FairTargetSim: An Interactive Simulator for Understanding and Explaining the Fairness Effects of Target Variable Definition

Machine learning requires defining one's target variable for predictions or decisions, a process that can have profound implications on fairness: biases are often encoded in target variable definition itself, before any data collection or training. We present an interactive simulator, FairTargetSim (FTS), that illustrates how target variable definition impacts fairness. FTS is a valuable tool for algorithm developers, researchers, and non-technical stakeholders. FTS uses a case study of algorithmic hiring, using real-world data and user-defined target variables. FTS is open-source and available at: http://tinyurl.com/ftsinterface. The video accompanying this paper is here: http://tinyurl.com/ijcaifts

An Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatoghraphy-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) Method for the Rapid and Sensitive Determination of Sulforaphane and Sulforaphane Nitrile in Brassica Vegetables

A rapid UPLC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of sulforaphane and sulforaphane nitrile from Brassica Oleracea L. This method was developed utilising an Acquity BEH C8 column with gradient elution combined with tandem mass spectrometry detection, using positive ion electrospray ionisation in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was validated for linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effects and recovery. The retention times for sulforaphane and sulforaphane nitrile were 0.4 and 0.6 min, respectively. The limits of detection and lower limits of quantification were 0.005 μM and 0.01 μM respectively for sulforaphane, and 0.06 μM and 0.16 μM for sulforaphane nitrile respectively. Intra- and inter-day precision ranged, respectively, from 5.07 to 8.93 % RSD and from 3.44 to 9.31 % RSD, for sulforaphane and from 0.95 to 6.69 % RSD and 6.84 to 9.94 % RSD, respectively, for sulforaphane nitrile. The accuracy varied from -12.55 to 10.34 % bias for sulforaphane and from -8.67 to 8.06 % bias for sulforaphane nitrile. Matrix effects were also investigated and were found to be in the range of 92.5 to 105.7 %, and 99.2 to 102.9 %, for sulforaphane and sulforaphane nitrile respectively. This method is the first validated UPLC-MS/MS method for the rapid and sensitive determination of sulforaphane and sulforaphane nitrile in cruciferous sources such as broccoli plants

Development of a Novel Functional Soup Rich in Bioactive Sulforaphane Using Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. italica) Florets and Byproducts.

Broccoli florets are rich in health-promoting compounds such as glucoraphanin, the precursor of the bioactive compound sulforaphane. In addition, broccoli byproducts such as broccoli stalk also contain health promoting compounds and represent attractive ingredients in the development of functional foods. The bioconversion of glucosinolates into bioactive isothiocyanates is affected by many factors including heat and therefore cooking of Brassicas such as broccoli may result in significant loss of sulforaphane production. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable food system as a vehicle for the delivery of sulforaphane in the human diet in adequate quantities. To this end, the feasibility of dry-mix ready soup as a food matrix for the delivery of broccoli floret and byproducts was evaluated. In particular, this study investigated the bioconversion of glucosinolates into bioactive isothiocyanates during the cooking process of this novel food product by microwave heating. In addition to total isothiocyanate and sulforaphane content, other key physical and biochemical quality attributes of the broccoli floret- and byproduct-enriched soups were investigated. These included colour, antioxidant capacity and sensory acceptability. Total isothiocyanate and sulforaphane content in floret- and stalk-enriched ready soups was high in both cases and increased in the order stal