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We address the current concerns about teaching‐to‐the‐test and its association with declining dispositions towards further study of mathematics and the consequences for choice of STEM subjects at university. In particular, through a mixed study including a large survey sample of over 1000 students and their teachers, and focussed qualitative case studies, we explored the impact of ‘transmissionist’ pedagogic practices on learning outcomes. We report on the construction and validation of a scale to measure teachers’ self‐reported pedagogy. We then use this measure in combination with the students’ survey data and through regression modelling we illustrate significant associations between the pedagogic measure and students’ mathematics dispositions. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of these results for mathematics education and the STEM agenda.

Background Botulinum toxin type B (BTX-B, Myobloc™, San Francisco, CA, USA) was FDA-approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia in December 2000. It has since been used off-label for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. However, there are sparse data in the medical literature evaluating the safety and efficacy of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) for this indication. Objective To assess the safety, efficacy and duration of action of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) in the treatment of bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis. Methods This study was a double-blinded, randomized, pilot study conducted in an outpatient office setting at a private academic medical center beginning in November 2001. Twenty-three male and female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 80 were screened for participation; 20 participants with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Participants were injected subcutaneously with either Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) (2500 U, or 0.5 ml, per axilla) or 0.5 ml vehicle (100 mM NaCl, 10 mM succinate, and 0.5 mg/ml human albumin) into bilateral axillae. Participants who received placebo were rolled over and received Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) at subsequent visits. All participants were followed until sweating returned to baseline levels. This trial was initially conceived as a placebo-controlled study; however, owing to the insufficient size of the placebo group, the placebo arm of this trial was dropped during data analysis. The main outcome measures were safety, efficacy, and duration of effect. Results According to participant assessment of axillary hyperhidrosis improvement (A-HI) and quality of life (A-HQOL) scores and the physician assessment scores, a significant difference was observed in treatment response at Day 30 in the participants receiving Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) injections. Duration of action ranged from 2.2 to 8.1 months (mean 5.0 months). The adverse event profile included bruising, flu-like symptoms, and dry eyes. Conclusion Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) proved to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis. More studies are needed to assess the duration of response using different doses of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B).

This paper investigates treatment for anger and aggression using a variety of methods. Assessments include direct observation, self-recording of frequency of aggressive incidents, self-recording of feelings of aggression, provocation role-plays, and provocation inventories. Treatment approaches include two forms of relaxation (BRT and APR), discussions and exercises on the understanding of emotion, role-plays to develop skills for dealing with feelings of anger, and exercises in the way in which individuals construe various situations. Three participants illustrate how these assessment and treatment methods can be used to tailor treatment to suit the particular problems displayed by individuals. The reasons for choosing particular methods are discussed as are the ways in which individuals respond to the programmes of therapy.

Purpose. Despite increasing evidence that anger may play a contributing role in the violent behaviour of psychiatric patients, as yet there is a dearth of evidence concerning the utility of anger control treatment procedures with this population. This paper describes the development and preliminary evaluation of an anger treatment protocol modified to meet the needs of secure hospital patients. Method. Four patients having recurrent problems of anger and aggression were provided with anger control treatment based on the new protocol. Evaluation of the intervention was based on clinical assessments and by quantified structured interviews obtained post-treatment with each patient's psychiatrist, key worker, and day-care worker. Results. Therapist assessment and clinical staff ratings testifiy to modest but significant treatment gains for patients. Experience from clinical implementation highlights key issues in treatment process and institutional system integration for achieving efficacy. Conclusions. The results support the application of anger control treatment procedures to severely disordered psychiatric patients in a forensic institution. Given the preliminary nature of this evidence, and in the absence of a controlled clinical trial, continued work is needed on treatment and research protocols.