Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a sales and use tax analysis and reconciling system that includes an item and ontology restriction interface, an item and ontology restriction engine, a sales and use tax application program interface, a sales and use tax engine, a sales and use tax accounting engine, and an item and ontology restriction engine. The item and ontology restriction interface can receive point of sale transaction data and process a transaction message, and the item and ontology restriction engine can transmit the transaction message to an item and ontology restriction analysis engine for analysis. The sales and use tax application program can transmit totaled transaction data. From this data, a sales and use tax engine can create fund split and electronic fund transfer instructions for an acquirer gateway, and the sales and use tax can be reconciled and sent to a funding source.

Abstract: A particulate feed comprising a first particle type and a second particle type is separated by providing a separation apparatus having a separation vessel having a top and a bottom, and wherein the separation vessel includes inwardly sloping side walls. A magnet structure has a first pole positioned exterior of and adjacent to each of the side walls of the separation vessel, and a second pole positioned above the separation vessel. A mixture of the particulate feed and a ferrofluid is introduced into the separation vessel, and the particulate feed is separated into a first particle fraction comprising a majority of the first particle type, which sinks in the separation vessel, and a second particle fraction comprising a majority of the second particle type which floats in the separation vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a starter for a motor vehicle of the kind having an inductive winding composed of coils, each forming a magnetic pole of the inductor, in which each coil has a conductor of large cross section wound flat so as to form concentric contiguous turns, and in which the innermost turn of the coil is extended by a folding in the conductor which extends radially towards the outside of the coil, substantially in the plane of the turns and straddling them, wherein, in the area of straddling of the turns, the folding is of a reduced dimension along the axis of the turns so that the axial thickness of the coil in this area is reduced.