Abstract: Example apparatus disclosed herein are to obtain a first hash key, a second hash key and a third hash key representative of first reference media in response to a first query of a first table, the second hash key associated with a second time preceding a first time associated with the first hash key, the third hash key associated with a third time following the first time associated with the first hash key. Disclosed example apparatus are also to prequalify the first hash key as a candidate for subsequent signature processing associated with a first site signature in response to a determination that the second hash key corresponds to a second site signature preceding the first site signature in time and that the third hash key corresponds to a third site signature following the first site signature in time.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first query processor to obtain a first hash key, first qualifier data and first value data associated with the first hash key, the first value data including a second hash key and a third hash key; a candidate qualifier to use the first value data to prequalify the first hash key as a candidate for subsequent signature processing associated with a first site signature, the candidate qualifier to: determine prequalification of the first hash key is successful in response to a determination that the second hash key matches a second site signature preceding the first site signature in time and that the third hash key matches a third site signature following the first site signature in time; and determine the prequalification of the first hash key is unsuccessful in response to a determination that at least one of the second hash key fails to match the second site signature or the third hash key fails to match the third site signature.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first query processor to obtain a first hash key, first qualifier data and first value data associated with the first hash key, the first value data including a second hash key and a third hash key; a candidate qualifier to use the first value data to prequalify the first hash key as a candidate for subsequent signature processing associated with a first site signature, the candidate qualifier to: determine prequalification of the first hash key is successful in response to a determination that the second hash key matches a second site signature preceding the first site signature in time and that the third hash key matches a third site signature following the first site signature in time; and determine the prequalification of the first hash key is unsuccessful in response to a determination that at least one of the second hash key fails to match the second site signature or the third hash key fails to match the third site signature.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes means for querying a first table to perform a first query of the first table using a hash corresponding to a first site signature, the first table including hash keys corresponding to respective reference signatures, the first query to obtain, from the first table, first qualifier data descriptive of a first reference signature corresponding to a first hash key; means for querying a second table to perform a second query of the second table, the second query to obtain a plurality of blocks of reference signatures; means for comparing a first block of site signatures with the plurality of blocks of reference signatures, the first block of site signatures to include the first site signature; and means for crediting media as corresponding to reference media represented by the first reference signature when the first block of site signatures matches the plurality of blocks of reference signatures.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes means for querying a first table to perform a first query of the first table using a hash corresponding to a first site signature, the first table including hash keys corresponding to respective reference signatures, the first query to obtain, from the first table, first qualifier data descriptive of a first reference signature corresponding to a first hash key; means for querying a second table to perform a second query of the second table, the second query to obtain a plurality of blocks of reference signatures; means for comparing a first block of site signatures with the plurality of blocks of reference signatures, the first block of site signatures to include the first site signature; and means for crediting media as corresponding to reference media represented by the first reference signature when the first block of site signatures matches the plurality of blocks of reference signatures.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for signature retrieval and matching for media monitoring are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a hash table populator to store hash keys of reference signatures included in a reference signature block associated with reference media in entries of a hash table, and store qualifier data in the entry of the hash table, the qualifier data including a timestamp, an offset, and an identifier associated with the reference signature of the hash key. The apparatus further including a block table populator to store a block table key corresponding to the reference signature block in the entry of a block table, the block table key including the timestamp and the identifier, and store the reference signature block, a preceding reference signature block and a subsequent reference signature block in the first entry of the block table.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for signature retrieval and matching for media monitoring are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a hash table populator to store hash keys of reference signatures included in a reference signature block associated with reference media in entries of a hash table, and store qualifier data in the entry of the hash table, the qualifier data including a timestamp, an offset, and an identifier associated with the reference signature of the hash key. The apparatus further including a block table populator to store a block table key corresponding to the reference signature block in the entry of a block table, the block table key including the timestamp and the identifier, and store the reference signature block, a preceding reference signature block and a subsequent reference signature block in the first entry of the block table.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform signature retrieval and matching for media monitoring are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein can include querying a first table using a first site signature obtained from a monitored site, the first table including hash keys corresponding to respective reference signatures, the first table further including respective qualifier data descriptive of respective ones of the reference signatures, Such example methods can also include querying a second table using first qualifier data obtained from querying the first table using the first site signature, the first qualifier data descriptive of a first reference signature corresponding to a first hash key determined to match the first site signature. Such example methods can further include comparing a first block of site signatures with a portion of a plurality of blocks of reference signatures obtained from querying the second table using the first qualifier data.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform signature retrieval and matching for media monitoring are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein can include querying a first table using a first site signature obtained from a monitored site, the first table including hash keys corresponding to respective reference signatures, the first table further including respective qualifier data descriptive of respective ones of the reference signatures, Such example methods can also include querying a second table using first qualifier data obtained from querying the first table using the first site signature, the first qualifier data descriptive of a first reference signature corresponding to a first hash key determined to match the first site signature. Such example methods can further include comparing a first block of site signatures with a portion of a plurality of blocks of reference signatures obtained from querying the second table using the first qualifier data.

Abstract: Provided herein is a load binding device for securing and/or tightening the load on a flatbed trailer or deck; wherein the device comprises a winch in operable association with a manual slack adjuster. Also provided herein is a system or kit comprising the load binding device disclosed herein.

Abstract: A syringe which can be used only once. The syringe includes a body having a fluid chamber, a plunger reciprocally movable within the chamber and a handle for moving the plunger within the chamber. Following the injection cycle, the handle automatically disconnects from the plunger rendering the device useless.

Abstract: An electrode tip (14) of a tissue-stimulating lead provides active fixation of the tip of body tissue. Tissue attachment means (34), within the electrode tip, are selectively extended so as to protrude from the tip upon application of an external force. Otherwise, biasing means (40), also within the electrode tip, urge the tissue attachment means to a retracted position within the tip. Extension and retraction of the tissue attachment means are realized through the use of a carrier bobbin (44), to one end of which the tissue attachment means are affixed. The carrier bobbin is movably inserted into a barrel (30) of the tip. An O-ring (38) placed around the circumference of the carrier bobbin, sized so as to make sealable contact with the inside barrel wall, seals the back end of the barrel and prevents fluids from flowing therein.

Abstract: An improved fixation structure for an endocardial lead (10), the lead (10) having an elongated electrical conductor (12) encased in an encasing material (14) and terminating in an exposed electrically conductive tip (16). The fixation structure includes at least one fin (20) which defines an upper edge (28), a first trailing edge portion (40), and a second trailing edge portion (42). The fin upper edge (28) defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (22) of the lead (10). The first trailing edge portion (40) defines a ninety degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (22) of the electrical conductor (12) and the second trailing edge portion (42) extends backward and downward from a point (A) on the first trailing edge portion (40), until it intersects the encasing material (14) at a point (C). In one embodiment, the edge between point A and point C defines an arc.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation electrode having differing stiffness characteristics along its length. An endocardial electrode (20) is disclosed which includes a spirally-wound, unifilar, continuous portion (50) extending the entire length of the electrode and a stiffening portion (52) which extends for only a portion of the electrode length. The spirals of the stiffening portion (52) and the continuous portion (50) are interleaved in a juxtapositional relationship with respect to each other to form a bifilar section (26), the remainder of the electrode being a unifilar section (28). In the bifilar section (26), each spiral is wound at twice the pitch of the spirals in the unifilar section (28). The bifilar section (26) has a greater stiffness than the unifilar section. In a specific embodiment disclosed, an atrial J electrode is formed in which the bifilar section includes the J portion of the electrode where stiffness is needed.