Cultural niche construction is a uniquely potent source of selection on human populations, and a major cause of recent human evolution. Previous theoretical analyses have not, however, explored the local effects of cultural niche construction. Here, we use spatially explicit coevolutionary models to investigate how cultural processes could drive selection on human genes by modifying local resou...

We have obtained I, J , H and K band light curves of the recurrent nova T CrB. We find that we can only fit the J band light curve with a Roche-lobe filling secondary star and a dark spot of radius 11–26 (90 per cent confidence) centred at the inner Lagrangian point. We obtain limits to the binary inclination of 38–46 (90 per cent confidence) which when combined with the value for the mass func...

We investigate the first example of self-consistent impact ionization fronts propagating at relativistic speeds and involving interacting, high-energy electrons. These fronts, which we name relativistic runaway ionization fronts, show remarkable features such as a bulk speed within less than one percent of the speed of light and the stochastic selection of high-energy electrons for further acce...

A direct observation of the spiral structure of the Galaxy is hindered by our position in the middle of the Galactic plane. We propose a method based on the analysis of the birthplaces of high Galactic latitude runaway stars to map the spiral arms and determine their dynamics. As a proof of concept, the method is applied to a local sample of early-type stars and a sample of runaways stars to ob...

In this Letter we investigate factors that influence the effective critical electric field for runaway-electron generation in plasmas. We present numerical solutions of the kinetic equation and discuss the implications for the threshold electric field. We show that the effective electric field necessary for significant runaway-electron formation often is higher than previously calculated due to...

Mate choice and sexual displays are widespread in nature, but their evolutionary benefits remain controversial. Theory predicts these traits can be favored by runaway sexual selection, in which preference and display reinforce one another due to genetic correlation; or by good genes benefits, in which mate choice is advantageous because extreme displays indicate a well-adapted genotype. However...

We consider nearby young black holes formed after supernova explosions in close binaries whose secondary components are currently observed as the so-called runaway stars. Using data on runaway stars and making reasonable assumptions about the mechanisms of supernova explosions and binary breakup, we estimate the present position of nearby young black holes. For two objects, we obtained relative...

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We study the quantum corrections to the moduli space of the quiver gauge theory corresponding to regular and fractional D3-branes at the dP1 singularity. We find that besides the known runaway behavior at the lowest step of the duality cascade, there is a runaway direction along a mesonic branch at every higher step of the cascade. Moreover, the algebra of the chiral operators which obtain the ...

In order to find the actual figures of runaway slaves in colonial Maryland and Georgia, advertisements written by their masters in the Annapolis Maryland Gazette from 1745 through 1769 and the Savannah Georgia Gazette from 1763 through 1769 are analyzed in this paper. Applying such statistical methods as regression, correlation, etc. to the data derived from the advertisements, we describe a ty...