We report results from nearly simultaneous pentachromatic VLBI observations towards a nearby GPS galaxy NGC 1052. The observations at 1.6 and 4.8 GHz with the VSOP, and at 2.3, 8.4, and 15.4 GHz with VLBA, provide linear resolutions of ∼0.1 pc. Convex spectra of a double-sided jet imply that synchrotron emission is obscured through foreground cold dense plasma, in terms of free–free absorption (FFA). We found a central condensation of the plasma which covers about 0.1 and 1 pc of the approaching and receding jets, respectively. A simple model with a geometrically thick plasma torus perpendicular to the jets is established to explain the asymmetric distribution of FFA opacities.

We report very long baseline array (VLBA) observations at 2.3, 8.4, and 15.4 GHz towards nine gigahertz peaked spectrum (GPS) sources. One Seyfert 1 galaxy, one Seyfert 2 galaxy, three radio galaxies, and four quasars were included in our survey. We obtained spatial distributions of the free–free absorption (FFA) opacity with milliarcsecond resolution for all sources. It is found that type 1 (Seyfert 1 and quasars) and type 2 (Seyfert 2 and radio galaxies) sources showed different distributions of the FFA opacities. The type 1 sources tend to show more asymmetric opacity distributions towards a double lobe, while those of the type 2 sources are rather symmetric. Our results imply that the different viewing angle of the jet causes the difference of FFA opacity along the external absorber. This idea supports the unified scheme between quasars and radio galaxies, proposed by Barthel (1989).

We present high resolution studies of the nuclear region in NGC 3079 with phase-referenced VLBI monitoring between its water maser and continuum emission. From results of the observations, NGC 3079 showed relative motion between core-jet-like continuum components. One of the components (A) relative to the reference maser feature moved with an apparent subluminal velocity along the SE-NW direction, almost parallel to alignment of the components. On the other hand, the position of the other component (B) did not show such a significant change. If the maser gas is associated with a rotating disk, the maser gas should be gravitationally bound to the central mass. This suggests that B and A are the nucleus and jet, respectively.

In order to investigate the genesis of powerful radio jet, we have mapped the central 10 pc region of the nearby radio galaxy NGC 6251 with a 0.2 pc resolution using VLBI at two radio frequencies, 5 GHz and 15 GHz, we have found the sub-parsec-scale counterjet for the first time in this radio galaxy. This discovery allows us to investigate the jet acceleration based on the relativistic beaming model.

We examined numerous ovarian follicles from 32–35 d virgin mice by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopic immunohistochemistry. No macrophages were seen, but various stages of apoptotic granulosa cells were encountered. Presumably a granulosa cell or its debris in an advanced stage of apoptosis was destined to be phagocytosed by adjacent normal-looking granulosa cells. Other granulosa cells of normal appearance were seen in the region of the zona pellucida in contact with and apparently phagocytosing atrophic oocytes. Such granulosa cells were characterised by the presence of gap junctions with other cells and frequently contained annular gap junctions in the cytoplasm. To confirm the lack of involvement of macrophages in the process of follicular atresia and elimination, specially prepared ovarian sections were incubated with antimouse macrophage monoclonal antibodies (F4/80, Mac-1, Mac-2). None of the follicles examined showed positive immunoreactivity with these antibodies. Atretic follicles may shrink and eventually disappear from the ovary as a result of repeated apoptosis and phagocytosis by granulosa cells. There is no evidence for the presence or involvement of macrophages in the atretic follicles, at least in prereproductive mice as examined.

NGC 3079 has very luminous water megamaser from the nucleus, the peak of the spectrum being blueshifted by 180 km s-1 from the systemic velocity of the galaxy (Vsys = 1131 km s-1) (Henkel et al. 1984, Haschick & Baan 1985). Core-jet like continuum structure is also found in the nuclear region (Irwin & Seaquist 1988). No velocity drift for main features of water maser (VLSR — 941-975 km s1) has been shown (Nakai et al. 1995). However, the drift was recently detected for the maser of 1190 km s-1 (Nakai 1997). HI and OH absorptions were detected in the nucleus (Haschick & Baan 1985, Irwin & Seaquist 1991). Thus this galaxy is very unique object to investigate water masers, continuum structure and absorption features all together with VLBI.

NGC 3079 has very luminous water megamaser from the nucleus, the peak of the spectrum being blueshifted by 180 km s−1 from the systemic velocity of the galaxy (V sys = 1131 km s−1) (Henkel et al. 1984, Haschick & Baan 1985). Core-jet like continuum structure is also found in the nuclear region (Irwin & Seaquist 1988). No velocity drift for main features of water maser (VLSR = 941–975 km s−1) has been shown (Nakai et al. 1995). However, the drift was recently detected for the maser of 1190 km s−1 (Nakai 1997). HI and OH absorptions are detected in the nucleus (Haschick & Baan 1985, Irwin & Seaquist 1991). Thus this galaxy is very unique object to investigate water masers, continuum structure and absorption features all together with VLBI.

We present multi-frequency observations towards the nucleus of NGC 3079 using both Japan VLBI Network (J-Net) and the VLBA including phased VLA and Effelsberg. We detected two continuum components at 1.4 and 8.4 GHz, and determined the spectral indices for each component. Further, we found several H ɪ absorption features towards the continuum components whose velocity gradient is opposite to the galaxy rotation. Assuming rotation, the central mass is estimated to be 3 × 106 M ⊙. The water maser distribution extends in North-South direction along the galactic disk, while no clear indication of a Keplerian rotating disk was found.