Abstract: A drying mat for babies comprising of a pad, a pad cover and a removable cloth cover, which absorbs moisture from the body of the baby and provides a comfortable place for the baby to lie on while being dried with a towel after a bath. Should the baby soil one side of the removable cloth cover, the side in use is folded upward to contain the soiled side. The mat is turned over and the unsoiled side is used. The removable cloth cover is removed from the pad and pad cover and washed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic digital image enhancement method, including: determining the defects existing in the image based on pixel values, such as pixel luminance values and pixel color values, of the input digital image, and making corrections based on the determination results. The method can process images of digital photos, digital videos and make enhancement on exposure and color of the images. The method disclosed can also improve quickly and apparently the visual quality and appearance of images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing auto-fluorescence signals from a sample tissue in confocal Raman microscopy and to a method for diagnosing skin cancers using the same method. Raman spectroscopy has strong potential for providing non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer. Auto-fluorescence signals from tissues, which interfere with the Raman signals, were greatly reduced using a confocal slit adjustment. Distinct Raman band differences between normal and BCC tissues for the amide I mode, the amide III mode and the PO2? symmetric stretching mode, showed that the present invention has strong potential for use as a dermatological diagnostic tool without the need for statistical treatment of spectral data. It was also possible to precisely differentiate BCC tissue from surrounding non-cancerous tissue using the confocal Raman depth profiling technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides plant extracts, isolated alkaloids, synthetic alkaloids and compositions having antitussive activity. In some preferred embodiments, the plant extracts and the isolated alkaloids are from a plant of a genus in the family Stemonaceae. In other preferred embodiments, the plant extracts and the isolated alkaloids are from a plant of the genus Stemona, Croomia, or Stichoneuron. In especially preferred embodiments, the plant extracts and the isolated alkaloids are from the plant Stemona tuberosa. The present invention further provides methods for isolating such plant extracts and alkaloids. In addition, the present invention provides methods for reducing or suppressing coughing by administering plant extracts, alkaloids and compositions having antitussive activity.