Assessment of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of 2,4,5-TP in water and soil

A highly sensitive and specific indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for Silvex, 2-(2,4,5 trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid, (2,4,5-TP). One specific feature of the immunoassay is the use of simple chemical activation of chlorophenoxy acids to prepare both the immunizing and coating conjugates. The assay is based on the use of polyclonal antibodies raised against 2,4,5-TP, and a peroxidase-labeled secondary antibody for colorimetric detection. The effect of different chemical conditions (pH, and salt and detergent concentration) on immunoassay performance has been studied. Under the best conditions the least detectable dose and the sensitivity (IC(50)) for 2,4,5-TP were 0.05 micro g L(-1) and 0.80 micro g L(-1), respectively. The optimized immunoassay was also highly specific, showing little (6.9% for 2,4,5-T) or no cross-reactivity with other similar herbicides. The assay was used to determine 2,4,5-TP in water and soils. The excellent recoveries obtained (mean values ranging between 89% and 104%) make this immunoassay a suitable screening method for either environmental monitoring or laboratory quantification of 2,4,5-TP.     

Effects of trivalent phosphorus compounds on vinyl polymerization. III. Anionic polymerization of acrylonitrile with triethyl phosphite

The polymerization of acrylonitrile catalyzed by triethyl phosphite was studied. It was found that the order with respect to the monomer concentration varies from two to three, depending on the polymerization temperature. From the results obtained for the molecular weight of the polymer and the phosphorus content in the polymer, it was thought that the zwitterion formed by the addition of triethyl phosphite to acrylonitrile is responsible for the initiation of polymerization. The following equation was suggested for the rate of the polymerization:      

Discontinuous buffer systems operative at pH 2.5 - 11.0, 0 degrees C and 25 degrees C, available on the Internet

This communication is an announcement of the availability on the Internet of a computer output of discontinuous buffer systems operative at pH 2.5-11.0, 0 degrees C and 25 degrees C, generated by the theory and program of T. M. Jovin. The output and instructions for its use can be accessed under http://www.buffers.nichd.nih.gov.     

Three solutions of constant sign for a system of discrete equations

We consider the following system of discrete equations