• Title/Summary/Keyword: critical duration

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Biochemical Composition of Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis Enriched with Different Commercial Enrichments (영양 강화제 종류에 따른 rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis의 생화학적 조성)

  • ;Joseph A. Brown
    • Journal of Aquaculture
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.187-196
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    • 2004
  • This study was carried out to investigate changes in biochemical composition of rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, enriched with the commercial enrichments (Enhance, Advantage, Algamac-2000, DHA-Selco and Advantage + Chlorella) at various durations of enrichment (0, 6, 12 and 24 hr) to improve the growth and survival of marine fish larvae. Total lipid content of rotifers enriched with various enrichments tended to increase with an increase in durations of enrichment up to 6 hr, but after that, was not significantly affected by enrichment materials. However, total protein content of rotifers enriched groups except for Advantage+Chlorella decreased with the increase in duration of enrichment. The highest protein/lipid ratio showed 2.7 in rotifer enriched with the Advantage +Chlorella. The phospholipid/lipid ratio of rotifer enriched with the Enhance, Advantage and Advantage+Chlorella groups was significantly higher than that of enriched rotifer with the Algamac-2000 and DHA-Selco groups. The highest DHA level, 2.5%, of rotifer enriched for 24 hr was obtained in the Advantage, but was not significantly different among other groups, except for Algamac-2000. No significant difference in DHA level of rotifer enriched with the DHA-Selco, Algamac-2000 and Advantage+Chlorella groups was observed between l2h and 24hr of enrichment. The DHA/EPA ratio in the enriched rotifers varied among enrichment material groups, ranged from a high level of 11.1:1 in the Advantage+Chlorella group to a low level of 4.1:1 in DHA-Selco group. The results from this study indicate that rotifers enriched with Enhance, Advantage and Advantage+Chlorella seemed to be effective to improve nutritional value of rotifer for marine fish larvae because phospholipid, DHAJEPA and protein/lipid ratios of rotifer enriched with Enhance, Advantage+Chlorella were higher than those of rotifer enriched with either DHA-Selco or Algamac-2000. Especially, supplementation of the Chlorella to these enrichments would appear to be effective for improvement of fish larval performance because of no reduction of protein level in rotifer, which is critical for growth of fish larvae.

The Adjuvant Effect of Subcutaneous Interferon-gamma in the Treatment of Refractory Multidrug-resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis (난치성 다제내성 폐결핵에서 피하주사 Interferon-gamma 치료의 효과: 예비연구)

  • Kim, Eun Kyung;Shim, Tae Sun;Lee, Jung Yeon;Oh, Yeon-Mok;Lim, Chae-Man;Lee, Sang Do;Koh, Younsuck;Kim, Dong Soon;Kim, Won Dong;Kim, Woo Sung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.57 no.3
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    • pp.226-233
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    • 2004
  • Background : Interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) is a critical cytokine in the defense against a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Even though IFN-${\gamma}$ has occasionally been used in the treatment of refractory multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with some promising results, there is still some controversy regarding the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}$. This study was performed to examine the effect of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ in the treatment of MDR-TB patients. Methods : Six patients with refractory MDR-TB were enrolled in this study. Two million IU of IFN-${\gamma}$ was administered subcutaneously three times a week with the concomitant administration of antituberculous drugs for at least for 28 weeks. During the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy, the sputum smear and culture, radiological and clinical evaluations were performed every 4 weeks throughout the study period. Results : The mean age of the 6 patients was 37 years (ranges, 15-61 years). The drug susceptibility test to standard antituberculous drugs revealed resistance to an average of 6.8 (${\pm}1.2$) agents including isoniazid and rifampicin. An average of 10.8 (${\pm}1.3$) antituberculous drugs were prescribed before IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. The culture became negative in 2 patients (33%) after initiating IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy; one at 8 weeks, and the other at 24 weeks. Finally, after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy after 28 weeks, the culture became positive again in the two patients who were culture-negative. The other 4 patients who failed in the culture conversion are still on antituberculous treatment except for one who died of tuberculosis. Conclusion : Even though 28 weeks of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy in combination with antituberculous drugs was successful in inducing the culture-negative conversion in some patients with refractory MDR-TB, the culture became positive again after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. This suggests that subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy may have suppressive effect on tuberculosis only during the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy period in some patients. Further studies will be needed to determine the optimum dose, the administration route, the duration of therapy, and the predicting factors of the response to adjuvant IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy.

The Clinical Characteristics According to the Risk Factors of Idiopathic Nonhemolytic Hyperbilirubinemia (신생아 특발성 비용혈성 고빌리루빈혈증의 위험 요인에 따른 임상 양상)

  • Park, Sook-Hyun;Kang, Ji-Hyun;Kwon, Soon-Hak;Kim, Heng-Mi;Kim, Yong-Sun
    • Neonatal Medicine
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.224-231
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: Hospital readmissions have recently increased due to early hospital discharge and increased trends in breast-feeding. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can lead to fatal permanent neurological sequelae without appropriate management. Early detection and intervention are critical. We evaluated the clinical features, risk factors, and brain MRI findings of Korean newborns with idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia to determine the optimal management policy. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 79 newborns with idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia was performed at the NICU of the Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2006 to September 2009. All patients were 35 or more weeks of gestation, and their peak level of serum total bilirubin was more than 20 mg/dL. Results: The mean gestational age was $38^{+3}{\pm}1^{+4}$ weeks, and the mean age on admission was 8.8$\pm$4.0 days. The mean body weight (3,105$\pm$479 g) was decreased by 2.8$\pm$6.4 percent compared to the mean birth weight (3,174$\pm$406 g). There were no statistically significant differences for the peak serum bilirubin level or the duration and effects of phototherapy between the patients with and without risk factors, which included: breastfeeding, cephalohematoma, subdural hemorrhage, and/or ABO incompatibility. Patients were grouped according to change of body weight. Group I consisted of patients that gained weight compared to birth weight, and group II of patients that lost weight compared to birth weight. There were significant differences in the peak serum total bilirubin level between the two groups. Thirty nine patients had brain MRI evaluation; 21 patients had bilateral symmetric signal intensity increases in the globus pallidus compared to adjacent corticospinal tract and putamen on T1-weighted images. Conclusion: Bilirubin encephalopathy is preventable with early screening and proper management. Parents require instruction on feeding practices and follow-up to prevent complications from idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia.

Spatio-Temporal Incidence Modeling and Prediction of the Vector-Borne Disease Using an Ecological Model and Deep Neural Network for Climate Change Adaption (기후 변화 적응을 위한 벡터매개질병의 생태 모델 및 심층 인공 신경망 기반 공간-시간적 발병 모델링 및 예측)

  • Kim, SangYoun;Nam, KiJeon;Heo, SungKu;Lee, SunJung;Choi, JiHun;Park, JunKyu;Yoo, ChangKyoo
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.58 no.2
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    • pp.197-208
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    • 2020
  • This study was carried out to analyze spatial and temporal incidence characteristics of scrub typhus and predict the future incidence of scrub typhus since the incidences of scrub typhus have been rapidly increased among vector-borne diseases. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) ecological model was implemented to predict spatial distribution and incidence rate of scrub typhus using spatial data sets on environmental and social variables. Additionally, relationships between the incidence of scrub typhus and critical spatial data were analyzed. Elevation and temperature were analyzed as dominant spatial factors which influenced the growth environment of Leptotrombidium scutellare (L. scutellare) which is the primary vector of scrub typhus. A temporal number of diseases by scrub typhus was predicted by a deep neural network (DNN). The model considered the time-lagged effect of scrub typhus. The DNN-based prediction model showed that temperature, precipitation, and humidity in summer had significant influence factors on the activity of L. scutellare and the number of diseases at fall. Moreover, the DNN-based prediction model had superior performance compared to a conventional statistical prediction model. Finally, the spatial and temporal models were used under climate change scenario. The future characteristics of scrub typhus showed that the maximum incidence rate would increase by 8%, areas of the high potential of incidence rate would increase by 9%, and disease occurrence duration would expand by 2 months. The results would contribute to the disease management and prediction for the health of residents in terms of public health.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients with Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix (자궁경부암의 방사선치료시 예후인자의 재분석)

  • Kim Jae Young;Cho Chul Koo;Shim Jae Won;Yoo Seong Yul;Kim Mi Sook;Yun Hyong Geun
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.307-315
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    • 1996
  • Purpose : The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with the carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with curative radiation therapy to evaluate the prognostic factors that would affect the results of the therapy and to get the critical ideas in determining more aggressive treatment schedule. Methods and Materials : From January 1987 to December 1988. Four hundreds and sixty patients with uterine cervical carcinomas treated with radiotherapy at KCCH were registered to this retrospective study. One hundred and three patients were treated with external radiation therapy alone, and 357 patients were treated with external radiation followed by low dose rate intracavitary radiation therapy. The follow-up rate was 88% and median follow-up duration was 48 months. Results : The overall 5 year survival rate of the patients was 67.7%, and when classified by FIGO stages, 5 year survival rates were 81.2%, 76.3%, 73.1%, 50%. 52.3%, 11.5% for stages Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IVa respectively. Tumor size(p=0.0002), endocervical growth pattern(p=0.003), lymph node invasion(p=0.0001), mean hemoglobin level(p=0.0001), and pathologic cell type(p=0.0001) were significant prognostic factors and decrease in survival for young age patient group was marginally important (p=0.03). Conclusion : Significant prognostic factors in the radiation therapy of the uterine cervical carcinoma were tumor size, growth pattern of tumor, lymph node invasion, pathologic cell type, hemoglobin level of patients during treatment and lower survival rate in young age group was obvious, too. Patients with large size tumor(${\geq)$4cm), especially combined with endocervical growth patterns or advanced stages(III or more) need more aggressive treatment to improve the outcome of treatment. And positive feature of lymph node invasion affected the result of therapy, so improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic trial is essential.

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An Analysis of the Roles of Experience in Information System Continuance (정보시스템의 지속적 사용에서 경험의 역할에 대한 분석)

  • Lee, Woong-Kyu
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.45-62
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    • 2011
  • The notion of information systems (IS) continuance has recently emerged as one of the most important research issues in the field of IS. A great deal of research has been conducted thus far on the basis of theories adapted from various disciplines including consumer behaviors and social psychology, in addition to theories regarding information technology (IT) acceptance. This previous body of knowledge provides a robust research framework that can already account for the determination of IS continuance; however, this research points to other, thus-far-unelucidated determinant factors such as habit, which were not included in traditional IT acceptance frameworks, and also re-emphasizes the importance of emotion-related constructs such as satisfaction in addition to conscious intention with rational beliefs such as usefulness. Experiences should also be considered one of the most important factors determining the characteristics of information system (IS) continuance and the features distinct from those determining IS acceptance, because more experienced users may have more opportunities for IS use, which would allow them more frequent use than would be available to less experienced or non-experienced users. Interestingly, experience has dual features that may contradictorily influence IS use. On one hand, attitudes predicated on direct experience have been shown to predict behavior better than attitudes from indirect experience or without experience; as more information is available, direct experience may render IS use a more salient behavior, and may also make IS use more accessible via memory. Therefore, experience may serve to intensify the relationship between IS use and conscious intention with evaluations, On the other hand, experience may culminate in the formation of habits: greater experience may also imply more frequent performance of the behavior, which may lead to the formation of habits, Hence, like experience, users' activation of an IS may be more dependent on habit-that is, unconscious automatic use without deliberation regarding the IS-and less dependent on conscious intentions, Furthermore, experiences can provide basic information necessary for satisfaction with the use of a specific IS, thus spurring the formation of both conscious intentions and unconscious habits, Whereas IT adoption Is a one-time decision, IS continuance may be a series of users' decisions and evaluations based on satisfaction with IS use. Moreover. habits also cannot be formed without satisfaction, even when a behavior is carried out repeatedly. Thus, experiences also play a critical role in satisfaction, as satisfaction is the consequence of direct experiences of actual behaviors. In particular, emotional experiences such as enjoyment can become as influential on IS use as are utilitarian experiences such as usefulness; this is especially true in light of the modern increase in membership-based hedonic systems - including online games, web-based social network services (SNS), blogs, and portals-all of which attempt to provide users with self-fulfilling value. Therefore, in order to understand more clearly the role of experiences in IS continuance, analysis must be conducted under a research framework that includes intentions, habits, and satisfaction, as experience may not only have duration-based moderating effects on the relationship between both intention and habit and the activation of IS use, but may also have content-based positive effects on satisfaction. This is consistent with the basic assumptions regarding the determining factors in IS continuance as suggested by Oritz de Guinea and Markus: consciousness, emotion, and habit. The principal objective of this study was to explore and assess the effects of experiences in IS continuance, with special consideration given to conscious intentions and unconscious habits, as well as satisfaction. IN service of this goal, along with a review of the relevant literature regarding the effects of experiences and habit on continuous IS use, this study suggested a research model that represents the roles of experience: its moderating role in the relationships of IS continuance with both conscious intention and unconscious habit, and its antecedent role in the development of satisfaction. For the validation of this research model. Korean university student users of 'Cyworld', one of the most influential social network services in South Korea, were surveyed, and the data were analyzed via partial least square (PLS) analysis to assess the implications of this study. In result most hypotheses in our research model were statistically supported with the exception of one. Although one hypothesis was not supported, the study's findings provide us with some important implications. First the role of experience in IS continuance differs from its role in IS acceptance. Second, the use of IS was explained by the dynamic balance between habit and intention. Third, the importance of satisfaction was confirmed from the perspective of IS continuance with experience.

The Growth Kinetics of S. aureus Inoculated onto Potentially High Risk Foods in School Foodservice Operations (학교급식에서의 잠정적 위험식품에 접종된 Staphylococcus aureus의 증식변화)

  • Choi, Jung-Hwa;Kim, Eun-Jung;Yoon, Ki-Sun;Kwak, Tong-Kyung
    • Korean journal of food and cookery science
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.335-345
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    • 2010
  • The objective of this study was to model the kinetics of S. aureus survival on high risk foods in school foodservice operations. After inoculating S. aureus ATCC25923 onto the various high risk foods, the effects of competitive microorganism, storage temperatures($25^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$), and initial contamination levels ($1.0{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$, $1.0{\times}10^5\;CFU/g$) on the growth of S. aureus were investigated. Lag time decreased and specific growth rate increased with a storage temperature ($25^{\circ}C$<$35^{\circ}C$) and with a higher initial inoculation level ($1.0{\times}10^2\;CFU/g$<$1.0{\times}10^5\;CFU/g$). Previously it was shown that S. aureus is a weaker competitor than other organisms, but it proliferates aggressively in a noncompetitive environment. However, in our study, when S. aureus was used to inoculate japchae (glass noodles with sauteed vegetables) and meat ball, the growth of S. aureus was similar and more active with competitive organisms than that without competitive organisms. Regardless of other factors, the initial level of S. aureus was a more significant factor of the growth. High inoculation levels of S. aureus were reached at 6 log CFU/g within 3 hours. An incubation temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ and the animal protein component of menu items also were identified as significant factors influencing the growth of S. aureus. Therefore, the duration of time meals are stored before serving should be considered a critical control point. Food service providers must control time and temperature to insure the safety of cooked foods.

Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease using Myocardial Perfusion SPECT in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis of Risk Factors (당뇨병 환자에서 심근관류 SPECT을 이용한 관동맥질환의 진단: 위험인자 분석)

  • Seo, Ji-Hyoung;Kang, Seong-Min;Bae, Jin-Ho;Jeong, Shin-Young;Lee, Sang-Woo;Yoo, Jeong-Soo;Ahn, Byeong-Cheol;Lee, Jae-Tae
    • Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.155-162
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical disease with higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to myocardial ischemia and infarction. There is glowing interest in how to determine high-risk patients who are candidates for screening testing. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients detected by Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) and to assess risk factors of CAD and cardiac hard events. Subjects and Methods: 203 diabetic patients (64 male, mean age $64.1{\pm}9.0$ years) who underwent MPS were included between Jan 2000 and July 2004. Cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) were considered as hard events, and coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery >60 days after testing were considered as soft events. The mean follow-up period was $36{\pm}18$ months. Patients underwent exercise (n=6) or adenosine stress (n=197) myocardial perfusion SPECT. Results: Perfusion defects on MPS were detected in 28.6% (58/203) of the patients. There was no cardiac death but 11 hard events were observed. The annual cardiac hard event rate was 1.1%. In univariate analysis of clinical factors, typical anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were significantly associated with the ocurrence of hard events. Anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, and resting ECG abnormality remained independent predictors of nonfatal MIs with multivariate analysis. Abnormal SPECT results were significantly associated with high prevalence of hard events but not independent predictors on uni- and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Patients who were male, had longer diabetes duration (especially over 20 years), peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, or resting ECG abnormality had higher incidence of CAD. Among clinical factors in diabetic patients, typical angina, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were strong predictors of hard events.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Elderly Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at a University Hospital (한 대학병원 내과계 중환자실에서 장기간 기계환기를 받은 노인 환자들의 특징 및 예후)

  • Han, Min Soo;Moon, Kyoung Min;Lee, Yang Deok;Cho, Yongseon;Na, Dong Jib
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.64 no.6
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    • pp.445-450
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    • 2008
  • Background: As the number of older-aged people increases, the number of elderly patients who receive critical care services is expected to increase substantially. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients who receive mechanical ventilation for more than 30 days in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a university hospital. Methods: We retrospectively examined forty-one elderly patients (${\geq}65$ years old) who were receiving mechanical ventilation, from April 2004 to March 2007, for periods exceeding 30 days at the MICU at Eulji University Hospital. Results: The MICU and hospitalmortality rate were 60.9% and 65.9%, respectively. The mean length of the ICU stay was 57.5 days and the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 49.3 days. The most common reason for MICU admission was acute respiratory failure (73.2%), followed by sepsis (12.2%), neurological problems (9.8%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (4.9%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher for the nonsurvivors than for the survivors (28.0 vs. 25.0, respectively, p=0.03). The nonsurvivors received more red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during their ICU stay than did the survivors (84.0% vs. 43.8%, respectively p=0.007). The factors associated with hospital death were the APACHE II score and if the patient had received a RBC transfusion. Conclusion: The APACHE II score and a RBC transfusion were predictors of increased hospital mortality for the elderly patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. These predictors may assist physicians to make clinical decisions for this patient population.

A Study on Repetition and Multiplicite of Superhero Comics (슈퍼히어로 코믹의 반복과 다양체적 형식에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Seh-Hyuck
    • Cartoon and Animation Studies
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    • s.28
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    • pp.27-53
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    • 2012
  • American superhero comics are being produced in numerous different forms for multiple, and cross-platform media. In cinema, films based on superhero comics top the list of all time box office records. The same phenomenon of the 'Invasion of Superhero' is duplicated in Korean box office 2012, however, the korean fans are not familiar with the superheroes from the publication which provides the original source of characters and stories for other superhero related media products. Based on observing the multiple and vastness of world building characteristics of superhero comic, this paper attempts to associate the continuous creative nature and the infinite repetition of superheroes and comic texts with the identity of superhero on ontological level. First, chapter 2 examines how one superhero exists in multiple and different worlds individually by utilizing the concept of 'multi-universe' or 'multiverse' in comic texts. Initially, duplicating a superhero on multiple settings and series destroyed continuity and allowed contradiction and paradox confused narrative as a whole, but it also gave chances for comics to be more vibrant and experimental with their stories and characters. Chapter 3 analyzes the superhero comic texts in the light of repetition, concept developed by french philosopher Gilles Deleuze, and make the argument that the superheroes and texts are not repeated to generate surplus of source for economic utilitarian purposes, but it is, first and foremost, a repetition of creativeness and capability. Many concepts introduced by Deleuze in his early masterpiece, $\acute{e}$rence et R$\acute{e}$p$\acute{e}$tition> are taken to support this argument. Mainly, his critical views on generality of the identity and his effort to replace the Plato's system of representation with vibrant creative, and renewal energy of r$\acute{e}$p$\acute{e}$tition. According to Deleuze, repetition is similar concept, if not identical, to what Nietzsche called the 'eternal return' which allows the return of the Overhuman or the Superhuman, and he extends his idea that the returning Overhuman is the singular simulacre which opposes the generalization of identity, in the likes of Plato's Idea. Thus, the superhero's identity is ever changing, ever returning, and ever renewing Overhuman. The superhero must be repeated to fully actualize his/her existence. Also, based on Deleuze's reading of Bergson's texts on the Virtual, the superhero, for example Superman, is actualization of his/her multiplisit$\acute{e}$, the internally multiple, and differentiated variations from itself. These every Supermans' multiplisit$\acute{e}$ shares common memory, past, and duration, thus the Virtual of Superman. Superman becomes himself only by actualizing the movement and differentiation from these multiplisit$\acute{e}$ in his virtual on the surface of reality. On chapter 4, a popular Korean comic book character Oh, Hae-Sung's r$\acute{e}$p$\acute{e}$tition and multiplist$\acute{e}$ are analyzed, and makes comparison to that of Superman to distinguish the repetition from r$\acute{e}$p$\acute{e}$tition, and multiplicit$\acute{e}$ from diversity.