We present our efforts for extending the simultaneous multi-frequency receiver system of the Korean Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Network (KVN) to global baselines in order to measure the frequency-dependent position shifts in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) jets, the so called core shift effect, with an unprecedented accuracy (a few micro-arcseconds). Millimeter VLBI observations with simultaneous multi-frequency receiver systems, like those of the KVN, enable us to explore the innermost regions of AGN and high precision astrometry. Such a system is capable of locating the frequency dependent opacity changes accurately. We have conducted the feasibility test-observations with the interested partners by implementing the KVN-compatible systems. Here we describe the science case for measuring the core shift effect in the AGN jet and report progress and future plans on extending the simultaneous multi-frequency system to global baselines.

We present a progress report on HCN(1-0) line observations toward starless cores to probe inward motions. We have made a single pointing survey toward the central regions of 85 starless cores and performed mapping observations of 6 infall candidate starless cores. The distributions of the velocity difference between HCN(1-0) hyperfine lines and the optically thin tracer N2H+(1-0) are significantly skewed to the blue, meaning that HCN(1-0) frequently detects inward motions. Their skewness to the blue is even greater than that of CS(2-1) Lee et al., possibly implying more infall occurrence than CS(1-0). We identify 19 infall candidates by using several characteristics illustrating spectral infall asymmetry seen in HCN(1-0) hyperfine lines, CS(3-2), CS(2-1), DCO+(2-1) and N2H+ observations. The HCN(1-0) F(O-l) with the least optical depth usually shows a similar intensity distribution to that of N2H+ which closely traces the density distribution of the cores, indicating that HCN(1-0) is less chemically affected and so believed to reflect kinematics occurring in rather inner regions of the cores. Detailed radiative transfer model fits of the spectra are underway to analyze central infall kinematics in starless cores.

Sexing from bovine embryos which were fertilized in vitro implicate a possibility of the sex-controlled cattle production. This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of determining of embryo sex by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. FISH was achieved in in vitro fertilized bovine embryos using a bovine Y-specific DNA probe which constructed from the btDYZ-1 sequences. To evaluate Y-chromosome specificity of the FISH probe, metaphase spreads of whole embryos and lymphocytes were prepared and tested. A male-specific signal was detected on 100% of Y chromosome bearing metaphase specimens. Using the FISH technique with a bovine Y-specific probe, 232 whole embryos of 8 cell- to blastocyst-stage were analyzed. Observing the presence of the Y-probe signal on blastomeres, 102 embryos were predicted as male, and 130 embryos as female. The determining rate of embryo sex by FISH technique was about 93% regardless of embryonic stages. In conclusion, the FISH using a bovine Y-specific DNA probe is an accurate, reliable and quick method for determining the sex of bovine embryos.