Techniques are described for generating and actively verifying a boot code associated with a peripheral device of a computer system to prevent potential security threats the boot code may introduce into the computer system. The laser apparatus has: a laser oscillator; a unit for rotating a process object; a unit for moving the center of the rotation along a straight line; and an optical system for processing laser light that is outputted from the laser oscillator to irradiate with the laser light a certain region within the moving range of the process object. The absorbent strands are impregnated with an active agent. The subject invention is further directed to polymer blends which comprise the rheology-modified polymers, and to a process for preparing the rheology-modified polymers.