Challenging computations of Hilbert bases of cones associated with algebraic statistics

In this paper we present two independent computational proofs that the monoid derived from $5\times 5\times 3$ contingency tables is normal, completing the classification by Hibi and Ohsugi. We show that Vlach's vector disproving normality for the monoid derived from $6\times 4\times 3$ contingency tables is the unique minimal such vector up to symmetry. Finally, we compute the full Hilbert basis of the cone associated with the non-normal monoid of the semi-graphoid for $|N|=5$. The computations are based on extensions of the packages LattE-4ti2 and Normaliz.