGE CMR demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.4% (95% CI: 82.5%–92.8%) and a specificity of 91.2% (95% CI: 86.4%–94.7%) for detecting low-voltage scar zones (bipolar voltage less than 0.5 mV). The total quantified LA scar surface area correlated strongly with EAM scar maps (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). High-spatial-resolution 3D late gadolinium enhancement CMR provides excellent diagnostic accuracy for detecting left atrial scar tissue, facilitating non-invasive localization of conduction gaps before redo ablation procedures.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Catheter ablation, Cardiac magnetic resonance, Late gadolinium enhancement, Left atrium, Electroanatomical mapping

Received: December 02, 2025; Revised: January 18, 2026; Accepted: February 08, 2026; Published: March 15, 2026

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 5, May 2026 | pp. 25–32

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000104

Research Article

Title: Customary Land Tenure Reform and Women’s Property Rights: Evaluating Implementation Gaps in Post-Conflict Liberia

Names of Authors: Musu Thompson¹, Ngozi Ekwueme²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Liberian Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Monrovia, Liberia; ²Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: The Land Rights Act of Liberia represented a monumental legislative step toward dismantling customary exclusions that historically barred women from owning land. This paper critically evaluates the practical implementation and community-level enforcement of these statutory provisions across rural counties in post-conflict Liberia. Employing an ethnographic case-study approach, the research engaged n = 150 community land development committees, traditional elders, and women's advocacy coalitions through structured interviews and legal audits. Data analysis exposed a profound divergence between statutory law and living customary practices: while national law guarantees equal tenure, 86% of local customary tribunals continue to apply patriarchal lineage rules that restrict women to derivative land usufruct rights only. Economic loss calculations indicate that female farmers suffering insecure tenure operate at a productivity deficit of 34.6 ± 5.2% relative to land-titled holders (t = 5.92, p < 0.001). The study concludes that legal reforms remain symbolic without robust grassroots legal literacy campaigns and formal harmonization between statutory courts and traditional governance structures.

Keywords: Land tenure, property rights, customary law, legal reform, post-conflict, Liberia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 10 January 2026; Revised: 15 April 2026; Accepted: 28 April 2026; Published: 01 May 2026

Citation: Thompson, M., & Ekwueme, N. (2026). Customary Land Tenure Reform and Women’s Property Rights: Evaluating Implementation Gaps in Post-Conflict Liberia. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(5), 25–32.

International Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 17, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 9–16

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJC/000202

Original Research Article

Controlled Nutro-Biometric Layering via Multi-Parametric Evaluation Panels for Risk Screening in Geriatric Congestion

Maria G. Silva¹, Joao P. Santos¹, António F. Ribeiro²

¹Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

²Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Santa Maria Hospital, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract:
Malnutrition frequently complicates heart failure progression in geriatric populations, precipitating severe cardiac cachexia. Despite its high prevalence, routine nutritional screening is rarely integrated into acute heart failure (AHF) admissions. This prospective study evaluated the clinical utility of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for predicting 3-year survival dynamics in elderly individuals hospitalized for AHF. We evaluated 210 patients aged 75 years or older admitted with primary AHF. The baseline CONUT score was calculated from automated serum albumin, total cholesterol, and absolute lymphocyte counts, stratifying patients into normal, mild, moderate, or severe nutritional risk categories. The primary clinical endpoint was 36-month all-cause mortality. Normal nutritional status was identified in only 21.4% of the cohort, while mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition risks were present in 43.8%, 28.1%, and 6.7% of patients, respectively. Over 3 years, all-cause mortality rose progressively with increasing malnutrition severity (log-rank p < 0.001). Patients with moderate-to-severe baseline malnutrition (CONUT score greater than or equal to 5) experienced an overall mortality rate of 51.4%. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis confirmed that moderate-to-severe CONUT status was a powerful independent predictor of 3-year mortality (hazard ratio: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.32–3.52, p = 0.002), after adjusting for age, LVEF, eGFR, and admission NT-proBNP levels. Objective nutritional risk calculation using the CONUT score provides robust independent prognostic data in geriatric acute heart failure cohorts.

Keywords: Acute heart failure, Malnutrition, CONUT score, Geriatric cardiology, Mortality, Prognosis

Received: November 14, 2025; Revised: December 28, 2025; Accepted: January 15, 2026; Published: February 20, 2026

International Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 17, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 73–80

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJC/000210

Review Article

Systemic Comorbidity Interplay and Endothelial Microvascular Stiffening Pathways in Restrictive Inflow Imbalances

Sarah L. Jenkins¹, Nigel Kirkpatrick²

¹Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

²Division of Cardiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract:
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all heart failure hospitalizations globally, yet its optimal management remains a clinical challenge. Unlike heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, which is driven by progressive cardiomyocyte loss and systolic failure, HFpEF stems from a complex interplay of systemic comorbidities that induce chronic microvascular inflammation and myocardial stiffness. This comprehensive review synthesizes the evolving pathophysiological paradigms of HFpEF, highlighting the roles of endothelial dysfunction, titin hypophosphorylation, and advanced glycation end-product accumulation in driving impaired diastolic relaxation. Diagnostic algorithms have progressed beyond simple resting echocardiography, requiring multi-parametric scores like the H2FPEF model, which incorporates body mass index, atrial fibrillation status, and invasive hemodynamic exercise testing. Right heart catheterization showing a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than or equal to 15 mmHg at rest or greater than or equal to 25 mmHg during exercise remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Therapeutic interventions targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have historically failed to improve primary survival endpoints, but emerging data highlight the potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and targeted metabolic pathways to mitigate systemic inflammation and lower heart failure hospitalizations. Effective management of HFpEF requires early phenotyping and a multi-target strategy combining SGLT2 inhibition, rigorous blood pressure control, and aggressive treatment of underlying metabolic comorbidities.

Keywords: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, Diastolic dysfunction, Microvascular inflammation, Titin, Diuretics, SGLT2 inhibitors

Received: July 12, 2026; Revised: August 25, 2026; Accepted: September 15, 2026; Published: October 22, 2026

Citation: International Journal of Cardiology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 10, pp. 73–80, DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJC/000210

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 65–72
DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000204

Empirical Article

Women in Corporate Boardrooms: An Analysis of Gender Diversity and Financial Performance in South African Listed Firms

Thabo Mokoena¹, Nomusa Dlamini²

¹Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
²Department of Business Management, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract: South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes encourage corporate board diversity, yet female executive representation remains disproportionately low. This study examines the econometric relationship between female board participation and firm financial performance across 120 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2020 to 2025. Employing panel data analysis with fixed effects estimators, we evaluated return on assets (ROA) and Tobin's Q relative to the percentage of women serving on board audit and remuneration committees. The statistical output indicates a positive and significant association between critical mass representation (defined as 30 percent or more female directors) and firm profitability metrics (ROA coefficient = 0.045, p < 0.05). Additionally, firms with higher gender diversity exhibited stronger ESG compliance ratings. The findings support regulatory mandates enforcing board diversity quotas, demonstrating that gender inclusivity enhances corporate governance rigor and long-term financial resilience.

Keywords: Corporate governance, board diversity, financial performance, JSE, South Africa

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 05, 2025; Revised: January 04, 2026; Accepted: January 15, 2026; Published: February 20, 2026

Citation: Mokoena, T., & Dlamini, N. (2026). Women in Corporate Boardrooms: An Analysis of Gender Diversity and Financial Performance in South African Listed Firms. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(2), 65–72. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000204

International Scholars Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries | Vol. 16, No. 4, April 2025 | pp. 17–24

DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJMAD/000103

Original Research Article

Title: Comparative Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus versus Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy in Refractory Vitiligo

Names of Authors: K. L. Rossi¹, M. N. Al-Mansoor²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Dermatology, Mediterranean Medical Institute, Rome, Italy; ²Department of Dermatology and Venereology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting dermatosis that profoundly impacts patient quality of life. This randomized comparative trial evaluated the relative therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment versus narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy administered twice weekly over a 24-week intervention window. A cohort of 150 patients with symmetrical, non-segmental vitiligo involving 10% to 30% of the total body surface area was assigned to two parallel treatment arms. Repigmentation was quantified using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) alongside digital computerized image analysis. At week 24, the NBUVB cohort achieved a mean VASI reduction of 58.2 ± 12.4%, compared to 42.1 ± 15.6% in the topical tacrolimus group (P = 0.002). However, facial lesions exhibited comparable repigmentation velocities across both modalities (exceeding 70% response). Combination therapy analysis in a pilot subgroup suggested synergistic enhancement when tacrolimus was applied on localized recalcitrant acral areas undergoing NBUVB sessions. Adverse events were generally mild and self-limiting; transient burning sensation was reported by 22% of tacrolimus users, whereas mild erythema and xerosis occurred in 31% of the NBUVB group. No severe phototoxic reactions or systemic malignancies were documented during the follow-up period. The data indicate that while NBUVB remains superior for generalized truncal involvement, topical tacrolimus serves as an exceptional site-specific alternative or adjunct, particularly for sensitive anatomical zones where cumulative UV exposure must be strictly controlled.

Keywords: Vitiligo; Tacrolimus; Narrowband UVB; Phototherapy; Repigmentation

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 05 December 2024; Revised: 12 March 2025; Accepted: 28 March 2025; Published: 05 April 2025

Citation: Rossi, K. L., & Al-Mansoor, M. N. (2025). Comparative Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus versus Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy in Refractory Vitiligo. International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries, 16(4), 17–24.

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 16, No. 12, December 2025 | pp. 89–96

DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJC/000206

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: GC-MS Volatile Characterization, Bioactive Compound Mapping, and Insecticidal Efficacy of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oils

Names of Authors: S. A. Abdulrahman¹, G. E. D. M. Santos²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.

Abstract: The continuous emergence of chemical resistance among stored-grain insect pests requires the formulation of alternative botanical insecticides to minimize chemical pesticide hazards in agricultural facilities. This research reports the qualitative chemical characterization, volatile compound identification via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and in vitro insecticidal efficacy of Lavandula angustifolia leaf essential oil against Rhyzopertha dominica (Lesser grain borer). Essential oils obtained via hydro-distillation in a Clevenger apparatus were separated into 20 distinct peaks through GC-MS profiling, with linalool (42.5%), linalyl acetate (18.2%), and camphor (12.4%) emerging as the primary bioactive constituents. Insecticidal bioassays were conducted utilizing contact toxicity tests across a suite of oil concentrations (10 to 50 microliters/square meter) over 24-hour exposure periods. The essential oil demonstrated significant lethal potency, yielding an LC50 value of 18.4 microliters/square meter and an LC90 value of 34.2 microliters/square meter against the borer populations. A linear correlation was observed between the concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes and insect mortality rates. This confirms that volatile monoterpenoids actively disrupt the respiratory and acetylcholinesterase enzymes of borers, providing a sustainable botanical framework for grain storage protection.

Keywords: Lavandula angustifolia; Essential oils; GC-MS analysis; Linalool; Contact toxicity; Rhyzopertha dominica

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 15, 2024; Revised: July 28, 2024; Accepted: August 22, 2024; Published: December 04, 2025.

Citation: Abdulrahman, S. A., & Santos, G. E. D. M. (2025). GC-MS Volatile Characterization, Bioactive Compound Mapping, and Insecticidal Efficacy of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oils. International Journal of Chemistry, 16(12), 89–96.

International Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 16, No. 9, September 2025 | pp. 65–72

DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJC/000197

Original Research Article

Prospective Evaluation of 12-Month Cumulative Cardiovascular Death and Stroke Reductions with Ticagrelor in Post-PCI ACS Patients

Yukihiro Tanaka¹, Shinji Kato¹, Takuya Kobayashi²

¹Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan

²Division of Interventional Cardiology, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract:
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is the cornerstone of management for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Ticagrelor provides faster, more consistent platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. This prospective observational study evaluated the real-world clinical efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We analyzed 380 consecutive ACS patients (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation ACS) who underwent successful PCI and received either ticagrelor (180 mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily, n = 190) or clopidogrel (300 to 600 mg loading dose, 75 mg once daily, n = 190). The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 12 months. The safety endpoint was major bleeding according to PLATO criteria. At 12 months, the primary composite endpoint was significantly lower in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (6.8% vs. 13.2%, hazard ratio: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26–0.94, p = 0.03), driven primarily by lower rates of recurrent MI. The rate of definite stent thrombosis was also reduced with ticagrelor (0.5% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.05). The incidence of overall PLATO-defined major bleeding did not differ significantly between groups (8.4% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.85); however, non-CABG related bleeding and transient dyspnea were more frequent in the ticagrelor cohort (5.3% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.04). In real-world clinical practice, ticagrelor significantly reduces ischemic events and stent thrombosis in ACS patients undergoing PCI compared with clopidogrel, without significantly increasing overall major bleeding complications.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, Percutaneous coronary intervention, Ticagrelor, Clopidogrel, Dual antiplatelet therapy, Stent thrombosis

Received: June 02, 2025; Revised: July 15, 2025; Accepted: August 04, 2025; Published: September 20, 2025

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 16, No. 11, November 2025 | pp. 81–88

DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJC/000205

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Adsorptive Sequestration of Divalent Cadmium Ions Using Chemically Modified Wheat Straw Biomass

Names of Authors: E. N. Chidi¹, L. M. van der Westhuizen²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemical Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination of surface waters by industrial manufacturing operations requires the development of low-cost, chemically stable, and highly active biosorption matrices. This investigation reports the adsorptive efficiency of a modified agricultural adsorbent derived from wheat straw prepared via chemical modification with citric acid under alkaline conditions. The chemical transformations and surface porous architectures of the matrix were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The analytical data confirmed that the modification process successfully integrated carboxyl-rich active ligand networks across the cellulosic biomass strands. Batch extraction experiments evaluated parameters of solution pH, equilibrium contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial Cd(II) concentrations. Maximum cadmium adsorption occurred at an optimum solution pH of 5.5, using an equilibrium contact period of 90 minutes. Equilibrium data matched the Langmuir model closely, showing a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 58.45 mg/g at 298 K. Sorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model with a high correlation coefficient (R² > 0.998), proving that chemical surface complexation reactions controlled the mass transfer rates. Thermodynamic parameters confirmed process spontaneity and endothermic characteristics, highlighting this modified biomass as an affordable choice for industrial water treatment.

Keywords: Wheat straw; Citric acid modification; Cadmium removal; Adsorption kinetics; Chemisorption; Wastewater treatment

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 02, 2024; Revised: July 15, 2024; Accepted: August 10, 2024; Published: November 09, 2025.

Citation: Chidi, E. N., & van der Westhuizen, L. M. (2025). Adsorptive Sequestration of Divalent Cadmium Ions Using Chemically Modified Wheat Straw Biomass. International Journal of Chemistry, 16(11), 81–88.