Derivations with central values on powers of symmetric elements (Q1320262)

Let \(R\) be a prime ring without nonzero nil ideals and let \(d\) be a nonzero derivation of \(R\). \textit{B. Felzenszwalb} and \textit{A. Giambruno} [Pac. J. Math. 102, 41-45 (1982; Zbl 0501.16032)] proved that if for all \(x \in R\) there is an integer \(n(x) \geq 1\) such that \(d(x^{n(x)}) = 0\), then \(R\) is commutative. In the paper under review, the following analogue for rings with involution is proved: if \(R\) has an involution \(*\), char.\(R \neq 2\) and for all \(*\)-symmetric elements \(s\) in \(R\) there is an integer \(n(s) \geq 1\) such that \(d(s^{n(s)})\) is central, then \(R\) satisfies the standard identity in four variables. Therefore, \(R\) is either a commutative integral domain or an order in a quaternion algebra. The authors also point out a mistake in a related paper of \textit{S. Mauceri} [Rend. Semin. Mat. Univ. Padova 84, 249-253 (1990; Zbl 0727.16026)].