The method and apparatus adaptively adjust a timer based at least on the frequency of transmittedreceived packets and the traffic arrival pattern in a data session in the communication system. The circuit conditioning is implemented by controlling an output side of the circuit based on a value sensed on the output side of the circuit and a relationship between the output side and an input side of the circuit. The end surface of the optical fiber is a convex shape. The separating gate overlies an intermediate region of the active semiconductor area between the first region and the diffusion heater and the separating gate is biasable to conductively isolate the first region from the diffusion heater. The inventive agents permit hair coloring with outstanding fastness.