In this paper, we examine data on U.S. GDP/Capita and natural resource share of GDP by state. We then run growth regressions and build on a previous model of dynamic equations to account for the spatial equilibrium that exists between U.S. states. Our results show that there exists evidence that overinvestment in oil and mining sectors has negative effects on state TFP growth, thus giving positive evidence for the existence of a natural resource curse between U.S. states.

This analysis examined cranial epigenetic and morphological nonmetric traits in 756 subadults (fetal to <20 years), in European, African, and Asian samples. The goals of this research were to assess: the age and manner in which nonmetric traits develop and if variation between geographic groupings is present in subadults; the role of the adolescent growth spurt in trait expression; the feasibility of utilizing subadult crania in biological distance studies and ancestry assessment. A number of epigenetic and morphological traits show a primarily genetic versus developmental basis, suggested by the fact that there was no difference in trait frequencies between the fetal/0-3 and 15-20 year age categories. Eighty-five percent of epigenetic traits appear before 3 years; 54% were age stable by 3 years, and 75% were stable before age ten. Geographic cranial variation is present at an early age as demonstrated by the appearance of 58% of morphological traits before age 3, and 90% by age 10. Ten and a half percent of morphological traits are age stable before 3 years of age, 48% by age 10. Traits statistically significant between pre-pubertal and pubertal and/or pubertal and post pubertal individuals are hyperostotic, functional, and in some cases, sex dependent. Few epigenetic (1.3%) and morphological traits (7.9%) were found to be sex dependent, possibly because sexually dimorphism may not be fully expressed in individuals in the 15-20 year age category. Features that indicate ancestry develop before puberty, and do not require the onset of puberty and sexual dimorphism to be fully formed. Three-quarters of epigenetic traits were age stable and showed trait frequencies similar to adults before 10 years of age, suggesting subadults could be included in biodistance studies using these traits. Twenty-four morphological traits were statistically significant between geographic groups and show promise for future use in the forensic analysis of ancestry assessment in children.

This analysis examined cranial epigenetic and morphological nonmetric traits in 756 subadults (fetal to <20 years), in European, African, and Asian samples. The goals of this research were to assess: the age and manner in which nonmetric traits develop and if variation between geographic groupings is present in subadults; the role of the adolescent growth spurt in trait expression; the feasibility of utilizing subadult crania in biological distance studies and ancestry assessment. A number of epigenetic and morphological traits show a primarily genetic versus developmental basis, suggested by the fact that there was no difference in trait frequencies between the fetal/0-3 and 15-20 year age categories. Eighty-five percent of epigenetic traits appear before 3 years; 54% were age stable by 3 years, and 75% were stable before age ten. Geographic cranial variation is present at an early age as demonstrated by the appearance of 58% of morphological traits before age 3, and 90% by age 10. Ten and a half percent of morphological traits are age stable before 3 years of age, 48% by age 10. Traits statistically significant between pre-pubertal and pubertal and/or pubertal and post pubertal individuals are hyperostotic, functional, and in some cases, sex dependent. Few epigenetic (1.3%) and morphological traits (7.9%) were found to be sex dependent, possibly because sexually dimorphism may not be fully expressed in individuals in the 15-20 year age category. Features that indicate ancestry develop before puberty, and do not require the onset of puberty and sexual dimorphism to be fully formed. Three-quarters of epigenetic traits were age stable and showed trait frequencies similar to adults before 10 years of age, suggesting subadults could be included in biodistance studies using these traits. Twenty-four morphological traits were statistically significant between geographic groups and show promise for future use in the forensic analysis of ancestry assessment in children.

Using a panel data set spanning from 2005 to 2012 and drawn from 35 Sub-Saharan African countries, this paper examines the relative impact of corruption on the inflow of foreign direct investment. This study is motivated by the recent influx of political and media attention on the African continent that is poised to receive billions of dollars in investment over the coming years. It is argued in this paper that there is no significant link between the two variables. There did appear to be a negative skew meaning higher levels of perceived corruption resulted in less FDI inflows, while few countries returned with a positive relationship.

Acquisition of full developmental competence of oocytes not only occurs during growth stage, and the final preparation during oocyte maturation is also critical. Previous studies have shown that nuclear maturation can occur spontaneously following culture in vitro; however, there may be some insufficiency in cytoplasmic maturation of the in vitro matured oocytes. But till now, the differences of the events of cytoplasmic maturation between in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes are still not clear. Ovarian stimulation by gonadotrophins is used to permits the growth and development of follicles, to time the initiation of pre-ovulatory oocyte maturation, and to increase the numbers of oocytes ovulated. It is one of the foundations of current treatments of human infertility. The success of clinical IVF has been depending on generation of matured oocytes at high frequency. However, ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins is associated with side effects and complications. / In order to illuminate mechanisms which affect the developmental competence of oocytes produced in vitro, in the present study, we have compared the difference of the quality of oocytes produced in vitro with that of the oocytes produced in vivo using mouse model. In order to understand the relationship between oocyte competence and ovarian responses to stimulation in the mouse, we also have compared difference of the quality of oocytes produced in vitro or in vivo from gonadotrophns stimulated ovaries with that of from natural cycling ovaries. / In-vitro matured oocytes were collected from (1) naturally ovulated mice and (2) superovulated (PMSG + hCG) mice. Immature oocytes were retrieved from (3) naturally cycling mice, and (4) from mice primed with PMSG. The results indicate that the percentages of cleavage and blastocyst formation are significantly different (P&lt;0.05) between in-vivo and in-vitro matured oocytes. Blastocyst formation rate is significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in immature oocytes derived from PMSG primed mice compared to immature oocytes derived from naturally cycling mice. The percentages of oocytes with comet tails and the length of comet tails are significantly higher and longer respectively in in-vitro matured oocytes compared to in-vivo matured oocytes. Total cell numbers of blastocyst are also significantly different (P&lt;0.05) between in-vivo and in-vitro matured oocytes. However, there are no differences in ratio of trophectoderm (TE)/inner cell mass (ICM) between in-vivo and in-vitro matured oocytes. In conclusion, in-vivo matured mouse oocytes are more competent than those of matured in-vitro, suggesting that it may be due to its less damage of DNA. Embryonic development capacity of in-vivo matured oocytes is not promoted by ovarian stimulation. Gonadotropin priming prior to immature mouse oocyte retrieval is beneficial to subsequent embryonic development. / Keywords. mouse oocyte, IVM, IVF, gonadotropin, development

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