One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that parallelizes the TCP-related actions of a network connection between two computer systems during a data transfer between the two computer systems. The apparatus includes a controller device that sets the integration time interval dependent on an amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time. The chemical compositions of the present invention can be applied as coatings and these coatings can impart stain-release characteristics and resist being worn-off due to wear and abrasion. The controller of the combination thermostat and warning device controls the generation of a warning alarm by an alarm indicator based upon the warning radio broadcast to alert occupants of the warning broadcast.