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Upliftment of NAC top priority: Minister Ale
KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Prem Bahadur Ale has said that the ministry has adopted a number of austerity measures under his leadership.
Addressing a program organized at the MoCTCA on Monday to issue permits to Nepal Airlines Corporation to allow import and export of hazardous substances on international flights, Minister Ale claimed that he has adopted austerity measures in every expenditure made by the ministry since he assumed office.
Minister Ale also mentioned that his goal is to make the state-owned Nepali Airlines Corporation (NAC) a profit-making institution. Stating that the NAC is currently bearing losses and facing difficulties even to pay interests of its loan, Minister Ale stressed on the need to uplift the NAC at all cost.
Minister Ale also mentioned that getting permission for import and export of hazardous substances was an achievement for Nepal. He said that there would be no hassle for traders in importing and exporting hazardous substances while NAC would be positioned to make some profits.
Minister Ale said that he was trying to correct the shortcomings, weaknesses, distortions and inconsistencies seen in all bodies under the ministry. He also urged all the bodies concerned to extend their cooperation.
Minister_for_Culture
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Prem_Bahadur_Ale
Nepal_Airlines_Corporation
Minister Ale for safe aviation sector
KATHMANDU, Dec 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said he was working to ensure quality...
Shuttle buses to be operated at Tribhuvan International Airport: Minister Ale
KATHMANDU, Nov 14: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the shuttle buses will be...
Minister Ale directs NAC to implement e-ticketing
KATHMANDU, Oct 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)...
Major U.S. airlines warn 5G could ground some planes, wreak havoc


Every project needs a foundation in order to be successful. For websites, that foundation is the platform that it is built on. Your selected platform determines A quick google search and give you some of the most popular names in website platforms. But how do you know which one is right for your website?
Each website platform has it's own set of features, pros, and cons. All website platforms are similar, but have their own unique features or implementations that affect the way that you can manage your website with them.
In this series, we will be taking a look at 4 major website platforms: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Magneto to go over their most popular features, the kinds of websites they are geared towards, and the pros and cons that go along with that platform.


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Hire BPRC
Case Study: Corporate Communications
Grammar: It's all about me (and whoever else is reading)
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When the world seems out to get me, and nothing is going my way, there's a phrase I like to repeat to myself: "If it won't matter in 10 years, it doesn't matter now."
This grammar lesson is all about personal pronouns in the form of objects. They can be tricky to parse, but a little understanding of how they're supposed to be used should help.
Me vs. Myself
First, let's look at the word "me." As used in the sentence at the start of this post, "me" acts as an object, or the thing that something is done to. Consider these examples:
"The world seems out to get me."
"She gave the book to me."
"He gave a smile to John and me."
"Me" is always used as an object.
Note, by the way, that the word "myself" acts as an object, too, but it is always reflexive, meaning that it can only be used when you are the object of your own actions or to add emphasis. It would never be OK to say, for example, "He gave a smile to John and myself," but it would be just fine to say, "I gave a smile to myself" or "I drew that myself."
Give a quick smile to yourself, and let's move on to a more challenging concept: the who/whom and whoever/whomever conundrum.
Who vs. Whom
The word "who" is used as a subject, and the word "whom" is used as an object. Some sentence constructions can make deciding which to use a challenging effort, but if you remember that point, you'll be in good shape.
"Who gave John and me a smile? Peter."
"To whom did Peter give a smile? John and me."
These are pretty straightforward. But what about this?
"I will give a smile to whoever is trying hard to learn the piano."
This sentence is correct. Here, "whoever" acts as both an object and a subject. It's an object of the first action, in which I am giving a smile to someone, and it's a subject of the clause "whoever is trying hard to learn the piano."
In cases like this, the most important function of the word is as a subject, so it will always take the form "whoever." The object in this case is the entire clause "whoever is trying hard to learn the piano."
To cement the point, consider this correct example:
"I will give a smile to whomever I want."
Here, "whomever" is not the subject of any clause in the sentence, so it takes the objective form. Make sense?
One final rule of thumb: If you're having trouble deciding, try replacing the "who" or "whom" with "he/she" or "him/her." If "he" or "she" makes sense, then "who" also makes sense. If "him" or "her" makes sense, then "whom" also makes sense. For example:
"Who/whom was snoring at 3 a.m.?" It wouldn't make sense to say, "Him was snoring at 3 a.m.," but "He was snoring at 3 a.m." is reasonable. You need "who" here, not "whom."
"To who/whom did the doctor give the lollipop?" Here, it helps to rearrange the sentence, as in "The doctor gave the lollipop to her." Because "her" makes the most sense, the word you need is "whom," as in "To whom did the doctor give the lollipop?"
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Category: Films
Posted on 19th April 2013 21st August 2018
Slow Cinema at Cannes 2013
Apichatpong's victory over the recently more and more Americanised Cannes Festival happened before my time as a slow fanatic…
So I see yesterday's news as a fantastic thing: Lav Diaz's new film Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan (Norte, the End of History) made it into the Un Certain Regard section at this year's festival. Congratulations to Lav & team. What a wonderful achievement for them! It's going to be his first trip to Cannes. With four hours and twenty minutes running time, I find this film to be quite short for his type of film-making, but it's nevertheless quite a bite for a possibly untrained jury to watch. Apparently, the producer was very keen on submitting the film for the festival and good on him! I hope that Norte will also come to the UK at a later date. I have a feeling that it's a good one. (Has there ever been a boring Lav Diaz film??)
Unfortunately, Tsai's new film Diary of a Young Boy didn't make it into the line-up this year, although there had been rumours it could be. It would have been nice, but, here again, I hope his film will get its release at a later date.
As I haven't posted something fascinating lately, I leave you with a great interview of Lav Diaz, conducted at last year's AV Festival. Research-wise, the project is moving forward, though I feel as if all my ideas for the thesis have been and still are being squeezed into abstracts and papers. It's good. It helps me to develop ideas. But I can't wait to sit down and expand on this writing. Before that, however, I'll attend the Postgraduate Research Conference at Stirling University on 8th May, and the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network Conference in July in Norwich. Summer will be writing time for me. I plan to submit a decent draft of my first thesis chapter at the end of the summer. This should result in a few more blog entries 🙂
Post Tenebras Lux – Carlos Reygadas
Before you read this post, please be aware that it contains spoilers. If you intend to watch the film in future, I'd advise you not to read it. Or to forget about what you've read.
I want to jot down only a few impressions from Reygadas' new film Post Tenebras Lux as reviewing the entire film would be utopian at the moment. It is a complex film. I'd say it is Reygadas' most complex film. Controversial, as I read in some reviews. Though I do wonder where exactly the controversy comes in. True, the brutality of man exercised on his dog was a horrible thing to watch. But that's as controversial as it got for me. If the bathouse orgy was controversial – well, I suggest you don't attend a screening of an alternative film which is rated for people over the age of 18.
Anyway, I have written previously on the apparent aesthetic shifts in Apichatpong Weerasethakul's films. His latest short Mekong Hotel didn't have the same look nor the same feel compared to his other films with regards to the issue of what is termed Slow Cinema. It was different. This may be too fast a shot, but I wonder whether we witness a new trend in this field of cinema in general. The characteristics of Slow Cinema that scholars and film critics have come up with stem from films made predominantly before 2010, ergo in the first part of the 2000s.
Post Tenebras Lux is yet another example, which defies the usual, almost fixed elements of Slow Cinema. Reygadas' has always been seen as part of the Slow Cinema family, and, indeed, his previous films were easy to group them under this umbrella. They were less painterly than, say, Diaz's and Tarr's film, but they were certainly slow, had similar themes, were set in similar regions (i.e. rural areas) and depicted characters in much the same light as other slow-film directors have done before.
His latest cinematic work is different, mainly because of its use of special effects, which has never been part of Slow Cinema (in the early 2000s). Everything had been natural, down-to-earth, realistic (although I am aware that the term 'realistic' is debatable). In his new film you encounter the devil, an animation, computer graphics, in short: a special effect.
You equally have blurred lenses, which has – to my knowledge – not been used before. And at the film's end the guy to your right rips his head off his shoulders; a special effect. The film contains elements of the supernatural, of science-fiction, of animation, of artificiality. In itself this isn't bad, and not the point of this blog post. However, I want to point to the changes in the films of who we have described as 'slow-film directors'.
Are we witnessing a new development within Slow Cinema in this decade? Two films are following this new trend. Or better, they question our current understanding of Slow Cinema as it is. It also shows how malleable and flexible the phenomenon is.
Posted on 24th February 2013 21st August 2018
The Effects of Music and Dialogue
Yesterday's screening of Apichatpong's Mekong Hotel in Glasgow made it obvious to me how problematic the term Slow Cinema is.
The name Apichatpong Weerasethakul appears almost everywhere you look for something written on Slow Cinema. His work is a trademark. Mekong Hotel, however, makes me wonder to what extent films are slow, and whether it wouldn't be appropriate to narrow the term Slow Cinema to a more specific, cohesive and conclusive part of slow film (and I suggest here, for instance, the slow films that bear similarities to paintings).
Mekong Hotel is slow. Yet, compared to other films by Weerasethakul, and to other slow films in general, his latest short is fairly quick. The reason for this is his slightly different style.
Remember, remember – Michel Chion, and his vococentrism of film. Just like human beings, films are vococentric, that means their focus lies on speech as our ears react faster to external stimuli than our eyes do. I have argued that his point is a clue as to why slow films appear to be slow. They lack dialogue. Our ears are deprived of information, and have to pass on the command to our eyes. We need to read the film with our eyes, which is a much slower process.
Mekong Hotel features a lot of dialogue. There are lengthy passages, which feature two or three characters in conversation. In addition, the film contains a guitar tune which accompanies almost every scene. The ongoing tune in the background keeps feeding our ears with information. Our eyes don't have to do much. Our ears do the job. I actually blocked my ears for a little while during the screening. The film appeared so much slower!
Both dialogue and music make films appear more time-based, more rhythmic. As soon as this is the case, the effect and perception of slowness is greatly reduced. My avenue towards (the Fine Art of) Slow Cinema as being similar to static arts in terms of their lack of kinetic objects, their framing, their frame composition, and their lack of dialogue and music, is going to address this problem in a bit more detail. But I would like to stress once again that the perception of slowness stems from more than only long-takes and the depiction of mundane every-day activities of characters. Hence the term needs adjustment. And Mekong Hotel serves as a great example for doing exactly this.
Posted on 2nd February 2013 21st August 2018
Diary of a Young Boy
This is the title of Tsai Ming-liang's new film. There isn't a lot of information out there. What I could find was that the film is in post-production, and that the distribution rights are held by Urban Distribution International. So, we will have a chance to see it eventually!
A short synopsis from their website:
"A father and his two young kids are looking for a Noah's Ark to survive in a society that madly over-consumes."
It looks intriguing to me. There is a (slow) critique of society included again. I'll keep my eyes open for possible screenings!
Posted on 20th January 2013 21st August 2018
Mekong Hotel @ Glasgow Film Festival
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's latest (short) film Mekong Hotel (extract) will be screened at the Glasgow Film Festival in February. The screening will be preceded by Walker.
Find details about screening times and locations here.
Tsai Ming-Liang – Visage (2009)
Let us recall some of the characteristics that are usually associated with Slow Cinema; unknown actors / actresses, tendency to frame characters in medium or long shots, little dialogue, if any. Naturally, there are always exceptions to the rule, and Tsai Ming-liang's Visage (2009, watch the trailer here) demonstrates that you can slightly alter these characteristics without compromising the actual nature of slow film.
As with every slow film, Visage is difficult to sum up. I could say, in brief, that it is about a Malay director shooting a film in France. It could even be an homage to Truffaut, whose films have greatly influenced Liang. But the real interest is not so much the story. The film's strengths lie, as usual, in the cinematography, the banal, often ridiculous incidents, and in the scenes, which often cause a WTF in my head. Visage is by all means a typical Tsai Ming-liang film.
Yet, this films make me question if the characteristics we researchers have come up with, are necessary for a slow film. What's different about Visage? As the name (Face) suggests the focus lies in faces, which are shown in close-up. It is rare that close-up shots are used in slow films (hence the idea of painting), but here it comes as natural as in any other film. Not surprisingly, it feels more intense, more intimate. We're closer to the character and can decipher his or her facial expressions. I would call it a new dimension in the art of Slow Cinema.
Also, Liang makes use of famous French actors and personalities. Laetitia Casta plays the Star, Jean-Pierre Léaud the King (he played Antoine in The 400 Blows by Truffaut), Fanny Ardent plays both the producer and the Queen. And this is not the end of the list of French actors. All three, however, are 'popular' personalities, and yet, to my surprise, they did a wonderful job in this slow film.
True, they talk more than the Malaysian actors, hence the aspect of little dialogue is only partly valid here. Don't get me wrong, it's nevertheless an almost silent film. But, proportionally, there's more dialogue amongst the French actors than amongst the other half on set.
Despite diverting away from his usual concept, if only slightly, Liang, one of my favourites out there, demonstrates with Visage that it can be unhelpful to think too much in terms of definitions. There's a lot more to the film, so updates might follow in the course of my research.
Posted on 26th December 2012 21st August 2018
Tsai Ming-liang – Walker
After films such as I don't want to sleep alone, The Wayward Cloud, and What Time is it there? [I apologise for this trailer, it's the only one I could find and it's Hollywoodian advertising of a slow film…outch!], Malay filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang produced a beautiful short film, commissioned by the Hong Kong International Film Festival. If I was to write a review for Walker (2012), I would write only one sentence: This short is a powerful reminder to slow down!
Tsai Ming-liang is the only slow-film director I'm aware of whose films are not set in rural areas; a characteristic that is predominant regarding the films I study at the moment. Instead, he juxtaposes the vast, bustling urban space with lonely, isolated, depressed, and empty characters. Just the type of character we often come across in slow films. What is different in Tsai Ming-liang's films is that he makes a direct connection between the urban space and its knock-down effects on individuals.
Walker illustrates this dichotomy of fast vs slow in a striking way. Do take half an hour, and watch this beautiful film.
Florentina Hubaldo, CTE at Cinemanila 2012
After the success here in Europe, Lav Diaz' latest film Florentina Hubaldo CTE has finally had its premiere in the Philippines, at the 14th Cinemanila International Film Festival. I hope to post a short review of the film over the Christmas holidays.


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Heritage Training
Heritage Roofing Gallery
Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award
For 35 years Chris Topp – along with his colleagues – has devoted his time to increasing his and others' expertise in the preservation and restoration of the heritage of ancient iron.
Chris's interest in traditional blacksmithing skills began in 1967 when he had a summer job in Bolton that was within walking distance of the Atlas Forge. At that time, Atlas Forge manufactured puddled wrought iron, as well as re-rolling wrought-iron axles.
The forge was the last manufacturer of puddled wrought iron anywhere in the world before it ceased production in 1974. It continued rolling steel for a further 10 years until it finally closed in 1984. The rolling mill is still in working order and is part of the collection at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
In 1977 Chris purchased a package of scrap metal, which was in fact wrought iron from the demolition of a locomotive house at Sunderland Docks. Chris's passion for working with historic materials, his talent for ironwork restoration and traditional blacksmith's skills continued, and in 1982 he founded Chris Topp & Co. He quickly established the company as one of the most respected workshops in the country.
Now trading as TOPP & Co, the company creates and restores fine architectural metalwork for some of the most architecturally sensitive sites in the world. The unique technical and logistical challenges set by the heritage sector demand both the finest craftsmanship and organisation.
TOPP & Co are among the largest blacksmith's workshops in the UK and have a client list which includes the Natural History Museum in London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and numerous cathedrals, estates, local authorities and private clients around the country. They are also the sole supplier of re-rolled genuine wrought iron.
TOPP & Co work to the standards set by the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) for the conservation of ancient ironwork, and Chris was influential in the writing of that code of practice. NHIG was formed in 2009 by a group of experienced professionals, including Chris, to raise awareness of the importance of the different forms of heritage ironwork and to ensure that the skills of the heritage ironworker and blacksmith are preserved.
Chris Topp remains a member of the NHIG council; and at its 10th Anniversary Conference at the Victoria and Albert Museum in November he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to heritage ironwork preservation.
For further information visit www.toppandco.com


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SHERWOOD PLAYERS
About & Team
Auditions and Opportunities
Sherwood Players Productions is an innovative and unique production company specializing in multi-platform services for content creators and filmmakers.
From film festivals and features, to voice over and commercials, Sherwood looks to tell amazing stories, connect people, and stay character driven.
We also support a strong community with live events, workshops, mixers, parties, and new film festival!
IN HOUSE PROJECTS
Sherwood Shakeup - Live YouTube Show
Sherwood Shakeup
Jeremy Weinglass "Power to the Artist!" | Ep 12 The Sherwood Shakeup
In the season one finale, Matt's twin brother Jeremy shares his story of navigating a professional music career while balancing fatherhood, during a time of social and economic unrest throughout the global Pandemic. Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com/ for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Gigi Perreau "Growing Up in Tinseltown" | Ep 11 The Sherwood Shakeup
Hollywood legend Gigi Perreau shares her story of growing up on the silver screen. From child actor to Meghan Markle's drama teacher, plus voicing key roles in Sherwood Players "The Barefoot Spirit' Audiobook and "Crash: The Animated Series" Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Gregory Blair "Multitasking in Hollywood" | Ep 10 The Sherwood Shakeup
Award winning actor, writer, producer, director Gregory Blair shares how how multitasking has become the central key to his success. Plus Matt and Gregory reminisce about shooting the award winning film "Garden Party Massacre" together. To get in touch with Gregory go to http://www.gregoryblair.info Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Remembering our friend Ed Asner | Ep 9 The Sherwood Shakeup
This special episode is dedicated to remembering our friend, Hollywood legend and human rights activist Ed Asner who passed away just days before he was scheduled to appear on our show. Hosts Matt Weinglass and Barbara Wilder join screenwriter TJ Alex and producer Randolph Turrow in a very intimate discussion about one of the greatest actors and humanitarian of our time. Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Fernando Mendez "World of Animation" | Ep 8 The Sherwood Shakeup
The head of Sherwood Players Animation Department in Curaçao and co-director of the soon to be released "Crash: The Animated Series" Fernando Mendez, gives us an up close and personal look into the World of Animation. Watch the Original live action Sherwood Short "Crash" that the animated series is based on right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiVdRGOVLXw&t=31s Watch the Full Clip of Hollywood legend Ed Asner voicing himself in a scene from "Crash: The Animated Series" https://youtu.be/mfUax1MdHxE To find out more about Fernando Mendez or to contact him go to https://pimentonstudio.com Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Ryan Foland "Ditch the Act" | Ep 7 The Sherwood Shakeup
Speaker, author, ginger and regular Sherwood contributor Ryan Foland shares some lessons in how to "Ditch the Act" when working to build and maintain important business relationships as an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry. Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Patrick Kilpatrick "Fighting for Independent Film" | Ep 6 The Sherwood Shakeup
Acclaimed producer, actor and screenwriter Patrick Kilpatrick discusses his fight for independent filmmakers and health care as two main policy platforms in his run for governor during the California recall election of Gavin Newsom. Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey "Business Audio Theatre" | Ep 5 The Sherwood Shakeup
Special guests Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey (creators of America's #1 selling wine brand Barefoot Wine, and NY Times Best Selling authors) share their story behind the birth of Business Audio Theatre and their co-partnership with The Sherwood Players. Go to https://www.sherwoodplayers.com for more info on how to get involved with our community including upcoming projects and events! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodplayers/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodplayers
Our newsletter will keep you up to date on events and classes, upcoming projects and auditions, ways to join engage and/or join the team, and exclusive content.
Questions, comments, or concerns on content or your info:
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Processors consider representation model based on 'manufacturing' instead of 'ag'
Jon Condon, June 22, 2017
IS there a better or more effective model for red meat processing sector representation than that which currently exists?
The question is being explored within the Australian processing industry currently, but answers are still some way off.
Just one of the options being explored in the early stages of deliberations is whether beef processors would be better-served in building their voice in Canberra by aligning with the Australian manufacturing sector, rather than agriculture.
There's certainly a compelling argument that meat processing is as much, if not more akin to the manufacturing industries than agriculture, with its heavy labour requirement, its 'fabrication' function, and other matters like industrial relations and regulatory burdens.
A number of Canberra politicians apparently see merit in an alignment with manufacturing, Beef Central was told.
What often gets missed under current agriculture-aligned arrangements is just how significant meat processing is in terms of regional/rural Australian employment. In almost any town or city (like Townsville, Rockhampton, or Casino) where processing operations occur, the sector is inevitably the largest local employer.
To some extent, the fact that processors rely on cattle or sheep as their 'raw material' is almost incidental. Edgells, for example, sees itself as a frozen and tinned food 'manufacturer', not as an extension of the horticulture industry.
It's not to say, however, that should red meat processors ultimately decide to make such a move, that it would represent any sense of disloyalty to the cattle or sheep industry. It would simply be about better 'cut-through' in the hallways and meeting rooms on the 'hill' (Canberra's Parliament House). Strong connections would continue with the livestock and lotfeeding sectors, just under different arrangements.
Some of the participants in a series of recent workshops on the topic of alternative industry structure have said a 'clean sheet of paper approach' is necessary, if processors are really serious about moving the industry forward.
Here's a quick summary of current processor representation arrangements:
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) is the peak council representing the post-farm-gate meat industry – meat processors, retailers and smallgoods manufacturers. Within the AMIC structure, there are a number of processing industry-specific sub-groups, including the Australian Processor Council, National Export Meatworks Processor Councils (beef and sheepmeat) and National Meat Processors Council. As the industry peak council, AMIC confers with members, governments and industry groups to influence policy and provide technical and other advice to the industry.
The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is the Rural Research and Development Corporation that supports the red meat processing industry. AMPC's mandate is to provide RD&E services that improve the sustainability and efficiency of the sector.
Representation issues
Beef Central has pointed out earlier (and attracted some AMIC criticism for doing so) that neither of the nation's two largest beef processors choose to be members of AMIC, and have not been involved for at least four or five years. The absence of JBS Australia and Teys Australia knocks out close to 40 percent of the national beef kill, in terms of AMIC's ability to be truly 'representative' of processors in discussions with government.
Third largest processor NH Foods at one point also went within a whisker of parting company with AMIC.
The common reasons given among non-members has been lack of performance within AMIC.
"AMIC has been asleep at the wheel, and does not reflect the industry's priorities, especially with the federal government," one large non-member said. "Our business was not going to be locked-in to the AMIC model. We want to see change, and one clear, and effective voice for the industry, which is not happening now. That's why we participated in the recent workshops," the processor said.
"Until some of the current problems within AMIC are addressed, there is no value proposition for us to be members," another major non-member said.
Part of the organisation's challenge is in representing the interests of both very large, and very small processors, but more common is the suggestion that some within the ranks of AMIC representation, are working more for their own individual or regional interests, rather than the broader industry. The lack of any weighting in voting based on processor size also comes up, from time to time.
All processors spoken to, however, have a clear appreciation of the value of a single truly 'representative' body to take the industry's case to government.
Workshops explore way forward
Two low-key voluntary processing industry workshops have recently been held to explore the representation issue. Beef Central understands attendance included about ten of the nation's largest processors – both non-members, and prominent members of AMIC including Australian Country Choice, NH Foods, Thomas Foods International, NCMC, Fletcher International, Hardwick's and others.
Two different interpretations of how the talks were initiated have been offered. One is that the process was driven squarely by critics of the current AMIC model. The other is that AMIC itself was 'driving the bus,' and that the workshops were part of a larger AMIC/AMPC initiative.
Queensland Senator Barry O'Sullivan, through his membership of the Federal Senate Inquiry into the Red meat processing sector may also have helped kindle the recent industry dialogue. He has made repeated references to the fundamental need for a 'united and representative' processing sector during the recent inquiry.
Some say the current talks are influenced, also, by the Senate Inquiry itself. There's a feeling in some circles that the industry needs to get on the front foot in terms of making some decisive structural decisions, in advance of the inquiry's (repeatedly postponed) final report deadline, now likely some time after a final round of hearings in August.
A range of views were apparently expressed at the recent workshops. Some felt that any new organisation should be exclusive to beef and sheepmeat processors/exporters owning 'bricks and mortar' in the form of meat plants, and excluding non-packer exporters (those who operate a beef supply chain, but get their cattle killed by toll processors on their behalf). Others felt the body should be exclusive to tier-two export processors, excluding tier-one export plants. Both issues raised tensions around the room at the workshops, apparently.
The original talk around the review process a month or two ago described the movement as a 'breakaway' group, but that term quickly changed, to an 'industry-wide' approach. A name even came up in discussions about a potential leader for a revamped processor body: ex Labor Prime Minister, Paul Keating, who now includes Canberra lobbyist on his CV.
"There's still good scope for the review to progress, but it needs the will of processors – both AMIC members and non-members – to continue to drive it forward," one large processor told Beef Central.
"It needs people to stand up and walk away from the AMIC table. Until that happens, a deal's not going to get done with the vested interests involved," a non-AMIC member said.
"The current industry model is based on a constitution from the 1960s. It does not necessarily service well the industry's needs in 2017. It's in the industry's best interests for this debate to be had."
Other outcomes from the processor representation review are that it may provide further stimulus for grassfed cattle producers to achieve positive change in their own sectoral restructure, and potentially provide avenues for discussion over future industry funding mechanisms other than MLA.
Early meetings with Industry Minister Sinodinis
Beef Central's discussions with AMIC over the developments have been strongly coloured with the view that there is no need to 're-invent the wheel', and that the opportunity exists to initiate reforms from within.
AMIC's processor group general manager Patrick Hutchinson said AMPC, as the processing sector's R&D organisation, linked to its 2022 industry strategic plan, investigated on behalf of industry what options were out there for processor representation and advocacy, into the future.
"That's where the genesis for this review process started," Mr Hutchinson said.
"The overall outcome from the recent workshops was that AMIC has given an undertaking to look at the independent EY report, and to see what we can do, to more effectively target our advocacy activity."
"There's been a lot said about potential changes to the Memorandum of Understanding, and who AMPC reports to – whether it be agricultural or manufacturing aligned. But that's just a suggestion from the report, worthy of scrutiny – there's nothing concrete about it."
AMIC was also looking closely at the Australian Farm Institute's industry peak council review, issued at the end of December, through the Red Meat Advisory Council. It is also monitoring with interest the progress within the parallel Cattle Council of Australia structural reform and funding process.
AMIC last Thursday held its first meeting with Federal Industry Minister Arthur Sinodinis – where the manufacturing sector resides, and which includes a 'food processing groups' representation within its ranks.
"The primary purpose of that meeting was to explore what alignment could be created, and how that might be made work effectively – but this is a long process," Mr Hutchinson said.
"There's a lot to be determined. Does AMIC just pick up its bags and walk over? Is there the structure there to simply pick up our bags and move? Does that department of Industry want us to walk over? How would the levies management unit work? There are a whole host of issues to be examined before this can even start to be examined as a serious prospect."
The underlying objective, Mr Hutchinson said, was to examine how AMIC, or some other vehicle, can best represent the full processing constituency – including those non-aligned companies.
However he made the point that the size and diversity of some large Australian red meat processors was so great, with major developments in value-adding divisions, R&D, transportation and other areas, that they no long simply 'put meat in a box.'
"They may align themselves more with the Food and Grocery Council style, or Business Council of Australia style of representation," he said.
"As much as we want all red meat processors to be part of an AMIC or other peak industry organisation model, at the same time, the amount of services that we can actively provide them across the broad extent of their diversified businesses has a limit."
"They may be looking for broader representation across every part of the businesses they are involved in, rather than just processing cattle. We respect those processors' decisions in that area," he said.
"But the positive out of what has occurred recently is that it has given us the opportunity to look at more effective ways to advocate on behalf of all processors, and the development and management of policy."
"And there's already been a whole lot done in a short space of time."
Jock Williamson, June 26, 2017
This is just plane obvious…. abattoirs are no more agricultural than clothing companies: they by a raw material (the beast) and manufacture beef and beef by-products from that beast.
additionally, people who have propertys that grow cattle on them are not beef producers… they are cattle producers!
Dick Morgan, June 23, 2017
I've been out of the industry for a long time. But from what I can gather it seems to me that meat processing is becoming very much a hi-tech manufacturing activity. And there is more to come. Digitization at all stages, data collection, mechanization, robotic processes etc etc. Even 3D printing of a beef steak!.
Right through the whole production process: The digital information from the live animal. The kill. The inspection. The fabrication. The weighing. The packing. The description. The freezing/chilling/storage/transport. Pretty well everything robotically automated. Very little human involvement (or maybe a whole lot of other human involvement but with quite different skills)
Is this a picture of the future? If it is it will need its own representation in Canberra and other places.
We think your comments are right on the money, Dick. Editor
Natasha Wing, June 22, 2017
If you look at the basic difference in definition between agriculture and manufacturing the answer seems obvious, I'm surprised it has taken this long.


The third European Congress of Actuaries will discuss the professional challenges and opportunities in traditional work areas as well as in new areas of activity of actuaries: new technologies, data science and cyber risks, behavioral finance, consumer protection, independent advice, capital standards, implementation of Solvency II, IORP, actuarial skills in wider fields and much more. The target audience includes practitioners, actuaries and academics, risk managers working in industry, decision makers and other professionals interested in the future of risk management in Europe.
The overall theme of the ECA 2019 is "Actuary 2020 – A profession on the move". The programme will consist of four plenary sessions with outstanding guest speakers, such as Gabriel Bernardino, Chairman of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), Jan-Hendrik Erasmus, Vice-Chair of the CRO Forum, and Paul Embrechts, Professor of Mathematics at the ETH Zurich, as well as over 30 presentations on topics ranging from guarantees in life insurance products over IFRS 17 to actuarial data science. The Call for Papers is open in autumn 2018.
Register for the newsletter and follow the ECA 2019 on Twitter for up-to-date information!


For excavators and contractors - Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge's pipeline system doesn't just run through communities—it connects them.
Pipelines are one of the safest, most efficient and most reliable way to transport energy resources. Pipelines play a vital role in our everyday lives, and are essential to our quality of life and economy—moving the products necessary for transportation, heating and cooling our homes, producing our food supply and manufacturing consumer products.
Enbridge operates thousands of miles of crude oil and natural gas pipelines throughout North America. Our top priority is operating our pipeline network safely. Our pipelines meet or exceed high government standards, and we work diligently—as we have for more than a half-century—to protect our pipeline network, because it means our neighbors and employees are protected as well.
Know what to do in a pipeline emergency situation.
It's your responsibility as an excavator to make the one-call notification, and—at all times—excavate safely. Enbridge representatives must be onsite when excavation is taking place near our pipeline rights-of-way. If you strike a pipeline while digging, it's essential that you notify Enbridge immediately by calling our emergency number.
Keeping in touch with you is very important to us. That's why we maintain contact with those neighbors who live near our pipelines and facilities—including excavators, landowners, communities, Aboriginal and Native American groups, and emergency responders—on an ongoing basis. It's an opportunity to share important information, hear about your experiences, respond to your questions and update you on Enbridge's safety, prevention and maintenance programs.
Our brochures provide valuable pipeline safety and emergency information, and an overview of Enbridge's Public Awareness program.
If you're excavating near a pipeline right-of-way (ROW), you need to call your local toll-free one-call number in either the U.S. or Canada in advance.
This NEB measure is intended to protect people, the environment and the pipeline.
If you damage a pipeline, or if you observe or suspect a leak, take these steps.
Know how to spot the signs, recognize a potential leak, and call one of our 24-hour, toll-free emergency hotlines.


The Research Bazaar is a worldwide festival promoting the digital literacy emerging at the centre of modern research. The theme for this year is work smarter not harder.
Want to get a feel for what ResBaz is all about? Watch our promo video below!
The Research Bazaar 2018 Conference is being held on the 20th and 21st of February 2019.
*Please note that this schedule is tentative only at this stage and will be subject to change.
Participate in 30 minute 'ResPitches', short 'elevator pitch' sessions introducing you to a variety of popular digital tools identified as being valuable to help researchers work with their research data. Complete team challenges and identify which tools are relevant to your research and sign up to free workshops run by fellow Masters and PhD students at the university.
Listen to 'KeyStories' and panel discussions, real experiences and advice from interesting academics. How did they get to where they are today? What were some of their biggest challenges and achievements? What advice would they give to aspiring researchers in their field and in general?
Share your Research. Display a poster showcasing your research, and, as importantly, the digital tools that form your 'digital skills toolbox'. The best poster will win a $500 Qantas voucher.
See the Tech Toy Stage, a collection of cool technologies on display like Virtual Reality interfaces, 3D printers and scanners, drones and more.
Meet your fellow community members! Research can be lonely and isolating. Use this event as an opportunity to get to know your fellow researchers. Play board games, share stories and experiences, and relax, knowing that there is a whole community of people out there who will be going through the same challenges as yourself.
Get Involved! Volunteer to share your skills with other researchers, by helping us run free researcher led training sessions throughout the year. Learn valuable teaching and communication skills, and hone your skills further in your favourite digital tools.
What is ResBaz and what will I get out of attending?
The Research Bazaar (ResBaz) aspires to promote digital literacy in modern research. In 2019 it will be a 2 day event running from Wednesday February 20th to Thursday February 21st.
The aim of the Research Bazaar conference is 2-fold.
1. You will be introduced to a large 'repertoire' of digital tools and services that Research Platform Services offers training and support in, each of which can cater for a different research 'need' to help you work smarter, not harder. Often it is difficult to judge which tools will work best for you without immersing yourself in them first, and that's what we are offering. Throughout the conference you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in 30 minute Res-Pitches, short intensive introductory sessions to a number of different digital tools. If you think you want to learn more about a particular tool, you will have the opportunity to register for our full training workshops and events held throughout the year.
2. You will have the opportunity to socialise and network with your fellow researchers and peers, share stories and experiences about your research, and hear inspiring and enlightening presentations from others. We will have games and other social activities too.
In ResBaz 2018 we had over 450 participants attend our event! This year we hope to attract 500+ participants across the two day conference.
See the conference in action with our video from last year!
We love diversity and we love community. We love enthusiastic researchers who are keen to connect, learn, grow and make the world (and academy) a greater place! We welcome Researchers from all career stages, faculties and institutions.
What will a typical day look like? Will there be social activities? Do I need to attend both days?
Great questions! Whilst we are still busy working away on the specifics of the schedule for this upcoming event, you can get a feel for what activities we will have available.
In summary, we will be showcasing researcher keystories, interviews and panel discussions, ResPitches (brief digital skill 'elevator pitch' sessions), a tech toy library, and yes, social events!
This event will be jam packed with content and social activities, so we would of course encourage you to attend both days to get the full 'ResBaz' experience. However, it is not compulsory to attend both days if you are short on time.
Not specifically. Equipment or devices such as laptops required for demonstrations and challenges will be made available for participant use during the 'ResPitch' sessions.
We do encourage engagement via social media during the event, so a phone or device with access to the internet is recommended.
Will coding be taught at Melbourne ResBaz 2018?
Teaching in depth coding is not the focus of the Research Bazaar Conference. Rather, during this event we aim to give you brief 30 minute introductions, or 'elevator pitches' (ResPitches) on a variety of popular digital tools and services that we have carved out communities for. These ResPitches will give you a sense of what the tool is and whether it's a good fit for your research.
You'll then have the option to directly sign up for a tool workshop or meet-up in the immediate weeks following the conference.
The EventBrite registration page will mention applying as a 'ResLead'. How does that work?
Reslead stands for 'Research Leaders', and refers to those members of the research community who go above and beyond their call of duty.
One of the reasons we are able to offer such a large range of FREE tool training workshops and meetup events throughout the year is with the generous help and support of fellow research community members, whom, after building knowledge and confidence in a particular tool, volunteer their time to assist during our workshops. This involves helping to support the primary workshop trainer in guiding participants through set challenges, and even teaching parts of the material themselves if desired.
You can be a ResLead at ResBaz 2019 as well! Helpers will help answer questions, set the 'tone' of the event and help run challenges during the ResPitches.
Yes, the Research Bazaar is financially free of charge. That being said, we do ask all those who register to submit a poster describing their research and experiences/aspirations with using digital tools.
What is the poster for?
The posters help us get a sense of who you are as a researcher. As well as being about your research, what we are particularly interested in is your 'digital skills toolbox', i.e the digital tools that you use within your research environment to help you get from drawing board to publication. These are both tools that you are currently and actively using, or tools that you want to learn.
We use poster data to help build an idea of the in-demand tools within the various research communities around the university (and beyond), which in turn helps us justify the tools we continue to teach and support and any tools which we should consider supporting.
There will be a prize for best poster, a $500 travel voucher!
How can I talk about this event on Social Media?
We are on twitter as @ResPlat and @ResBaz , and you can use the hashtag #ResBaz throughout the event.
Can I be a presenter or a sponsor of the Research Bazaar conference?
If you are interested in presenting content at the event or being an event sponsor, go here for more details and contact our Product and Marketing Manager sonia.ramza@unimelb.edu.au.
We'd love to hear from you! You can contact us at research.bazaar@gmail.com for any further questions or comments about the event.
The 2019 Melbourne Research Bazaar Conference will take place in and around Wilson Hall (building 151), University of Melbourne, Parkville.
When you arrive at University of Melbourne, there are large maps near each of the main gates. You can find Wilson Hall on those maps by looking for Building 151. Wilson Hall is approximately at the centre of campus.
WIN up to $1000 to pitch your research tool and story!
A new initiative that rewards Graduate Researchers at the University of Melbourne who want to teach a digital research tool.
What is a Research Pitch? Find out more here.


Minister Ami Ayalon's attempt to join the left-wing Meretz party has failed. Following a meeting held Sunday evening between Ayalon, who quit the Labor Party, Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron and representatives of the new left-wing organization, the sides decided not to run together in the upcoming Knesset elections.
Oron held several meetings with Ayalon over the past week in a bid to examine the possibility of including Ayalon and Knesset Member Michael Melchior (Labor-Meimad) in Meretz's Knesset list as part of the new left-wing organization.
Eventually, the sides decided to run for Knesset independently and hold another meeting in the coming weeks.
Oron told Ynet at the end of the meeting, "We reached the conclusion that our timetables cannot be adjusted. They have their own timetable and we have our own, so at this stage we're going our separate ways.
"Perhaps later, if the situation allows it, we'll see. In the meantime we're going our own way."
A Meretz official said that the sides did not discuss the possibility of securing Ayalon and Melchior on the Meretz roster. "It was clear that there are no agreements, so we didn't make progress," a source who took part in the meeting said.
Ayalon plans to head the left-wing religious Zionist Meimad movement and will try and collaborate with additional groups in a bid to form a "real" party which will be able to run for Knesset without degrading itself.
The Meimad council is expected to convene in the coming days to make a decision on the matter.
Ayalon declared Sunday morning that he would not be running for Knesset as part of the Labor Party and would work to form political mergers with additional bodies.
Sources in the new left-wing organization have expressed their disappointment with Ayalon in the past few days, saying that in light of his conduct and the criticism directed against him in the media, "the desire to include him in the list has deteriorated rapidly."
In a press conference Sunday morning, Ayalon explained why he decided to leave the Labor Party. "The mistakes I made stemmed from the acceptance of the rules of the political game. Part of the rules of the game are to distort messages in order to be elected, to fight only in closed rooms so that they know we are shooting inside the armored personnel vehicle," he said.
"I prefer to say what I have to say. I don't distort messages. I have a very clear war. I don't change my way. I'm ready to change frameworks, as long as the way is the way I believe in. I will not run in the Labor primaries and I won't be a Knesset member on behalf of this party."
See all talkbacks "Ami Ayalon won't join Meretz "


Well think about the name;'Tweet-Up' it sounds like meet up right? And 'Tweet' would be from 'Twitter.' So basically it is a meet up with fellow minded people on Twitter. In this case Museum & Heritage professionals.
These 'tweet-up's happen all over the world in Museum & Heritage sites all over the world. They can involve museum and heritage workers from one are converging on one museum to look at a museum's collection or to collaborate for a future project.
A 'tweet-up' can also take place if a lot of museum and heritage professionals are attending a conference in one city. Many of the professionals may want to meet their fellow twitter followers, whom they communicate with on a daily basis. This can be the foundation of many exciting projects.
A 'tweet-up' recently happened at the American History Museum based at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. I was able to follow the tweets as the particpants progressed on their tour. It gave an insight into how fun and yet informing a 'tweet-up' can be.
On a side note- The Smithsonian is awesome. It's museum geek heaven. This is the institution's main building. The place is so huge I couldn't show all of the buildings in one post.
It was my first #musesocial chat, and will certainly not be my last. I was able to communicate my thoughts on social media to museum professionals across the world. What came back to more and more often through this chat is that social media must be used by museums and heritage. That social media is integral to keep people coming back. It was also a great opportunity to see how museum professionals from other countries think as well as a networking opportunity.
The #musesocial was also taking place during a #drinkingaboutmuseums session, that now takes place world wide. The idea behind #drinkingbehindmuseums is to meet fellow colleagues in the museums & heritage sector in an informal setting.
At these events everything and anything heritage and museums can be discussed over a glass of wine or a pint of Guinness. I will be attending one of these (and the 1st of its kind ) in Belfast in the coming weeks. Meeting like minded museum professionals and talking museums, I will drink to that!
I'd love to hear what you think of the subject. What do you think of social media & museums/heritage sites? Are 'tweet-up's' a good idea? Comment below or tweet me (how fitting!) @NylonsAndAll.
Previous Post Small museums thinking 'BIG' Part Two.


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Originally set up to provide cancer education for nurses at The Royal Marsden, our students today include nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers and healthcare support workers from across the NHS and many other organisations.
You can view our latest prospectus here.


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Modern stone fireplace ideas can have a two functional applications ( using it like heating device) and a decorative element on the interior. The construction of a modern stone fireside is a laborious engineering work. You can invite experts. But people say that a mantel built with your own hands heats better and last longer. Make a fire, preferably wood of deciduous trees. Especially pleasant scent give the wood of fruit trees.
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"I want to make a difference in our community," Thiemer told the California Libertarian Activist.
He is the only prospective councilperson residing southeast of Highway 80.
There's also a geographic aspect to his campaign. "I believe all of Fairfield deserves representation; currently there is not one councilmember that lives southeast of highway 80. I would be the only councilmember from the 94533 ZIP code.
A lifelong Californian, Thiemer earned a bachelor's degree in finance and an MBA in Operations Management from Cal State East Bay, and now works in the field of business and supply-chain analysis.
His professional background has informed his vision of smaller government.
To that end, should he be elected, Thiemer has pledged to require government financial transparency and to never expand government, as well as to refuse to enforce civil asset forfeiture (or "policing for profit").
lawsuit to stop his effort, alleging that Starr's proposed initiative is unlawful, in part, because it impairs an essential government service.
Starr countersued the City for the paperwork needed to gather the signatures, serving them with a lawsuit during a televised city council meeting.
officials being fined and sentenced to jail — before the City relented and complied with the judge's order.
residents of the possible new rates" before enacting them.
Facebook page, and his city council campaign's Facebook page, both Starr and Measure M have a high profile on line.
candidate forums, with more to follow. He has ten opponents vying for the two open positions.
accountable to reduce waste and bureaucracy while focusing on the most essential services that benefit residents.
These recommendations are also posted on the LP California web site, at Ca.LP.org/measures.
Robson opposes adding to the state's burgeoning debt and vows to never raise taxes.
keeping his word, collaborating, working hard and getting things done, solving problems.
that taxpayers be required to fund it. He lists numerous ways in which we should be able to exercise educational freedom.
enough to go to war, they're old enough to be responsible for what they drink.
Republican, at the last minute.
One vote could have made the difference, here.
since top-two contests began being mandated under California law in 2010. One vote could have made the difference, here.
and campaign manager C. Douglas Conlan, who literally wrote the book, The Guide to Winning Elections (2013).
Kinney Festival in Venice on Sept. 25, which typically draws more upwards of 100,000 adults and families.
In August, he attended the benefit that Drew Carey hosted for Gary Johnson, and earned Johnson's endorsement and support.
Gov. Bill Weld, securing his endorsement as well.
on the ballot in November, as a candidate for State Assembly in District 51.
started the process of collecting the petition signatures to become an official write-in candidate.
Eagle Rock to east L.A. and downtown, and from Echo Park toward West Hollywood.
about half of them himself, starting with registered voters living in his own neighborhood.
Volunteers gathered the remainder of the 44 signatures collected, so he was in the running.
place either first or second. Everling received seven write-in votes — counting his own — and made the cut.
other candidates as treasurer, the position which deals with the regulatory "red tape" of campaign financing.
see two names on the November ballot, and have a choice to make.
values of self-ownership, property rights, and nonaggression.
and homeless people, a problem common in his district.
the November ballot with a Libertarian alternative.
against incumbent Jim Wood (D).
a measurable effect on public policy.
is running for re-election there. Weber is also owner of a small business management consulting firm, and teaches college-level accounting.
Jack Hickey's 14-year mission to close the obsolete district, which no longer owns or operates Sequoia Hospital.
visit our Candidates web page, at Ca.LP.org/candidates.
Inspired by these California Libertarian candidates?
Get started now on your 2018 campaign for elective office!
is what lays the groundwork for Libertarian principles to reach both voters and policymakers.
or contact Ted Brown via e-mail at TBrown@Ca.LP.org.
county contact list in this issue.
thank you for being a part of the Libertarian movement.
opportunities the likes of which the LP has never before seen.
If you have not already volunteered for the campaign and found something interesting to do, do not miss this opportunity!
The Johnson–Weld team has inspired thousands of supporters and volunteers in California. As a group, these supporters are highly sympathetic to libertarian ideas and far more willing to engage in activism, now and in the future, than are members of the general public. Not only that, the campaign team has invested in tools to leverage the power of our activist base. The impact of these tools will depend largely on the extent to which our members and sympathizers make use of them.
As an example, one of the tools is an application that enables activists all across the country to participate in phone-banking, on behalf of the campaign, conveniently and securely, at their choice of time and place. All the volunteer needs is a computer with an Internet connection, a phone of any kind, and very basic telephone skills. Training takes only a few minutes, and spreading the word is fun. There are also tools for contacting local activists for events and recruiting, and for walking neighborhoods to contact likely voters.
organization and skillset for the future.
Volunteers are standing by to help you connect. See the sidebar (below) for how to get hooked in. Volunteer today!
or both — are encouraged to make those points when communicating with voters about this year's presidential election.
(who is, in their opinion, a worse evil).
in which case the election will have been decided before the polls even close here.
"can't win." Don't give in to this self-fulfilling prophecy, which serves only to support the establishment parties.
population. Don't let that message get lost on Election Day!
for the long-term future of our country.
convince some of the politicians in other parties to start supporting our ideas on particular issues. You can't accomplish either of those things by voting for any other candidate this year, or by staying home and not voting.
it easier to limit the damage that our country will suffer, for years to come.
difference at all. That would be the real "waste" of your vote.
Don't waste your vote — cast it for Gary Johnson!
Joe Dehn is chair of the LP of Santa Clara County. He served seven terms on the Libertarian National Committee, and he also created the Libertarian Party's very first web site.
Reprinted with the author's permission. Originally published in the September 2016 issue of Santa Clara Libertarian Update.
name recognition for Gary Johnson's presidential campaign, in the San Francisco east bay area.
And the next thing you know, they were waving "Gary Johnson for President" signs at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations.
and started scheduling events, based on availability of volunteers.
"captains" (bring materials to subsequent events and communicate the permit rules).
Bay Regional Parks District board, John Roberts, the next two events were announced on Meetup.com and JohnsonWeld.com, at the last minute.
Moore, along with fellow member Randy Marsh, will announce more dates for Concord and North Concord, shortly.
they're in his Ward 2. Each of the six stations should be covered twice or more by mid-October.
Creek, Lafayette, and Orinda anticipated to connect with a more influential audience.
CCCLP will be out again starting at 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Lafayette BART, and on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Concord BART, to wave signs and hand out flyers.
WHEN: Thursday, October 6, 2016, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of each month.
It's here: the east bay LP "Wine and Liberty" gathering at Westover Vineyards in Castro Valley.
of this charming family-owned winery.
Jim Eyer, chair of the Alameda LP, says that all are welcome — Libertarian or not.
All Wine and Liberty proceeds will benefit local Libertarian and election outreach programs.
WHEN: Thursday, October 13, 2016, 7:15 – 9:30 P.M.
or by phone at (510) 482-3521.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month.
dedicated Facebook page and a dedicated Meetup site for his campaign in Ventura County.
street fairs: Moorpark Country Days on Oct 8, and Thousand Oaks Street Fair, sponsored by the Rotary Club, on Oct 16.
To reach an even wider audience of voters, we purchased the Ventura County LP voter registration data on disk.
banner, and we're hatching plans for where to place the latest batch of Johnson yard signs we put on order.
Ventura County Libertarians encourage all to get involved.
check our web site for updates: www.LPVC.org.
Susan Aquino is the treasurer of the LP of Ventura County.
at both the college and high school level.
in the Constitution Day event held at Sierra College's Rocklin campus.
Michael Mace, Dianne Foster of Calif.
the Placer team has also been deploying to high schools for "voter outreach" days, which will run through October.
students this fall, covering Del Oro High School on Sept. 29, and Rocklin on Sept. 15 and 16.
and 33.8 percent without indicating any party preference.
64.6 percent chose the Republican Party, and 35.4 chose to register Democratic.
and Colfax on Oct. 28.
to participate, send him e-mail at PlacerCoLP@GMail.com.
WHEN: Wed., October 12, and Wed., October 26, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Libertarian candidate for State Assembly District 1, as guest speaker at its October meeting.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 12, 6:00 P.M.
DETAILS: Open to the public. For info and reservations, call (530) 575-7932.
The LP of San Francisco (LPSF) is busy with the aftermath of ballot measure argument submissions, and has been getting calls to represent the Libertarian viewpoint to groups throughout the city.
On yet another school-bond measure, we won the lottery for the one free, prominently printed argument, and we signed on with taxpayer groups to the argument against a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) bond, which will be printed in the voter handbooks of three Bay Area counties.
following the official opponents' arguments.
A third paid argument is up in the air. There's a parcel-tax increase and extension on the ballot, to fund a dysfunctional community college. LPSF is embroiled in a David-versus-Goliath battle with the Department of Elections, to get its opposition to the parcel tax printed in the voter handbook. A progressive county supervisor, using a special privilege granted politicians over ordinary citizens, pre-empted the official opponents' argument, so LPSF didn't submit an argument against the tax.
But in the end, the supervisor submitted no argument, so the voter handbook will have no official opposing argument. LPSF quickly submitted a paid argument against the tax, only to receive a call three days later with the news that the ballot measure was now a "district" measure, for which no paid arguments are possible.
If there are any lawyers out there who could help LPSF in this battle, please e-mail me at Chair@LPSF.org. Stay tuned!
Aubrey Freedman is the chair of the LP of San Francisco.
or other special tax. Here are a few guidelines to help you tap into this avenue.
Prepare in advance; monitor activity at your elections office — and do not delay.
both your ballot argument and rebuttal.
"the city" would be two words, but "San Jose" might count as only one.
Ballot arguments can provide the Libertarian Party virtually free publicity.
damage caused by tax increases and decades-long interest burdens, don't just be anti-tax.
Voters want to hear our Libertarian solutions to the problems of education and infrastructure.
Finally, what's more gratifying than seeing Libertarian ideas in the media? Seeing them in the election results, of course.
As soon as the results are in on Election Day, you'll want to evaluate which exorbitant taxes and bonds were successfully defeated.
feedback to adjust your arguments, next election. Continue to adjust and improve; the process will get easier and easier.
when all the Libertarian elected officials have made such irresponsible and costly ballot measures a thing of the past.
MHinkle@Ca.LP.org, or by phone at (408) 779-7922.
called out as such, in every voter handbook.
as well as new member Brandon Kelsey of the city of Marina.
enjoy the fresh air while helping promote fresh Libertarian solutions to shoppers and farmers alike.
participation is desperately needed if the socialistic system is to be kept afloat.
citizens to register for ObamaCare.
Libertarians believe that people's choice of health care should not involve the taxing authority nor violate their privacy.
available to our families, children and seniors.
from income without having to meet any standard deduction.
income shall be deductible but without limitation on contributions.
review of products and services to ensure more accurate, timely and cost-effective ratings and controls on quality.
providers, medical research and construction of medical facilities.
function of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to be a merely advisory body rather than a licensing authority.
unapproved drugs upon informed consent.
an opportunity to practice. This deprives patients of a choice and denies workers their right to practice in their professions.
rather than protecting the interests of patients.
Republican rivals is by proposing to reduce government authority over who may or may not practice medicine.
advance nurse practitioners will give the patients more choices and save tax dollars.
protect professions from competition, rather than protecting the interests of patients.
whose mortality rates are significantly higher than those of white infants.
Abolish or privatize the state medical boards: The state medical boards are controlled by the professions.
Repeal the Certificate of Need laws: [The majority of] states have some form of Certificate of Need laws.
such as retail health clinics. Retail health clinics offer a low cost alternative to people needing immediate care, instead of going to an emergency room. One study suggests that retail clinics save about 80 percent of the costs of an emergency-room visit. In jurisdictions where they are allowed, retail health clinics have grown significantly since 2006.
reality it does more to keep costs high and protect the profits of the pharmaceutical industry. We should abolish the need for a prescription. If nothing else, we should let pharmacists prescribe medicine as they did in the past.
Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Founded in 1990, this nonprofit has a large influence in the health-care industry.
Organizations using the NCQA seal must pass a demanding review and report yearly.
Reprinted with permission from LP News, Volume 43 Issue 4 (December 2013).
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text:
\section{Introduction}

Quantum computation promises to unlock new
computational capabilities for certain tasks such as the ground state energy estimation (GSEE) for molecules and materials~\cite{Aspuru_Guzik_2005, Goings_2022, QC_for_QA}.
However, realizing quantum advantage for the task of GSEE requires improvements in the quantum algorithms that will reduce the resource requirements needed, such as the circuit depth~\cite{low_depth_GSEE_Peter}. This has led to extensive research on the development of algorithms with modest circuit depths~\cite{low_depth_GSEE_Peter, LD_new}.

But the performance of GSEE algorithms also strongly depends on the overlap of the true ground state of the Hamiltonian and the initial state generated by a ground state preparation (GSP) method~\cite{Zhang_2022, LD_tables, evidence_paper}.
For quantum chemistry applications, the Hartree-Fock (HF) Slater determinant state is widely used for GSP, since the cost (in terms of circuit depth) of implementing it on quantum hardware is insignificant compared to GSEE algorithms~\cite{NC_book} and it provides satisfactory results for many molecules and materials~\cite{Google_overlaps}. However, in some important cases the overlap is relatively small (for example molecules with a bond distance out of equilibrium~\cite{Google_overlaps, generative_ground_states}), which creates a need for methods that can provide a larger initial overlap.

To this end, different quantum GSP algorithms have been developed to provide a higher overlap and improve the performance of GSEE algorithms. These include quantum algorithms that prepare multi-determinant states~\cite{Google_overlaps} and numerous GSP algorithms with a provable performance guarantee~\cite{ref13booster, ref14booster, LD_new}.
Adiabatic state preparation using digital quantum computing \cite{jansen2007bounds, wiebe2012improved} is another approach to preparing ground states and in some works \cite{wecker2015solving, reiher2017elucidating} has been considered the de facto method for state preparation.
More recent heuristic approaches, such as the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE)~\cite{Kottmann_2022, DISCO_VQE} can also provide an approximation to the ground state, while using relatively little circuit depth. Recent work on low-depth-boosters introduced a method with provable performance guarantees on reliably converting circuit depth into ground state overlap and goes beyond heuristic parametrized quantum circuits~\cite{Wang_2022}. They showed that any function f that satisfies the monotonicity suppresses the high-energy eigenstates of a Hamiltonian H and hence boosts the low-energy states~\cite{Wang_2022}. But the choice of the function f and the function parameters is heuristic. Finally, classical machine learning techniques from generative modeling have been applied to the task of generating approximations to the ground state~\cite{generative_ground_states}.

Even though we have a plethora of methods for ground state preparation, we are still missing a reliable way to benchmark their performance. The notion of "good overlap", as usually referred to, is vague and does not explore a performance to resource cost ratio as a benchmarking tool~\cite{Google_overlaps, evidence_paper}.
We desire benchmark tools that address
the trade-off between the resource cost and performance improvement of the GSP and GSEE subroutines.
Such a tool could be used to answer questions like:
Is it worth the high circuit depth cost to use a GSP algorithm that provides almost perfect overlap values? Or is it better to settle for a heuristic method like VQE with smaller ground state overlap even though it increases the runtime of the GSEE subroutine?

The \textit{efficiency} of a GSP algorithm gives the right tools to understand the appropriate balance of resource cost and performance of GSP and GSEE algorithms. To evaluate the performance of quantum algorithms, recent work proposed a resource efficiency metric as the ratio of the success metric over the resource cost~\cite{Auff_ves_2022}. Instead of defining efficiency metrics, in this work we introduce a criteria to evaluate whether to accept or reject a given GSP algorithm. Specifically, we propose a systematic way to benchmark GSP methods for the problem of GSEE. We use the HF method as a reference and explore under which conditions a GSP method will be accepted over HF. The benchmarking criteria incorporate both the reduction of the total runtime for GSEE and the resource cost of the GSP algorithm (see Fig.1). We perform numerical simulations to showcase how to use the criteria in practice and provide a resource estimation of the maximum allowed depth of a GSP to be acceptable over HF.

The paper is organized as follows: in Sec.~\ref{Sec:no_reps} we introduce the criteria for acceptability of GSP that do not require repetitions, while we incorporate repetitions of GSP in Sec.~\ref{Sec:reps}. In Sec.~\ref{Sec:numerics}, we present numerical simulations on how to use the benchmarking criteria set in the first two sections. Also, we include a resource estimation of the maximum allowed GSP circuit depth for solid-state materials. Sec.~\ref{discussion}, contains the conclusions and future research directions.

\begin{figure*}[ht]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{images/intro_pptx.png}
    \caption{The acceptability criteria is used to benchmark the given GSP method over the HF reference with the goal of reducing the total runtime of the GSEE algorithm.}
    \label{fig:intro}
\end{figure*}

\section{Criteria for acceptability of state preparation}\label{Sec:no_reps}

Here we discuss the criteria under which a state preparation method is acceptable for the purposes of GSEE.
Any ground state energy estimation method has a runtime that depends on the features of the ground state preparation: the GSP circuit depth $D$ and the overlap between the prepared state and the ground state $\eta=\gamma^2$.
The runtime also depends on the target accuracy $\epsilon$.
For a given energy estimation algorithm~\cite{LD_tables}, the runtime can be formulated as
\begin{align}\label{eq::gsp_no_reps}
    \cal{T}(D,\gamma;\epsilon) &= (\textup{number of repetitions}) \nonumber\\
    \times&(\textup{total circuit depth of each repetition}) \nonumber\\
    &= (\textup{number of repetitions}) \nonumber\\
    \times&(\textup{GSP depth} +\textup{GSEE depth})\nonumber\\
    &=\tilde{O}\left(\frac{1}{\gamma^\alpha}\left(D+\frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}\right)\right).
\end{align}
According to the table given in reference~\cite{LD_tables}, example GSEE algorithms have values $\alpha \in \{0,2,4 \}$ and $\beta \in \{0, 1,2 \}$.
The units for the GSP and GSEE circuit depths need to match, but as it will become evident from the numerical simulations in the next section different choices for the units could be used, such as the circuit depth and the T-gate count. Also, we are ignoring constant factors and logarithmic dependence on the parameters for now to simplify the introduction of this technique;
but these should ultimately be included to set a more accurate benchmark. Finally, some state preparation methods require a number of repetitions to ensure their success (with high probability). In Sec.~\ref{Sec:reps}, we discuss the runtime cost that includes repetitions of the GSP algorithms.

To establish the concept of an \emph{acceptable} state preparation, we must assume that the ground state energy estimation algorithm has a reference or default method to compare with.
A reference initial state could be simply a product state of the measurement basis, or the solution to a mean-field-level method, such as the Hartree-Fock ground state.
The circuit depth for preparing a reference state can usually be neglected, thus we label the depth and overlap as $D_0=0$ and $\gamma_0$. In this work, we focus on the HF method as a reference exactly due to the zero depth cost. Other methods, such as adiabatic state preparation~\cite{Aspuru_Guzik_2005, Albash_2018}, which have non-zero depth cost, could be used as reference in future work.
The runtime of GSEE using the HF reference state preparation is
\begin{align}\label{reference_runtime}
    \mathcal{T}_0(D_0 ,\gamma_0;\epsilon)
    &=\tilde{O}\left(\frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma_0^{\alpha+\beta}}\right).
\end{align}
The condition for a state preparation method to be acceptable over the reference is that the total runtime of the GSEE with the GSP $\left( \mathcal{T} \right)$ is smaller than the total runtime of the GSEE with HF $\left( \mathcal{T}_0 \right)$, i.e. $\mathcal{T}<\mathcal{T}_0$. This puts constraints on the state preparation parameters:
\begin{align}\label{general_condition}
    \frac{1}{\gamma^\alpha}\left(D+\frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}\right)<\frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma_0^{\alpha+\beta}}.
\end{align}
Observe that if $D=0$, then the acceptability criteria reduce to the condition $\gamma>\gamma_0$.
We can rewrite the general condition~\eqref{general_condition} as
\begin{align}
    D<\frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}\left(\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{\alpha+\beta}-1\right).
\end{align}
This shows that if $\epsilon$ is decreased then a state preparation with larger $D$ will be accepted. In other words, for less demanding GSEE algorithms with a worse target accuracy $\epsilon$ more costly GSP algorithm could be accepted over the HF.
Finally, we could write the above inequality as following
\begin{equation} \label{eq:criteria}
    \frac{D+1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}{1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}<\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{\alpha+\beta}.
\end{equation}
Therefore, the acceptability criterion in the more strict case when $\alpha + \beta=1$, could be expressed in words as
\begin{align}
\frac{\textup{total depth}}{\textup{GSEE depth}}<\frac{\textup{gsp overlap}}{\textup{HF overlap}}
\end{align}
or
\begin{align}
\frac{\textup{total depth}}{\textup{GSEE depth}}<\frac{\textup{$N_{reps}$ from HF}}{\textup{$N_{0, reps}$ from GSP}},
\end{align}
where $N_{reps}$ is the number of repetitions due to the GSP overlap value, i.e. $N_{reps}=1/\gamma$ and $N_{0, reps}=1/\gamma_0$.

Next, we discuss the simple case when the GSP query depth is much smaller than the GSEE query depth. Then, we have
\begin{align}
    \frac{\textup{GSP depth}}{\textup{GSEE depth}} \ll 1 \\

    D \gamma^\beta \ll \frac{1}{\epsilon}.
\end{align}

For typical values of $\epsilon \simeq 10^{-3}$~\cite{low_depth_GSEE_Peter,Babbush_2018}, the condition becomes $D \gamma^\beta \ll 10^3$. Since $\beta \in {\{0,1,2\}}$~\cite{LD_tables} and $\gamma \leq 1$, the more strict condition is $D \ll \dfrac{1}{\epsilon}$.

Then, the acceptability criteria for any $\alpha \in \{0,2,4 \}, \beta \in \{0,1,2\}$~\cite{LD_tables} is simplified to
\begin{align}\label{eq::simple_acc_criteria}
    1 <\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{\alpha+\beta},
\end{align}
which simply states that the acceptance of the GSP over HF is determined by the respective overlap values ratio.

Next, we compare the acceptability criteria for two different GSEE algorithms presented in the table of GSEE performance~\cite{LD_tables}, the quantum phase estimation semi-classical (QPE)~\cite{QPE_semclassical1, QPE_semiclassical2} and the GSEE algorithm developed by Tong et. al. (referred as LT20)~\cite{LD_tables} for a given GSP algorithm introduced in~\cite{ref14booster} whose depth depends on the lower bound of the spectral gap $\Delta$ and the overlap $\gamma_0$. For QPE we have $\alpha=\beta=2$ and
\begin{equation}
\frac{ \epsilon  \gamma^{2}+\Delta \gamma_0}{\Delta \gamma_0}<\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{4},
\end{equation}
while for LT20 we have $\alpha=0 $, $\beta=1$ and
\begin{equation}
\frac{ \epsilon  \gamma+\Delta \gamma_0}{\Delta \gamma_0}<\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right).
\end{equation}
Since $\gamma \leq 1$, we have
\begin{equation}
\frac{ \epsilon  \gamma^{2}+\Delta \gamma_0}{\Delta \gamma_0} \leq \frac{ \epsilon  \gamma+\Delta \gamma_0}{\Delta \gamma_0} < \left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right) < \left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{4}.
\end{equation}
This suggests that the acceptability criteria for the LT20 is more strict than the QPE. The LT20 has a smaller GSEE query depth compared to QPE, so it is harder to accept a GSP algorithm with non-zero depth over the HF. Therefore, the better the GSEE algorithms becomes in terms of query depth reduction, the more strict the criteria for the acceptance of a GSP method over HF. In other words, as the query depth of the GSEE becomes smaller, the number of repetitions imposed by the overlap prepared from the GSP algorithm becomes less significant.

Finally, the acceptability criteria allow us to explore the maximum values of the GSP depth that enable the given GSP method to be acceptable over the HF state. Given a specific GSEE algorithm and the value of $\gamma_0$, and assuming that the GSP provides a specific value of $\gamma$, i.e. $\gamma=1$, we find the corresponding maximum acceptable depth of a GSP method. To this end, Eq.~\eqref{eq:criteria} can be written as
\begin{equation}\label{eq:RE}
    D < \frac{\gamma - \gamma_0}{\gamma_0} D_\mathrm{GSEE},
\end{equation}
for more demanding GSEE algorithms with $\alpha + \beta =1$ and depth $D_\mathrm{GSEE}$.
The above equation can be expressed as
\begin{equation}\label{eq::Dgps}
\textup{GSP depth}  < \frac{\textup{performance gain}}{\textup{HF performance}}\,  \textup{GSEE depth }.
\end{equation}

\section{Criteria for acceptability of state preparation methods with repetitions}\label{Sec:reps}

In this section, we discuss the criteria under which a GSP method that requires repetitions to reach an overlap $\gamma$ is acceptable for a given GSEE algorithm.
The runtime Eq.~\eqref{eq::gsp_no_reps} discussed in the previous section becomes
\begin{align}
    \cal{T}(D,\gamma;\epsilon) &= (\textup{number of repetitions of GSEE}) \nonumber\\
    \times & [ (\textup{number of repetitions of GSP}) \nonumber\\
    \times & (\textup{circuit depth of GSP}) \nonumber\\
    + & (\textup{circuit depth of GSEE}) ]\nonumber\\
    &= \tilde{O} \left( \frac{1}{\gamma^\alpha}\left( \frac{1}{P_\mathrm{succ}} \times  D  + \frac{1}{\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}} \right) \right).
\end{align}

As explained earlier, the runtime for the GSEE using the HF reference state preparation $\mathcal{T}_0 $ is given by Eq.~\eqref{reference_runtime}. Then, the condition, i.e. $\mathcal{T}<\mathcal{T}_0$, for a state preparation method being acceptable over the reference becomes

\begin{multline}\label{eq::gsp_with_reps}
\frac{ D/  P_{succ}+1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}{1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}<\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{\alpha+\beta},
\end{multline}
which can be expressed as
\begin{equation*}
\frac{\textup{total query depth}}{\textup{GSEE query depth}}<\frac{\textup{$N_\mathrm{reps}$ from HF}}{\textup{$N_{reps}$ from GSP}}.
\end{equation*}

\section{Numerical simulations}\label{Sec:numerics}

In this section, we apply the acceptability criteria and benchmark different GSP methods over the HF for different Hamiltonians of molecules and solid-state materials, starting from small molecules ($\textup{H}_2$ molecule) and moving on to larger molecules ($\textup{N}_2$ molecule). Finally, we perform a resource estimation of the maximal acceptable circuit depth of GSP for different solid-state materials over HF state.

\subsection{Molecules}

We explore the acceptability criteria for a small molecule ($\textup{H}_2$) with $4$ spin-orbitals or qubits in an adapted basis~\cite{Kottmann_2021}. We compare the HF method to the separable pair approximation (SPA) approach introduced in the recent work of~\cite{Kottmann_2022} as the GSP method (see Appendix~\ref{appendix}). According to this work, the circuit depth of SPA for the $\textup{H}_2$ molecule equals to 3. Since the depth is $D_{GSP}=3 << 10^3$ for typical values of chemical accuracy $\epsilon= 10^{-3}$, we are in the simple case discussed in Sec.~\ref{Sec:no_reps} where the criteria are simplified to the overlap values ratio (Eq.~\eqref{eq::simple_acc_criteria}). We assume a more demanding GSEE algorithms with $\alpha+\beta=1$ and the criteria is given by
\begin{align}\label{eq::simple_acc_criteria2}
    1 <\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}.
\end{align}

In Fig.\ref{fig:H2_molecule}, we plot the fidelity of the two different GSP methods.  For all bond distances presented in Fig.\ref{fig:H2_molecule}, the criteria is satisfied. Specifically, at bond distance $d=0.5$ the ratio $\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}$ is $1.005$ leading up to the value of $1.5$ for $d=2.6$. This suggests that initially SPA is comparable to HF and as we increase the bond distance (\r{A}), SPA is acceptable over HF. For a less demanding GSEE algorithm (i.e. with $\alpha+\beta$ possessing different values than $1$), the criteria would be satisfied and SPA would be acceptable over the HF method.

\begin{figure}[ht]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=1.0\linewidth]{images/H2_molecule.pdf}
    \caption{Fidelity as a function of bond distance of the $\textup{H}_2$ molecule for the HF method and the SPA algorithm as GSP methods respectively. The value of alpha and beta is set to be alpha + beta = 1, which corresponds to a GSEE method that has a more strict acceptability criteria.}
    \label{fig:H2_molecule}
\end{figure}

Next, we explore the larger molecule $N_2$ considering $6$ active electrons in $12$  spin-orbitals or qubits in an adapted basis~\cite{Kottmann_2021} at bond distance $d=2.0$. Initially, we benchmark the SPA method over the HF (see Appendix~\ref{appendix}). Since $D_{GSP}=3$~\cite{Kottmann_2022}, we could apply the criteria of Eq.\ref{eq::simple_acc_criteria2} which gives

\begin{equation}
    1 < \frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0} = \frac{0.85}{0.72} = 1.18.
\end{equation}
Therefore, the SPA is acceptable over the HF method.

Next, we benchmark a more costly heuristic algorithm: the low-depth-booster from the recent work of~\cite{Wang_2022}. To this end, we change the unit of depth from the circuit depth to the accumulations of the controlled time evolution $epx\left( 2 i \pi H \right)$ operations, where H is the Hamiltonian of the system. Following the aforementioned work~\cite{Wang_2022}, we have $D_{GSP}=10^3$ with $\gamma \approx 1$, while $D_{GSEE}=2 \times 10^4$ and $\gamma_0 = 0.72$. The success probability of the low-depth-booster GSP algorithm applied with the linear combination of unitaries (LCU) method is $P_{succ} \approx 0.5$~\cite{Wang_2022}. Therefore, the criteria of Eq.~\ref{eq::gsp_with_reps} becomes
\begin{align}
    \frac{ D/ \left( P_{succ}\right)+1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}{1/\epsilon\gamma^{\beta}}<\left(\frac{\gamma}{\gamma_0}\right)^{\alpha+\beta} \Rightarrow \\
    \frac{2.2}{2}<\left(\frac{1}{0.72}\right)^{\alpha+\beta} \Rightarrow
    1.1<\left(1.39\right)^{\alpha+\beta},
\end{align}
which is satisfied for any values of $\alpha, \beta$ of the GSEE algorithms.

\subsection{Solid-state materials}

Here, we perform a resource estimation of the maximal acceptable depth of the GSP methods for different solid-state materials.

Recent work~\cite{Babbush_2018} estimates the T gates needed for quantum simulation of 3D spinful jellium (or the homogeneous electron gas). It focuses on T-count since applying a T gate requires a lot of logical qubits and takes much longer than any other operation in a quantum circuit~\cite{T_gates}. The 3D spinful jellium is in the dual basis at Wigner-Seitz radius of 10 Bohr radii assuming the system is at half filling.  For $54$ spin-orbitals and a target chemical accuracy $\Delta E = 0.0016$ Hartree the depth is equal to $1.8\times 10^7$ T-count.

As explained in the work of~\cite{Babbush_2018}, the jellium is a good proxy for different solid-state materials, such as diamond, graphite, silicon, metallic lithium and crystalline lithium hydride. For these materials, the HF overlap could range from smaller to larger values as presented in Fig.~\ref{fig:jellium}. Assuming that the GSP method gives $\gamma \approx 1$, we have a resource estimation of the maximum depth allowed for the GSP method to be acceptable over HF (see Fig.~\ref{fig:jellium}) given by Eq.~\eqref{eq:RE}.

\begin{figure}[ht]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=1.0\linewidth]{images/02_solid_state_estimation.pdf}
    \caption{Maximum acceptable depth $D_{max}$ of the GSP algorithm with $\gamma=1$ and $D_{GSEE} = 1.8 \times 10^7$ for solid state materials as a function of the HF overlap $\gamma_0$.}
    \label{fig:jellium}
\end{figure}

\section{Discussion}\label{discussion}

We introduced a method to assess when to accept or reject a ground state preparation (GSP) method over the Hartree-Fock (HF) reference for the task of ground state energy estimation (GSEE) by introducing acceptability criteria. The criteria are defined through the total runtime of the GSEE algorithm that incorporates both the number of repetitions needed and the total circuit depth of each repetition---i.e. the GSP and the GSEE depth. If the inequality introduced in Eq.~\ref{eq:criteria} is satisfied, then the GSP method is acceptable over the HF---i.e. provides a speedup in the total runtime of the GSEE algorithm. The criteria explores the trade-off of both the resource cost and performance of GSP and GSEE subroutines.

We explored under which conditions the acceptability criteria could be simplified and also established them for GSP methods that require repetitions to reach an overlap $\gamma$. Comparing the acceptability criteria for two different GSEE algorithms with a GSP, we found that the better the GSEE algorithms becomes in terms of query depth reduction, the more strict the criteria to accept a GSP over the HF. This could be due to the fact that the number of repetitions introduced by the GSP overlap becomes less significant as the GSEE query depth becomes smaller. The ability to trade circuit depth with runtime is also motivated in recent works~\cite{low_depth_GSEE_Peter, LD_new}. In agreement, the resource estimation performed in this work suggests that a GSP method with a larger circuit depth than the GSEE could be accepted for total runtime reduction.

Next, we showed that the separable pair approximation (SPA) method is acceptable over the HF for the hydrogen molecule for different bond lengths, which suggests that even for a simple molecule, there exists GSP that could offer an improved performance to the GSEE algorithm over using HF. We also evaluated the more expensive low-depth-booster GSP algorithm for the nitrogen molecule which is widely used for benchmarking quantum chemistry simulations; in particular, when the bond is stretched~\cite{Google_overlaps, Kottmann_2022, Wang_2022}. These results suggest that more expensive GSP methods could reduce the total runtime, thus being acceptable over the HF reference. In accordance, the resource estimation of the maximum allowed depth of a GSP does not provide evidence against the use of VQE and more expensive heuristic methods.
Further numerical and theoretical work is needed to draw a more definitive conclusion.

This work sets
a foundation
to further explore resource efficiency metrics for GSP and GSEE algorithms. It would be interesting to apply the criteria introduced here to molecules and materials of industrial relevance~\cite{Gonthier_2022} and further use them for resource estimations. Moreover, they could be adjusted to incorporate logarithmic dependencies on the parameters or the recent GSEE algorithm with an exponential improvement in the circuit depth~\cite{low_depth_GSEE_Peter}. Finally, other GSP methods could play the role of the reference method instead of the HF. It is challenging to assess what combination of methods will ultimately be used in practice, and further research will help evaluate the utility of various combinations of GSEE and GSP methods.

\noindent\textbf{Acknowledgements} This work was done while K.G. was a research intern at Zapata Computing Inc. We thank Artur Izmaylov, Jerome Gonthier, and Jakob Kottmann for helpful discussions. K.G. acknowledges support from: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 847517, Ministerio de Ciencia y Innovation Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones (R$\&$D project CEX2019-000910-S AEI/1013039/5011000011033, Plan National FIDEUA PID2019-106901GB-I00, FPI), Fundació Privada Cellex, Fundació Mir-Puig, and from Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR Grant No. 2017 SGR 1341, CERCA program).
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