a) Evolution of α_self as a function of time, t_self, since the start of self-accretion for a 5 + 3 M_⊙ system, with an initial orbital period, P_i of 3 d (dotted red curve), 7 d (solid black), 10 d (green short dashed) and 13 d (blue long-dashed). b) Evolution of the orbital period, P_orb, as a function of q = M₁/M₂, for different initial orbital periods: 3 d (dot-dashed); 7 d (solid); 10 d (short-dashed) and 13 d (dotted). Black curves refer to classical calculations, and the red lines to the osculating scheme.