We study the cones of pseudoeffective and nef cycles of higher codimension on the self product of an elliptic curve with complex multiplication, and on the product of a very general abelian surface with itself. In both cases, we find for instance the existence of nef classes that are not pseudoeffective, answering in the negative a question raised by Grothendieck in correspondence with Mumford. We also discuss several problems and questions for further investigation.

A sharp decline in the numbers of Asian Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii towards the end of the 20th century raised concerns about the conservation status of this species. Yet due to its large breeding range in the remote steppes and deserts of Central Asia and to its cryptic behaviour, it has been difficult to obtain enough comparable data to make reliable estimates of population trends. Here, we present the results of 10 years of extensive biannual surveys throughout southern Kazakhstan, considered to host the majority of the breeding birds in Asia, and we discuss trends in the Kazakh populations for the first decade of this century. The breeding Houbara population has generally declined over the greater part of Kazakhstan between 2000 and 2009 but with important regional differences. A steep decline was observed in north-east Caspian and Karakum, and a sharp drop followed by a stabilisation occurred in Kyzylkum. Over the same period, estimated densities were stable or increased in the area surrounding Lake Balkash, and increased in the Betpak-Dala region of central Kazakhstan. Autumn surveys showed more variability and revealed little decline overall. It was also clear that Betpak-Dala and Balkash regions hosted the largest populations. Our findings suggest that it is a complex undertaking to assign a level of vulnerability for this species as a whole. Highly variable population trends between regions indicate that threats and pressures are to a considerable extent region-specific, and that conservation measures need to be adjusted locally.

Michel Foucault's framework has substantially changed the manner in which we understand power. His analysis substitutes for theoretical representations a study of complex mechanisms of production like strategy, tactic, apparatus, technologies, and so forth. Those terms are not simply figures of speech or analogies. The archaeology of knowledge brings a new perspective of study for social analysis: space. That concept shapes Foucault's approach from L'Histoire de la folie to Souci de soi. From that point of view, it is less important to linger on his notion of power than to inquire about his general theory of productions developped through the archaeological analysis of madness, jail, sexuality or subjectivity. It is in this fashion that Michel Foucault's work will contribute to modify social and human sciences' practices

This article examines the position taken by Michel Foucault regarding the Iranian Revolution. Contrary to certain analysts who view his writings pertaining to Iran as an occasion to question Foucaltian politics, the authors maintain that his work constitutes more of an analysis of outright support for the Islamic government. How can we then explain the interpretation made by many analysts who see in these same writings support for Khomeiny? The authors find in Foucaltian analysis a polity of the intellectual. Inspired by Kant's essay on the Age of Enlightenment, Foucault's approach examines the way to surmise History's moments of rift and transformation through the very notion of revolution. In other words, Foucault tries to assess those value systems which lend sense and meaning to revolts. That some may not recognize themselves in this particular approach should not be too surprising as it suggests a form of political praxis which does not necessarily entail a “for or against” position, but rather an understanding of the way in which its discourse partakes in society's governmental inner workings.

Migration patterns of four Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii wintering in the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan in 1998 were monitored using satellite transmitters. Their homeward migration began between 15 and 31 March, and they arrived on breeding grounds in China, Mongolia and Uzbekistan between 16 and 27 May. The houbara stayed on their breeding areas for c. 135 days (range = 124–140). They arrived on the wintering grounds in the Cholistan Desert between 20 October and 15 December. During their migration, they avoided the mountain massifs of Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien Shan and Himalaya. They could fly up to 220 km day−1 and covered a total distance of up to 4,400 km between their departure and destination points. Long stopovers were made mainly in the Registan Desert (Afghanistan), the Kyzylkum Desert (Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan), the Muyunkum and Taukum Deserts (Kazakhstan) and to a lesser extent the Zhob Valley (Pakistan). Conservation issues of a long-distance migrant species like Asian Houbara should be addressed at a broader scale through an international collaboration between Central Asian countries, from the breeding grounds of China to the wintering grounds of the Indian subcontinent.

From 1998 to 2002 we monitored changes in the relative abundance of Asian houbara bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii across the greater part of its range in Kazakhstan. The areas most frequented by houbara bustard were the Kyzylkum region, with 35% of total sightings, and the Betpak-Dala/Muyunkum region with 25%. For all survey areas combined, mean relative abundance ranged from 0.004 to 0.017 individuals seen per km driven. Density estimates ranged from 0.025 to 0.086 houbara bustard per km2. Between 1999 and 2002 spring relative abundance and density decreased by 65 and 51% respectively. Likewise, autumn relative abundance decreased by 56% from 1998 to 2001 and density decreased by 35% between 1999 and 2001. Kyzylkum had the greatest declines in relative abundance during both spring (78%) and autumn (61%). It is highly probable that this observed decline in houbara bustard populations is linked to hunting and poaching pressure, both in Kazakhstan and on the wintering grounds of these Central Asian breeding populations.

Between the years 1994 and 2000, we assessed the mortality rate of adult-sized, migrant Asian houbara bustards (Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenii) via banding and satellite tracking programmes. The birds were captured either on their breeding grounds in Kazakhstan (Taukum desert and Buzachi peninsula) and in China (Jungar basin) or on their wintering grounds in Pakistan (Cholistan desert) and in the United Arab Emirates (Baynunah area). For the banding programme, 104 houbara bustards were marked and statistical analysis was performed on the number of transmitters and rings returned by falconers. This allowed us to calculate a 0.045 (SD 0.061) annual mortality rate attributable to hunting activities. The tracking programme analysed the fate of 41 houbara bustards equipped with satellite transmitters (PTTs). Overall, the satellite-tracked birds were followed for 10,965 days and had travelled all over the distribution range of the species in Asia. The causes of mortality were assessed from the interpretation of the ARGOS data relayed by the sensors embarked on the PTTs. The annual mortality rate was derived from the calculation of the average finite daily survival rate using the Trent & Rongstad (1974) method. With this method, the overall annual mortality rate in adult-sized houbara bustards migrating through Asia was 0.283 (95%lcl 0.186-95%ucl 0.404). The hunting and poaching pressure could explain 73.5% of the observed mortality. The mortality rate during winter, when the houbara is under severe hunting pressure, was 11.2 times higher than during the breeding season. Houbara appear to be especially at risk in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. A VORTEX simulation showed that under current hunting and poaching pressures, the probability of extinction of the houbara population modelled can be anticipated at 50 years with a 94% probability. The maximum sustainable yield was estimated at 7.2% of the adult-sized population whereas as much as 20.8% is currently taken. This work stresses the need for conservationists and Arab falconers to take appropriate concerted measures as soon as possible.