Bystander Apathy –An Enquiry Into The Expression Of Humanity And Empathy In China (2013-2014)

Aim To explore the apparent lack of personal concern for the welfare of others in China? To develop concepts to understand this  social phenomena in natural  settings using ethnographic and participatory research. Research Question How can the knowledge derived from qualitative research be used to improve the welfare of the poor in Shanghai? Ethics The study was carried out within the guidelines of the declaration of Helsinki. The study was characterised by anonymity, beneficence, non maleficence, and the  maintainence of  the dignity of participants Method Collection of data. The principle data source was “observation” spot observation”(Baksh 1990)”, participant observation”(Hammersley and Atkinson 1983)vignettes(Finch 1987, Sani Bin Gabi 1990), oral history(narrative) Conclusion The study was conducted ethically. It was a worthwhile study attempted to deal with current problems. The publication of this paper can be used to stimulate further enquiry into the problem of those in need of social welfare in Shanghai and China, in the hope it will improve services where they are needed. Suggested solutions In a country where intergenerational family ties are so strong and “guanxi” exists it is paradoxical there is  little empathy for others. Confuscian values, changed family beliefs, and education at school and  university may assist in increasing empathy. Learnt conditioning, to ignore or dissociate, from another human being in   need of help, can be slowly overcome by implementing universal and improved changes in societal living conditions. This can be achieved  by improving social welfare programs, spearheaded by a compassionate government. There is a view that it is an egregious and transparent fiction, to promulgate and publically promote, the philosophies and policies of communism, yet allow these curable social ills to remain. ”Rex ipsa Loquiter”. The healthy should help the sick, the rich should help the poor and the employed should help the unemployed, Proportionately, in accordance with what they have they should give. The promotion of a “ forward thinking, humane, listening and open society, rather than a closed, narrow, opaque, inward looking “weltanschaung” would assist societal reform. We “bystanders”, we must all try to imagine we are in the  place  of those in need, and  feel aas they do, in their situation. We must follow the advice of Mencius (372-289BC) and develop and use “empathy” As Mencius  said, ”a  developed  human heart is the basis  of a moral life”

Heavy Metal Phytoextraction Potential of Indigenous Tree Species of Family Fabaceae

The present study highlights the possibility of using wastewater for forest irrigation. This study was conducted in 2 phases, first phase was the seed germination study of the five selected species and the second phase was of growth of plants through pot experiment. Five tree species selected for the study were, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth, Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Bauhinia purpurea L. and Millettia peguensis Ali. Three types of wastewater were collected, first from industrial wastewater (IWW), second from hospital wastewater (HWW) and third from domestic wastewater (DWW). Germination experiment was set up in Petri dishes and seeds were irrigated with different concentrations of WWs. In pot experiment the five tree species were planted in pots and were irrigated with 5 different concentrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of WWs. Germination study results revealed that the five plant species survived in the WW irrigation and showed sufficient tolerance. The maximum germination was of Dalbergia sissoo i.e. 74%. The toxicity of different WWs is as follows: IWW > HWW > DWW The mean time to germination of Millettia peguensis was 95 hrs and of Albizia lebbeck was 80 hrs. Similarly, all the five species showed positive increase in seedling fresh weight, dry weight and seedling length. Maximum fresh weight was observed in Dalbergia sissoo (0.64 g) and the lowest fresh weight was reported in Millettia peguensis (0.35). The order of tolerance index and vigor index among the five species is as follows; Dalbergia sissoo > Albizia lebbeck > Bauhinia purpurea > Pongamia pinnata > Millettia peguensis In pot experiment, the DWW showed positive impact on height, fresh and dry weight, where as, the HWW showed positive impact on height upto 50% concentration and the further increase in concentration decreased the height. The maximum negative impact was observed with IWW irrigation. Pongamia pinnata showed 90% increase xiii in height in DWW compared to control set up. Albizia lebbeck showed 35% increase in fresh weight, 45% increase in fresh weight by Dalbergia sissoo. The photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of all the five species decreased significantly. In HWW the decrease in photosynthetic rate was as follows; Pongamia pinnata (-80%), Albizia lebbeck (-60%), Dalbergia sissoo (-45%), Millettia peguensis (-45%) and Bauhinia purpurea (-58%). The proline content in all treatments was measured as a sign of oxidative stress. Maximum proline was observed in Bauhinia purpurea (6.33) in IWW, where as the least quantity of proline was observed in Pongamia pinnata (3.89). The metal uptake and translocation results are also very promising. Maximum uptake was observed for Pb in IWW by Dalbergia sissoo (107.06 mg/day). Uptake of Cr and Cu uptake was slow in all species. Translocation factor of Albizia lebbeck was maximum i.e. 3.03 in HWW. Untreated IWW seems to create number of problems in ecosystem by disturbing both biotic and abiotic (soil properties, soil osmotic potential) components. This study seems to be successful in combating wastewater problem. This study indicates that, Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia purpurea, Pongamia pinnata and Millettia peguensis are much tolerant in IWW and can be successfully used for phytoextraction processes. The tolerance index is as follows: Dalbergia sissoo > Albizia lebbeck > Bauhinia purpurea > Pongamia pinnata > Millettia peguensis The idea is to utilize WW to generate urban forests with the said five species. This idea can reduce multiple and serious problems like, IWW toxicity, WW treatment, and air pollution through urban forestry. The most prominent benefit is that this urban forest is eco-friendly and sustainable solution for multiple problems.