Let F be a finite field of characteristic p. We consider smooth surfaces over
F(t) defined by an equation f+tg=0, where f and g are forms of degree d in 4
variables with coefficients in F, with d prime to p. We prove : For such
surfaces over F(t), the Brauer-Manin obstruction to the existence of a
zero-cycle of degree one is the only obstruction. For d=3 (cubic surfaces),
this leads to the same result for rational points. Soit F un corps fini de
caract\'eristique p.
Let a be a nonzero integer. If a is not congruent to 4 or 5 modulo 9 then
there is no Brauer-Manin obstruction to the existence of integers x, y, z such
that x^3+y^3+z^3=a. In addition, there is no Brauer-Manin obstruction to the
existence of integers x, y, z such that x^3+y^3+2z^3=a.
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Let $k$ be a field of characteristic zero, let $G$ be a connected reductive
algebraic group over $k$ and let $\mathfrak{g}$ be its Lie algebra. Let $k(G)$,
respectively, $k(\mathfrak{g})$, be the field of $k$-rational functions on $G$,
respectively, $\mathfrak{g}$. The conjugation action of $G$ on itself induces
the adjoint action of $G$ on $\mathfrak{g}$. We investigate the question
whether or not the field extensions $k(G)/k(G)^G$ and
$k(\mathfrak{g})/k(\mathfrak{g})^G$ are purely transcendental.
Let $k$ be a field of characteristic zero, let $G$ be a connected reductive
algebraic group over $k$ and let $\mathfrak{g}$ be its Lie algebra. Let $k(G)$,
respectively, $k(\mathfrak{g})$, be the field of $k$-rational functions on $G$,
respectively, $\mathfrak{g}$. The conjugation action of $G$ on itself induces
the adjoint action of $G$ on $\mathfrak{g}$. We investigate the question
whether or not the field extensions $k(G)/k(G)^G$ and
$k(\mathfrak{g})/k(\mathfrak{g})^G$ are purely transcendental.