Showing papers by "University of Hawaii at Manoa published in 1998"

New, improved version of generic mapping tools released

Abstract: Version 31 of the Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) has been released More than 6000 scientists worldwide are currently using this free, public domain collection of UNIX tools that contains programs serving a variety of research functions GMT allows users to manipulate (x,y) and (x,y,z) data, and generate PostScript illustrations, including simple x-y diagrams, contour maps, color images, and artificially illuminated, perspective, and/or shaded-relief plots using a variety of map projections (see Wessel and Smith [1991] and Wessel and Smith [1995], for details) GMT has been installed under UNIX on most types of workstations and both IBM-compatible and Macintosh personal computers

Evidence for oscillation of atmospheric neutrinos

Abstract: We present an analysis of atmospheric neutrino data from a 33.0 kton yr (535-day) exposure of the Super-Kamiokande detector. The data exhibit a zenith angle dependent deficit of muon neutrinos which is inconsistent with expectations based on calculations of the atmospheric neutrino flux. Experimental biases and uncertainties in the prediction of neutrino fluxes and cross sections are unable to explain our observation. The data are consistent, however, with two-flavor ${\ensuremath{ u}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{\ensuremath{ u}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ oscillations with ${sin}^{2}2\ensuremath{\theta}g0.82$ and $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}l\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}^{2}l6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\mathrm{eV}{}^{2}$ at 90% confidence level.

Full-term development of mice from enucleated oocytes injected with cumulus cell nuclei

Abstract: Until recently, fertilization was the only way to produce viable mammalian offspring, a process implicitly involving male and female gametes. However, techniques involving fusion of embryonic or fetal somatic cells with enucleated oocytes have become steadily more successful in generating cloned young. Dolly the sheep was produced by electrofusion of sheep mammary-derived cells with enucleated sheep oocytes. Here we investigate the factors governing embryonic development by introducing nuclei from somatic cells (Sertoli, neuronal and cumulus cells) taken from adult mice into enucleated mouse oocytes. We found that some enucleated oocytes receiving Sertoli or neuronal nuclei developed in vitro and implanted following transfer, but none developed beyond 8.5 days post coitum; however, a high percentage of enucleated oocytes receiving cumulus nuclei developed in vitro. Once transferred, many of these embryos implanted and, although most were subsequently resorbed, a significant proportion (2 to 2.8%) developed to term. These experiments show that for mammals, nuclei from terminally differentiated, adult somatic cells of known phenotype introduced into enucleated oocytes are capable of supporting full development.

The development of anxiety: The role of control in the early environment.

Abstract: Current developments in cognitive and emotion theory suggest that anxiety plays a rather central role in negative emotions. This article reviews findings in the area of anxiety and depression, helplessness, locus of control, explanatory style, animal learning, biology, parenting, attachment theory, and childhood stress and resilience to articulate a model of the environmental influences on the development of anxiety. Evidence from a variety of sources suggests that early experience with diminished control may foster a cognitive style characterized by an increased probability of interpreting or processing subsequent events as out of one's control, which may represent a psychological vulnerability for anxiety. Implications for research are discussed.

The High-Z Supernova Search: Measuring Cosmic Deceleration and Global Curvature of the Universe Using Type Ia Supernovae*

Abstract: The High-Z Supernova Search is an international collaboration to discover and monitor Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at z > 0.2 with the aim of measuring cosmic deceleration and global curvature. Our collaboration has pursued a basic understanding of supernovae in the nearby universe, discovering and observing a large sample of objects and developing methods to measure accurate distances with SNe Ia. This paper describes the extension of this program to z ≥ 0.2, outlining our search techniques and follow-up program. We have devised high-throughput filters that provide accurate two-color rest frame B and V light curves of SNe Ia, enabling us to produce precise, extinction-corrected luminosity distances in the range 0.25 M=-0.2 -->−0.8+1.0 if ΩΛ = 0. For a spatially flat universe composed of normal matter and a cosmological constant, we find Ω -->M=0.4 -->−0.4+0.5, Ω${Λ}$ -->=0.6 -->−0.5+0.4. We demonstrate that with a sample of ~30 objects, we should be able to determine relative luminosity distances over the range 0 < z < 0.5 with sufficient precision to measure ΩM with an uncertainty of ±0.2.

Supernova limits on the cosmic equation of state

Abstract: We use Type Ia supernovae studied by the High-z Supernova Search Team to constrain the properties of an energy component that may have contributed to accelerating the cosmic expansion. We find that for a flat geometry the equation-of-state parameter for the unknown component, αx = Px/ρx, must be less than -0.55 (95% confidence) for any value of Ωm, and it is further limited to αx < -0.60 (95% confidence) if Ωm is assumed to be greater than 0.1. These values are inconsistent with the unknown component being topological defects such as domain walls, strings, or textures. The supernova (SN) data are consistent with a cosmological constant (αx = -1) or a scalar field that has had, on average, an equation-of-state parameter similar to the cosmological constant value of -1 over the redshift range of z ≈ 1 to the present. SN and cosmic microwave background observations give complementary constraints on the densities of matter and the unknown component. If only matter and vacuum energy are considered, then the current combined data sets provide direct evidence for a spatially flat universe with Ωtot = Ωm + ΩΛ = 0.94 ± 0.26 (1 σ).

Measurements of the solar neutrino flux from Super-Kamiokande's first 300 days

Abstract: The first results of the solar neutrino flux measurement from Super-Kamiokande are presented. The results shown here are obtained from data taken between 31 May 1996, and 23 June 1997. Using our measurement of recoil electrons with energies above 6.5 MeV, we infer the total flux of ${}^{8}\mathrm{B}$ solar neutrinos to be $2.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06(\mathrm{stat}{)}_{\ensuremath{-}0.07}^{+0.10}(\mathrm{syst})\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\mathrm{cm}{}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. This result is consistent with the Kamiokande measurement and is 36% of the flux predicted by the BP95 solar model. The flux is also measured in 1.5 month subsets and shown to be consistent with a constant rate.

Constraints on Cosmological Models from Hubble Space Telescope Observations of High-z Supernovae

Abstract: We have coordinated Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometry with ground-based discovery for three supernovae: Type Ia supernovae near z ≈ 0.5 (SN 1997ce, SN 1997cj) and a third event at z = 0.97 (SN 1997ck). The superb spatial resolution of HST separates each supernova from its host galaxy and leads to good precision in the light curves. We use these light curves and relations between luminosity, light-curve shape, and color calibrated from low-z samples to derive relative luminosity distances that are accurate to 10% at z ≈ 0.5 and 20% at z = 1. When the HST sample is combined with the distance to SN 1995K (z = 0.48), analyzed by the same precepts, we find that matter alone is insufficient to produce a flat universe. Specifically, for Ωm+ΩΛ = 1, Ωm is less than 1 with more than 95% confidence, and our best estimate of Ωm is -0.1±0.5 if ΩΛ = 0. Although this result is based on a very small sample whose systematics remain to be explored, it demonstrates the power of HST measurements for high-redshift supernovae.

Effects of increased solar ultraviolet radiation on terrestrial ecosystems

Abstract: Elevated solar UV-B radiation associated with stratospheric ozone reduction may exert effects on terrestrial ecosystems through actions on plants, microbes, and perhaps on some animals. At the ecosystem level, the effects are less well understood than at the molecular and organismal levels. Many of the most important, yet less predictable, consequences will be indirect effects of elevated UV-B acting through changes in the chemical composition and form of plants and through changes in the abiotic environment. These indirect effects include changes in the susceptibility of plants to attack by insects and pathogens in both agricultural and natural ecosystems; the direction of these changes can result in either a decrease or an increase in susceptibility. Other indirect effects of elevated UV-B include changes in competitive balance of plants and nutrient cycling. The direct UV-B action on plants that results in changes in form or function of plants appears to occur more often through altered gene activity rather than damage. The yield of some crop varieties can be decreased by elevated UV-B, but other varieties are not affected. Plant breeding and genetic engineering efforts should be able to cope with the potential threats to crop productivity due to elevated UV-B. For forest trees, this may be more difficult if effects of elevated UV-B accumulate over several years. All effects of elevated UV-B radiation must be considered in the context of other climate changes such as increased temperature and levels of carbon dioxide, which may alter the UV-B responses, especially for plants. The actions of elevated carbon dioxide and UV-B appear to be largely independent, but interactions occur between changes in UV-B and other factors. Other ecosystem-level consequences of elevated UV-B radiation are emerging and their magnitude and direction will not be easily predicted.

Measurements of the meson-photon transition form factors of light pseudoscalar mesons at large momentum transfer

Abstract: Using the CLEO II detector, we have measured the differential cross sections for exclusive two-photon production of light pseudoscalar mesons {pi}{sup 0}, {eta}, and {eta}{prime}. From our measurements we have obtained the form factors associated with the electromagnetic transitions {gamma}*{gamma} {yields} meson. We have measured these form factors in the momentum transfer ranges from 1.5 to 9, 20, and 30 GeV2 for {pi}{sup 0}, {eta}, and {eta}{prime}, respectively, and have made comparisons to various theoretical predictions.

The composition of the Jovian atmosphere as determined by the Galileo probe mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The Galileo probe mass spectrometer determined the composition of the Jovian atmosphere for species with masses between 2 and 150 amu from 0.5 to 21.1 bars. This paper presents the results of analysis of some of the constituents detected: H2, He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, CH4, NH3, H2O, H2S, C2 and C3 nonmethane hydrocarbons, and possibly PH3 and Cl. 4He/H2 in the Jovian atmosphere was measured to be 0.157±0.030. 13C/12C was found to be 0.0108±0.0005, and D/H and 3He/4He were measured. Ne was depleted, ≤0.13 times solar, Ar ≤1.7 solar, Kr ≤5 solar, and Xe ≤5 solar. CH4 has a constant mixing ratio of (2.1±0.4) × 10−3 (12C, 2.9 solar), where the mixing ratio is relative to H2. Upper limits to the H2O mixing ratio rose from 8 × 10−7 at pressures <3.8 bars to (5.6±2.5) × 10−5 (16O, 0.033±0.015 solar) at 11.7 bars and, provisionally, about an order of magnitude larger at 18.7 bars. The mixing ratio of H2S was <10−6 at pressures less than 3.8 bars but rose from about 0.7 × 10−5 at 8.7 bars to about 7.7 × 10−5 (32S, 2.5 solar) above 15 bars. Only very large upper limits to the NH3 mixing ratio have been set at present. If PH3 and Cl were present, their mixing ratios also increased with pressure. Species were detected at mass peaks appropriate for C2 and C3 hydrocarbons. It is not yet clear which of these were atmospheric constituents and which were instrumentally generated. These measurements imply (1) fractionation of 4He, (2) a local, altitude-dependent depletion of condensables, probably because the probe entered the descending arm of a circulation cell, (3) that icy planetesimals made significant contributions to the volatile inventory, and (4) a moderate decrease in D/H but no detectable change in (D + 3He)/H in this part of the galaxy during the past 4.6 Gyr.

The Impact of Computer-Tailored Feedback and Iterative Feedback on Fat, Fruit, and Vegetable Intake:

Abstract: A randomized trial was conducted to study the impact of individualized computer-generated nutrition information and additional effects of iterative feedback on changes in intake of fat, fruits, and vegetables. Respondents in the experimental group received computer-generated feedback letters tailored to their dietary intake, intentions, attitudes, self-efficacy expectations, and self-rated behavior. After the first feedback letter, half of the experimental group received additional iterative feedback tailored to changes in behavior and intentions. The control group received a single general nutrition information letter in a format similar to the tailored letters. Computer-tailored feedback had a significantly greater impact on fat reduction and fruit and vegetable intake than did general information. Iterative computer-tailored feedback had an additional impact on fat intake. The results confirm that computer-generated individualized feedback can be effective in inducing recommended dietary changes and that iterative feedback can increase the longer term impact of computer-tailored nutrition education on fat reduction.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR) treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract: Despite the clinical and social impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are few controlled studies investigating its treatment. In this investigation, the effectiveness of two psychotherapeutic interventions for PTSD were compared using a randomized controlled outcome group design. Thirty five combat veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD were treated with either (a) 12 sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, EMDR (n = 10), (b) 12 sessions of biofeedback-assisted relaxation (n = 13), or (c) routine clinical care, serving as a control (n = 12). Compared with the other conditions, significant treatment effects in the EMDR condition were obtained at posttreatment on a number of self-report, psychometric, and standardized interview measures. Relative to the other treatment group, these effects were generally maintained at 3-month follow-up. Psychophysiological measures reflected an apparent habituation effect from pretreatment to posttreatment but were not differentially affected by treatment condition.

Quantitative analysis of trace element abundances in glasses and minerals: a comparison of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, solution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, proton microprobe and electron microprobe data

Abstract: Many geological, environmental and industrial applications can be enhanced through integrated microbeam and bulk geochemical determinations of major and trace element concentrations. Advantages ofin situ microanalysis include minimal sample preparation, low blanks, information about the spatial distribution of compositional characteristics and the ability to avoid microscopic inclusions of foreign material. In this paper we compare trace element data obtained by laser ablation ICP-MS, solution ICP-MS, electron microprobe analysis and proton microprobe analysis for a variety of silicate glasses and minerals. New determinations for 36 trace elements in BCR-2G, a microbeam glass standard, are presented. Results obtained by the various microbeam and solution methods agree well for concentrations ranging over several orders of magnitude. Replicate analyses of BCR-2G demonstrate an analytical precision of 2–8% relative (1σ) for all elements by laser ablation ICP-MS and ≤3% by solution ICP-MS, except for Li (5%). These data emphasize the utility of laser ablation ICP-MS as a quantitative microbeam technique capable of rapid, precise determinations of sub-ppm trace element abundances in a variety of targets.

High-efficiency photoelectrochemical hydrogen production using multijunction amorphous silicon photoelectrodes

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies as high as 7.8% (based on the lower heating value of hydrogen) have been demonstrated in outdoor testing using a photocathode fabricated from triple junction amorphous silicon-solar cells and a separate catalytic anode. The tests were conducted in a specially designed Teflon-sealed reactor in 1 N KOH with a photoactive area of 0.27 cm2 and anode and cathode areas of 1 cm2. The hydrogen production rates, inferred from direct measurement of the anodic/cathodic currents and confirmed by independent volumetric and gas chromatographic measurements of the evolved hydrogen, were in excellent agreement with the rates expected from the measured solid-state JV behavior of the solar cell and the overpotentials of the thin-film catalysts. The thin-film catalysts, CoMo hydrogen catalysts deposited by sputtering from a compound target and NiFeyOx oxygen catalysts deposited from nickel−iron Permalloy target by reactive sputtering, have, in separate tests, sh...

Seasonal and Interannual Variability of Atmospheric Heat Sources and Moisture Sinks as Determined from NCEP–NCAR Reanalysis

Abstract: Using the National Centers for Environmental Predictions (NCEP)–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reanalysis, distributions of the heat source Q1 and moisture sink Q2 between 50°N and 50°S are determined for a 15-yr period from 1980 to 1994. Heating mechanisms operating in various parts of the world are examined by comparing the horizontal distributions of the vertically integrated heat source 〈Q1〉 with those of the vertically integrated moisture sink 〈Q2〉 and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) flux and by comparing the vertical distributions of Q1 with those of Q2. In northern winter, the major heat sources are located (i) in a broad zone connecting the tropical Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and the South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ); (ii) over the Congo and Amazon Basins; and (iii) off the east coasts of Asia and North America. In northern summer, the major heat sources are over (i) the Bay of Bengal coast, (ii) the western tropical Pacific, and (iii) Central America. Throughout the ...

Steam explosion of sugarcane bagasse as a pretreatment for conversion to ethanol

Abstract: The State of Hawaii is interested in converting the large volume of agricultural residues, principally sugarcane bagasse, that is generated in the state into transportation fuels. One of the technologies that is currently being evaluated is steam explosion as a pretreatment for conversion of the bagasse into ethanol. In order to identify the optimum conditions of the steam explosion cycle, a range of operating temperatures (188–243°C) and residence times (0.5–44 min) were used to pretreat bagasse in a 10 l batch reactor. The analytical results were also used to evaluate the “reaction ordinate” concept. The exploded bagasse samples were examined as to total mass recovery, weight loss by water extraction, composition of water extracts, total sugar recovery, and conversion of the polysaccharide of the exploded biomass to monosaccharide by a cellulosic enzyme mixture. Steam explosion followed by enzymatic saccharification was found to be an effective pretreatment for converting biomass into monosaccharides. However, the total sugar recovery, and thus the ethanol “potential”, of the process was relatively insensitive to changes in reaction conditions due to the trade-off between xylose recovery and glucose recovery. Furthermore, it was found that the reaction ordinate concept was not universally valid for the variety of sample characteristics examined in this study.

Children's support for elderly parents in urban and rural China: Results from a national survey

Abstract: This study examines the factors that determine adult children's financial support for elderly parents, using data from the China Survey on Support Systems for the Elderly conducted in 1992. The findings support the hypotheses of need-based transfers. In both urban and rural areas, children's financial transfers to their elderly parents are based on the parents' need, and familial support compensates for inequalities in elderly persons' access to public resources. The data also suggest that elderly support is an outcome of short- and long-term arrangements between generations. Elderly Chinese, especially those in urban areas, have short-term exchanges with their adult children, providing housing or other services and receiving financial support in return. Also, adult children's support for elderly parents may be a repayment of parental investment made in them earlier.

Timing of Investment and International Expansion Performance in China

Abstract: This study examines the multivariate and univariate performance effects of timing of FDI in an emerging economy at the business unit level. A longitudinal analysis of industry-wide, firm-specific data on FDI timing and foreign venture performance in China reveals that timing has a significant influence on overall, as well as on individual, aspects of venture performance. It is observed that early entrants outperform late movers in terms of local market expansion and asset turnover, whereas late movers are superior to early entrants with regard to risk reduction and accounting return during the initial period of international expansion. Factor analysis confirms that the importance of timing in affecting FDI decisions is as significant as that of internalization, ownership, or location factors.

Spatial patterns in phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing in the Arabian Sea during monsoon forcing

Abstract: Spatial patterns in the rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing were investigated in the Arabian Sea during the Southwest Monsoon (August–September) and early Northeast Monsoon (December) seasons in 1995 using the seawater dilution technique. Nutrient-enhanced growth rates ( μ n ) averaged 1.2 d -1 in the upper euphotic zone for both cruises and were similar between higher and lower nutrient stations, the former (>1.0 μM NO 3 ) being characteristic of the upwelling-influenced western coastal portion of the study region and the latter ( 3 ) being typical of the central basin. Growth rates without added nutrients ( μ 0 ) were also comparable between cruises but strongly related to ambient nutrient conditions, averaging 1.1 d -1 (91% of μ n ) at the higher nutrient stations and 0.5 d -1 (44% of μ n ) at the lower nutrient stations. The rate estimates for phytoplankton losses to microzooplankton grazing ( m ) averaged 0.6 d -1 for the upper euphotic zone and did not vary systematically between low- and high- nutrient stations. As a consequence, μ 0 and m were largely in balance for the more oligotrophic stations, while the eutrophic stations showed a growth differential over grazing of about 0.6 d -1 . These experimental results are consistent with observed differences in community structure, namely the dominance of picoplankton in oligotrophic offshore regions and the increased importance of the large diatom-mesozooplankton grazing pathway in the richer coastal areas. Overall, the spatial patterns, if not magnitudes, of the community responses to Southwest and Northeast Monsoon forcing were remarkably similar in this study, allowing for a relatively simple interpretation of the influence of enhanced nutrient supply on the rates and fates of phytoplankton production.

Oxalate Exudation by Taro in Response to Al

Abstract: Roots of taro (Colocasia esculenta [L.] Schott cvs Bun-long and Lehua maoli) exuded increasing concentrations of oxalate with increasing Al stress. This exudation was a specific response to excess Al and not to P deficiency. Addition of oxalate to Al-containing solutions ameliorated the toxic effect of Al.

The Role of Culture Theory in Cross-Cultural Training A Multimethod Study of Culture-Specific, Culture-General, and Culture Theory-Based Assimilators

Abstract: In a multimethod evaluation of cross-cultural training tools, a theory-based individualism and collectivism assimilator (ICA), compared to a culture-specific assimilator for Japan, a culture-general assimilator for sensitizing people to cultural differences, and a control group, was found to have significant effects on a number of criterion measures, such as the Intercultural Sensitivity Inventory, the Category Width Scale, attribution making, and satisfaction with the training. The findings show promise for theory-based culture assimilators.

Competitive Dominance among Strains of Luminous Bacteria Provides an Unusual Form of Evidence for Parallel Evolution in Sepiolid Squid-Vibrio Symbioses

Abstract: One of the principal assumptions in symbiosis research is that associated partners have evolved in parallel. We report here experimental evidence for parallel speciation patterns among several partners of the sepiolid squid-luminous bacterial symbioses. Molecular phylogenies for 14 species of host squids were derived from sequences of both the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I; the glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase locus was sequenced for phylogenetic determinations of 7 strains of bacterial symbionts. Comparisons of trees constructed for each of the three loci revealed a parallel phylogeny between the sepiolids and their respective symbionts. Because both the squids and their bacterial partners can be easily cultured independently in the laboratory, we were able to couple these phylogenetic analyses with experiments to examine the ability of the different symbiont strains to compete with each other during the colonization of one of the host species. Our results not only indicate a pronounced dominance of native symbiont strains over nonnative strains, but also reveal a hierarchy of symbiont competency that reflects the phylogenetic relationships of the partners. For the first time, molecular systematics has been coupled with experimental colonization assays to provide evidence for the existence of parallel speciation among a set of animal-bacterial associations.

A Search for Endogenous Amino Acids in Martian Meteorite ALH84001

Abstract: Trace amounts of glycine, serine, and alanine were detected in the carbonate component of the martian meteorite ALH84001 by high-performance liquid chromatography. The detected amino acids were not uniformly distributed in the carbonate component and ranged in concentration from 0.1 to 7 parts per million. Although the detected alanine consists primarily of the L enantiomer, low concentrations (<0.1 parts per million) of endogenous D-alanine may be present in the ALH84001 carbonates. The amino acids present in this sample of ALH84001 appear to be terrestrial in origin and similar to those in Allan Hills ice, although the possibility cannot be ruled out that minute amounts of some amino acids such as D-alanine are preserved in the meteorite.

Betel: Consumption and consequences☆☆☆★★★

Abstract: Betel is a compound of natural substances chewed for its psychostimulating effects. Betel is composed of the nut of the areca palm (Areca catechu), the leaf of the betel pepper (Piper betle), and lime (calcium hydroxide). Approximately 200 million persons chew betel regularly throughout the western Pacific basin and south Asia. Only three drugs (nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine) are consumed more widely than betel. When betel is chewed, it produces mild psychoactive and cholinergic effects. There is copious production of a blood-red saliva that can stain oral structures. After years of chewing, the teeth may become red-brown to nearly black. Betel use is associated with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Use of betel is discouraged in Western countries because of its alleged carcinogenic and perceived dysesthetic properties; nevertheless, betel is widely available in the West.

Height as a Marker of Childhood Development and Late-life Cognitive Function: The Honolulu–Asia Aging Study

Abstract: Objective. Growing evidence suggests that structural and functional brain reserves, thought to develop in childhood and adolescence, may be crucial in determining when cognitive impairment begins. The purpose of this report is to examine the relationship of height, as a marker of childhood development, to late-life cognitive function in a sample of elderly Japanese-American men. Method. Cognitive performance was assessed from 1991 to 1993 in the Honolulu–Asia Aging Study in 3733 men aged 71 to 93 years and related to height that was measured 25 years earlier. Results. Among the study sample, shorter men were older, leaner, and less educated than taller men. Shorter men also spent more years of their childhood living in Japan and were more likely to have had fathers in unskilled professions. After adjustment for age, the prevalence of poor cognitive performance declined consistently with increasing height from 25% in men shorter than 154 cm (61 in) to 9% in those taller than 174 cm (69 in). Excluding men with stroke or dementia did not alter the association between height and cognitive performance. Apolipoprotein E4 was unrelated to height and did not effect the association between height and cognitive function. The prevalence of Alzheimer9s disease was higher in men who were 154 cm (61 in) or shorter as compared with men who were taller (4.7% vs 2.9%, respectively). There was no association between height and vascular dementia. Conclusion. Efforts to improve prenatal and early life conditions to maximize growth in childhood and adolescence could diminish or delay the expression of cognitive impairments that occur later in life. Prevention of some late-life cognitive impairments may have pediatric origins.