The toric Hilbert scheme of a rank two lattice is smooth and irreducible

The toric Hilbert scheme of a lattice L in Z^n is the multigraded Hilbert scheme parameterizing all ideals in k[x_1,...,x_n] with Hilbert function value one for every degree in the grading monoid N^n/L. In this paper we show that if L is two-dimensional, then the toric Hilbert scheme of L is smooth and irreducible. This result is false for lattices of dimension three and higher as the toric Hilbert scheme of a rank three lattice can be reducible.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure

'Hollow from the start'? Professional associations and the professionalisation of tourism

Occupations as diverse as nursing, journalism and marketing have strengthened their claim to professional status and current research suggests that professional associations played a critical part in the process of professionalisation. Following a review of three conceptual approaches to understanding contemporary professionalisation strategies, this paper examines the case of British tourism. It traces the historical development and assesses the current practice of the two main professional associations in the sector. The analysis shows that the ‘professionalisation project’ has largely failed and argues that contemporary frameworks for understanding professionalisation strategies are somewhat deficient when applied to tourism

Biological water quality monitoring using chemiluminescent and bioluminescent techniques

Automated chemiluminescence and bioluminescence sensors were developed for the continuous monitoring of microbial levels in water supplies. The optimal chemical procedures were determined for the chemiluminescence system to achieve maximum sensitivity. By using hydrogen peroxide, reaction rate differentiation, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and carbon monoxide pretreatments, factors which cause interference were eliminated and specificity of the reaction for living and dead bacteria was greatly increased. By employing existing technology with some modifications, a sensitive and specific bioluminescent system was developed

Two techniques for eliminating luminol interference material and flow system configurations for luminol and firefly luciferase systems

Two methods for eliminating luminol interference materials are described. One method eliminates interference from organic material by pre-reacting a sample with dilute hydrogen peroxide. The reaction rate resolution method for eliminating inorganic forms of interference is also described. The combination of the two methods makes the luminol system more specific for bacteria. Flow system designs for both the firefly luciferase and luminol bacteria detection systems are described. The firefly luciferase flow system incorporating nitric acid extraction and optimal dilutions has a functional sensitivity of 3 x 100,000 E. coli/ml. The luminol flow system incorporates the hydrogen peroxide pretreatment and the reaction rate resolution techniques for eliminating interference. The functional sensitivity of the luminol flow system is 1 x 10,000 E. coli/ml

Research note: Measuring cultural values - The case of residents' attitudes to the Saltaire Festival

This research note discusses the findings and methodological issues arising from a cultural values survey of residents, particularly in relation to civic pride. In addition to offering insights to the particular case - the Saltaire Festival in the north of England - it provides an approach that might be used elsewhere

Research and development of a luminol-carbon monoxide flow system

Adaption of the luminol-carbon monoxide injection system to a flowing type system is reported. Analysis of actual wastewater samples was carried out and revealed that bacteria can be associated with particles greater than 10 microns in size in samples such as mixed liquor. Research into the luminol reactive oxidation state indicates that oxidized iron porphyrins, cytochrome-c in particular, produce more luminol chemiluminescence than the reduced form. Correlation exists between the extent of porphyrin oxidation and relative chemiluminescence. In addition, the porphyrin nucleus is apparently destroyed under the current chemiluminescent reaction conditions

Perfect colourings of isonemal fabrics by thin striping

Perfect colouring of isonemal fabrics by thin striping of warp and weft and the closely related topic of isonemal prefabrics that fall apart are reconsidered and their relation further explored. The catalogue of isonemal prefabrics that fall apart is extended to order 20 for those of even genus.Comment: 25 pages, 20 figure

Method and apparatus for eliminating luminol interference material

A method and apparatus for removing porphyrins from a fluid sample which are unrelated to the number of bacteria present in the sample and prior to combining the sample with luminol reagent to produce a light reaction is disclosed. The method involves a pre-incubation of the sample with a dilute concentration of hydrogen peroxide which inactivates the interfering soluble porphyrins. Further, by delaying taking a light measurement for a predetermined time period after combining the hydrogen peroxide-treated water sample with a luminol reagent, the luminescence produced by the reaction of the luminol reagent with ions present in the solution, being short lived, will have died out so that only porphyrins within the bacteria which have been released by rupturing the cells with the sodium hydroxide in the luminol reagent, will be measured. The measurement thus obtained can then be related to the concentration of live and dead bacteria in the fluid sample

Almost closed 1-forms

We construct an algebraic almost closed 1-form with zero scheme not expressible (even locally) as the critical locus of a holomorphic function on a nonsingular variety. The result answers a question of Behrend-Fantechi. We correct here an error in our paper [MPT] where an incorrect construction with the same claimed properties was proposed.Comment: 16 page