Abstract: The present invention is directed to attenuated pestivirus mutants, which have a reduced ability to replicate as exhibited by a small plaque size. The mutations are in the 5? nontranslated region of the viral genome. These mutant viruses are useful as live vaccines in the control of bovine viral diarrhea, border disease and classical swine fever.

Abstract: An angle measuring system for the contactless determination of an angle between a first object and a second object which can be moved with respect to each other, the angle measuring system including a first component having a light source and connected to a first object and a second component having a photodetector and connected to a second object. A grating is connected either to the first component or the second component, the grating having a combined amplitude-phase grating.

Abstract: A device for examining ocular motility of an individual includes a display surface for displaying a fixation light thereon, an arrangement for determining the position of the individual's head, and/or an indicator that can be adjusted with respect to position on the side of the individual to indicate the indicator points, representing his or her subjective visual impression, on the display surface. A position sensor is provided for adjustment and/or detection of the orientation and distance of the individual's head in relation to the display surface; and a sensor mechanism detects and determines the position of the indicator point on the display surface. Data about the position of the individual's head in relation to the display surface and about the position of the indicator point on the display surface are transmitted to an evaluation unit, which processes this information to determine at least one ocular motility characteristic of the individual.

Abstract: A position measuring device for determining the position of two parts that are movable relatively to one another in the measuring direction, which, in addition, includes the feature of enabling an absolute reference to be established during the measurement. To this end, the position measuring device includes a light source, as well as a beam-splitter element, which splits the beam of rays emitted by the light source into at least one first and one second beam component, which are preferably oriented parallel to one another after leaving the beam-splitter element. Provision is also made for a reference reflector, as well as a measuring reflector, upon which the two beam components strike. A reference marking, as well as a scanning unit are arranged at the measuring reflector and at the reference reflector to produce a reference pulse signal at the position of the stationary reference reflector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for the diagnosis of Pestivirus infection in animals, in particular to a method for the diagnosis of animals infected with BVDV. A monoclonal antibody directed to a conserved antigen determinant on the Pestivirus ERNS protein is provided which allows the identification of infected animals with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Abstract: A position measuring system for the determination of the relative positions of two objects which can be moved with respect to each other, as well as a process for operating the same are disclosed, which in case of a relative movement provides at least one pair of phase-shifted analog incremental signals, and which makes possible a definite variation of the signal periods (SP) by at least one signal period variation factor (n) of the analog incremental signals transmitted to an evaluation unit arranged behind it by a signal period variation unit. The signal period variation unit furthermore comprises correction means for eliminating most varied errors in the output signals (SIN′, COS′). Among these are counted errors possibly resulting during the signal period variation, as well as measurement arrangement-specific errors.