We propose to have simultaneously X-ray and optical observations of the two X-ray binaries 4U 1254-69 4U 1916-053 using the rare combination of RXTE and UltraCam on the VLT. Both sources are at high inclination, giving rise to dips or eclipses in their lightcurves caused by obscuration by the outer edge of the accretion disk or the companion

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We present the values of CN and Mg overabundances with respect to Fe, for a large sample of elliptical galaxies in different environments. Abundances were derived by confronting observed absorption line indices with stellar population model spectra. We obtained significant differences between the [CN/Fe] and [Mg/Fe] abundance ratios as a functions

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We present non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (non-LTE) calculations for neutral carbon spectral line formation, carried out for a grid of model atmospheres covering the range of late-type stars. The results of our detailed calculations suggest that the carbon non-LTE corrections in these stars are higher than usually adopted, remaining