2023
Journal article
Open Access
Morning naps architecture and mentation recall complexity
Sebastiani L., Barcaro U., Paradisi P., Frumento P., Faraguna U.
Mentation reports were collected after spontaneous awakenings from morning naps in 18 healthy participants, and associations between sleep stages duration and complexity of recalled mentation were investigated. Participants were continuously recorded with polysomnography and allowed to sleep for a maximum of 2 hr. Mentation reports were classified according to both their complexity (1-6 scale) and their perceived timing of occurrence (Recent or Previous Mentation with respect to the final awakening). The results showed a good level of mentation recall, including different types of mentation with lab-related stimuli. N1 + N2 duration was positively related to the complexity of Previous Mentation recall, while rapid eye movement sleep duration was negatively related. This suggests that the recall of complex mentation, such as dreaming with a plot, occurring far from awakening may depend on the length of N1 + N2. However, the duration of sleep stages did not predict the complexity of Recent Mentation recall. Nevertheless, 80% of participants who recalled Recent Mentation had a rapid eye movement sleep episode. Half of the participants reported incorporating lab-related stimuli in their mentation, which positively correlated with both N1 + N2 and rapid eye movement duration. In conclusion, nap sleep architecture is informative about the complexity of dreams perceived as having occurred early during the sleep episode, but not about those perceived as recent.Source: Journal of sleep research (Print) 32 (2023): e13915-1–e13915-10. doi:10.1111/jsr.13915
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13915
Metrics:
Sebastiani L., Barcaro U., Paradisi P., Frumento P., Faraguna U.
Mentation reports were collected after spontaneous awakenings from morning naps in 18 healthy participants, and associations between sleep stages duration and complexity of recalled mentation were investigated. Participants were continuously recorded with polysomnography and allowed to sleep for a maximum of 2 hr. Mentation reports were classified according to both their complexity (1-6 scale) and their perceived timing of occurrence (Recent or Previous Mentation with respect to the final awakening). The results showed a good level of mentation recall, including different types of mentation with lab-related stimuli. N1 + N2 duration was positively related to the complexity of Previous Mentation recall, while rapid eye movement sleep duration was negatively related. This suggests that the recall of complex mentation, such as dreaming with a plot, occurring far from awakening may depend on the length of N1 + N2. However, the duration of sleep stages did not predict the complexity of Recent Mentation recall. Nevertheless, 80% of participants who recalled Recent Mentation had a rapid eye movement sleep episode. Half of the participants reported incorporating lab-related stimuli in their mentation, which positively correlated with both N1 + N2 and rapid eye movement duration. In conclusion, nap sleep architecture is informative about the complexity of dreams perceived as having occurred early during the sleep episode, but not about those perceived as recent.Source: Journal of sleep research (Print) 32 (2023): e13915-1–e13915-10. doi:10.1111/jsr.13915
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13915
Metrics:
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Journal of Sleep Research 
| onlinelibrary.wiley.com | ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2023
Journal article
Open Access
Changes over the night in REM-sleep microstructure. A hypothesis of similarity to changes in dream features reported in the literature
Barcaro U., Magrini M., Paradisi P.
The research aimed at a quantitative description of the changes in REM-sleep microstructure throughout the night. For this purpose, sleep recordings available on the public "PhysioNet" website were analyzed from a chronobiological perspective. This approach was suggested by the fact that two important properties of REM sleep determine its microstructure: the alternation between phasic and tonic microstates, and the presence of Slow Eye Movements in addition to Rapid Eye Movements. Although the examined recordings did not include data about dreams, a significant result of our analyses was the close similarity between the observed highly statistically significant changes in the microstructure and changes in basic dream features that are amply reported in the literature, including recall, word count, vividness and emotional content.Source: International journal of dream research 16 (2023). doi:10.11588/ijodr.2023.1.84936
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2023.1.84936
Metrics:
Barcaro U., Magrini M., Paradisi P.
The research aimed at a quantitative description of the changes in REM-sleep microstructure throughout the night. For this purpose, sleep recordings available on the public "PhysioNet" website were analyzed from a chronobiological perspective. This approach was suggested by the fact that two important properties of REM sleep determine its microstructure: the alternation between phasic and tonic microstates, and the presence of Slow Eye Movements in addition to Rapid Eye Movements. Although the examined recordings did not include data about dreams, a significant result of our analyses was the close similarity between the observed highly statistically significant changes in the microstructure and changes in basic dream features that are amply reported in the literature, including recall, word count, vividness and emotional content.Source: International journal of dream research 16 (2023). doi:10.11588/ijodr.2023.1.84936
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2023.1.84936
Metrics:
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journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de | ISTI Repository | doi.org 
| CNR ExploRA
2023
Journal article
Restricted
La prima riunione di scienziati italiani
Grosso G., Barcaro U.
In un'Italia frammentata in molti stati, con popolazioni, tradizioni e assetti politici differenti, animata da moti insurrezionali che in poco più di due decenni sarebbero sfociati nell'unifica¬zione nazionale, Pisa accoglie nel 1839 gli scienziati provenienti da ogni sua parte. È il primo vero momento unitario di raccolta e confronto delle loro esperienze e del loro sapere. A centottanta anni di distanza da questo evento speciale vorremmo qui ripercorrerne brevemente il momento storico, ricordando le personalità e i contributi scientifici di maggior rilievo.Source: Quaderni di storia della fisica (Online) 29 (2023): 31–60. doi:10.1393/qsf/i2023-10114-8
DOI: 10.1393/qsf/i2023-10114-8
Metrics:
Grosso G., Barcaro U.
In un'Italia frammentata in molti stati, con popolazioni, tradizioni e assetti politici differenti, animata da moti insurrezionali che in poco più di due decenni sarebbero sfociati nell'unifica¬zione nazionale, Pisa accoglie nel 1839 gli scienziati provenienti da ogni sua parte. È il primo vero momento unitario di raccolta e confronto delle loro esperienze e del loro sapere. A centottanta anni di distanza da questo evento speciale vorremmo qui ripercorrerne brevemente il momento storico, ricordando le personalità e i contributi scientifici di maggior rilievo.Source: Quaderni di storia della fisica (Online) 29 (2023): 31–60. doi:10.1393/qsf/i2023-10114-8
DOI: 10.1393/qsf/i2023-10114-8
Metrics:
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www.sif.it | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Open Access
A model of the dream-building system based on phenomenological data
Barcaro U., Magrini M.
The article describes a model of how our brain constructs a dream and what functions are involved in this construction. The model is based on phenomenological data, reported in the literature, obtained by experimental research focused on the relationship between the dream experience and events in the dreamer's waking life. The Dream-Building System is described as a cascade of two sub-systems. The first (the Retrieving Sub-System) performs the function of retrieving, from among the memory contents in the dreamer's mind, those specific memories that are appropriate for the construction of a dream. The output of this sub-system, i.e., a Cluster of Dream Sources, is the input of the Plot-Building Sub-System, which creates the serial plot of the Dream Experience by transforming its distributed input (i.e., the output of the Retrieving Sub-System) into a serial output. Both sub-systems perform complex functions that require a high level of creative unconscious "intelligence". Issues regarding typical dreams, underlying emotions, symbolism, condensation, creativity, and bizarreness are discussed in the light of the proposed modelSource: International journal of dream research 15 (2022): 242–247. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2022.2.89024
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2022.2.89024
Metrics:
Barcaro U., Magrini M.
The article describes a model of how our brain constructs a dream and what functions are involved in this construction. The model is based on phenomenological data, reported in the literature, obtained by experimental research focused on the relationship between the dream experience and events in the dreamer's waking life. The Dream-Building System is described as a cascade of two sub-systems. The first (the Retrieving Sub-System) performs the function of retrieving, from among the memory contents in the dreamer's mind, those specific memories that are appropriate for the construction of a dream. The output of this sub-system, i.e., a Cluster of Dream Sources, is the input of the Plot-Building Sub-System, which creates the serial plot of the Dream Experience by transforming its distributed input (i.e., the output of the Retrieving Sub-System) into a serial output. Both sub-systems perform complex functions that require a high level of creative unconscious "intelligence". Issues regarding typical dreams, underlying emotions, symbolism, condensation, creativity, and bizarreness are discussed in the light of the proposed modelSource: International journal of dream research 15 (2022): 242–247. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2022.2.89024
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2022.2.89024
Metrics:
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journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de | ISTI Repository | doi.org | CNR ExploRA
2022
Journal article
Closed Access
A reflection on Ernest Hartmann's equation between the central image in dreams and the objective correlative in poetry
Barcaro U.
Ernest Hartmann observed a close similarity between the central image in dreams (an image that can effectively represent the emotional content of a dream) and the objective correlative (defined by T.S. Eliot as "a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion"). This article argues that Hartmann's equation between central image and objective correlative is amply valid and can shed new light on the relationship between the esthetic experience and the dreaming experience. For this purpose, 3 points are underlined. First, the objective correlative is characterized by its multifaceted dream-like basis. Second, in light of the central role that Eliot attributed to the Italian medieval poets of the "Dolce Stil Nuovo," the historical significance of a dream reported by Dante is discussed. Third, Hartmann's equation can assume different aspects, especially regarding the either explicit or implicit (or partly implicit) relationship between objective correlative and dreaming. Among the numerous instances offered by cultures that are widely separated by space and time, the article considers examples taken from T.S. Eliot's "Ash Wednesday", Guido Cavalcanti's Sonnet XVIII, Dante's "Vita Nova", the Book of Genesis, Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura", a waka on the theme "Spring" by Fujiwara no Teika, and the lyrics of a song by Franco Battiato. The validity of Hartmann's equation suggests that the reference to dreaming, being common to both the art creator and the art receiver, plays a latent but basic role in the esthetic experience.Source: Dreaming (N.Y.N.Y.) (2022). doi:10.1037/drm0000204
DOI: 10.1037/drm0000204
Metrics:
Barcaro U.
Ernest Hartmann observed a close similarity between the central image in dreams (an image that can effectively represent the emotional content of a dream) and the objective correlative (defined by T.S. Eliot as "a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion"). This article argues that Hartmann's equation between central image and objective correlative is amply valid and can shed new light on the relationship between the esthetic experience and the dreaming experience. For this purpose, 3 points are underlined. First, the objective correlative is characterized by its multifaceted dream-like basis. Second, in light of the central role that Eliot attributed to the Italian medieval poets of the "Dolce Stil Nuovo," the historical significance of a dream reported by Dante is discussed. Third, Hartmann's equation can assume different aspects, especially regarding the either explicit or implicit (or partly implicit) relationship between objective correlative and dreaming. Among the numerous instances offered by cultures that are widely separated by space and time, the article considers examples taken from T.S. Eliot's "Ash Wednesday", Guido Cavalcanti's Sonnet XVIII, Dante's "Vita Nova", the Book of Genesis, Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura", a waka on the theme "Spring" by Fujiwara no Teika, and the lyrics of a song by Franco Battiato. The validity of Hartmann's equation suggests that the reference to dreaming, being common to both the art creator and the art receiver, plays a latent but basic role in the esthetic experience.Source: Dreaming (N.Y.N.Y.) (2022). doi:10.1037/drm0000204
DOI: 10.1037/drm0000204
Metrics:
See at:
Dreaming | psycnet.apa.org | CNR ExploRA
2021
Software
Unknown
A software package for the study of REM-sleep microstructure
Magrini M., Barcaro U.
This package, written in the Matlab/Octave language, have been used in our laboratory to quantitatively determine the REM-sleep microstructure by analyzing the ElectroOculoGraphic (EOG) signal recorded during sleep. The REM-sleep microstructure consists in the alternation of four sub-stages inside a REM-sleep period. This alternation is due to two important phenomena reported in the literature: 1) Rapid Eye Movements (REMs) are significantly present only in "phasic" sub-periods of REM-sleep periods, and are absent or poorly present during "tonic" sub-periods. 2) In addition to REMs, also Slow Eye Movements (SEMs) occur during REM-sleep periods. The sub-stages are respectively characterized by: No enhancement either of SEMs or REMs (sub-stage 1); Selective enhancement of SEMs ( sub-stage 2); Selective enhancement of REMs (sub-stage 3); Enhancement of both SEMs and REMs (sub-stage 4).
Magrini M., Barcaro U.
This package, written in the Matlab/Octave language, have been used in our laboratory to quantitatively determine the REM-sleep microstructure by analyzing the ElectroOculoGraphic (EOG) signal recorded during sleep. The REM-sleep microstructure consists in the alternation of four sub-stages inside a REM-sleep period. This alternation is due to two important phenomena reported in the literature: 1) Rapid Eye Movements (REMs) are significantly present only in "phasic" sub-periods of REM-sleep periods, and are absent or poorly present during "tonic" sub-periods. 2) In addition to REMs, also Slow Eye Movements (SEMs) occur during REM-sleep periods. The sub-stages are respectively characterized by: No enhancement either of SEMs or REMs (sub-stage 1); Selective enhancement of SEMs ( sub-stage 2); Selective enhancement of REMs (sub-stage 3); Enhancement of both SEMs and REMs (sub-stage 4).
See at: github.com | CNR ExploRA
2021
Other
Open Access
A software package for the study of REM-sleep microstructure
Barcaro U., Magrini M.
This note describes the software package, written in the Matlab/Octave language, that we have applied in our laboratory to quantitatively determine the REM-sleep microstructure by analyzing the ElectroOculoGraphic (EOG) signal recorded during sleep.
Barcaro U., Magrini M.
This note describes the software package, written in the Matlab/Octave language, that we have applied in our laboratory to quantitatively determine the REM-sleep microstructure by analyzing the ElectroOculoGraphic (EOG) signal recorded during sleep.
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2021
Journal article
Open Access
Jacob's dream: useful for, and enlightened by, current dream research
Barcaro U.
The biblical narration of Jacob's dream is analyzed in the light of current significant issues of dream research, specifically: the usefulness of historical data for the study of dreaming; the continuity theory; the phenomenological relationship between the dream experience and its sources; the relationship between music and dreaming; the latent role of archetypes in the construction of dreams; the significance of dreams for the cognitive study of religions; and the multiple levels of analysis of historically important dreams. Dream-evocative features in the biblical narration are also described, which are given by word-root recurrences and by the use of a "hapax legomenon" to indicate Jacob's vision. This analysis based on current dream research provides insights into Jacob's dream. In addition, Jacob's dream in itself is useful for dream research, because it highlights basic universal aspects of the dreaming experience. © 2021, International Journal of Dream Research.Source: International journal of dream research 14 (2021): 232–236. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2021.2.78242
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2021.2.78242
Metrics:
Barcaro U.
The biblical narration of Jacob's dream is analyzed in the light of current significant issues of dream research, specifically: the usefulness of historical data for the study of dreaming; the continuity theory; the phenomenological relationship between the dream experience and its sources; the relationship between music and dreaming; the latent role of archetypes in the construction of dreams; the significance of dreams for the cognitive study of religions; and the multiple levels of analysis of historically important dreams. Dream-evocative features in the biblical narration are also described, which are given by word-root recurrences and by the use of a "hapax legomenon" to indicate Jacob's vision. This analysis based on current dream research provides insights into Jacob's dream. In addition, Jacob's dream in itself is useful for dream research, because it highlights basic universal aspects of the dreaming experience. © 2021, International Journal of Dream Research.Source: International journal of dream research 14 (2021): 232–236. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2021.2.78242
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2021.2.78242
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journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de | ISTI Repository | doi.org | CNR ExploRA
2019
Journal article
Open Access
A Hypothesis about parallelism vs. seriality in dreams
Barcaro U., Paradisi P., Sebastiani L.
The process of dream building implies the construction of a complex network of closely interrelated sources. On the other hand, the dream experience develops as a succession of events. In this paper a hypothesis is advanced about how the psycho-physiological system of dream building, which is distributed, acts to provide a serial output. This hypothesis is basically connected with the property, enjoyed by the dream experience, of simultaneously representing a plurality of meanings.Source: Frontiers in Psychology 10 (2019): 2299-1–2299-4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02299
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02299
Metrics:
Barcaro U., Paradisi P., Sebastiani L.
The process of dream building implies the construction of a complex network of closely interrelated sources. On the other hand, the dream experience develops as a succession of events. In this paper a hypothesis is advanced about how the psycho-physiological system of dream building, which is distributed, acts to provide a serial output. This hypothesis is basically connected with the property, enjoyed by the dream experience, of simultaneously representing a plurality of meanings.Source: Frontiers in Psychology 10 (2019): 2299-1–2299-4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02299
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02299
Metrics:
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BCAM's Institutional Repository Data | Frontiers in Psychology | Recolector de Ciencia Abierta, RECOLECTA | ISTI Repository | Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org | Frontiers in Psychology | CNR ExploRA
2018
Report
Open Access
Sistema interattivo dedicato all'attività motoria e cognitiva assistita
Magrini M., Barcaro U., Dolciotti C.
In questo documento è descritto un sistema informatico di ausilio all'attività motoria e cognitiva assistita svolta presso una residenza sociale assistita (RSA). Tale attività viene svolta bisettimanalmente, con l'aiuto degli operatori, da soggetti con patologie lievi o moderate. Il sistema è stato integrato nei servizi previsti dal progetto regionale INTESA.Source: Project report, INTESA, 2018
Magrini M., Barcaro U., Dolciotti C.
In questo documento è descritto un sistema informatico di ausilio all'attività motoria e cognitiva assistita svolta presso una residenza sociale assistita (RSA). Tale attività viene svolta bisettimanalmente, con l'aiuto degli operatori, da soggetti con patologie lievi o moderate. Il sistema è stato integrato nei servizi previsti dal progetto regionale INTESA.Source: Project report, INTESA, 2018
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2018
Conference article
Open Access
INTESA: an integrated ICT solution for promoting wellbeing in older people
Barcaro U., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Delmastro F., Di Martino F., Distefano E., Dolciotti C., La Rosa D., Magrini M., Palumbo F.
As populations become increasingly aged, it is more important than ever to promote "Active Ageing" life styles among older people. Age-related frailty can influence an individual's physiological state making him more vulnerable and prone to dependency or reduced life expectancy. These health issues contribute to an increased demand for medical and social care, thus economic costs. In this context, the INTESA project aims at developing a holistic solution for older adults, able to prolong their functional and cognitive capacity by empowering, stimulating, and unobtrusively monitoring the daily activities according to well-defined "Active Ageing" life-style protocols.Source: AI*AAL.it 2017 Artificial Intelligence for Ambient Assisted Living, pp. 102–117, Bari, Italy, 16-17/11/2017
Barcaro U., Barsocchi P., Crivello A., Delmastro F., Di Martino F., Distefano E., Dolciotti C., La Rosa D., Magrini M., Palumbo F.
As populations become increasingly aged, it is more important than ever to promote "Active Ageing" life styles among older people. Age-related frailty can influence an individual's physiological state making him more vulnerable and prone to dependency or reduced life expectancy. These health issues contribute to an increased demand for medical and social care, thus economic costs. In this context, the INTESA project aims at developing a holistic solution for older adults, able to prolong their functional and cognitive capacity by empowering, stimulating, and unobtrusively monitoring the daily activities according to well-defined "Active Ageing" life-style protocols.Source: AI*AAL.it 2017 Artificial Intelligence for Ambient Assisted Living, pp. 102–117, Bari, Italy, 16-17/11/2017
See at:
ceur-ws.org | ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2018
Conference article
Open Access
Long-term care: how to improve the quality of life with mobile and e-health services
Delmastro F., Dolciotti C., Palumbo F., Magrini M., Di Martino F., La Rosa D., Barcaro U.
In the last decade, ageing has become a worldwideincreasing phenomenon leading to an increased need forspecialised help. Continuous monitoring, training and rehabilitationimprove the quality of life of older adults and discardthe risk of depression and social isolation. To this end, the useof mobile and e-health personalised services at home and inresidential long-term care facilities can help to stabilise the healthconditions of the subjects, in terms of physical, mental, and socialcapabilities. In this context, we propose a set of personalisedmonitoring and rehabilitation services based on mobile, wearable,free contact, and touch screen technologies designed to providean integrated care and monitoring programme for elderly frailsubjects. We evaluated the proposed solutions by deploying theservices in a nursing home in Italy and defined customisedprotocols to involve both guests (primary users) and nursing carepersonnel (secondary users). In this paper, we present technicaldetails of the proposed solutions and the results obtained by therecently conducted surveys on the Quality of Experience anduser acceptance of both user categories after 4 months from thedeployment.Source: International Workshop on e-Health Pervasive Wireless Applications and Services 2018, in conjunction with 14th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob 2018), pp. 12–19, Limassol, Cyprus, 15-17 October 2018
DOI: 10.1109/wimob.2018.8589157
Metrics:
Delmastro F., Dolciotti C., Palumbo F., Magrini M., Di Martino F., La Rosa D., Barcaro U.
In the last decade, ageing has become a worldwideincreasing phenomenon leading to an increased need forspecialised help. Continuous monitoring, training and rehabilitationimprove the quality of life of older adults and discardthe risk of depression and social isolation. To this end, the useof mobile and e-health personalised services at home and inresidential long-term care facilities can help to stabilise the healthconditions of the subjects, in terms of physical, mental, and socialcapabilities. In this context, we propose a set of personalisedmonitoring and rehabilitation services based on mobile, wearable,free contact, and touch screen technologies designed to providean integrated care and monitoring programme for elderly frailsubjects. We evaluated the proposed solutions by deploying theservices in a nursing home in Italy and defined customisedprotocols to involve both guests (primary users) and nursing carepersonnel (secondary users). In this paper, we present technicaldetails of the proposed solutions and the results obtained by therecently conducted surveys on the Quality of Experience anduser acceptance of both user categories after 4 months from thedeployment.Source: International Workshop on e-Health Pervasive Wireless Applications and Services 2018, in conjunction with 14th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob 2018), pp. 12–19, Limassol, Cyprus, 15-17 October 2018
DOI: 10.1109/wimob.2018.8589157
Metrics:
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ISTI Repository | doi.org | ieeexplore.ieee.org | CNR ExploRA
2018
Contribution to conference
Open Access
A system for motor and cognitive activities for people with mild or moderate cognitive impairment
Magrini M., Coscetti S., Barcaro U., Dolciotti C.
A hardware-software system is described for the administration of motor and cognitive exercises to people affected by mild or moderate cognitive impairment. This system was built in the framework of the "Intesa" project, funded by the region of Tuscany. The objective of this project has been the implementation of services based on non-invasive ICT technologies aimed at the improvement of the life quality of elderly non-disabled people in a condition of "fragility".Source: SIAMOC 2018 - Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Analisi del Movimento in Clinica, Firenze, Italia, 3-6 ottobre 2018
Magrini M., Coscetti S., Barcaro U., Dolciotti C.
A hardware-software system is described for the administration of motor and cognitive exercises to people affected by mild or moderate cognitive impairment. This system was built in the framework of the "Intesa" project, funded by the region of Tuscany. The objective of this project has been the implementation of services based on non-invasive ICT technologies aimed at the improvement of the life quality of elderly non-disabled people in a condition of "fragility".Source: SIAMOC 2018 - Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Analisi del Movimento in Clinica, Firenze, Italia, 3-6 ottobre 2018
See at:
ISTI Repository | www.siamoc2018.it | CNR ExploRA
2018
Journal article
Open Access
Network properties of dream sources
Barcaro U., Carboncini M. C.
Vast research in the last decades has shed interesting light on a variety of heterogeneous systems, including the human brain, by studying their network properties. Our investigation aimed to see whether the system of dream sources and of the semantic links between them shares the network properties of the brain. The investigation was carried out by means of an appropriate graph representation of data obtained according to a protocol oriented to eliciting episodic dream sources. The main results were the following: most dream sources belonged to compact clusters; important hubs, i.e. sources very closely connected to numerous other sources, were present; the vertex-degree distribution presented two significant peaks; small-world properties were valid for most pairs of sources; forms of self-similarity or of partial self-similarity at different scales were observed; the graphs of dreams sources exhibited a very high level of integration between overlapping clusters.Source: International journal of dream research 11 (2018): 120–126. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2018.2.42736
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2018.2.42736
Metrics:
Barcaro U., Carboncini M. C.
Vast research in the last decades has shed interesting light on a variety of heterogeneous systems, including the human brain, by studying their network properties. Our investigation aimed to see whether the system of dream sources and of the semantic links between them shares the network properties of the brain. The investigation was carried out by means of an appropriate graph representation of data obtained according to a protocol oriented to eliciting episodic dream sources. The main results were the following: most dream sources belonged to compact clusters; important hubs, i.e. sources very closely connected to numerous other sources, were present; the vertex-degree distribution presented two significant peaks; small-world properties were valid for most pairs of sources; forms of self-similarity or of partial self-similarity at different scales were observed; the graphs of dreams sources exhibited a very high level of integration between overlapping clusters.Source: International journal of dream research 11 (2018): 120–126. doi:10.11588/ijodr.2018.2.42736
DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2018.2.42736
Metrics:
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journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de | ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2017
Contribution to book
Open Access
Intermittency-driven complexity in the brain: towards a general-purpose event detection algorithm
Paradisi P., Righi M., Barcaro U., Salvetti O., Virgillito A., Carboncini M. C., Sebastiani L.
In this work we first discuss a well-known theoretical framework for the analysis and modeling of self-organized structures in complex systems. These self-organized states are metastable and rapid transition events mark the passages between self-organization and background or between two different self-organized states. Thus, our approach focuses on characterizing and modeling the complex system as a intermittent point process describing the sequence of transition events. Complexity is usually associated with the emergence of a renewal point process with power-law distributed inter-event times, hence the term fractal intermittency. This point process drives the self-organizing behavior of the complex system, a condition denoted here as intermittency-driven complexity. In order to find the underlying intermittent birth-death process of selforganization, we introduce and discuss a preliminary version of an algorithm for the detection of transition events in human electroencephalograms. As the sequence of transition events is known, the complexity of the intermittent point process can be investigated by applying an algorithm for the scaling analysis of diffusion processes driven by the intermittent process itself. The method is briefly illustrated by discussing some preliminary analyses carried out on real electroencephalograms.Source: , pp. 108–118, 2017
Paradisi P., Righi M., Barcaro U., Salvetti O., Virgillito A., Carboncini M. C., Sebastiani L.
In this work we first discuss a well-known theoretical framework for the analysis and modeling of self-organized structures in complex systems. These self-organized states are metastable and rapid transition events mark the passages between self-organization and background or between two different self-organized states. Thus, our approach focuses on characterizing and modeling the complex system as a intermittent point process describing the sequence of transition events. Complexity is usually associated with the emergence of a renewal point process with power-law distributed inter-event times, hence the term fractal intermittency. This point process drives the self-organizing behavior of the complex system, a condition denoted here as intermittency-driven complexity. In order to find the underlying intermittent birth-death process of selforganization, we introduce and discuss a preliminary version of an algorithm for the detection of transition events in human electroencephalograms. As the sequence of transition events is known, the complexity of the intermittent point process can be investigated by applying an algorithm for the scaling analysis of diffusion processes driven by the intermittent process itself. The method is briefly illustrated by discussing some preliminary analyses carried out on real electroencephalograms.Source: , pp. 108–118, 2017
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA
2016
Journal article
Open Access
A protocol for eliciting dream associations oriented to the recognition of episodic dream sources
Barcaro U., Delogu A., Righi M., Virgillito A., Carboncini M. C.
The use of associations with dream reports, although being diffused and greatly useful in psychotherapy, has so far played a limited role in dream research not directly finalized to therapy. On the other hand, it is difficult to investigate a basic property of dreaming, that of establishing connections, without searching for information beyond the dream report: indeed, the simplest and likely most effective way of obtaining this information consists in asking the dreamer for associations. Well-defined and rigorous methods are however necessary for research approaches which aim to achieve a better understanding of how the dreaming mind operates by processing and combining the dreamer's memory sources: we propose an experimental protocol aiming to give a contribution in this direction. This protocol consists in asking the dreamer to complete a form which has been implemented so as to make it easier to recognize the sources of single dreams and to describe the link patterns among the sources; this form has been oriented to the identification of episodic sources, definite in space and time. To be more effective, the method takes advantage of the presence of a researcher while the dreamer is completing the form: the terms of the interaction between dreamer and researcher are subjected to marked restrictions and rigorously defined. The protocol was applied to a homogeneous group of participants; the observed link patterns presented interesting phenomena, whose occurrence was characterized by high statistical significance.Source: Dreaming (N.Y.N.Y.) 26 (2016): 79–93. doi:10.1037/drm0000019
DOI: 10.1037/drm0000019
Metrics:
Barcaro U., Delogu A., Righi M., Virgillito A., Carboncini M. C.
The use of associations with dream reports, although being diffused and greatly useful in psychotherapy, has so far played a limited role in dream research not directly finalized to therapy. On the other hand, it is difficult to investigate a basic property of dreaming, that of establishing connections, without searching for information beyond the dream report: indeed, the simplest and likely most effective way of obtaining this information consists in asking the dreamer for associations. Well-defined and rigorous methods are however necessary for research approaches which aim to achieve a better understanding of how the dreaming mind operates by processing and combining the dreamer's memory sources: we propose an experimental protocol aiming to give a contribution in this direction. This protocol consists in asking the dreamer to complete a form which has been implemented so as to make it easier to recognize the sources of single dreams and to describe the link patterns among the sources; this form has been oriented to the identification of episodic sources, definite in space and time. To be more effective, the method takes advantage of the presence of a researcher while the dreamer is completing the form: the terms of the interaction between dreamer and researcher are subjected to marked restrictions and rigorously defined. The protocol was applied to a homogeneous group of participants; the observed link patterns presented interesting phenomena, whose occurrence was characterized by high statistical significance.Source: Dreaming (N.Y.N.Y.) 26 (2016): 79–93. doi:10.1037/drm0000019
DOI: 10.1037/drm0000019
Metrics:
See at:
Dreaming | ISTI Repository | Dreaming | psycnet.apa.org | CNR ExploRA
2016
Conference article
Open Access
The challenge of brain complexity - A brief discussion about a fractal intermittency-based approach
Paradisi P., Righi M., Barcaro U.
In the last years, the complexity paradigm is gaining momentum in many research fields where large multidimensional datasets are made available by the advancements in instrumental technology. A complex system is a multi-component system with a large number of units characterized by cooperative behavior and, consequently, emergence of well-defined self-organized structures, such as communities in a complex network. The self-organizing behavior of the brain neural network is probably the most important prototype of complexity and is studied by means of physiological signals such as the ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG). Physiological signals are typically intermittent, i.e., display non-smooth rapid variations or crucial events (e.g., cusps or abrupt jumps) that occur randomly in time, or whose frequency changes randomly. In this work, we introduce a complexity-based approach to the analysis and modeling of physiological data that is focused on the characterization of intermittent events. Recent findings about self-similar or fractal intermittency in human EEG are reviewed. The definition of brain event is a crucial aspect of this approach that is discussed in the last part of the paper, where we also propose and discuss a first version of a general-purpose event detection algorithm for EEG signals.Source: PhyCS 2016 - International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems 2016, pp. 123–129, Lisbona, Portugal, 27-28 June 2016
DOI: 10.5220/0005998601230129
Metrics:
Paradisi P., Righi M., Barcaro U.
In the last years, the complexity paradigm is gaining momentum in many research fields where large multidimensional datasets are made available by the advancements in instrumental technology. A complex system is a multi-component system with a large number of units characterized by cooperative behavior and, consequently, emergence of well-defined self-organized structures, such as communities in a complex network. The self-organizing behavior of the brain neural network is probably the most important prototype of complexity and is studied by means of physiological signals such as the ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG). Physiological signals are typically intermittent, i.e., display non-smooth rapid variations or crucial events (e.g., cusps or abrupt jumps) that occur randomly in time, or whose frequency changes randomly. In this work, we introduce a complexity-based approach to the analysis and modeling of physiological data that is focused on the characterization of intermittent events. Recent findings about self-similar or fractal intermittency in human EEG are reviewed. The definition of brain event is a crucial aspect of this approach that is discussed in the last part of the paper, where we also propose and discuss a first version of a general-purpose event detection algorithm for EEG signals.Source: PhyCS 2016 - International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems 2016, pp. 123–129, Lisbona, Portugal, 27-28 June 2016
DOI: 10.5220/0005998601230129
Metrics:
See at:
bird.bcamath.org | Recolector de Ciencia Abierta, RECOLECTA | ISTI Repository | www.phycs.org | doi.org | CNR ExploRA
2015
Conference article
Open Access
An automatic method for the study of REM sleep microstructure
Magrini M., Virgillito A., Barcaro U. Bonfiglio L., Pieri G. Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C
analysis of changes in polysomnographic signals during REM sleep. The implementation of the procedures has been motivated by the remarkable psychophysiological and clinical significance not only of REM sleep per se, but also of its microstructure, given by state variations at frequencies slower than 1 Hz. These procedures provide a segmentation of REM sleep into sub-stages and allow the calculation of quantitative parameters connected with the microstructural properties of REM sleep.Source: International Workshop on Computational Intelligence for Multimedia Understanding, Praga, Czech Republic, 28-30/10/2015
DOI: 10.1109/iwcim.2015.7347066
Metrics:
Magrini M., Virgillito A., Barcaro U. Bonfiglio L., Pieri G. Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C
analysis of changes in polysomnographic signals during REM sleep. The implementation of the procedures has been motivated by the remarkable psychophysiological and clinical significance not only of REM sleep per se, but also of its microstructure, given by state variations at frequencies slower than 1 Hz. These procedures provide a segmentation of REM sleep into sub-stages and allow the calculation of quantitative parameters connected with the microstructural properties of REM sleep.Source: International Workshop on Computational Intelligence for Multimedia Understanding, Praga, Czech Republic, 28-30/10/2015
DOI: 10.1109/iwcim.2015.7347066
Metrics:
See at:
ISTI Repository | doi.org | ieeexplore.ieee.org | CNR ExploRA
2015
Contribution to conference
Open Access
Three-chord harmonic sequences with unexpected out-of-key endings: are they suitable stimuli for eliciting N400 responses?
Virgillito A., Magrini M., Piarulli A., Bergamasco M., Barcaro U., Rossi B., Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C., Bonfiglio L.
A series of ERP components, each provided with both a precise timing with respect to stimulation and a specific cortical localization, reflects the temporal succession of processing stages of music information. We unexpectedly observed a N400-like component. This suggests that even chord-primed chord targets can convey extra-musical meanings and that, consequently, they might be useful in assessing residual higher-order information-processing capabilities in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness.Source: XXIII National Congress of the Italian Society of Psychophysiology, pp. 161–161, Lucca, Italy, 18-20/11/2015
Virgillito A., Magrini M., Piarulli A., Bergamasco M., Barcaro U., Rossi B., Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C., Bonfiglio L.
A series of ERP components, each provided with both a precise timing with respect to stimulation and a specific cortical localization, reflects the temporal succession of processing stages of music information. We unexpectedly observed a N400-like component. This suggests that even chord-primed chord targets can convey extra-musical meanings and that, consequently, they might be useful in assessing residual higher-order information-processing capabilities in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness.Source: XXIII National Congress of the Italian Society of Psychophysiology, pp. 161–161, Lucca, Italy, 18-20/11/2015
See at:
ISTI Repository | www.ledonline.it | CNR ExploRA
2015
Journal article
Open Access
N400-like responses to three-chord harmonic sequences with unexpected out-of-key endings: Scalp topography, cortical sources, and perspectives for a clinical use
Bonfiglio L., Virgilito A., Magrini M., Piaruli A., Bergamasco M., Barcaro U., Rosi B., Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C.
A series of ERP components, each provided with both a precise timing with respect to stimulation and a specific cortical localization, reflects the temporal succession of processing stages of music information. This makes the musical stimulus potentially usable to probe residual brain functions in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness. In an attempt to find a simple stimulation protocol that was suitable for use in a clinical setting, the purpose of this study was to verify whether a minimum-length musical stimulus, provided with a definite music-syntactic connotation, was still able to elicit musical ERPs in a group of eight healthy subjects. The stimulus was composed of the minimum number of chords necessary and sufficient to enable the subject to predict a plausible closure of the sequence (priming) and, at the same time, to provide him/her with the closing chord of the sequence (target), either congruous (probable closing) or not (improbable closing) to the tonal context. The subject's task was to discriminate and recognize the irregular targets. The components that were expected to be elicited, in this experimental situation, were ERAN, N5, P600/LPC. Conversely, in addition to these former components, we unexpectedly observed a N400-like component. To determine whether this component was a real N400, we submitted our data to a sLORETA analysis in order to identify its cortical generators. Irregular chords showed higher current densities with respect to regular ones on the right-sided medial and superior temporal gyri, superior and inferior parietal lobules, fusiform and parahippocampal gyri, and on the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex. In particular, the N400-like wave seems to share with the word-primed music-elicited N400 certain generators that are located in cortical areas BA 21/37 and BA 22. This suggests that even chord-primed chord targets can convey extra-musical meanings and that, consequently, they might be useful in assessing residual higher-order information-processing capabilities in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness.Source: Archives Italiennes de Biologie 153 (2015): 1–18.
Bonfiglio L., Virgilito A., Magrini M., Piaruli A., Bergamasco M., Barcaro U., Rosi B., Salvetti O., Carboncini M. C.
A series of ERP components, each provided with both a precise timing with respect to stimulation and a specific cortical localization, reflects the temporal succession of processing stages of music information. This makes the musical stimulus potentially usable to probe residual brain functions in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness. In an attempt to find a simple stimulation protocol that was suitable for use in a clinical setting, the purpose of this study was to verify whether a minimum-length musical stimulus, provided with a definite music-syntactic connotation, was still able to elicit musical ERPs in a group of eight healthy subjects. The stimulus was composed of the minimum number of chords necessary and sufficient to enable the subject to predict a plausible closure of the sequence (priming) and, at the same time, to provide him/her with the closing chord of the sequence (target), either congruous (probable closing) or not (improbable closing) to the tonal context. The subject's task was to discriminate and recognize the irregular targets. The components that were expected to be elicited, in this experimental situation, were ERAN, N5, P600/LPC. Conversely, in addition to these former components, we unexpectedly observed a N400-like component. To determine whether this component was a real N400, we submitted our data to a sLORETA analysis in order to identify its cortical generators. Irregular chords showed higher current densities with respect to regular ones on the right-sided medial and superior temporal gyri, superior and inferior parietal lobules, fusiform and parahippocampal gyri, and on the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex. In particular, the N400-like wave seems to share with the word-primed music-elicited N400 certain generators that are located in cortical areas BA 21/37 and BA 22. This suggests that even chord-primed chord targets can convey extra-musical meanings and that, consequently, they might be useful in assessing residual higher-order information-processing capabilities in non-communicating patients with disorders of consciousness.Source: Archives Italiennes de Biologie 153 (2015): 1–18.
See at:
ISTI Repository | CNR ExploRA