We analyze the bound on gauge couplings e ≥ m/mp, suggested by Arkani-Hamed et.al. We show this bound can be derived from simple semi-classical considerations and holds in spacetime dimensions greater than or equal to four. Non abelian gauge symmetries seem to satisfy the bound in a trivial manner. We comment on the case of discrete symmetries and close by performing some checks for the bound i...

A gauge invariant procedure for extracting combined SO(3)-Z2 monopoles in positive-plaquette SU(2) lattice gauge theory is shown. When these monopoles are eliminated through a constraint, the theory deconfines for all β on 12 and 20 lattices even in the strong coupling limit, despite a rather strong average plaquette of around 0.64. This corresponds to an effective Wilson β of 2.45, at which Wi...

Nucleon-nucleon scattering is studied to next-to-leading order in a partially-quenched extension of an effective field theory used to describe multinucleon systems in QCD. The partially-quenched nucleon-nucleon amplitudes will play an important role in relating lattice simulations of the two-nucleon sector to nature.

Quark-antiquark bound states are examined in the long-range strongcoupling limit with the minimal area law of lattice gauge theory assumed as input. Matrix element relations are established which in the effective theory obtain dynamical equations equivalent to a formulation of the flux-tube model.

Recent progress in the field of lattice gauge theories is briefly reviewed for a nonspecialist audience. While the emphasis is on the latest and more definitive results that have emerged prior to this symposium, an effort has been made to provide them with minimal technicalities.