Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating interactive video content from existing video data and providing the interactive video content to users on consumer devices concurrent with the existing video data being displayed on a broadcasting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing digital items may be implemented using a distributed ledger and smart contracts associated therewith. Users may interact with a smart contract to generate, manage ownership and transfer digital items of various kinds. The digital items are defined by characteristics particular to each implementation of the system. Some values for the characteristics may be less likely to occur relative to other values for those characteristics, thus generating some rare digital items and more common digital items. Digital items may correspond to a real-world item or may only exist virtually. A smart contract may also be used to convert the digital items to real-world physical items.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a space heating system comprising an air cooled solar collector, a heat store, air ducting, a forced draught mechanism valves, auxiliary heating means and a control system. According to the invention the auxiliary heating means includes a heat pump. The heat pump and heat store are located in a thermally insulated air-tight housing divided into different regions for the evaporator, condenser and heat store. The heating system is operable in a mode in which it circulates air from the heat store to the heat pump evaporator and back in a closed air-tight circuit while simultaneously circulating air from the heat pump condenser to the space to be heated and back. The arrangement minimizes heat loss and defrosting of the heat pump evaporator. The invention also provides air ducting made from seamless lengths of foamed plastics material and provided with a vapor-proof lining.

Abstract: In order to reduce the electrical resistance of entrained fine particles of fly ash resulting from the burning of low sulfur coal and to enhance the efficiency of their collection by an electrical precipitator means, there is a conditioning of the particles carried in the flue gas stream by having a vapor of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 condensed and adsorbed on the particles themselves. Sulfuric acid at ambient temperature is mixed with air in an acoustic nozzle to form a mist having an average particle size of about 10 microns which is injected uniformly into a cyclonically flowing stream of hot gas in a chamber located adjacent an upstream inlet duct portion of the precipitator unit. The hot gas in the chamber vaporizes the acid which is then injected into the precipitator inlet duct so that the acid can condense on the particles. The hot gas is preferably obtained from the combustion air preheater.

Abstract: Discharge electrodes in electrostatic precipitators are protected from erosion caused by power arcs in the area along their length which is closest to the ground electrode plates by a shroud of high temperature insulating plastic such as Teflon. The shroud is formed in two longitudinally slidable interlocking sections which completely surround and insulate the electrode wire but can be assembled to the wire without disturbing its ends.