Abstract: A method of determining whether one or more forms of a nucleic acid analyte are present in a sample. The method includes dissolving an amplification reagent with a first solvent, where the amplification reagent contains oligonucleotides sufficient to amplify and detect a first region of a first form of the analyte, where the first solvent contains one or more oligonucleotides which, in combination with the oligonucleotides of the amplification reagent, are sufficient to amplify and detect a second region of a second form of the analyte, where the one or more oligonucleotides of the first solvent are insufficient to amplify and detect the first or second form of the analyte, and where the first and second regions each comprise a different nucleotide base sequence.

Abstract: An automated system for performing nucleic acid amplification assays on samples provided to the system, where the system includes data input components configured to enable input specifying one or more user-defined assay parameters; data storage media storing a first set of assay parameters, the first set of assay parameters consisting of system-defined parameters, and a second set of assay parameters, the second set of assay parameters including the one or more user-defined parameters; and command input components configured to enable input specifying (i) that a first nucleic acid amplification assay be performed on a first sample in accordance with the first set of assay parameters, and (ii) that a second nucleic acid amplification assay be performed on a second sample in accordance with the second set of assay parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for charging an electronic golf ball are described herein. The system is made up of a charging apparatus and an electronic golf ball. The charging apparatus includes a holder for holding the electronic golf ball, a power transmitting apparatus mounted within the holder, the power transmitting apparatus encircling an area where the electronic golf ball is located when the electronic golf ball is to be charged, and a power supply electrically connected to the power transmitting device. The electronic golf ball includes an outer shell, a ball core covered by the outer shell, a power receiving apparatus within the ball core, wherein the power receiving apparatus receives power wirelessly from the power transmitting apparatus, a printed circuit board electrically connected to the power receiving apparatus, and a battery connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A social networking system associates identification information with combinations of values used to generate a dynamically-created advertisement. Interactions with the dynamically-created advertisement by social networking system users are also associated with the dynamically-created advertisement. The social networking system uses the identification information to present the same combination of values used to generate the dynamically-created advertisement to additional social networking system users. Additionally, information describing interactions with the dynamically-created advertisement is determined from the interactions associated with the identification information, allowing the dynamically-created advertisement to be included in a personalized feed of content items presented to an additional user along with information describing interactions by various users presented with the same combination of values of components in the dynamically-created advertisement.

Abstract: A golf ball with embedded electronics to allow proximity to be tracked and to monitor golfer performance is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a processor connected to an accelerometer, communications circuitry, a spin detector, and memory, wherein the processor stores accelerometer data from the accelerometer and rotation data regarding rotation of the spin detector in the memory. The processor converts the data regarding the rotation of the spin detector into a rotation speed and a rotation direction, said rotation speed determined by a frequency of the data, and said rotation direction determined by a magnitude of the data. The communications circuitry is configured to communicate the accelerometer data, the rotation direction, and the rotation speed to a central interrogator for analysis of a golfer's performance.

Abstract: A golf ball with embedded electronics to allow proximity to be tracked and to monitor golfer performance is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a processor connected to an accelerometer, communications circuitry, a spin detector, and memory, wherein the processor stores accelerometer data from the accelerometer and rotation data regarding rotation of the spin detector in the memory. The processor converts the data regarding the rotation of the spin detector into a rotation speed and a rotation direction, said rotation speed determined by a frequency of the data, and said rotation direction determined by a magnitude of the data. The communications circuitry is configured to communicate the accelerometer data, the rotation direction, and the rotation speed to a central interrogator for analysis of a golfer's performance.

Abstract: A Bluetooth chip designed to track proximity and play a sound, along with an accelerometer, that is embedded inside of a golf ball is disclosed. The technology inside the balls allows it to be found quickly through proximity and sound, and the app gives a golfer helpful analytical data.

Abstract: A Bluetooth chip designed to track proximity and play a sound, along with an accelerometer, that is embedded inside of a golf ball is disclosed. The technology inside the balls allows it to be found quickly through proximity and sound, and the app gives a golfer helpful analytical data.

Abstract: A social networking system associates identification information with combinations of values used to generate a dynamically-created advertisement. Interactions with the dynamically-created advertisement by social networking system users are also associated with the dynamically-created advertisement. The social networking system uses the identification information to present the same combination of values used to generate the dynamically-created advertisement to additional social networking system users. Additionally, information describing interactions with the dynamically-created advertisement is determined from the interactions associated with the identification information, allowing the dynamically-created advertisement to be included in a personalized feed of content items presented to an additional user along with information describing interactions by various users presented with the same combination of values of components in the dynamically-created advertisement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automatically monitoring a product quantity and sending a message based thereon, involving a sensor for monitoring an amount of a product consumed or remaining, and involving, based on the monitoring by the sensor of the product, sending or transmitting a message. Such devices and methods where the product is a liquid housed within a container.

Abstract: A social networking system associates identification information with combinations of values used to generate a dynamically-created advertisement. Interactions with the dynamically-created advertisement by social networking system users are also associated with the dynamically-created advertisement. The social networking system uses the identification information to present the same combination of values used to generate the dynamically-created advertisement to additional social networking system users.

Abstract: A user's personal computer can be turned into a personal network server for easily sharing personal digital information with other people using a wide variety of devices. There are a variety of alternative ways in which such file sharing on the user's computer can be implemented, such as with a client-side server approach, a hosted server approach, and an automated publish approach. Depending upon a variety of factors, the requested shared data may be intelligently and dynamically transformed to better fit the requesting party's needs. Programming interfaces are available to third parties that allow for access to the shared data and for providing customized instructions on what to do when transforming the data.