Computing the symmetric ring of quotients

AbstractWe discuss and compute the symmetric Martindale ring of quotients for various classes of prime rings. In particular, we consider free algebras and group algebras

Energy-specific solar radiation data from MSG: The Heliosat-3 Project

Solar energy technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal power plants, passive solar heating/cooling systems and day lighting in buildings are expected to continue their very rapid growth. In this context the availability of reliable solar radiation data is of high economic value both for planning and operating these systems. HELIOSAT-3 aims the quantification of surface solar irradiance in cloud free and cloudy situations and additional energy-specific parameters as direct normal and diffuse irradiance over Europe and Africa using the enhanced capabilities of MSG. Emphasis is laid on clouds, water vapor, aerosols and ozone and their influence on surface solar irradiance. Several projects as e.g. the HELIOSAT-3 and PVSAT-2 European Commission FP5 and the ENVISOLAR (ESA Earth Observation Market Development Program) projects made profit from the data access and additional MSG product information obtained through the RAO program. The paper focuses on results obtained during the RAO project based on funding in HELIOSAT-3, PVSAT-2 and ENVISOLAR projects

The Effect of a Slowly Rocking Bed on Sleep

Rocking movements appear to affect human sleep. Recent research suggested a facilitated transition from wake to sleep and a boosting of slow oscillations and sleep spindles due to lateral rocking movements during an afternoon nap. This study aimed at investigating the effect of vestibular stimulation on sleep onset, nocturnal sleep and its potential to increase sleep spindles and slow waves, which could influence memory performance. Polysomnography was recorded in 18 males (age: 20-28 years) during three nights: movement until sleep onset (C1), movement for 2 hours (C2), and one baseline (B) without motion. Sleep dependent changes in memory performance were assessed with a word-pair learning task. Although subjects preferred nights with vestibular stimulation, a facilitated sleep onset or a boost in slow oscillations was not observed. N2 sleep and the total number of sleep spindles increased during the 2 h with vestibular stimulation (C2) but not over the entire night. Memory performance increased over night but did not differ between conditions. The lack of an effect might be due to the already high sleep efficiency (96%) and sleep quality of our subjects during baseline. Nocturnal sleep in good sleepers might not benefit from the potential facilitating effects of vestibular stimulation

Effect of Rocking Movements on Respiration

For centuries, rocking has been used to promote sleep in babies or toddlers. Recent research suggested that relaxation could play a role in facilitating the transition from waking to sleep during rocking. Breathing techniques are often used to promote relaxation. However, studies investigating head motions and body rotations showed that vestibular stimulation might elicit a vestibulo-respiratory response, leading to an increase in respiration frequency. An increase in respiration frequency would not be considered to promote relaxation in the first place. On the other hand, a coordination of respiration to rhythmic vestibular stimulation has been observed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of different movement frequencies and amplitudes on respiration frequency. Furthermore, we tested whether subjects adapt their respiration to movement frequencies below their spontaneous respiration frequency at rest, which could be beneficial for relaxation. Twenty-one healthy subjects (24–42 years, 12 males) were investigated using an actuated bed, moving along a lateral translation. Following movement frequencies were applied: +30%, +15%, -15%, and -30% of subjects’ rest respiration frequency during baseline (no movement). Furthermore, two different movement amplitudes were tested (Amplitudes: 15 cm, 7.5 cm; movement frequency: 0.3 Hz). In addition, five subjects (25–28 years, 2 males) were stimulated with their individual rest respiration frequency. Rocking movements along a lateral translation caused a vestibulo-respiratory adaptation leading to an increase in respiration frequency. The increase was independent of the applied movement frequencies or amplitudes but did not occur when stimulating with subjects’ rest respiration frequency. Furthermore, no synchronization of the respiration frequency to the movement frequency was observed. In particular, subjects did not lower their respiration frequency below their resting frequency. Hence, it was not feasible to influence respiration in a manner that might be considered beneficial for relaxation.ISSN:1932-620

Actuated bed.

<p>Actuated bed used to apply the lateral rocking movement. The lateral movement axis is indicated by the arrows.</p

Respiration frequency for the different movement amplitudes.

<p>Mean respiration frequency [Hz] and standard deviation of the baseline and the two movement amplitudes applied. (*p < 0.05)</p