Thanks, I did that search too, and yes, the guy's published a paper or two.

What I meant was, show me something that's been peer reviewed and relevant to this topic... an EEG study of people following polyphasic schedules, for example.

You certainly look too hard at it then. You apparently missed: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/ftinterface?content=a782431..., the article that I most want to read from it. Sure, it isn't an EEG of the sailors, but it sounds (from what I've heard second hand about it) like it may have some relevancy.

I did see that article before, but did not consider it relevant to your question. While this study shows that in a "highly demanding [continuous work] situation" people can adapt easily and maintain high performance under polyphasic schedules, it says nothing about how their sleep architecture (the arrangement of their sleep stages in a 24h period) changes.

Incidentally, I think it covers what most polyphasic bloggers get wrong while adjusting: they do not create continuous work demands, and so at some point they get bored, fall asleep, and revert to their original sleep schedule. If you want to do the Uberman right, follow the Pomodoro technique in cycles of 8 pomodoros, sleeping one and working seven. Eat something after each nap.