Prompt states, survival probability

Figure 42 displays a computational example of P i) (solid line) and the survival probability C(f)p (dashed line) as a function of the total number of states N and the number of the prompt states K. The initial state is taken to have uniform weights for either the K prompt states or the N — K delayed states. It is seen that with fixed K and increasing N the decay of the initial delayed state is shifted to much longer time, whereas the decay of the initial prompt state changes little. 

The lethal oral dose in humans is probably around 100, but doses as low as 16 mg have reportedly been fatal whereas doses of 2 000 mg have been survived. After ingestion, effects usually occur within 10-30 minutes and include stiffness of the face and neck muscles and increased reflex excitability. Strychnine acts by altering nerve impulses in the spinal cord, resulting in a decreased threshold for stimulation, and, hence, a hyperexcitable state. Any sensory stimulus may produce a violent motor response that, in the early stages of intoxication, tends to be a coordinated extensor thrust and, in later stages, may be a tetanic convulsion with opisthotonos anoxia and cyanosis develop rapidly. Between convulsions, muscular relaxation is complete, breathing is resumed, and cyanosis lessens. Because sensation is unaffected, the convulsions are painful and lead to overwhelming fear. As many as 10 convulsions separated by intervals of 10-15 minutes may be experienced, but death often occurs after the second to fifth convulsion, and even the first convulsion may be fatal if sustained death is commonly due to asphyxia.If recovery occurs, it is remarkably prompt and complete despite the violence of the illness muscle soreness may persist for a number of days. ... 

The increasing importance of the chemist s role in public service did not pass unnoticed. It prompted commentary on both the number of chemists involved and their salary levels relative to other state and municipal civil servants. Two 1916 estimates of the number of state and local government chemists survive. Harvey Wiley estimated 650 chemists in state employ, nationwide. Adding an equal number for local government chemists (which he acknowledged was probably an underestimate) yielded a total of 1300 chemists in non-federal government positions. The second estimate was given in a comprehensive survey of the status and compensation of the chemist in public service , in which Frederick Breithut calculated that there were about 2100 chemists at the state and local levels. ... 

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