Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.) is an important pseudocereal in the Andes. The seed has excellent nutritional value (high in protein, essential amino acids, and minerals) and ample capacity for growth in diverse, harsh Andean subsistence-production conditions such as water deficiency, salt stress, and soil mineral nutrient deficiency. The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify the genetic diversity among a series of 178 mostly Peruvian amaranth genotypes using 96 biallelic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A total of 96 co-dominant, biallelic markers were developed using KASPar™ assays on a 96.96 Fluidigm EP1 array system. The 178 amaranth genotypes included white-opaque and white-translucent (vitreous) putative A. caudatus seed types, along with black-seeded A. hybridus and brown-seeded types, all isolated from among 48 accessions of the CICA-UNSAAC collection. Variation among and within samples and accessions was compared for empirically determined clusters (northern, north-central, south-central, and southern Peruvian Andes). Variation was highest within samples for all groups, but only in white-seeded amaranth was the p-value significant (17.43). The greatest variation among samples was found in the vitreous-seeded group (99.35). The highest average observed heterozygosity within-groups (Ho) was 0.19 in the brown-seeded group, and expected within-group heterozygosity (He) was highest in the vitreous-seeded group (0.359). Cluster analysis (UPGMA), PCA and PCO results partitioned the amaranth accessions into six discrete clusters. Clusters did not manifest obvious structure among accessions, which indicates that genetic diversity has been conserved across a broad region of the Peruvian Andes. The diversity characterization pointed to a center of origin and domestication of A. caudatus in the Ayacucho-Cusco region of southern Peru.

This research was conducted at the La Raya experiment station, Cusco, Peru (4200 m elevation, 15°S latitude, and 70°W longitude) using 60 Corriedale, and 60 Criollo ewes during three consecutive years (April 1981 - March 1984). Age, and weight at puberty, age at physical maturity, and the effects of breed, age (physically immature and mature), year, and month were measured on body weight, incidence of estrus, and incidence and rate of ovulation. There was a significant difference (P.05). Even though Criollo e wes weighed less than Corriedale, they attained puberty earlier, and showed less seasonality in estrus and ovulated throughout the year than the Corriedale.

This research has focused on the correlation between corruption and social norms by the used of the anomic theory, which is supported by six variables: the rule of law, the division of labor, the regulator organisms, the collective consciousness, the homogeneous society and amiguismo. The anomie theory refers primarily to the absence of rules that measure the relationship of the various individuals in a group or parts of a whole society; where it is possible to find human appetites with no limits. This theory contributes to the discussions around, and new understandings of, how societies may develop a culture of anti-corruption; by influencing existing social norms and improvements to existing value systems. Analysing the mandate period of the former president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori (July 28, 1990 - November 17, 2000) will provide a working example to explore and understand the relationship between corruption and social norms within the Peruvian society. All the while analysing these case through the framework of the chosen theory.

This research examines how the Kandozi indigenous group governs access to fish and timber, how access contributes to their well-being, and if the Kandozi’s natural resource use and socio-ecological system are sustainable. The Kandozi occupy a biodiverse tropical forest in the northern Peruvian Amazon with lakes and seasonally flooded areas. This indigenous group has livelihoods that are dependent upon securing access to natural resources that contribute to their well-being; hence it represents a good case study to investigate access and its relation with social-ecological sustainability. Access is defined here as the ability to derive benefits from natural resources. The analysis of sustainability was done by integrating research on both access and well-being. Multiple methods and a comparative examination of access to fish and timber were used to explore historical processes that shape access. The analysis of qualitative data on well-being and quantitative data based on income from fishing activities in 2009, helped evaluate if the Kandozi benefited from the use of resources and clarified the evolution of their quality of life. Hypotheses regarding how spatiality shapes access and how sustainability depends upon access to natural resources were tested. Results indicate that factors such as heterogeneity, kinship, land tenure, the legal framework and knowledge all shape access to natural resources. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in particular is a critical factor because it determines resource availability. Furthermore, this study shows how benefits from the use of resources contribute to the Kandozi’s perception of well-being, defined by them as living without worries, which includes meeting economic, social and cultural needs. Results from this study indicate that perceptions of well-being depend on human values and change over time, consequently the sustainability of the social-ecological system fluctuates. This research concludes that sustainability of this and similar systems are dependent upon the moment at which the analysis is done, because of the changing needs of people over time. This study demonstrates that the range of relations and interactions among different processes that shape access, and the historically contingent characteristic of access and its evolution over time, help better understand complex social ecological systems. / text

Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) is a debilitating disease of connective tissues seen in many breeds but has become prevalent in the Peruvian Pasohorse. DSLD is believed to be a genetic disorder caused by one primary founder and most likely has a recessive mode of inheritance although a dominant or co-dominant mode of inheritance has not been ruled out. A genome scan using 259 microsatellite markers was used to test for linkage disequilibrium between one or more markers and DSLD. Two groups of Peruvian Pasohorses were selected from one population including the US and Canada. The only difference between the two groups of horses besides the size of the two groups was the presence of DSLD in the affected group and the absence of DSLD in the unaffected group. It was assumed that differences seen between the two groups in homozygosity and or common allele frequency could be an indication of linkage to DSLD. As a connective tissue disorder, there were a large number of candidate genes forDSLD to consider, yet no identical human or animal model exists. The genome scan identified five chromosomal regions where statistically significant differences were seen between affected and unaffected sample populations that could be indications of linkage to DSLD. Those chromosomes were: ECA 6, 7, 11, 14, and 26. Sequencing of a portion of the G domain in the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan2 (CSPG2) gene has mostly ruled out that segment of chromosome 14 as having linkage to DSLD. Further research needs to be conducted in the regions of ECA 6,7,11 and 26 where statistically significant differences were seen between the affected and unaffected groups, especially on ECA 6 and 11 since possible candidate genes are located in those regions based on the human comparative map.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 247-254).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 247-254).

Originally presented as the author's Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 379-401).