Sampling Methodology Research Articles

Comparison of sampling techniques and diagnostic tests for Cryptosporidium serpentis in eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi).

The purpose of this study was to compare various sampling techniques and commercially available diagnostic tests for Cryptosporidium serpentis. A colony of 80 eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) in human care was screened for the presence of C serpentis using endoscopic gastric mucosal biopsies for histologic and molecular analyses. At the time of endoscopic examination and biopsy, a cloacal swab, gastric swab, and gastric lavage sample were also collected. A C serpentis-specific probe hybridization quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed on each sample. The gastric lavage sample was divided equally for direct microscopy, acid-fast stain, rapid qualitative immunochromatographic assay, direct fluorescent antibody, and 5 different PCR analyses. If a fecal sample was available at the time of endoscopic evaluation, it was also evaluated for Cryptosporidium oocysts by direct microscopy and acid-fast staining. When comparing test results to histologic analyses, the sensitivity of the probe hybridization qPCR of gastric biopsy, gastric lavage, and gastric swab was 100% while the cloacal swab was 72%. When gastric lavage tests were compared, qPCRs outperformed the other tests. Endoscopic biopsy for histologic and qPCR analyses is recommended for disease diagnosis, while gastric lavage or gastric swab samples for qPCR analysis are as sensitive as endoscopic biopsy for screening for the pathogen but cannot diagnose disease. The results from this study allow the veterinary practitioner to select the most appropriate sample and testing methodology when evaluating an ophidian patient for gastric cryptosporidiosis.

On sensitivity analysis for Fisher-Behrens comparisons of soil contaminants in Arica, Chile

We developed a tailored statistical methodology to compare the contamination by chemical elements in soil of Arica, Chile in 2013 and 2014. We study the differences in the consecutive years 2013 and 2014 between arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and cadmium occurrence. The complicated aspect of such comparisons is that the heavy-tailed part of the distribution is mixing with the light-tailed distribution of the measurements and annual distributions of each element differ in their variances. We developed a novel sampling methodology based on the generalized Hill approach, which separates extreme values and the central part of the data. We perform a sensitivity analysis of the Fisher-Behrens test and investigate the effect of violation of homoscedasticity depending on the distributions of random samples. Those methods are useful for experimenters when testing for equality of means in sets with homoscedasticity.

Factors Influencing the Sustainability of SMEs in Marginalized Areas: A Study of Dullu Municipality, Dailekh

This research scrutinizes the underlying factors influencing the sustainability of SMEs in marginalized areas, with a particular focus on dimensions such as creativity and innovation, resource availability, regulatory compliance, networking and collaboration, and market competitiveness. It is conducted in Dullu Municipality, Dailekh, and employs an explanatory research design complemented by quantitative methods. Convenience sampling methodology is employed to gather data from a sample of 225 SME proprietors, who are selected as respondents for the study, utilizing survey questionnaires. Inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analysis, reveal the significant impact of creativity and innovation, efficient resource availability, regulatory compliance, networking and collaboration, and market competition on sustainable SMEs. The findings of the study recommend that owners of SMEs give more priority to innovation, optimal utilization of resources, and fostering networks and collaboration among SMEs. Furthermore, policymakers are urged to design initiatives supporting regulatory compliance and incentivizing innovation. Future research is recommended to explore market dynamics and compliance barriers, informing strategies for sustainable SMEs in marginalized locales.

HU U?: The Impact of Texting Language on the Academic Writing Proficiency of Second Language Learners

This study examined the common language used for texting between first- and second-year English language studies majors at a state university in the northern Philippines, as well as their writing skills. The methodology of total enumeration sampling was utilized to ascertain the study participants. The findings demonstrated that "Shortenings and Abbreviations" is the most often used texting language among the seven commonly used texting languages among the respondents. The results also revealed that the respondents' written performance had a relatively low level of writing competence, "Developing," which can be linked to their usage of acronyms and shorthands. These imply that the idea that textese, or texting language, is destroying language and influencing the language performance of the students has been proven and confirmed.

The lateral neck in 3 dimensions: A digital model derived from radiology, peer-reviewed literature, and medical illustration

ObjectivesTo develop an anatomically accurate 3-dimensional (3D) digital model of the lateral neck anatomy, including musculature, neurovasculature, and other associated structures such as lymphatics Materials and MethodsLateral neck anatomy, emphasizing level 1-4 structures, were segmented from a CT angiogram of a healthy 29-year-old female which was later transferred into a 3D illustration software after removal of imaging artifacts. To enhance anatomical accuracy, details not captured by imaging or unclear from the study were refined with relevant peer-reviewed literature. These structures were incorporated into the head and neck model. ResultsFollowing segmentation, the 3D models was refined in 3D CAD software. Structures not identified by segmentation, including vagus and phrenic nerves and lymphatics beyond the scan resolution, were designed by a medical illustrator and all structures were refined from peer-reviewed anatomic literature. Where discrepancies were found in the literature, the sample size, source, and methodology of the studies were considered to determine the most common variant of each structure. Finally, the 3D model was uploaded to MedReality® for online viewing. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the critical anatomic structures, landmarks, and surgical relationships relevant to the lateral neck. The associated 3D model and manuscript will serve as a helpful tool for a broad range of clinicians and trainees in search of a detailed 3D anatomic description of the lateral neck. This literature-based model of the central neck combined with 3D anatomic modeling from real patient data should aid in surgical anatomy education.

Avifaunal species richness and composition at Masani barrage, district Rewari, Haryana

Masani barrage act as wintering spot for wide range of migratory as well as residential avian species. Their population estimation is to comprehend group dynamics, niche relationships, habitat preferences, and other behavioral features. An ornithological survey was conducted at Masani barrage, district Rewari, Haryana from April 2022 to March 2023 with the help of scan sampling and point count methodology. A total of 150 bird species belonging to 18 orders and 49 families were recorded, among which 94 species were resident; 47 species were winter migrant and 9 species were summer migrant of the observed feeding guilds, Carnivores were the highly dominated followed by Insectivores (41 species), Omnivores (36 species), Herbivores (9 species) and others. Species such as Ferruginous Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Asian woollyneck, Painted stork, Black-necked Stork, Rufous-vented Grass-babbler, Black-headed Ibis, Lesser Flamingo, Oriental Darter and Alexandrine parakeet fall under near-threatened (NT) category of IUCN Conservation status. Data collected from avifaunal species at the barrage can be utilized as a baseline for analyzing future perspectives and developing appropriate management plans for protection and long-term use.

Does Negative Sampling Matter? a Review With Insights Into its Theory and Applications.

Negative sampling has swiftly risen to prominence as a focal point of research, with wide-ranging applications spanning machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, data mining, and recommender systems. This surge in interest prompts us to question the fundamental impact of negative sampling: Does negative sampling really matter? Is there a general framework that can incorporate all negative sampling methods? In what fields is it applied? Addressing these questions, we propose a general framework that using negative sampling. Delving into the history of negative sampling, we chart its evolution across five distinct trajectories. We dissect and categorize the strategies used to select negative sample candidates, detailing global, local, mini-batch, hop, and memory-based approaches. Our comprehensive review extends to an analysis of current negative sampling methodologies, systematically grouping them into five classifications: static, hard, GAN-based, Auxiliary-based, and In-batch. Beyond detailed categorization, we explore the practical application of negative sampling across various fields. Finally, we briefly discuss open problems and future directions for negative sampling.

Does the PedsQL reflect the real-time quality of life in autistic adolescents? A comparison with the experience sampling methodology

BackgroundThe PedsQL is widely used to retrospectively evaluate quality of life (QoL) in autistic adolescents. However, concerns have arisen regarding its ability to reflect real-time QoL, considering their challenges in recollecting past experiences. ObjectiveWe examined the overall and social QoLs of autistic adolescents compared to neurotypical peers using the PedsQL and the experience sampling method (ESM), an ecological momentary assessment of QoL in real-time. Additionally, we explored the relationship between these measures in each group. MethodsA total of 175 participants, including 117 autistic and 58 neurotypical adolescents aged 10–16, completed the PedsQL and an ESM protocol with a mobile device to record their real-time experiences seven times a day for seven days. We performed multiple linear regression and multilevel analyses to compare QoLs between groups and the association between the two measures. ResultsAutistic adolescents scored significantly lower than neurotypical peers on PedsQL overall and social QoL but not on the real-time experiences collected with ESM. Among neurotypical adolescents, we found significant associations between the Social Functioning score of the PedsQL and various aspects of real-time social experiences recorded with ESM. For autistic adolescents, only the real-time experience of 'loneliness' during social engagement was associated with Social Functioning on the PedsQL. ConclusionsThe retrospective PedsQL does not entirely capture the real-time QoL via ESM. However, relying solely on ESM may overlook situations where participants opt out or could not complete surveys. Thus, using both retrospective and real-time assessments to examine QoL among autistic adolescents is recommended.

A decadal-scale qualitative comparison of lotic Odonata nymph surveys in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA, reveals possible assemblage restructuring

Detecting long-term changes to Odonata assemblages requires repeated sampling at fixed locations over decadal periods. However, few such biomonitoring efforts exist for Odonata, especially at low taxonomic resolution and immature life stages. We repeated a survey of Odonata nymphs conducted nearly thirty years ago in ten streams from a northern Pennsylvania forest reserve to qualitatively explore assemblage-scale changes and identify streams supporting species of conservation concern. Our survey collected five more species among all sites than the original survey, reflecting a 15% increase in richness despite a reduced sampling effort. Rank abundances of many species changed substantially between surveys. Some, such as Calopteryx maculata, fell in rank while other species like Boyeria vinosa and Phanogomphus lividus that were rare in 1994 became the most numerically dominant. We did not detect patterns in species richness or changes in richness between surveys along gradients of unconventional natural gas extraction or timber harvest among streams. The fraction of species deemed vulnerable or imperiled within Pennsylvania grew from 22 to 38% between surveys, highlighting the regional conservation value of protected area we sampled. Our sampling methodology precludes population estimates or quantitative community comparisons due to the sampling design and inconsistencies in the literature used for identification between surveys. However, the substantial differences in rank-abundance among species between surveys suggests potential long-term changes in these lotic Odonata assemblages. The collective findings presented here emphasize the high value of data from repeated surveys with species-level taxonomic resolution.

Development of a Rapid Analytical Method on UV Spectrophotometer for Analysis of Trace Level APIs Telmisartan in Cleaning Validation Sample

Since the 1990’s, cleaning validations have gained a lot of interest within pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical companies. In 1988, the FDA experienced its first major incident with cross contamination traceable to inadequate cleaning and cleaning validation. The finished drug product, Cholestyramine Resin USP, was recalled due to contamination with low levels of intermediates and degradants from the production of agricultural pesticides. The cross-contamination was believed to have come from the use of drums in the production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). These drums had previously been used to store solvents for the manufacture of agricultural pesticides at another plant. Extra pure methanol procured from Chempura Enterprises Indore of make Merck and Analytical Grade water procured from the SK Traders Indore M.P. Reference materials, Telmisartan from Axiom Analytical Services Indore M.P. HPLC grade methanol (MeOH), HPLC Grade Water were purchased from Chempura Enterprises Indore M.P.. All chemicals were used as received, without any further purification. In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed in pharmaceutical companies for implementing robust validated cleaning procedures. The cleaning procedure is one of the most important tasks to avoid contamination and cross- contamination of APIs in pharmaceutical products manufactured on the same equipment trains. The cleaning procedures must be supported byappropriate analytical methods and related sampling methodologies.

Alcohol Abstinence, Adherence, and Attitudes toward Disulfiram Treatment for Alcohol Dependence among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Setting in North India.

Disulfiram is the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for the treatment of alcohol dependence, primarily acting as a deterrent agent. The available literature on disulfiram treatment for alcohol dependence among individuals in low-income and middle-income countries is scarce, while numerous factors impact the acceptance and adherence to such treatment. The study utilized a purposive sampling methodology. The participants were contacted by telephone at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after the initiation of disulfiram treatment. Alcohol abstinence was calculated using the self-reported total alcohol-free days, and adherence and attitudes toward disulfiram treatment were measured using the Treatment Compliance Assessment Scale (TCAS). The participants had a mean age of 39.30±7.7 years. Nearly 62% and 46% of the subjects reported maintenance of alcohol abstinence after initiation of 12 and 24 weeks of disulfiram treatment, respectively. The proportion of non-adherent subjects increased from 36.3% to 57.2% during the 12-week and 24-week follow-up periods. Attitudes toward disulfiram treatment varied significantly across different time points. A strong positive correlation was observed in the alcohol abstinence, adherence, and attitude scores at different time points (P<0.01). The present study's findings unveiled that nearly 60% and 40% of the study subjects were maintaining alcohol abstinence and adherence at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after initiation of disulfiram treatment, respectively. Disulfiram could be a viable psychological tool for alcohol abstinence, but objective measurements are required to underpin its utility in this setting.

DIFFERENCES IN CHANGES IN KNOWLEDGE OF WOMEN ABOUT EARLY DETECTION OF CERVICAL CANCER BETWEEN USING PRESENTATION MEDIA COUNSELING AND LEAFLET COUNSELING

Background: Encouraging early detection and prompt treatment of precancerous lesions is the key to preventing cervical cancer in women who are fertile. IVA examinations are used to detect precancerous lesions early on. Thus far, both nationally and at Mojo Health Center, the IVA examination has been achieved. Women of reproductive age may not be as aware of early diagnosis of precancerous lesions as they should be, which could contribute to the low IVA examination achievement. Due to a lack of understanding regarding the early diagnosis of precancerous lesions, women of reproductive age have low awareness. Method: A lecture and leafleting approach were used to conduct this health counseling. This kind of study uses a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest one group design, which is experimental in nature. carried out in Surabaya City at the Mojo Health Center. A straightforward random sampling methodology was used to choose the sample of 84 WUS, who were then split into two groups: the treatment group, which received an intervention counseling lecture style, and the control group, which received a leaflet intervention. A questionnaire was utilized to collect the data, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate it. Independent Samples Test (p&lt;0.05) and Wilcoxon signed Rank test. Results: The test results showing variations in both groups' knowledge levels produced the result p = 0.000 (p &lt;0.05). P = 0.268 (p&gt;0.05) was the outcome of the test to determine the value of differences in knowledge factors between the treatment group and the control group. Conclusion: There is no difference in WUS knowledge between the lecture method and leaflet media distribution when it comes to counseling, but there is a shift in the outcomes of WUS knowledge about early detection of cervical cancer before and after receiving counseling.

A novel sampling technique for monitoring atmospheric methane concentrations: A case study with livestock sources

The substantial increase in the presence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere has led to the development of several sampling techniques to quantify and characterize the sources of high global warming potential gas emissions. In this context, we developed a new method to estimate the time-averaged concentration of atmospheric methane that employs a long hose to collect a sample of gas by diffusion through one of its ends. We performed numerical simulations to illustrate the basis of our method and to determine the numerical factors required to estimate the time-averaged concentration of methane. This novel technique for estimating the mean gas concentration was then validated with two sets of experiments, where the source of methane was ruminant enteric fermentation measured in a respiration chamber. We compared the time-averaged methane concentration obtained with our methodology for periods (T) ranging from 1 to 4 days with those measured using the sensor of a respiration chamber. We found that the accuracy of the estimates improved as T increased from an error of 20 % for T = 1 to an error smaller than 10 % for T ≥ 2 days. In additional tests, and as suggested by numerical simulations, we confirmed that measuring and employing the methane concentration in the furthest half of the collector leads to a more precise estimation of atmospheric concentration than when the concentration of the entire collector is considered. This work demonstrates that the new methodology for air sampling, in conjunction with numerical analysis, is a viable alternative for quantifying atmospheric methane concentrations. In addition, the simple design of the devices showed remarkable benefits in terms of both the cost and simplicity for implementing large-scale individual sampling. We discuss its potential application to other GHGs.

The Effect of Sustainability Reporting Disclosure on Company Value Moderated by Investment Opportunity Set

This study aims to examine the influence of sustainability reporting, namely the disclosure of economic, environmental, and social performance, on the value of a company. The present investigation also explores the presence of a moderating variable, specifically the investment opportunity set, that functions to moderate the association between sustainability reporting disclosure and company value. Companies in the energy sector that were listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2021–2022 served as the study object. Quantitative approaches are employed in this study. The research sample was determined using a purposive sampling methodology, which relied on secondary data. This method resulted in a sample size of 82. Smartpls 3.0 is the program that processed the data for this investigation. The results showed there is no impact on company value from the disclosure of social, environmental, and economic performance in sustainability reporting. While it doesn't impact the disclosure of environmental performance on company value, the existence of an investment opportunity set can moderate the relationship between the economic and social performance disclosure in sustainability reporting.

Optimizing Tear Collection in Mice for mRNA and Protein Analysis.

The tear film is a highly dynamic biofluid capable of reflecting pathology-associated molecular changes, not only in the ocular surface but also in other tissues and organs. Molecular analysis of this biofluid offers a non-invasive way to diagnose or monitor diseases, assess medical treatment efficacy, and identify possible biomarkers. Due to the limited sample volume, collecting tear samples requires specific skills and appropriate tools to ensure high quality and maximum efficiency. Various tear sampling methodologies have been described in human studies. In this article, a comprehensive description of an optimized protocol is presented, specifically tailored for extracting tear-related protein information from experimental animal models, especially mice. This method includes the pharmacological stimulation of tear production in 2-month-old mice, followed by sample collection using Schirmer strips and the evaluation of the efficacy and efficiency of the protocol through standard procedures, SDS-PAGE, qPCR, and digital PCR (dPCR). This protocol can be easily adapted for the investigation of the tear protein signature in a variety of experimental paradigms. By establishing an affordable, standardized, and optimized tear sampling protocol for animal models, the aim was to bridge the gap between human and animal research, facilitating translational studies and accelerating advancements in the field of ocular and systemic disease research.

ANALYZING THE EXTENT OF LEACHATE FROM A MAJOR DUMPSITE WITHIN THE CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS OF IKOM-MAMFE EMBAYMENT, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Groundwater resources in the region serve as a vital source of potable water for local communities and are essential for supporting various socio-economic activities. Unfortunately, the infiltration of leachate from dumpsite contributes to the dispersion of contaminants within the cretaceous sediments, posing a potential threat to groundwater quality. This study presents an exhaustive examination of leachate extent emanating from a prominent dumpsite situated within the Cretaceous sediments of the Ikom-Mamfe Embayment, Southeast Nigeria. Employing meticulous soil sampling methodologies and water collection from strategically positioned boreholes near the Ikom dumpsite, advanced techniques such as Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) were utilized to scrutinize the infiltration of leachate within the site. Laboratory analyses were conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals, including Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Nickel, Chromium, and Cadmium, in both soil and borehole water samples. The findings unveiled alarming levels of Lead and Cadmium concentrations in the soil, exceeding established regulatory thresholds, with recorded values ranging from 552.34 to 556.93 mg/kg and 11.88 to 7.46 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, borehole water analyses in the vicinity of the Ikom dumpsite revealed elevated concentrations of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel, surpassing WHO limits in specific boreholes (BH2 and BH3), indicative of potential soil porosity issues and unfavorable geological conditions prevalent in the study area. Notably, the use of ERT delineated an inverse resistivity of 5.99 Ωm at a depth of 9.26 m, pinpointing the leachate-infiltrated cretaceous sediments zone, extending laterally from 10m to 40m along the profile. The observed infiltration of leachate at 9.26 m depth underscores its penetration into the sandstone, shale, and dark gray shale strata within the dumpsite. Furthermore, the quantified thickness layer ranging from 1.41 to 4.37 affirmed leachate infiltration within the sandstone, shale, and dark gray shale strata, with implications for its movement and containment dynamics. This study underscores the critical role of layer thickness in influencing the migration and containment of leachate, with thicker layers potentially acting as barriers to its movement, while thinner layers may facilitate more rapid migration. Additionally, the assessment of aquifer protective capacity, denoted by ratings below (&lt;0.1), underscores the poor protective capacity of the aquifer system in the study area. In light of these findings, strategic management, remediation, and vigilant monitoring measures are advocated to mitigate contamination risks and safeguard water quality.

Advances in the Integrated Pest Management of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): A Global Perspective.

Since ancestral times, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been cultivated in the Andean regions. Recently, this pseudocereal has received increasing international attention due to its beneficial properties, such as adaptation and resilience in the context of global change, and the nutritional value of the grains. As a result, its production areas have not only increased in the highlands of South America but have also expanded outside of its Andean origins, and the crop is currently produced worldwide. The key pests of quinoa in the Andean region are the gelechiid moths Eurysacca melanocampta and Eurysacca quinoae; in other parts of the world, new pest problems have recently been identified limiting quinoa production, including the gelechiid Scrobipalpa atripicella in North America and Europe and the agromyzid fly Amauromyza karli in North America. In this review, the status of quinoa pests in the world is presented, and different aspects of their integrated management are discussed, including sampling methodologies for pest monitoring, economic threshold levels, and various control strategies.

Convergence, sampling and total order estimator effects on parameter orthogonality in global sensitivity analysis.

Dynamical system models typically involve numerous input parameters whose "effects" and orthogonality need to be quantified through sensitivity analysis, to identify inputs contributing the greatest uncertainty. Whilst prior art has compared total-order estimators' role in recovering "true" effects, assessing their ability to recover robust parameter orthogonality for use in identifiability metrics has not been investigated. In this paper, we perform: (i) an assessment using a different class of numerical models representing the cardiovascular system, (ii) a wider evaluation of sampling methodologies and their interactions with estimators, (iii) an investigation of the consequences of permuting estimators and sampling methodologies on input parameter orthogonality, (iv) a study of sample convergence through resampling, and (v) an assessment of whether positive outcomes are sustained when model input dimensionality increases. Our results indicate that Jansen or Janon estimators display efficient convergence with minimum uncertainty when coupled with Sobol and the lattice rule sampling methods, making them prime choices for calculating parameter orthogonality and influence. This study reveals that global sensitivity analysis is convergence driven. Unconverged indices are subject to error and therefore the true influence or orthogonality of the input parameters are not recovered. This investigation importantly clarifies the interactions of the estimator and the sampling methodology by reducing the associated ambiguities, defining novel practices for modelling in the life sciences.

Field validation as a means for continual monitoring of approved test kit’s fitness for purpose in the commercial market

Testing accuracy of a chemical contaminant requires use of a testing platform that conforms to validation criteria outlined in quality literature and standards. This study explores the application of commercial field data measured by qualified analysts using a United States Department of Agriculture – Federal Grain Inspection Service approved kit for measuring fumonisin in maize to augment method validation procedures. Analysts from seven grain testing facilities were qualified in official USDA sampling, sample preparation, and testing methodology using the Charm LF-FUMQ-WETS5. A duplicate sample was tested in the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) laboratory using UPLC-MS-MS. Data were subject to four statistical techniques using continuous and categorical methodology. This approach enabled researchers to explore if a single test or multiple comparisons were best suited to assess a field kit’s fitness for purpose across facility, toxin level, and year. The study concluded that a paired t-test and correlation analysis provided a quick and meaningful evaluation of kit performance. The correct placement of samples within the correct bin (violative versus non-violative) aligns well with market forces and regulatory compliance. The results of this study also provide a useful tool to assess all field kits’ performance at the beginning of the harvest season and subsequent years. The combination of statistical techniques presented in this research is an important tool in assessing mycotoxin field test kits fitness for purpose and represents a key step in a continuous improvement-quality systems process meant to protect the feed and food supply.

What Is the Epidemiology of Cervical and Thoracic Spine Fractures?

Vertebral fractures are associated with enduring back pain, diminished quality of life, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Existing epidemiological data for cervical and thoracic vertebral fractures are limited by insufficiently powered studies and a failure to evaluate the mechanism of injury. What are the temporal trends in incidence, patient characteristics, and injury mechanisms of cervical and thoracic vertebral fractures in the United States from 2003 to 2021? The United States National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) database collects data on all nonfatal injuries treated in US hospital emergency departments and is well suited to capture epidemiological trends in vertebral fractures. As such, the NEISS-AIP was queried from 2003 to 2021 for cervical and thoracic fractures. The initial search by upper trunk fractures yielded 156,669 injuries; 6% (9900) of injuries, with a weighted frequency of 638,999 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 62 ± 25 years and 52% (334,746 of 638,999) of patients were females. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Segmented regression analysis, accounting for the year before or after 2019 when the NEISS sampling methodology was changed, was performed to assess yearly injury trends. Multivariable logistic regression models with age and sex as covariates were performed to predict injury location, mechanism, and disposition. The incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures increased from 2.0 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.7) and 3.6 (95% CI 2.4 to 4.7) per 10,000 person-years in 2003 to 14.5 (95% CI 10.9 to 18.2) and 19.9 (95% CI 14.5 to 25.3) in 2021, respectively. Incidence rates of cervical and thoracic fractures increased for all age groups from 2003 to 2021, with peak incidence and the highest rate of change in individuals 80 years or older. Most injuries occurred at home (median 69%), which were more likely to impact older individuals (median [range] age 75 [2 to 106] years) and females (median 61% of home injuries); injuries at recreation/sports facilities impacted younger individuals (median 32 [3 to 96] years) and male patients (median 76% of sports facility injuries). Falls were the most common injury mechanism across all years, with females more likely to be impacted than males. The proportion of admissions increased from 33% in 2003 to 50% in 2021, while the proportion of treated and released patients decreased from 53% to 35% in the same period. This epidemiological study identified a disproportionate increase in cervical and thoracic fracture incidence rates in patients older than 50 years from 2003 to 2021. Furthermore, high hospital admission rates were also noted resulting from these fractures. These findings indicate that current osteoporosis screening guidelines may be insufficient to capture the true population at risk of osteoporotic fractures, and they highlight the need to initiate screening at an earlier age. Level III, prognostic study.