Abstract: A spinal manipulation device (30; 80; 90; 100) adapted to protect, in use, a spinal cord from excessive axial and/or shear translations, the spinal manipulation device comprising a guide (31, 32; 81, 82, 83; 91, 92, 93; 101, 102, 103) configured to constrain, in use, movement of a first arm (35; 86; 96;106) relative to a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being fixable to and extending from a segment of spine undergoing manipulation, wherein, in use, the guide constrains movement of the first arm (35; 86; 96; 106) relative to the second arm (36; 87; 97; 107) to be about a substantially fixed centre of rotation located at least partially within the segment of spine undergoing manipulation, thereby protecting the spinal cord from excessive axial and/or shear translations.

Abstract: Microfiber webs comprising at least one cycloolefin polymer are produced by melt-blowing.

Abstract: Novel thermoplastic polyester compositions having improved impact behavior are produced. These compositions comprise a blend of poly (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene terephthalate) with certain low molecular weight diepoxide resins, a triphenyl phosphonium halide catalyst, and a multiphase composite polymer. The multiphase polymer has a first elastomeric phase polymerized from a monomer system including butadiene or butadiene/styrene and a final rigid thermoplastic phase polymerized in the presence of the elastomeric phase.

Abstract: A spray spinning nozzle for producing a substantially continuous filament from a molten synthetic resinous material includes a nozzle with a removable orifice from which a filament of molten material is emitted and a gas attenuation assembly which is laterally removable from the nozzle. The attenuation assembly includes at least three gas jets spaced about and radially close to the nozzle axis for emitting parallel high velocity jets. Drag forces produced by the gas jets attenuate the filament to a thin diameter.The resulting filament has a comparatively narrow range of diameter variation.