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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2017
Stars in close binary systems can suffer two kinds of mass change: 1) mass transfer between the stars 2) mass loss completely from the system. Observational estimates indicate that these are of the same order. A simple explanation can be found if the mass loss, by stellar wind, from the Roche-filling star is the driving mechanism behind mass transfer. We find quantitative estimates for the necessary conditions and find that the mass transfer rate and the mass loss rate are indeed similar. We find that the radii of evolved semi-detached systems are more consistent with wind-driven evolution than the traditional nuclear-driven Roche-lobe overflow.