Life-Cycle Consumption: Can Single Agent Models Get it Right?

In the quantitative macro literature, single agent models are heavily used to explain "per-adult equivalent" household data. In this paper, we study differences between consumption predictions from a single agent model and "adult equivalent" consumption predictions from a model where household size evolves deterministically over the life-cycle and affects individual preferences for consumption. Using a theoretical model we prove that, under mild conditions, these predictions are different. In particular, the single household model cannot explain patterns in life-cycle consumption profiles (the so called 'humps'), nor cross sectional inequality in consumption originating from the second model, even after controlling for household size using equivalence scales. Through a quantitative exercise, we then document that differences in predictions can be substantial: total (per-adult equivalent) consumption over the life-cycle can be up to 5% different, depending on the specific parameterization. We find a similar number for total cross sectional inequality

Interview with Professor Alan Bensoussan, WFAS Sydney 2013 keynote speaker

Professor Alan Bensoussan is a Professor of Chinese Medicine, and Director of Australia’s National Institute of Complementary Medicine. He is one of Australia’s prominent researchers in complementary medicine and was instrumental in establishing both the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED) – of which he is the Director – and the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM), where he is the Executive Director. Under Alan’s leadership, CompleMED has forged a broad network of links with other national and international organisations within government and industry, and is currently involved in collaborative projects with institutions in China, Hong Kong, United States and the United Kingdom

Conference report : in pursuit of wisdom : ancient Chinese and Greek perspectives on cultivation

The conference was a great opportunity to network with scholars and gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of their fields

Does acupuncture have a place as an adjunct treatment during pregnancy? : a review of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews

Complementary medicine has become popular throughout many Western countries and is widely used by women across all stages of their life cycle. Acupuncture is used by women during their pregnancy, and research suggests that acupuncture may be used as an adjunct to their existing conventional care. The aim of this paper was to summarize the evidence examining the effectiveness of acupuncture during pregnancy and birthing, and to discuss its role as an adjunct treatment. We conducted a systematic literature search using several electronic databases. We included all placebo-controlled randomized trials of parallel design, and systematic reviews that evaluated the role of acupuncture during pregnancy and birthing. A critical appraisal of clinical trials and systematic reviews was undertaken. The summarized findings indicated a small but growing body of acupuncture research, with some evidence suggesting a benefit from acupuncture to treat nausea in pregnancy. Findings from the review also highlighted promising evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture to manage back and pelvic pain, acupuncture-type interventions to induce change in breech presentation, and pain relief in labor. The methodological quality of recent trials has improved, and the quality of systematic reviews was high. Interest is growing in the use of acupuncture to treat some complaints during pregnancy and childbirth, and evidence is beginning to consolidate that acupuncture may assist with the management of some complaints during pregnancy. However, definitive conclusions about its effectiveness cannot be reached and further research is justified

Case study : a sting in tropical waters off a remote Fiji Island resolved by Chinese medicine

Thirty seven year old female breast feeding a five month old baby presented herself with a painful sting on her upper right arm. After two days of applying hydro cortisone cream ‘Sinacot’, the site of the sting was still extremely painful and inflamed with red papules. Diagnosis was a skin rash due to toxic heat. Treatment was acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Results concluded that after three treatment sessions the rash and pain disappeared

Acupuncture for the mental and emotional health of women undergoing IVF treatment : a comprehensive review

One in six Australian couples currently struggle with impaired fertility. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has become the assisted reproductive technology (ART) of choice. The IVF process has inherent stresses: the invasive procedures; medication; knowledge that it might be the last possibility for pregnancy; and the high cost. Both authors have observed in different settings (one clinical and the other during a clinical trial) that women often reported an improved sense of wellbeing and emotional health due to the acupuncture intervention. This paper summarises the reported benefits of acupuncture treatment for mental and emotional health during IVF identified in published peer-reviewed research papers – both theoretically (pathogenesis and physiology) and clinically (with reference to acupuncture treatment and the therapeutic encounter). The trials reviewed, investigating mental and emotional health during IVF treatment, indicate acupuncture had positive outcomes including: reduced anxiety; reduced stress; less social and relationship concern and improved psychological coping. This paper suggests that reflecting on and valuing the therapeutic alliance, including its collaborative nature, the patient feeling cared for and a perception that practitioners are empathetic, could improve fertility outcomes and the emotional health of infertile women through the process of IVF treatment

Case report : a rash in pregnancy resolved by Chinese medicine

A 21-weeks-pregnant female of South Korean descent presents with itchy skin with red raised papules on much of her torso and limbs. Pathology tests show elevated Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Diagnosis: rash due to liver and gallbladder damp heat. Treatment: acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Results: after three sessions the rash and itch had disappeared, the liver function tests returned to normal ranges, and the pregnancy went to full term with the birth of a healthy baby girl

Case report : reflections on practitioner confidence in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

This case report describes a 25-year-old woman who presented with nausea and vomiting (NVP) in her seventh week of pregnancy. The treatment was not successful overall and resulted in both patient and practitioner losing confidence. The following reflective questions challenged my practice and led to an examination of what makes acupuncture work

Looking outside the square : the use of qualitative methods within complementary and alternative medicine - the movement towards rigour

This paper explores why qualitative research in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is underused and, when used, done so defensively. It argues that qualitative research methods can encompass the complexity of CAM and identify richer veins for research exploration. The rigorous application of holistic research methods, used non-defensively, can only benefit CAM and the knowledge base of science