Apparatus for synchronizing time-of-day events across a plurality of neighboring processing nodes organized in a distributed parallel processing system with each processing node including a time-of-day incrementor. Next the method and system include sorting the plurality of items into the plurality of partitions of the sequencing component as the plurality of items pass through the sequencing component the first time, each partition having a corresponding batch of items. A state of the company tile, such as, for example, its color, may indicate a property of the subject company. A test signal can be output by the rail that can be received by an emergency activation apparatus attached thereto independent of its shift position. Selected advertisements are provided for presentation on a search results page in response to a search query or on a web page initially identified. A catheter is inserted in a peripheral vein and maneuvered upward through the vascular system to access the reservoir of blood in the large or great veins for continuous blood withdrawal and treatment.