Positive Technology Journal

Via Mashable

Neulio is a video education site where anyone can create lessons for free. Lessons created can be in video or quiz format. Create a profile, and you’ll be able to access, share, and create lessons, though lessons are also available for non-members as well. Neulio will keep track of the recent lessons you’ve viewed, but there doesn’t appear to be an option for saving lessons in any way associated to your account (i.e. favorites folder, etc.). You can send lessons to friends, social bookmarking sites, rate them and leave comments.

Towards an independent brain-computer interface using steady state visual evoked potentials.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2007 Dec 10;

Authors: Allison BZ, McFarland DJ, Schalk G, Zheng SD, Jackson MM, Wolpaw JR

OBJECTIVE: Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems using steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) have allowed healthy subjects to communicate. However, these systems may not work in severely disabled users because they may depend on gaze shifting. This study evaluates the hypothesis that overlapping stimuli can evoke changes in SSVEP activity sufficient to control a BCI. This would provide evidence that SSVEP BCIs could be used without shifting gaze. METHODS: Subjects viewed a display containing two images that each oscillated at a different frequency. Different conditions used overlapping or non-overlapping images to explore dependence on gaze function. Subjects were asked to direct attention to one or the other of these images during each of 12 one-minute runs. RESULTS: Half of the subjects produced differences in SSVEP activity elicited by overlapping stimuli that could support BCI control. In all remaining users, differences did exist at corresponding frequencies but were not strong enough to allow effective control. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that SSVEP differences sufficient for BCI control may be elicited by selective attention to one of two overlapping stimuli. Thus, some SSVEP-based BCI approaches may not depend on gaze control. The nature and extent of any BCI's dependence on muscle activity is a function of many factors, including the display, task, environment, and user. SIGNIFICANCE: SSVEP BCIs might function in severely disabled users unable to reliably control gaze. Further research with these users is necessary to explore the optimal parameters of such a system and validate online performance in a home environment.

The relation of meditation to power and well-being.

Nurs Sci Q. 2008 Jan;21(1):49-58

Authors: Tae Sook Kim , Jeong Sook Park , Myung Ae Kim

The purpose of this research is to examine the relation of meditation to power and well-being in Korean adults. Using a quasi-experimental design, meditation was provided through a chakra meditation music program over a 4 week period. The Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool and the Well-Being Picture Scale were used, after being translated into Korean. Statistically significant interaction effects of power and group (p < .001), and well-being and group (p < .05) were found. Meditation has a potential to facilitate power and well-being in the human and environmental field patterning process.