Epidemiological studies in Japan, including the Nakajima study and the Tsurugaya study, have indicated that green tea consumption may improve cognitive impairment. Catechins, which are typical polyphenols contained in green tea, have been reported to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, their impact on human cognitive function remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled study to investigate the effect of 336.4 mg of decaffeinated green tea catechins (GTC) on cognitive function after a single dose and after 12 weeks of daily intake. This study included Japanese adults between the ages of 50 and 69 years with a Mini-Mental State Examination Japanese version score of >24 and self-assessed cognitive decline. The Cognitrax testing battery was used to evaluate cognitive function. The incorrect response rate on the Continuous Performance Test significantly decreased after a single dose of GTC. After 12 weeks of daily GTC intake, the response time for Part 4 of the 4-part Continuous Performance Test, which is a two-back test, was shortened. These results suggest that daily intake of GTC might have beneficial effects on working memory.

Matcha, a type of green tea, has a higher amino acid content than other types of tea. We previously examined the ability of matcha to improve cognitive function in older adults and determined that continuous matcha intake improves attention and executive function. This study aimed to compare the effects of matcha and caffeine and clarify the differences between these effects. The study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000036578). The effect of single and continuous intake was compared, and the usefulness of continuous intake was evaluated under the stress condition. The Uchida–Kraepelin test (UKT) was used to induce mild acute stress, and the Cognitrax was used to evaluate cognitive function. A single dose of caffeine improved attentional function during or after stress loading. The reduced reaction time in the Cognitrax, observed following a single dose of matcha, was likely due to caffeine. The matcha group showed an increase in the amount of work after continuous intake, whereas the caffeine group only showed an increase in the amount of work for the UKT after a single dose. Ingesting matcha with caffeine improves both attention and work performance when suffering from psychological stress compared with caffeine alone.

l-theanine (c-glutamylethylamide), an amino acid in green tea, has been shown to affect brain functions by relieving stress disorders, improving mood, and maintaining normal sleep. However, the cognitive functions for which theanine is effective are unclear. This study aimed to clarify which cognitive functions are positively affected by intake of l-theanine. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted. The subjects were Japanese men and women aged 50-69 years. Mini Mental State Examination-Japanese version score was 24 or higher. Cognitrax was used as a test battery for cognitive function. Evaluations were performed before the intervention, after a single dose of l-theanine, and after 12 weeks of regular intake. The single dose of l-theanine reduced the reaction time to attention tasks (Stroop test, Part 1), and it increased the number of correct answers and decreased the number of omission errors in working memory tasks (4-Part continuous performance test, Part 4). In conclusion, our study indicated that l-theanine may contribute to improving attention, thus enhancing working memory and executive functions. Clinical Trial No.: UMIN000033812.

Heat transfer and flow visualization experiments have been made in a channel with a rectangular cylindrical section having various width-to-height ratios. Vortices were observed to shed periodically from the cylinder and then reattach to the channel wall. This reattachment of the vortices induces a periodic fluctuation in heat flux at the wall and enhances the heat transfer in the downstream region of the cylinder. The streamwise position of the maximum Nusselt number moves downstream with decreasing width-to-height ratio, b/h, of the cylinder. When b/h = 2.0, however, the heat flux periodicity disappears because the wake narrows intermittently owing to reattachment of the separated flows to the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinder. © 1998 Scripta Technica. Heat Trans Jpn Res, 27(1): [84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94] 1998

Objective: To compare the outcomes of an aquatic interval training program (AITP) and a Halliwick training program (HTP) in young children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: Seventeen children aged 3-6 years participated after randomized allocation to either an AITP or HTP. Land-based functional tests: Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the 10-meter test, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the Energy Expenditure Index (EEI), as well as an aquatic skill test (WOTA), were assessed by blinded assessors prior to and after interventions lasting four months (two weekly 30-min sessions).Results: Significant improvement with a large effect size (ES; Cohen's d >0.8) was observed in the EEI only in the AITP group. TUG performance time and WOTA scores significantly improved, with a large ES in both training groups. Conclusion:AITP appears to be more effective for increasing efficiency while walking. Participants in both training protocols similarly improved in balance and aquatic skill.