A distributed file system and method distributes file system objects across multiple self-contained volumes, where each volume is owned by a unique file system node. Alternatively, the formulation can comprise 2% to 6% hydroxyethyl starch; 1% to 4% of a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, and arginine; 1 mM to 5 mM calcium salt; 100 mM to 300 mM NaCl; and a buffering agent for maintaining a pH of approximately between 6 and 8. Other embodiments are described and claimed. An auxiliary light control circuit adjusts the optical power of the auxiliary light with a prescribed response time, based on the change in input power of the multi-wavelength light.