Let K = Q(ζp) and let hp be its class number. Kummer showed that p divides hp if and only if p divides the numerator of some Bernoulli number. In this expository note we discuss the generalizations of this type of criterion to totally real fields and quadratic imaginary fields.

For any number field $K$ with non-elementary $3$-class group ${\mathrm{Cl}}_3\left(K\right)\simeq C_{3^e}\times C_3$, $e\ge 2$, the punctured capitulation type $\varkappa \left(K\right)$ of $K$ in its unramified cyclic cubic extensions $L_i$, $1\le i\le 4$, is an orbit under the action of $S_3\times S_3$. By means of Artin’s reciprocity law, the arithmetical invariant $\varkappa \left(K\right)$ is translated to the punctured transfer kernel type $\varkappa \left(G_2\right)$ of the automorphism group $G_2=\mathrm{Gal}({\mathrm{F}}_3^2\left(K\right)/K)$ of the second Hilbert $3$-class field of $K$. A classification of finite $3$-groups $G$ with low order and bicyclic commutator quotient $G/G^{\text{'}}\simeq C_{3^e}\times C_3$, $2\le e\le 6$, according to the algebraic invariant...

A bibliography of recent papers on lower bounds for discriminants of number fields and related topics is presented. Some of the main methods, results, and open problems are discussed.