Eldar Musayev

ISBN:

0-7679-0769-8

Keywords:

management, knowledge worker management, project management

Abstract:

Main concept of this book is that pushing for efficiency, when everybody every minute works for the company in a reportable manner cuts the necessary reserve of time for change management,and hence such organizations become unable to change, which is a dead sentence in the modern knowledge industry. Of course, it's also complemented with a number of other related great ideas, as most of the DeMarco's books are. Some of them include a chapter on risk management (and inability of some managers accept the very idea of risk), relationship of fear, safety and adaptability of organizations, why trust is essential and how to earn it, where the change happens, and more.

ISBN:

0-321-05677-9

Keywords:

statistics, probability theory, time series, multivariate analysis

Abstract:

First edition: 1996. Looks like a good detailed textbook on the subject. Need to get again from MS Library and work through.

ISBN:

0-07-138383-2

Keywords:

diet, weight loss, fat loss, metabolism

Full Text:

The Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S. – McGraw-Hill, 2002 – ISBN 0-07-138383-2 / 978-0-07-138383-7, 262 p.

Another book that claims “The Breakthrough Weight Loss Diet…” but in reality offers not a diet but a lifestyle and permanent food regime change. Not a big surprise, that’s the only case when any weight loss plan works.

On a positive side, it’s much more multi-faceted than other fad diets (Atkins, low-carbs, glycemic index, toxicity etc.) and it considers a lot of factors at the same time in an integrated picture.

Main factors it includes are:

· Toxicity and liver functions

· Water retention

· Deficit of essential fats

· Insulin/inflammation

· Stress/cortisol

Also a few interesting details on human metabolism.

Essential oils:

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) – amazingly comes from meat, whole milk and full-fat dairy products. Should be available as a supplement though. Taking CLA during dieting result and a consequent weight gain (when stopped dieting) in 50% muscle/50% fat, while without it it’s 25% muscle/75% fat (usual weight gain proportion) Also 7 pound weight loss in the group taking CLA without any diet.

References:

· Journal of Nutrition, 2000

· American Chemical Society meeting in 2000, Dr. Pariza and Ola Gudmundsen, Ph.D. of the Scnadinavian Clinical Research Facility in Kjeller, Norway

· Isolated in early 80s by Michael Pariza, M.D. at the University of Wisconsin

Omega-6 LA (linolenic acid) – suffflower, subflower and corn oil. Can be converted by body into GLA and AA (arachidonic acid) and then into prostaglandins, but too many factors can (and usually do) interfere. Prostaglandins power ATP usage in cellular metabolism by controlling potassium-sodium balance (keeps potassium in and sodium out of cell) and activating brown fat (brown adipose tissue, brown because it’s rich in mitochondria)

GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) – comes with borage oil, evening primrose oil, or black currant seed oil. Stimulates thyroid/metabolism, tones skin.

Omega-6 fats stimulate thyroid.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) – one of Omega-3 fats, converted to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) then to DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) then to prostaglandins

Acids and prostaglandins:

GLA -> PGE1, anti-inflammatory and diuretic

AA -> PGE2, inflammation, retaining salt by kidney, water retention

EPA ->PGE3, control inflammation, prevent blood clots, more.

Insulin cycle:

Islets of Langerhans produce:

· Insulin – accumulation of fat, consumption of glucose by whole body. Reaction to high glucose level.

· Glucagon – release glycogen from the liver, release fat from fat cells to burn. Reaction to low glucose level in blood.

Excess body fat cells produce proteins that promt imflammation.

Stress and cortisol:

In stressed mind hypothalamus signals pituiry gland to release ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Adrenal gland reacts to ACTH in blod releasing stress hormones, which includes cortisol.

Cortisol also releases glucose and fatty acids to provide the energy for muscles. It also stimulate appetite to replenish reserves. Sugary foods also release cortisol leading to a loop.

Cortisol also make fat cells store fat (activates enzymes that do storing). Fat cells in abdomen has four times more cortisol receptors than other fat cells (they are fast energy source for stress after glycogen from liver).

References:

· Pamela Peeke, M.D. in The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1995 – stress results in fat.

· Elissa S. Epel in Psycho-Somatic Medicine, September-October 2000 – confirmation in study of a group of pregnant women

ISBN:

0932633609

Other Number:

ISBN-13: 978-0932633606

URL:

http://www.amazon.com/Waltzing-Bears-Managing-Software-Projects/dp/0932633609/ref=thewisemoney

Keywords:

software development; IT management

Abstract:

Another great book by DeMarco on software development management dealing with "survival projects" and various death marches.

A story of the first and the biggest soap opera…

Keywords:

Biochemistry, Addiction, Neurotransmitters, Dopamine

Abstract:

For a species wired for survival we have an odd habit of getting hooked on things that can kill us. New research is revealing why -- and opening the door to the long-dreamed-of cure.

Full Text:

Some dates: 3000 BC Evidence of first wine industry along the banks of Nile 1492 Columbus travels to the West indies and sees Native Americans smoking tobacco 1600 Marijuana cultivation begins in U.S. with the Jamestown settlers, who used its strong fibers to make ropes and clothing 1919 National Prohibition Act 1935 A stockbroker and a surgeon (recovered and current alcoholoics) started Alcoholics Anonymous 1982 U.S. cocaine use peaks, with 10.4 million users 1985 Crack cocaine first appears in large cities like Miami and New York Few facts from the article: Dopamine biochemistry "We feel good when neurons in the reward pathway release a neurotransmitter called dopamine into the nucleus accumbens and other brain areas." Neurons in the rewards pathway communicate with dopamin in synapse: dopamine is released from axon and hits dopamine receptors on another neuron dendrite. At the same time, it's captured back by the axon, so that signal is not permanent. Another neuron may have synapse down the dendrite where it can release GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), another neurotransmitter which inhibits stimulation by the dopamine. Drugs mess up with this mechanism by forcing the release of more dopamine (e.g. meth), blocking capturing dopamine back (cocaine), or blocking the release of GABA (heroin, mortphine). Quotes "In the brain of addicts, there is reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, where rational thought can override impulsive behavior" "What has to happen for that cue [for falling to the addiction again] to extinguish is not for the amygdala [unconscious part in reward pathway] to become weaker but for the frontal cortex [conscious mind] to become stronger." Interesting facts: Frontal cortex where cognitive functions happen can override addiction, but in addicts they seems to be significantly less active. Some drugs may inhibit its activity, but low cognitive functions make addiction and relapses significantly more likely. "To his surprise, Paulus found that 80% to 90% of the time, he could accurately predict who would relapse within a year simply by examining the scans." Addiction in U.S. Alcohol: 18.7 million people, 7.7% of population; 12,000 more try it every day; 2,000 Alcoholics Anonymous Drugs: 3.6 million are dependent; 8,000 try them every day for the first time; 700,000 in treatment; marijuana, cocaine and pain releivers are leading. Tobacco: 71.5 million people; 23.4% or men and 18.5% women smoke sigarettes; 44.3% of young adults 18 to 25 years smoke, highest rank in all age groups. Caffeine: 80% to 90% of Americans. 40% to 70% of them experience withdrawal if trying to quit. Food: 4 million people. Gambling: 2 million people. Shopping: 1 in 20 Americans.

THE BUG

Important notice: All names in this text (except one first name) are taken arbitrary from the telephone 
directory. First names are taken from different pages than second names. Any similarity in names is accidental.

From: Alex Bach, field engineer
To: Vadim Zhukov, software engineer, Research & Development
Subject: bug in OS
Date: 4/1/97
Vadik, it looks like I found a next bug in OS. It’s something wrong with switching states. 
Best regards, Alex.

From: Vadim Zhukov, software engineer, R&D 
To: Dave Joyce, Manager, R&D
Subject: field engineers and a bug
Date: 4/1/97
Dave, I have a request from field engineers. It looks like they find another bug in ftstate. I 
see they start to like that. Vadim.

From: Dave Joyce, Manager, R&D
To: Vadim Zhukov, software engineer, R&D, OS group
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/1/97
Vadim, what do you mean when you say "they like that"? Dave.

From: Vadim Zhukov, software engineer, R&D, OS group
To: Dave Joyce, Manager, R&D
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/1/97
Just, that they like the bug. Vadim.

From: Dave Joyce, Manager, R&D
To: Tim Stock, Vice President
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/2/97
Tim, field engineers said they like the bug in ftstate manager in version 5.
What we are supposed to do? Dave.

From: Tim Stock, Vice President
To: Tolia Perin, Manager
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/3/97
Tolia, field engineers require some new feature they call “the bug” in ftstate in version 5. 
In what time you could validate the bug, if OS group will implement it?  Could we fit in 
time to include the bug in version 6 release? Tim.

From: Tolia Perin, Manager
To: Tim Stock, Vice President
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/3/97
Tim, maybe it will require a bit more time. But I see no reason why it could be impossible. 
Tolia.

From: Tim Stock, Vice President
To: Tolia Perin, Manager
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/4/97
OK, do that. Tim.

From: Tolia Perin, Manager
To: Dave Joyce, Manager
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/5/97
Dave, field engineers require to implement the bug in ftstate manager for Series 6. This 
request is approved by Tim Stock. Tolia.

From: Dave Joyce, Manager
To: Tolia Perin, Manager
Subject: request of field engineers
Date: 4/5/97
Tolia, I don't understand what they like to have this time, but we will try, if possible. Do 
you know what "THE BUG" is supposed to be? Dave.

From: Tolia Perin, Manager
To: Dave Joyce, Manager
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/8/97
No, I just received a request. Could Will contact field engineering himself? It would be 
very useful for getting better specifications. I can issue Software Development Request 
for this task. Tolia.

From: Dave Joyce, Manager
To: Will Wagner, Supervisor
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/8/97
There is a request of field engineering to implement THE BUG in ftstate of Version 6. 
Could you estimate a time and time scheduling to do that? Dave.

From: Will Wagner, Supervisor
To: Keith Hensen, Vadim Zhukov, Ely McClain, Tom Hansen
Subject: New request
Date: 4/9/97
Hi, new joke from Dave :-(

> From: Dave Joyce, Manager
> To: Will Wagner, Supervisor
> Subject: THE BUG
> Date: 4/5/97
>
> There is a request of field engineering to implement THE BUG in ftstate
> of Version 6. Could you estimate a time and time scheduling to do that?
> Dave.

Who knows what does it mean? Will

From: Vadim Zhukov
To: Will Wagner, Supervisor
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/10/97
Well, a month ago I wrote some specifications for something like that. Maybe our big 
bosses at last understood importance of my proposals? Bad.

From: Will Wagner, Supervisor
To: Vadim Zhukov
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/11/97
OK, please, send them to me. I mean specs, not bosses. Will.

From: Vadim Zhukov
To: Will Wagner, Supervisor
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/12/97
See attachment. Bad.

From: Will Wagner, Supervisor
To: Dave Joyce, Manager
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/15/97
Dave, it may be complex to implement the request of field engineers in time. Do we really 
need to do so? Will

From: Dave Joyce, Manager
To: Tim Stock, Vice President
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/15/97
Tim, it's about the urgent request "THE BUG" of field engineering. Do we really need to 
implement it in version 6? Dave.

From: Tim Stock, Vice President
To: Dave Joyce, Manager, Tolia Perin, Manager
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/16/97
Dave, I suppose if the request is really urgent, there is no way. We have to do that.  Is it 
possible to defer something else, to fit in time?
Tolia, I understand you'll have a very short time for validation of THE BUG. Please, be 
ready for that.
Tim

From: Dave Joyce, Manager
To: Will Wagner, Supervisor
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/16/97
Will, there is no way. We have to implement THE BUG in version 6. Could we postpone 
anything else to fit in time? Dave.

From: Will Wagner, Supervisor
To: Dave Joyce, Manager
Subject: THE BUG
Date: 4/17/97
OK, I'll try to do something.

The time passed… The bug was implemented.

From: Alex Bach, field engineer
To: Vadim Zhukov, software engineer, R&D
Subject: bug in OS
Date: 7/1/97
Vadik, it's not April 1st now, and it looks like I really found a bug in OS. Alex.

Galina Musayev

M.Sc. (Mathematics)

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