The present invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of a stress-associated condition in a subject by systemically administering to the subject an effective amount of brimonidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, stereoisomer or racemic mixture thereof. To provide the firmware updating technique, an update creating and distributing server divides old and new version firmware images, extracts a difference between the new and old divided firmware images, creates an updated package, and delivers the updated package to an embedded device. In the second molding operation, a second tooling is placed into the mold and is configured so that elastomeric material injected into the mold passes through at least one passage of the connector body to thereby form the peripheral seal and, integrally therewith, the cable seal. The method includes spraying any of the pH adjusted pesticides thoroughly an area inhabited by the soft-bodied animals of interest, including any typical hiding places.