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Powerholders make decisions that impact others' lives. To be effective, powerholders need those with lower power to trust them—often without the chance to establish a good interpersonal relationship beforehand. Yet, societal developments in many countries suggest that willingness to trust powerholders is eroding; this makes the (re)establishment of trust a pressing though potentially difficult endeavour. What makes it likely, then, that people are willing to spontaneously trust a powerholder they barely know? We examined the role of powerholders' expression that they see (i.e., cognitively construe) power as a responsibility (vs. an opportunity). Doing so, the present work examines the consequences of unknown powerholders' construal of power from observers' perspective for the first time and connects it with research on trust. We reasoned that people would be more willing to trust an unknown powerholder who recognizes and expresses their responsibility (vs. opportunity) as a powerholder. Five preregistered studies (N = 1196) support this prediction for willingness to trust and a downstream effect on powerholder choice in a trust‐relevant context. The findings highlight how powerholders' construal of power affects observers and show that powerholders can promote others' willingness to trust them by expressing a sense of responsibility (vs. opportunity). Implications for powerholders' communication in times of distrust and populism are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societies are increasingly divided about political issues such as migration or counteracting climate change. This attitudinal polarization is the basis for intergroup conflict and prevents societal progress in addressing pressing challenges. Research on attitude change should provide an answer regarding how people might be persuaded to move away from the extremes to take a moderate stance. However, persuasive communication often most strongly affects those who hold a moderate attitude or are undecided. More importantly, barely any research has explicitly aimed at mitigating extreme attitudes and behavioral tendencies. Addressing this gap, this article summarizes research demonstrating that (different types of) intraindividual conflicts might be a means to mitigate polarized attitudes. Goal conflicts, cognitive conflicts, counterfactual thinking, and paradoxical thinking facilitate cognitive flexibility. This, in turn, seems to initiate the consideration of alternative stances and mitigate the polarization of attitudes. We discuss the limitations of the existing research and the potential of this approach for interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Right‐wing movements across the globe call for system‐changing actions. This development contradicts the typically assumed resistance to change among the political right. Many of these movements use conspiracist rhetoric and, thus, we reasoned that conspiracy mentality might be associated with the striving for system change—especially on the political right. In four cross‐sectional studies in Germany (one nationally quota‐balanced, one preregistered; total N = 1539) we found that high conspiracy mentality was related to support for social change among the right and to support for reactionary social change among the left. Support for change among those high in conspiracy mentality was diminished when elected representatives (vs the population) were thought to drive social change. These results suggest that both right wingers and left wingers high in conspiracy mentality support change in ways that are seemingly incompatible with their political orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treten Verschwörungstheorien besonders in Krisenzeiten auf? Dieser Zusammenhang ist gar nicht so klar, wie man vermuten könnte. Eindeutig festhalten lässt sich aber, dass der Glaube an Verschwörungstheorien Gedanken und Verhaltensweisen nach sich zieht, die der Bewältigung von persönlichen und gesellschaftlichen Krisen im Wege stehen. Doch es gibt Möglichkeiten, den Glauben an Verschwörungstheorien und dessen negative Folgen einzudämmen. Diese Handlungsspielräume sollten wir in unserem Alltag nutzen. Vor allem aber zeigt sich die große Verantwortung von Politik und anderen öffentlichen Institutionen, diese Herausforderung anzugehen und so zu einer gelungenen Krisenbewältigung beizutragen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public discourse on immigration has seemed to polarize over recent years—with some people strongly trusting, but others strongly distrusting immigrants. We examined whether a cognitive strategy could mitigate these biased outgroup judgments. Given that subtractive counterfactual thoughts ("If only I had not done X...") facilitate cognitive flexibility and especially a relational processing style, we hypothesized that these thoughts (vs. additive counterfactuals "If only I had done X..." and no counterfactuals) would weaken the relationship between people's political orientation and the perceived trustworthiness of immigrants. In five experiments (two preregistered; total N = 1,189), we found that inducing subtractive (but not additive) counterfactuals—either via rhetorical questions in a political speech or via mindset priming—had the predicted debiasing effect. Taken together, subtle means such as using subtractive counterfactual questions in political communication seem to be a promising way to reduce biased outgroup judgments in heated public debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivational states are important determinants of human behavior. Regulatory focus theory suggests that a promotion focus stimulates risky behavior, whereas a prevention focus fosters conservative tactics. Previous research linked counterfactual structure with regulatory focus. Extending this work, we predicted that additive counterfactual mindsets ("If only I had...") instigate risky tactics in subsequent situations, whereas subtractive counterfactual mindsets ("If only I had NOT...") lead to conservative tactics. We tested this prediction and the underlying assumptions in four preregistered studies (total N = 803) and obtained consistent null results. Additive and subtractive counterfactual mindsets did not elicit different tactics – neither on behavioral nor on self-report measures – and they did not influence participants' motivation compared to a neutral control condition. Likewise, our results put doubts on previous findings on counterfactuals and regulatory focus as well as regulatory focus and conservative or risky behavior. More general implications for research on counterfactuals and motivation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Increasing vaccination hesitancy threatens societies' capacity to contain pandemics and other diseases. One factor that is positively associated with vaccination intentions is a supportive subjective norm (i.e., the perception that close others approve of vaccination). On the downside, there is evidence that negative attitudes toward vaccinations are partly rooted in conspiracy mentality (i.e., the tendency to believe in conspiracies). The objective of this study is to examine the role of subjective norms in moderating the association between conspiracy mentality and vaccine hesitancy. We examined two competing predictions: Are those high in conspiracy mentality immune to subjective norms, or do subjective norms moderate the relationship between conspiracy mentality and vaccination intentions? Methods: We conducted five studies (total N = 1,280) to test these hypotheses across several vaccination contexts (some real, some fictitious). We measured conspiracy mentality, vaccination intentions, subjective norms, attitudes toward vaccination, and perceived behavioural control. Results: A merged analysis across the studies revealed an interaction effect of conspiracy mentality and subjective norm on vaccination intentions. When subjective norm was high (i.e., when participants perceived that close others approved of vaccines) conspiracy mentality no longer predicted vaccination intentions. This was consistent with the moderating hypothesis of subjective norms and inconsistent with the immunity hypothesis. Conclusions: The typical negative relationship between conspiracy mentality and vaccination intentions is eliminated among those who perceive pro‐vaccination subjective norms. Although correlational, these data raise the possibility that pro‐vaccination views of friends and family can be leveraged to reduce vaccine hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conspiracy beliefs (i.e. beliefs in specific conspiracy theories or the more general conspiracy mentality) are associated with a need for uniqueness and lower adherence to social norms. These findings suggest that conspiracy beliefs might be generally associated with less influence by majority opinions – absolutely and compared to minority opinions. In five experiments involving scenarios unrelated to conspiracy theories (overall N = 1669), participants were informed about the majority/minority opinion on a given issue (e.g. the building of a tunnel), afterward indicating their evaluation or voting intentions regarding the issue. We then tested whether the influence of a majority/minority opinion on evaluation or voting intentions is moderated by conspiracy beliefs. Across studies, we find no significant moderation. A meta-analysis confirms no correlation between conspiracy beliefs and susceptibility to majority influence. Taken together, our studies provide no evidence for the assumption that those holding conspiracy beliefs reject majority opinions per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing processes are still on the way from a prototyping process to an established serial production process. Often the limiting factors are the variety and costs of materials compared with standard materials. Polypropylene is a commonly used material in series production. The processing of polypropylene in additive‐ and extrusion‐based manufacturing processes is still a challenge. A big issue in pellet‐based large scale additive manufacturing of polypropylene is to achieve dimensional accuracy of the printed parts. Due to the semi‐crystalline nature of polypropylene and its low adhesive force on standard printing surfaces (aluminum) the fabricated parts tend to warp and deviate from the geometric shape. In this paper the influence of a melt adhesive and different filler types (glass fibers, glass bubbles, and talcum) on the warpage behavior of 3D printed polypropylene parts is investigated. Another issue in additive manufacturing is the mechanical properties of the fabricated parts compared to injection molded parts. The mechanical properties of 3D printed parts often show a dependency on the print direction, especially in case of using fillers with an anisotropic shape (fibers). In this study the influence of different fillers on mechanical properties and process indicated orientation is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attitudes toward outgroups are an important determinant of peaceful coexistence in diverse societies, but it is difficult to improve them. The current research studies the impact of messages with negations on outgroup attitudes, more specifically on outgroup trust. All studies were preregistered. Using different target groups, Studies 1 and 2 provide evidence for the prediction that communicating negations (e.g., "they are not deceptive") enhances outgroup trust (more so than affirmations, such as "they are reliable," and no messages) among people who are initially low in outgroup trust. Three additional studies (Studies 3a, 3b, and 4), using both a causal chain approach and (moderated) mediation analysis, demonstrate that negations promote cognitive flexibility which in turn enhances outgroup trust among those initially low in outgroup trust. One final study suggests that these findings generalize to outgroup attitude change per se by showing that communicating negations also results in more moderate attitudes when the dominant initial attitude is positive (Study 5: high warmth) rather than negative (Studies 1–4: low trustworthiness). As such, communication that negates people's initial outgroup attitudes could be an effective (previously discounted) intervention to reduce prejudice in intergroup settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people in industrialized countries regularly purchase products online. Consumers often rely on previous customers' reviews to make purchasing decisions. The current research investigates whether potential online customers select these reviews in a biased way and whether typical interface properties of product evaluation portals foster biased selection. Based on selective exposure research, potential online customers should have a bias towards selecting positive reviews when they have an initial preference for a product. We tested this prediction across five studies (total N = 1376) while manipulating several typical properties of the review selection interface that should - according to earlier findings - facilitate biased selection. Across all studies, we found some evidence for a bias in favor of selecting positive reviews, but the aggregated effect was non-significant in an internal metaanalysis. Contrary to our hypothesis and not replicating previous research, none of the interface properties that were assumed to increase biased selection led to the predicted effects. Overall, the current research suggests that biased information selection, which has regularly been found in many other contexts, only plays a minor role in online review selection. Thus, there is no need to fear that product evaluation portals elicit biased impressions about products among consumers due to selective exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the knowledge and understanding of water risks, and how these are perceived in the private and public sectors. The article is based on a case-study catchment dominated by agricultural activity near Grabouw, in the Western Cape, South Africa. Starting with an overview of the hydrological context, the article follows with a discussion of the current water challenges and water-related risk perceptions of private- and public-sector actors. A conceptual framework is proposed, mapping the different water security risks. The article suggests that water management is improved when different actors acknowledge their shared water risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the snow-albedo feedback (SAF) on 2m temperatures and their future changes in the European Alps is investigated in the ENSEMBLES regional climate models (RCMs) with a focus on the spring season. A total of 14 re-analysis-driven RCM experiments covering the period 1961-2000 and 10 GCM-driven transient climate change projections for 1950-2099 are analysed. A positive springtime SAF is found in all RCMs, but the range of the diagnosed SAF is large. Results are compared against an observation-based SAF estimate. For some RCMs, values very close to this estimate are found; other models show a considerable overestimation of the SAF. Net shortwave radiation has the largest influence of all components of the energy balance on the diagnosed SAF and can partly explain its spatial variability. Model deficiencies in reproducing 2m temperatures above snow and ice and associated cold temperature biases at high elevations seem to contribute to a SAF overestimation in several RCMs. The diagnosed SAF in the observational period strongly influences the estimated SAF contribution to twenty first century temperature changes in the European Alps. This contribution is subject to a clear elevation dependency that is governed by the elevation-dependent change in the number of snow days. Elevations of maximum SAF contribution range from 1500 to 2000 m in spring and are found above 2000 m in summer. Here, a SAF contribution to the total simulated temperature change between 0 and 0.5 °C until 2099 (multi-model mean in spring: 0.26 °C) or 0 and 14 % (multi-model mean in spring: 8 %) is obtained for models showing a realistic SAF. These numbers represent a well-funded but only approximate estimate of the SAF contribution to future warming, and a remaining contribution of model-specific SAF misrepresentations cannot be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on the innovation literature to analyse the South African system of innovation for water. Two major approaches to science and innovation from the innovation systems literature are described and compared: the neoclassical or 'market-failure' linear model of innovation, and the more complex and more recent innovation systems approach. It is argued that the innovation systems approach is a useful basis of analysis because of its emphasis on the diffusion of knowledge and the factors which tend to affect it - in comparison with the neoclassical model's assumption of perfect knowledge transfer. An analysis of gaps was undertaken using an interactive web-based puzzle-building activity with participants in the water sector. The primary gaps identified are not those that state actors continue to focus on in policy interventions; instead, they include the need to enable effective demand by end users, to facilitate more direct interaction between users and researchers, and to involve the private sector much more strongly in water innovation. Human capacity needs were highlighted, as was the need for strong leadership and openness in data sharing. The argument is made that those gaps that are seen as least important by practitioners and researchers in the sector are the very gaps that South African water innovation policy continues to focus on, while the gaps in cognitive capacity, in structures allowing the articulation of societal needs, and in industry involvement are largely un(der)addressed. This suggests that a linear, or neo-classical understanding of innovation may underlie innovation policy for water in South Africa. Recommendations for future policy directions include promoting knowledge-related infrastructure and data sharing; reorganising the research environment within universities; strengthening support for entrepreneurs; and creating centres of competency with strong industrialdesign and economic- and market analysis capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosystem I is a photoactive membrane protein used in nature to photo-excite electrons with nearly unit internal quantum efficiency, sparking interest in using this biomaterial for solar energy conversion. Films of PSI deposited on p-doped silicon have previously demonstrated significant photocurrents with an electrochemical mediator; however, improvement in electron transfer is needed. Here, it is investigated how PSI can be combined with graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to generate composite films capable of improved photoelectrochemical performance. It is found that both composite films outperformed the PSI film alone, and the PSI-GO composite film is found to perform the best. The enhancement is attributed to the decreased impedance and shift in the onset potential of the composite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a scientometric analysis of water research publications extracted from four decades of South African related papers to identify paradigms and paradigm shifts within water research in South Africa. Between 1977 and 1991, research publications are dominated by research into technical and engineering solutions, as well as designs and plans to secure water supply. From 1992 to 2001, publications on water pollution, water quality, water resource management and planning are prominent. The second major paradigm is observed from 2001 to 2011 in which the emphasis is on planning, modelling, catchment-scale studies and a multidisciplinary approach to research. Another transition period, towards the end of 2011, is characterised by uncertainty, although it also shows the prominence of key concepts such as participation, governance and politics in water management. The second aim of this study was to identify and prioritise current and future water research questions through the participation of a wide range of researchers from across the country, and to relate these questions to research paradigms, issues and concerns in water in South Africa. Over 1600 questions were collected, reduced in number and then prioritised by specialists in the water sector. The majority (78%) of questions offered by respondents in the South African case study dealt with relatively short- to medium-term research requirements with 47% of questions focused on medium-term issues such as supplying water, service delivery and technical solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes two different approaches to field work that were adopted in South Africa in 2002 and Australia in 2006 and field work's relation to the International Geography Olympiad (IGEO). Field work forms a substantial part of the IGEO both in terms of time and in the nature of the experience in which participants get a chance to explore the real world of the host country. It is stated that the difference lies largely in the expectations of local organisers, the perceived purpose of IGEO, and the limitations of conducting fieldwork in the context of an IGEO. The Olympiads sought to offer an applied, practical approach to learning about a range of issues in a local environment.

Background: Urban landscapes present an important opportunity for pollinator conservation, but little is known about the status and distribution of pollinator populations in urban habitats in Africa. This represents a major gap in the development of a global understanding of urban pollinators – particularly from the rapidly urbanising context. This study uses a speciose clade of flower-visiting beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Hopliini) to explore patterns of pollinator distribution in a major metropolitan area in South Africa. Objectives: We investigated community composition across gradients of urban intensity (defined according to the percentage of soil-sealing within 1 km2 of each sampling location) and socio-economic status to determine pollinator responses to these urban landscape effects. Methods: A selection of 142 sites were surveyed twice in the austral spring seasons of 2018 and 2019. Data were collected on habitat structure, flower diversity, and pollinator diversity. Results: The study found that different feeding guilds of monkey beetles favoured different levels of urban intensity and that beetle richness significantly correlated with flower richness. It did not, however, correlate with diversity indicating that abundance is less impacted than the number of species present. Monkey beetles with moderate sensitivity to urban intensity benefitted from the presence of preferred species of flowers. Conclusion: Overall, the findings demonstrate the importance of plant community assemblage in supporting urban monkey beetles. We recommend landscaping with preferred flower species in urban parks to support urban pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eutrophication and cyanobacterial algal blooms present an increasing threat to the health of freshwater ecosystems and to humans who use these resources for drinking and recreation. Remote sensing is being used increasingly as a tool for monitoring these phenomena in inland and near-coastal waters. This study uses the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) to view Zeekoevlei, a small hypertrophic freshwater lake situated on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa, dominated by Microcystis cyanobacteria. The lake''s small size, highly turbid water, and covariant water constituents present a challenging case for both algorithm development and atmospheric correction. The objectives of the study are to assess the optical properties of the lake, to evaluate various atmospheric correction procedures, and to compare the performance of empirical and semi-analytical algorithms in hypertrophic water. In situ water quality parameter and radiometric measurements were made simultaneous to MERIS overpasses. Upwelling radiance measurements at depth 0.66m were corrected for instrument self-shading and processed to water-leaving reflectance using downwelling irradiance measurements and estimates of the vertical attenuation coefficient for upward radiance, K u, generated from a simple bio-optical model estimating the total absorption, a(λ), and backscattering coefficients, b b(λ). The normalised water-leaving reflectance was used for assessing the accuracy of image-based Dark Object Subtraction and 6S Radiative Transfer Code atmospheric correction procedures applied to MERIS. Empirical algorithms for estimating chlorophyll a (Chl a), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Secchi Disk depth (z SD) and absorption by CDOM (a CDOM) were derived from simultaneously collected in situ and MERIS measurements. The empirical algorithms gave high correlation coefficient values, although they have a limited ability to separate between signals from covariant water constituents. The MERIS Neural Network algorithms utilised in the standard Level 2 Case 2 waters product and Eutrophic Lakes processor were also used to derive water constituent concentrations. However, these failed to produce reasonable comparisons with in situ measurements owing to the failure of atmospheric correction and divergence between the optical properties and ranges used to train the algorithms and those of Zeekoevlei. Maps produced using the empirical algorithms effectively show the spatial and temporal variability of the water quality parameters during April 2008. On the basis of the results it is argued that MERIS is the current optimal sensor for frequent change detection applications in inland waters. This study also demonstrates the considerable potential value for simple TOA algorithms for hypertrophic systems. It is recommended that regional algorithm development be prioritized in southern Africa and that remote sensing be integrated into future operational water quality monitoring systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The drought experienced in South Africa in 2016 - one of the worst in decades - has left many urbanised parts of the country with limited access to water, and food production has been affected. If a future water crisis is to be averted, the country needs to conserve current water supplies, reduce its reliance on conventional surface water schemes, and seek alternative sources of water supply. Within urban areas, municipalities must find ways to adapt to, and mitigate the threats from, water insecurity resulting from, inter alia, droughts, climate change and increasing water demand driven by population growth and rising standards of living. Stormwater harvesting (SWH) is one possible alternative water resource that could supplement traditional urban water supplies, as well as simultaneously offer a range of social and environmental benefits. We set out three position statements relating to how SWH can: improve water security and increase resilience to climate change in urban areas; prevent frequent flooding; and provide additional benefits to society. We also identify priority research areas for the future in order to target and support the appropriate uptake of SWH in South Africa, including testing the viability of SWH through the use of real-time control and managed aquifer recharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conradie et al. (2009a and 2009b) identified the Central Karoo as the worst performing area in the Western Cape, but left the reasons for the region's declining total factor productivity (TFP) unexplained. The current paper uses a combination of literature review and analysis of anecdotal evidence to evaluate a set of hypothetical reasons for the decline. The world wool price clearly affected farm-level profitability, putting up to 50% of sheep farms out of business in some parts of the Central Karoo. If census data were properly collected, this in itself should not have affected TFP. The evidence for overgrazing and increasingly ineffective predator control was less convincing. For example, there is no conclusive evidence yet on whether game and lifestyle farms exert any negative externalities on remaining sheep operations. The cost-price squeeze resulting from falling prices and rising input costs has led to an extension of production systems and poor maintenance which will no doubt lead to a further decline in productivity. We concluded that the rate at which the Central Karoo is shedding sheep farming, and the reasons for and effects of it, should be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]