Functional MRI Based Brain Mapping in Occipital Gyrus using Face Stimuli

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the most powerful neuroimaging modalities due to its high spatio-temporal resolution characteristics. This known modality is applied on mapping the temporal, occipital, frontal cortices of the brain for localizing the neural activities generated due to any visual, physical or mental task or brain diseases or brain disorders. The occipital cortex is composed of middle, left, right, interior and exterior occipital gyrus and is responsible for visional function of human brain. The occipital gyrus reflects the neural image generated in the brain due to any visual activity. In this research paper, four different visual stimuli images of faces, scrambled, scenes and objects along with gap of blank space, forming a long sequence of stimuli observed by two female subjects, are experimented to examine and localize the most contrasting neural image generated in occipital gyrus of the brain. The visual fMRI brain data received from the two subjects is processed through fMRI-SPM12 toolbox based on Matlab software. In order to demonstrate the results statistically, two regressions such as T-contrast and F-contrast vectors are applied on fMRI images to highlight, and to localize the most active neural stimuli activities generated in the occipital gyrus of brain. In the results, it is demonstrated that maximum neural response can be mapped only for face stimulus in the bilateral occipital gyrus of the brain by applying T-contrast vectors regressions as when compared to other stimuli conditions and F-contrast vectors regressions. Further, it is also investigated that, the response of the face stimulus in F-contrast regressions achieved is somehow dispersed and unclear due to the large variances and interlinked communication of other stimuli or induced neural noises generated in entire volume of the brain.  Further from the given images, it is also investigated that the most reflecting and contrast area for any visual stimuli (such as face stimulus in this case) is either the middle or bilateral part of occipital gyrus of the human brain as identified through application of  T-contrast vectors regressions.

Role of Tbi in Developing Accuracy and Fluency in Ocss of Grade 5 Students in a Government School of District Tmk, Sindh

The study explored the effectiveness of Task based Instructions (TBI) approach through qualitative action research in order to enhance the oral communication skills (OCSs) focusing on fluency and accuracy in one of the main boys primary schools in the rural context of Sindh at Tando Muhammad Khan district. Grade 5 students were involved in the study of Task Based instruction through activities in order that they could use language in the real life situation. For data collection, it was gathered through different tools like classroom observations, semi structured interviews, audio recording, oral pre tests and oral post tests. The semi structured interviews were conducted from the participants before intervention in order to know about their perceptions of their English language class, teachings of speaking skills including challenges and about Task Based instruction. Oral pre tests and oral post tests were also conducted from the focused group participants in order to know about the effectiveness of Task Based instruction whether it had improved the OCSs among the students. Data that was gathered was analyzed qualitatively to explore the effectiveness of Task based instruction approach in enhancing OCSs among grade 5 students. According to the research findings the study revealed positive impacts of Task Based instruction approach in enhancing OCSs focusing on fluency and accuracy and the researcher expected that the study would definitely help other researchers, English language teachers and students understand Task based instruction approach. In conclusion, the study may inspire the English language teachers to make class learner centered by making task based activities so that the learners can be able to use the language and to enhance their OCSs.