For many people, a special sale is just too attractive to walk away from. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But with sales items, how can you be sure you're really getting a good deal? If you understand some sales tricks, you will be able to make smart choices.

    Some tricks have been used by shopkeepers for ages. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, if an item is US＄11.99 instead of US＄12.00, you'll feel like you're spending less money.

    Sellers sometimes reduce items by a certain amount. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} That means that even with the discount, you may still pay more than the original price.

    Shopkeepers clearly understand what makes you want to buy their products. But with a little preparation, you can avoid being cheated.

Tips for shoppers

*Always compare prices before buying anything.

*{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The more focused you are, the easier it is to make wise decisions.

*Don't shop when you are hungry. Studies show that you'll usually buy more than you originally planned.

*{#blank#}5{#/blank#} First ask yourself: Do I have the money to buy it? Will I use it? If not, walk away, but if so, go for it! That way you'll still feel good after you take your item home.

A．Know what you're looking for.

B．Watch for"Buy one, get one free"sales.

C．And that makes shop owners very happy!

D．One of the oldest is to make prices end in 99.

E．Don't buy something just because it's on sale.

F．Check for sales ads in the newspaper or online.

G．But before the sale begins, sellers might mark the prices higher.

    Are you scared about moving up to senior high school?It can be a new experience,but you shouldn't worry.We've put together a guide on how to survive the first week.

    You're not alone

    Remember everybody else in your year is in the same boat.They may not realize it,but they're just as nervous as you are.Moving to senior high is an opportunity,not a problem.Things are different and all you need to do is be polite and learn the new rules.

    Teachers are ready to help!

    If you're unsure what to do or are worried about anything then you had better ask for help.Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they're experienced in helping new students.Some senior high schools also have a “friends system”.If your school has this,then you will be paired with an older student.They will look out for you and help you if you have any problems or questions.

    All change

    There are lots of differences between junior high school and senior high school.You'll have a homework diary or a student planner.You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms.You will have homework for different subjects on different days,so make sure you get organized.Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects.

Other points

    If you've got an older brother or sister at the school then ask them for advice.

    Be yourself! It sounds simple,but people will know you much better if you just act naturally.

    Having early nights makes a difference and you'll find it easier to get up in the morning!

    Five weeks ago I had a total hip replacement surgery (髋关节置换手术). In Canada, we have great healthcare system. That means we get our new hips for free.

    My hip had been hurting me for years before I went to the doctor. Of course, it was free. She referred me to a surgeon, but the earliest appointment was in 10 months. That is what being free gets you. Ten months later, after some free X-rays, the surgeon told me I needed a surgery, which was about an 18-month wait, for some senior citizens had been on the operation list. Another 18 months! I dragged myself out of the surgeon, s office.

    Walking through the hospital, I thought about the situation. As the breadwinner of a large family, I couldn't wait that long, so I had to get to the front line. I was fully aware of what a Canadian should be like (Canadians are usually considered gentle and caring), but this time I really needed to fight for myself. At that very moment, in the shop window of the hospital, I saw a sign which read, “Volunteers Needed.” Suddenly, an idea occurred to me — I would get the job. Fortunately, they signed me up immediately because the average age of the volunteers at the shop was 75. They were desperate for some young blood.

    Every Friday morning, I was at the shop. While seeing the hospital staff, I'd casually ask, “What do you do?” Then I'd tell them, “Well, I'm getting my hip replaced — in 18 months.

    It's going to be so great when the pain stops.” Soon, all the staff got to know me. Naturally, in my next appointment, the surgeon recognized me. Moments later, I had a surgery date just weeks away.

    I had to say it was actually my volunteering that got me to the front of the line. And I'm not ashamed of it, for I intend to stick with the volunteering. Also, even when I cheated the system, I did it in a way that benefits society.

    Swiss researchers said Monday they have developed a wireless camera system to monitor vital signs in premature babies, a move that could replace uncomfortable and highly inaccurate skin sensors (传感器) which produce false alarms in up to 90 percent of cases, mainly set off by the baby's movement.

    “This is a cause of discomfort for the babies, because we have to check on them every time,” said Jean-Claude Fauchere, a doctor at University Hospital Zurich's newborn clinic.

    His hospital is preparing to begin tests of a new, contactless system created by researchers at the EPFL polytechnical university in Lausanne and at the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology.

    The system designed in Switzerland should allow premature babies kept warm in incubators (恒温箱) to be medically monitored using highly sensitive cameras that detect the newborn's pulse by analyzing its skin color, which changes so slightly every time its heart beats.

    “Breathing is monitored by measuring movements of its chest and shoulders. At night, infrared (红外线的) cameras take over, and monitoring can be carried out non-stop,” the statement said.

    The visual system was designed by CSEM researchers, who chose cameras sensitive enough to detect minute changes in skin color, while the EPFL researchers designed algorithms (运算程序) to process the data in real time.

    “We ran an early study on adults, where we looked at a specific part of skin on their foreheads,” EPFL doctoral student Sibylle Fallet said. “With our algorithms we can track this area when the person moves, and use tiny changes in their color to determine the pulse,” she said. “The tests showed that the cameras produced practically the same results as conventional sensors.”

    Once the system has been widely tested on premature babies, it could one day replace skin sensors altogether, the schools said.

    Do's and Don'ts in Whale(鲸)Watching The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed guidelines for whale watching in Johnstone Strait, where killer whales are found on a daily basis each summer. It is strongly recommended that vessel (船只) operators follow these guidelines for all kinds of whales.

    Approach whales from the side, not from the front or the back.

    Approach no closer than 100 metres, then stop the boat but keep the engine on.

    Keep noise levels down-no horns. whistles or racing of engines.

    Start your boat only after the whales are more than 100 metres from your vessel.

    Leave the area slowly, gradually moving faster when you are more than 300 metres from the whales.

    Approach and leave slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction.

    Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.

    Keep at low speeds and remain in the same direction if travelling side by side with whales.

    When whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near the shore or coming between the whales and the shore.

    Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100 to 200 metres of whales.

    lf there is more than one vessel at the same observation spot, be sure to avoid any boat position that would result in surrounding the whales.

    Work together by communicating with other vessels, and make sure that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines.