Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a high performance connection scheduler for reliable transport protocols in data center networking. The connection scheduler can handle enqueue events, dequeue events, and update events. The connection scheduler can include a connection queue, scheduling queue, and quality of service arbiter to support scheduling a large number of connections at a high rate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a memory allocator for assigning contiguous memory space for data packets in on-chip memory of a network interface card. The memory allocator includes a plurality of sub-allocators that correspond to a structure of entries, where each entry represents a quanta of memory allocation. The sub-allocators are organized in decreasing size in the memory allocator based on the amount of memory quanta they can allocate.

Abstract: A hash table system, including a plurality of hash tables, associated with respective hash functions, for storing key-value pairs; an overflow memory for storing key-value pairs moved from the hash tables due to collision; and an arbiter for arbitrating among commands including update commands, match commands, and rehash commands, wherein for each system clock cycle, the arbiter selects as a selected command one of an update command, a match command, or a rehash command, and wherein the hash table system completes execution of each selected command within a bounded number of system clock cycles.

Abstract: Embodiments of screening methods for determining test agents effective for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin are provided. The screening method may comprise the steps of contacting a cell, a cell culture, or bulk cells with the test agent, wherein the cell, the cell culture, or the bulk cells comprise ADR?1 receptors, and determining based on the binding interaction of the test agent with the ADR?1 receptors whether the test agent is an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist suitable for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin, wherein a test agent is considered to be an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist when it defines a half maximal inhibitory concentration of less than about 1000 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the preparation method of drospirenone. 3?,5-dyhydroxy-6?,7?,15?, 16?-dimethylene- 5?-androstane-17,20-epoxy is taken as the raw material. It is subject to oxidization of the hydroxyl at the 3rd position, ketalization of 3-ketone group, condensation reaction and deesterification to obtain carboxylic acid lactone, sulfonation of the hydroxyl at the 5th position, and deketalization and desulphonation in the reaction system of glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate to produce the 3-keto-4-alkenyl compound, thus obtaining drospirenone. The preparation method of the invention has high intensification, reaction specificity, less by-products and high yield of products in each step, thus overcoming the disadvantages of low yield and unstable quality.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the preparation method of drospirenone. 3?,5-dyhydroxy-6?,7?,15?,16?-dimethylene-5?-androstane-17,20-epoxy is taken as the raw material. It is subject to oxidization of the hydroxyl at the 3rd position, ketalization of 3-ketone group, condensation reaction and deesterification to obtain carboxylic acid lactone, sulfonation of the hydroxyl at the 5th position, and deketalization and desulphonation in the reaction system of glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate to produce the 3-keto-4-alkenyl compound, thus obtaining drospirenone. The preparation method of the invention has high intensification, reaction specificity, less by-products and high yield of products in each step, thus overcoming the disadvantages of low yield and unstable quality.

Abstract: Embodiments of screening methods for determining test agents effective for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin are provided. The screening method may comprise the steps of contacting a cell, a cell culture, or bulk cells with the test agent, wherein the cell, the cell culture, or the bulk cells comprise ADR?1 receptors, and determining based on the binding interaction of the test agent with the ADR?1 receptors whether the test agent is an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist suitable for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin, wherein a test agent is considered to be an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist when it defines a half maximal inhibitory concentration of less than about 1000 ppm.