• Title/Summary/Keyword: key factor

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Selection of Flavonoids Inhibiting Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor- a in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells (종양괴사인자에 의하여 유도된 혈관내피세포의 Cell Adhesion Molecules 발현을 억제시키는 플라보노이드 선별)

  • 최정숙;최연정;박성희;이용진;강영희
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.31 no.6
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    • pp.1134-1141
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    • 2002
  • Adhesion of leukocytes to the activated vascular endothelium and their subsequent recruitment/migration into the artery wall are key features in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and inflammatory diseases. These features have been mediated by cell adhesion molecules including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and in tracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). This study examined whether flavonoids inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-$\alpha$-induced monocyte adhesion via a modulation of the protein expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF-$\alpha$ markedly increased the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to endothelial cells and induced the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin proteins in HUVECs. Micromolar concentrations of the flavones luteolin and apigenin and the flavonol quercetin near completely blocked the monocyte adhesion to the activated endothelial cells and the induction of these adhesion molecules. However, equimicromolar catechins of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and (+)catechin, the flavonol myr- icetin and the flavanones of naringin and hesperidin had no effect on TNF-$\alpha$-activated monocyte adhesion. (-)Epigallocatechin gallate, (+) catechin, and naringin did not attenuate the TNF-$\alpha$ induction of these adhesion molecules. Furthermore, culture with luteolin and apigenin strongly blocked the expression of TNF-$\alpha$-induced VCAM-1 mRNA and modestly attenuated ICAM-1 mRNA. Quercetin modestly decreased the TNF-$\alpha$-activated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNAs. These results demonstrate that flavonoids classified as flavones and flavonols may inhibit monocyte adhesion to the TNF-$\alpha$-activated endothelium, most likely due to a blockade of expression of functional adhesion molecules down-regulated at the transcriptional level, indicating a definite linkage between the chemical structure of flavonoids and the expression of cell adhesion molecules. Furthermore, the antiathero-genic feature of flavonoids appears to be independent of their antioxidant activity.

Anti-Obesity Effect and Fermentation Characteristics of American Preferred Kimchi Added to Garcinia Cambogia Extracts (Hydroxy Citric Acid) (가르시니아 캄보지아 추출물(Hydroxy Citric Acid) 첨가 미국인 선호 김치의 발효특성 및 항비만 효과)

  • Yang, Yu-Jin;Ahn, In-Sook;Han, Ji-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.34 no.6
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    • pp.776-783
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    • 2005
  • To develop functional kimchi which had anti-obesity effect, garcinia cambogia extract containing $51.46\%$ hydroxy citric acid (HCA) was used as a sub-ingredient of American preferred kimchi (APK). The APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts of 0.5$\%,\;1.0\%,\;1.5\%\;and\;2.0\%$ were prepared, and fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity effect of those kimchi were investigated. The pH of APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts (APKH) was low as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased at initial stage of fermentation but the pH of those kimchi showed similar values after optimum ripened stage. The number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. were small as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased while the period was delayed that the number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. attained to maximum. In Hunter's color values of APKH, lightness and redness decreased as the amount of garcinia cambogia extracts increased while yellowness increased. Sensory scores in overall acceptance, taste and texture of APKH evaluated by Americans as sensory panels were similar until the addition amount of garcinia cambogia extract was $1.5\%$, therefore the garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$ was determined as tile amount adding to APK. The secretions of glycerol and leptin as a key signalling factor for anti-obesity effect were examined in APK and APKH added to garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$. There were no significant differences in the glycerol secretion when adipocytes were treated with APK and APKH extracts. However, leptin secretion in the adipocytes treated with APKH extract was significantly decreased compared to that of control (p<0.05).

Comparison of longitudinal treatment effects with facemask and chincup therapy followed by fixed orthodontic treatment on Class III malocclusion (상악전방견인장치와 이모장치 및 고정식 교정장치 치료를 받은 III급 부정교합 환자의 치료효과에 대한 종단적 비교)

  • Lee, Nam-Ki;Baek, Seung-Hak
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.39 no.6
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    • pp.362-371
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    • 2009
  • Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the longitudinal treatment effects of facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (FM/RME) and chincup (CC) therapy followed by fixed orthodontic treatment (FOT) in Class III malocclusion (CIII) patients. Methods: The samples consisted of twenty-one CIII patients who had similar skeletal and dental characteristics before FM/RME or CC therapy and good retention results (Class I molar/canine relationship and positive overbite/overjet) after FOT (Group 1, FM/RME, n = 11; Group 2, CC, n = 10). Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0) and after FM/RME or CC therapy (T1), and after FOT and retention (T2). Skeletal and dental variables were measured. Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: During T0-T1, FM/RME therapy induced forward movement of point A, and labioversion of the upper incisors. Both groups showed posterior repositioning of the mandible. FM/RME resulted in increase of the vertical dimension; however, CC caused an increase in articular angle and decrease in gonial angle. During T1-T2, both groups exhibited forward growth of point A. Group 1 showed forward growth and counterclockwise rotation of the mandible and increase of IMPA; however, Group 2, showed increase of ANS-Me/N-Me and decrease of overbite. Conclusions: The key factor for successful FM/RME and CC therapy and good retention results might be a harmonized forward growth of the maxilla that could keep pace with the growth and rotation of the mandible.

A Study on the Effect of On-Dock System in Container Terminals - Focusing on GwangYang Port - (컨테이너터미널에서 On-Dock 시스템 효과분석에 관한 연구 - 광양항을 중심으로 -)

  • Cha, Sang-Hyun;Noh, Chang-Kyun
    • Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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    • v.39 no.1
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    • pp.45-53
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    • 2015
  • These days Container Terminals are focusing on increasing the quantity of containers and shipping lines choose Terminals by referring to the key elements of a terminal to perform the overall operation the fastest such as the location of the terminal, discharging ability, keeping environment, and other elements related to shipping in general. Container terminal is able to offer On-Dock service has become an important factor for shipping lines to choose that terminal. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for On-Dock system work algorithm, the algorithm Empty container exports, Full Container algorithm and The aim of our study focus on both container's gate out time and search for the effective terminal operation which is using the general On-Dock system through several algorithm like container batch priority, gate in and out job priority and empty container yard equipment allocation rule based on the automatic allocation method and manual allocation scheme for container. Gathering these information, it gives the priority and yard location of gate-out containers to control. That is, by selecting an optimum algorithm container, container terminals Empty reduces the container taken out time, it is possible to minimize unnecessary re-handling of the yard container can be enhanced with respect to the efficiency of the equipment. Operations and operating results of the Non On-Dock and On-Dock system is operated by the out work operations (scenarios) forms that are operating in the real Gwangyang Container Terminal derived results. Gwangyang Container terminal and apply the On-Dock system, Non On-Dock can be taken out this time, about 5 minutes more quickly when applying the system. when managing export orders for berths where On-Dock service is needed, ball containers are allocated and for import cargoes, D/O is managed and after carryout, return management, container damage, cleaning, fixing and controlling services are supported hence the berth service can be strengthened and container terminal business can grow.

The Contribution of Innovation Activity to the Output Growth of Emerging Economies: The Case of Kazakhstan

  • Smagulova, Sholpan;Mukasheva, Saltanat
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.10 no.7
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    • pp.33-41
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    • 2012
  • The purpose of this study is to analyse the state of the energy industry and to determine the efficiency of its functioning on the basis of energy conservation principle and application of innovative technologies aimed at improving the ecological modernisation of agricultural sectors of Kazakhstan. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach of financial and economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the investment project, based on calculation of elasticity, total costs and profitability, as well as on comparative, graphical and system analysis. The current stage is characterised by widely spread restructuring processes of electric power industry in many countries through introduction of new technical installations of energy facilities and increased government regulation in order to enhance the competitive advantage of electricity market. Electric power industry features a considerable value of creating areas. For example, by providing scientific and technical progress, it crucially affects not only the development but also the territorial organisation of productive forces, first of all the industry. In modern life, more than 90% of electricity and heat is obtained by Kazakhstan's economy by consuming non-renewable energy resources: different types of coal, oil shale, oil, natural gas and peat. Therefore, it is significant to ensure energy security, as the country faces a rapid fall back to mono-gas structure of fuel and energy balance. However, energy resources in Kazakhstan are spread very unevenly. Its main supplies are concentrated in northern and central parts of the republic, and the majority of consumers of electrical power live in the southern and western areas of the country. However, energy plays an important role in the economy of industrial production and to a large extent determines the level of competitive advantage, which is a promising condition for implementation of energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. In these circumstances, issues of modernisation and reforms of this sector in Kazakhstan gain more and more importance, which can be seen in the example of economically sustainable solutions of a large local monopoly company, significant savings in capital investment and efficiency of implementation of an investment project. A major disadvantage of development of electricity distribution companies is the prevalence of very high moral and physical amortisation of equipment, reaching almost 70-80%, which significantly increases the operating costs. For example, while an investment of 12 billion tenge was planned in 2009 in this branch, in 2012 it is planned to invest more than 17 billion. Obviously, despite the absolute increase, the rate of investment is still quite low, as the total demand in this area is at least more than 250 billion tenge. In addition, industrial infrastructure, including the objects of Kazakhstan electric power industry, have a tangible adverse impact on the environment. Thus, since there is a large number of various power projects that are sources of electromagnetic radiation, the environment is deteriorated. Hence, there is a need to optimise the efficiency of the organisation and management of production activities of energy companies, to create and implement new technologies, to ensure safe production and provide solutions to various environmental aspects. These are key strategic factors to ensure success of the modern energy sector of Kazakhstan. The contribution of authors in developing the scope of this subject is explained by the fact that there was not enough research in the energy sector, especially in the view of ecological modernisation. This work differs from similar works in Kazakhstan in the way that the proposed method of investment project calculation takes into account the time factor, which compares the current and future value of profit from the implementation of innovative equipment that helps to bring it to actual practise. The feasibility of writing this article lies in the need of forming a public policy in the industrial sector, including optimising the structure of energy disbursing rate, which complies with the terms of future modernised development of the domestic energy sector.

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Predicting the Nutritional Value of Seafood Proteins as Measured by Newer In Vitro Model 2. C-PER and DC-PER of Marine Crustacea (수산식품 단백질 품질평가를 위한 새로운 모델 설정 2. 해산 갑각류의 C-PER 및 DC-PER)

  • RYU Hong-Soo;LEE Keun-Woo
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.219-226
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    • 1986
  • To confirm the application of a newer in vitro assays to determining the nutritional value of marine crustaceans (mainly shrimps and crabs), which have been considered to be highly nutritive depending on their levels of the essential amino acids and digestibility, their C-PERs and DC-PERs were determined and studied the factors influencing their in vitro results. Four species of seawater shrimps and 2 species of seawater crabs were used in this experiment. The in vitro digestibilities showed $83{\sim}86\%$ for raw shrimps and the trypsin indigestibile substrate content (TIS) was ranged from 1.32 to 3.33 mg/g solid expressed quantitatively as mg of purified soybean trypsin inhibitor. The smaller size of shrimps revealed a greater in vitro digestibility and a lower contents of TIS. It was noted that the in vitro digestibility of raw blue crab meat was around $85\%$ while boiled tenner crab meat showed $86\%$ or above, and the leg meat had the greatest in vitro digestibility in the various parts of crab meats. The poor in vitro digestibilities for shrimp's and crab's meat, compared with that of the other seafoods as noted in previous reports, suggest that the drop in pH, due to the change in their freshness during harvesting and frozen storage, resulted in underestimating their digestibilities using four-enzyme digestion technique. The lysine contents in all samples were higher than that of ANRC casein but they contained a slightly lower sulfur-containing amino acids than those in ANRC casein. But the other EAA, such as valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, were found to be a half as little as that in casein and played a key-factor in calculation of C-PER or DC-PER. It was observed that the value of C-PER and DC-PER for all samples ranged from 2.1 to 2.4, and the predicted digestibilities showed $90\%$ or above in all samples. It was a different results from the fact that the animal proteins bear a higher values and predicted digestibilities than those of C-PER values. The lack of correlation between C-PER and DC-PER values is attributable to the fact that the lower content of valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, and drop in pH owing to the changes of freshness in marine crustacea proteins. Therefore, if a newer in vitro digestion technique-which are taken into account the pH drop before digestion, TIS content and released free amino acids and/or peptides-developed, C-PER assays can provide more advantages in assessing the protein nutritional value of marine crustacea than any other in vitro assays.

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A Comparison of Discriminating Powers Between 14 Microsatellite markers and 60 SNP Markers Applicable to the Cattle Identification Test (소 동일성 검사에 적용 가능한 14 Microsatellite marker와 60 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism marker 간의 판별 효율성 비교)

  • Lim, Hyun-Tae;Seo, Bo-Yeong;Jung, Eun-Ji;Yoo, Chae-Kyoung;Yoon, Du-Hak;Jeon, Jin-Tae
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.51 no.5
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    • pp.353-360
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    • 2009
  • When 14 microsatellite (MS) markers were applied in the identifying test for 480 Hanwoo, the discriminating power was estimated as $3.43{\times}10^{-27}$ based on the assumption of a random mating group (PI). This rate is 1,000 times higher than that of 60 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. On the other hand, the power of the 60 SNP markers was estimated as $4.69{\times}10^{-20}$ and $8.02{\times}10^{-12}$ on the assumption of a half-sib mating group ($PI_{half-sibs}$) and a full-sib mating group ($PI_{sibs}$), respectively. These powers were 10 times and 10,000 times higher than those of the 14 MS markers. The results indicated that the total number of alleles (MS vs SNP = 146 vs 120) acted as a key factor for the discriminating power in a random mating population, and the total number of markers (MS vs SNP = 14 vs 60) was a dominant influence on the power in half-sib and full-sib populations. In the Hanwoo population, in which it was assumed that the entire population is the enormous half-sib group formed by the absolute genetic contribution of a few nuclear bulls, there will be only a 10 times difference in the discriminating power between the 14 MS markers and the 60 SNP makers. However, the probability of not excluding a candidate parent pair from the parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given that only the genotype of the offspring ($PNE_{pp}$) was 1,000 times higher as shown by the 14 MS markers than that by the 60 SNP markers. The strong points of SNP makers are the stability of the variation (low mutation rate) and automation of high-throughput genotyping. In order to apply these merits for the practical and constant Hanwoo identity test, research and development are required to set a cost-effective platform and produce a homemade apparatus for SNP genotyping.

Reflecting Academic Symposia as a Trend at Animation Festivals, Media Art Festivals and Conferences on Computer Animation (학술회 반영 경향의 애니메이션 페스티벌과 미디어 아트 페스티벌 그리고 컴퓨터 애니메이션 학회)

  • Hagler, Juergen;Bruckner, Franziska
    • Cartoon and Animation Studies
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    • s.49
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    • pp.611-631
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    • 2017
  • At first there was practice, then festivals and theory followed. Compared to the animation production, which is older then the medium film itself, festivals and theory in this area started with a delay. While animation programs where shown in film festivals like Cannes since the mid 1940s, the first animation festival in Annecy, France was founded in 1960, followed by several short-lived events in Romania, Italy and Tokyo and finally in 1972 by the second oldest festival up to date, Animafest Zagreb. Animation theory evolved in the late 1980s in the Anglo-American area with associations like the Society for Animation Studies, following its 'big sister' film studies. Expanding ever since as a research area, European animation studies in e.g. France, German speaking countries, Poland or Croatia have been catching up in recent years by organizing theoretical conferences and publications. A vivid synergy between practice, festivals and theory has always been a key factor for establishing a platform for the art form and culture of animation. However, in the past few years a trend could be observed towards a more intense interaction between animation festivals and theory. Animation festivals are hosting theoretical and scientific symposia or conferences, which are open for artist positions and insights into the industry. At the beginning of the lecture a short reflection of the concept of Animafest Scanner itself is followed by an introduction of the Symposium Expanded Animation at the media festival Ars Electronica Linz. The talk will subsequently focus on the multilayered academic symposia at the Festival of Animated Film ITFS and the International Conference on Animation, Effects, VR, Games and Transmedia in Stuttgart. These case studies will reveal the blurring boundaries between art, science, theory and industry as well as the specificities of the interplay between artists, practitioners, scholars, curators and festival visitors in different formats.

The Effect of Information Service Quality on Customer Loyalty: A Customer Relationship Management Perspective (정보서비스품질이 고객로열티에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구: 고객관계관리 관점)

  • Kim, Hyung-Su;Gim, Seung-Ha;Kim, Young-Gul
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.1-23
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    • 2008
  • As managing customer relationship gets more important, companies are strengthening information service using multi-channels to their customers as a part of their customer relationship management (CRM) initiatives. It means companies are now accepting such information services not as simple information -delivering tools, but as strategic initiatives for acquiring and maintaining customer loyalty. In this paper, we attempt to validate whether or not such various information services would impact on organizational performance in terms of CRM strategy. More specifically, our research objective is to answer the next three questions: first, how to construct the instruments to measure not information quality but information service quality?; second, which attributes of information service quality can influence corporate image and customer loyalty?; finally, does each information service type have unique characteristics compared with others in terms of influencing corporate image and customer loyalty? With respect to providing answers to those questions, the previous studies had been limited in that those studies failed to consider the variety of types of information service or restricted the quality of information service to information quality. An appropriate research model answering the above questions should consider the fact that most companies are utilizing multi channels for their information services, and include the recent strategic information service such as customer online community. Moreover, since corporate information service could be regarded as a type of products or services delivered to customer, it is necessary to adopt the criteria for assessing customer's perceived value when to measure the quality of information service. Therefore, considering both multi-channels and multi-traits may enable us to tell the detailed causal routes showing which quality attributes of which information service would affect corporate image and customer loyalty. As information service channels, we include not only homepage and DM (direct mail), which are the most frequently applied information service channels, but also online community, which is getting more strategic importance in recent years. With respect to information service quality, we abstract information quality, convenience of information service, and timeliness of information service through a wide range of relevant literature reviews. As our dependant variables, we consider corporate image and customer loyalty that both of them are the critical determinants of organizational performance, and also attempt to grasp the relationship between the two constructs. We conducted a huge online survey at the homepage of one of representative dairy companies in Korea, and gathered 367 valid samples from 407 customers. The reliability and validity of our measurements were tested by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and principal factor analysis respectively, and seven hypotheses were tested through performing correlation test and multiple regression analysis. The results from data analysis demonstrated that timeliness and convenience of homepage have positive effects on both corporate image and customer loyalty. In terms of DM, its' information quality was represented to influence both corporate image and customer loyalty, but we found its' convenience have a positive effect only on corporate image. With respect to online community, we found its timeliness contribute significantly both to corporate image and customer loyalty. Finally, as we expected, corporate image was revealed to provide a great influence to customer loyalty. This paper provides several academic and practical implications. Firstly, we think our research reinforces CRM literatures by developing the instruments for measuring information service quality. The previous relevant studies have mainly depended on the measurements of information quality or service quality which were developed independently. Secondly, the fact that we conducted our research in a real situation may enable academics and practitioners to understand the effects of information services more clearly. Finally, since our study involved three different types of information service which are most frequently applied in recent years, the results from our study might provide operational guidelines to the companies that are delivering their customers information by multi-channel. In other words, since we found that, in terms of customer loyalty, the key areas would be different from each other according to the types of information services, our analysis would help to make decisions such as selecting strengthening points or allocating resources by information service channels.

Evaluation of Endothelium-dependent Myocardial Perfusion Reserve in Healthy Smokers; Cold Pressor Test using $H_2^{15}O\;PET$ (흡연자에서 관상동맥 내피세포 의존성 심근 혈류 예비능: $H_2^{15}O\;PET$ 찬물자극 검사에 의한 평가)

  • Hwang, Kyung-Hoon;Lee, Dong-Soo;Lee, Byeong-Il;Lee, Jae-Sung;Lee, Ho-Young;Chung, June-Key;Lee, Myung-Chul
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.21-29
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    • 2004
  • Purpose: Much evidence suggests long-term cigarette smoking alters coronary vascular endothelial response. On this study, we applied nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), an unsupervised learning algorithm, to CO-less $H_2^{15}O-PET$ to investigate coronary endothelial dysfunction caused by smoking noninvasively. Materials and methods: This study enrolled eighteen young male volunteers consisting of 9 smokers $(23.8{\pm}1.1\;yr;\;6.5{\pm}2.5$ pack-years) and 9 nonsmokers $(23.8{\pm}2.9 yr)$. They do not have any cardiovascular risk factor or disease history. Myocardial $H_2^{15}O-PET$ was performed at rest, during cold ($5^{\circ}C$) pressor stimulation and during adenosine infusion. Left ventricular blood pool and myocardium were segmented on dynamic PET data by NMF method. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was calculated from input and tissue functions by a single compartmental model with correction of partial volume and spillover effects. Results: There were no significant difference in resting MBF between the two groups (Smokers: 1.43 0.41 ml/g/min and non-smokers: $1.37{\pm}0.41$ ml/g/min p=NS). during cold pressor stimulation, MBF in smokers was significantly lower than 4hat in non-smokers ($1.25{\pm}0.34$ ml/g/min vs $1.59{\pm}0.29$ ml/gmin; p=0.019). The difference in the ratio of cold pressor MBF to resting MBF between the two groups was also significant (p=0.024; $90{\pm}24%$ in smokers and $122{\pm}28%$ in non-smokers.). During adenosine infusion, however, hyperemic MBF did not differ significantly between smokers and non-smokers ($5.81{\pm}1.99$ ml/g/min vs $5.11{\pm}1.31$ ml/g/min ; p=NS). Conclusion: in smokers, MBF during cold pressor stimulation was significantly lower compared wi4h nonsmokers, reflecting smoking-Induced endothelial dysfunction. However, there was no significant difference in MBF during adenosine-induced hyperemia between the two groups.