Initial Performance of Greek IPOs, Underwriter’s Reputation and Oversubscription

This paper provides additional international evidence on the IPOs by examining the initial performance and two main determinants of short-run underpricing of 169 IPOs listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) over the period 1997-2002. The initial performance of the IPOs is measured by calculated two formulas: the raw returns and the excess or adjusted returns of the first, fifth and twenty first day respectively. Furthermore, we use a proxy to rank the underwriters’ prestige along with the times of oversubscription, which are introduced as explanatory variables in our model. The results of the analysis provide evidence of significant underpricing. Furthermore, the cross sectional analysis on the determinants of the IPOs shows that both the underwriters’ prestige and the times of oversubscription significantly affect the underpricing level of the IPOs over the most important and “hot” period for the Greek emerging stock market since its establishment, in terms of growth rates, acceleration of the going public process and volatility of market and stock returns.IPOs, underpricing, oversubscription, underwriters’ prestige, Athens Stock Exchange.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Case Report with Premature Teeth Exfoliation and Bone Resorption

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder characterized by insufficient production of cortisol. The aim of this case report was to present a child with CAH, premature exfoliation of primary teeth and accelerated eruption of his permanent teeth related to bone resorption. A 4.5-year-old Caucasian boy with CAH and long-term administration of glucocorticoids was referred for dental restoration. Clinical examination revealed primary molars with worn stainless steel crowns, severe attrition of the upper canines, and absence of the upper incisors. Before the completion of treatment, abnormal mobility of the first upper primary molars and the lower incisors was detected, and a few days later the teeth exfoliated prematurely. Histologic examination revealed normal tooth structure. Alkaline phosphatase and blood cells values were normal. Eruption of the permanent dentition was also accelerated. Tooth mobility was noticed in the permanent teeth as soon as they erupted, along with bone destruction. Examination revealed an elevated level of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand and lower-than-normal osteoprotegerin and vitamin D levels. The patient was treated with vitamin D supplements, and his teeth have been stable ever since. CAH is a serious chronic disorder appearing in children with accelerated dental development and possibly premature loss of primary teeth

Removable Partial Dentures vs Overdentures in Children with Ectodermal Dysplasia: Two Case Reports

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) represents a disorder group characterised by abnormal development of the ectodermal derivatives. Removable partial dentures (RPD), complete dentures (CD) or overdentures (OD) are most often the treatment of choice for young affected patients. Prosthetic intervention is of utmost importance in the management of ED patients, as it resolves problems associated with functional, aesthetic, and psychological issues, and improves a patient’s quality of life. However, few studies present the principles and guidelines that can assist in the decision-making process of the most appropriate removable prosthesis. The purpose of this study was to suggest a simple treatment decision-making algorithm for selecting an effective and individualised rehabilitative treatment plan, considering different parameters

Kids make their own robots: good practices from the eCraft2Learn project

This paper focuses on the small-scale pilots with learners that were carried out in Greece in the frame of the eCraft2Learn project including activities that aim at reinforcing learning by making in STEAM education. In the context of the pilots, 13-17 years-old students worked with digital fabrication and making technologies for creating robotic artefacts. In the framework of an appropriate pedagogical model that supports different steps highly interlinked, the teachers and students were invited to work together and explore the fun and the challenges of the making process using the eCraft2Learn learning ecosystem. In this line, a number of good practices were identified related to the facilitation of the learning process, the support of the ideation, the boosting of the can-do attitude, the embracement of failure and the encouragement towards sharing projects, experiences and ideas. Most of these practices are reflected in video-recorded episodes accessible through this paper. I bambini creano i propri robot: buone pratiche dal progetto eCraft2LearnIl presente lavoro documenta le prime applicazioni realizzate in Grecia, nell’ambito del progetto eCraft2Learn, dedicato a rafforzare la formazione nell’area STEAM con il learning by making. Studenti tra i 13 e i 17 anni hanno applicato tecnologie digitali e tecniche artigianali per creare artefatti robotici. Nell’ambito di un modello pedagogico appropriato, in grado di supportare diversi passi altamente interconnessi tra loro, i docenti e gli studenti sono stati invitati a lavorare insieme e ad esplorare gli aspetti di divertimento e di sfida relativi al processo creativo utilizzando l’ecosistema di apprendimento eCraft2Learn. Nel progetto sono state identificate una serie di buone pratiche relative alla facilitazione del processo di apprendimento, al supporto all’ideazione, al rinforzo di un atteggiamento positivo, all’accettazione del fallimento e all’incentivazione della condivisione di progetti, esperienze, idee. La maggior parte di queste pratiche sono state video registrate e sono rese accessibili attraverso il presente articolo

A First Case Study of CCN Concentrations from Spaceborne Lidar Observations

We present here the first cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration profiles derived from measurements with the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aboard the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), for different aerosol types at a supersaturation of 0.15%. CCN concentrations, along with the corresponding uncertainties, were inferred for a nighttime CALIPSO overpass on 9 September 2011, with coincident observations with the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 research aircraft, within the framework of the Evaluation of CALIPSO’s Aerosol Classification scheme over Eastern Mediterranean (ACEMED) research campaign over Thessaloniki, Greece. The CALIPSO aerosol typing is evaluated, based on data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reanalysis. Backward trajectories and satellite-based fire counts are used to examine the origin of air masses on that day. Our CCN retrievals are evaluated against particle number concentration retrievals at different height levels, based on the ACEMED airborne measurements and compared against CCN-related retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors aboard Terra and Aqua product over Thessaloniki showing that it is feasible to obtain CCN concentrations from CALIPSO, with an uncertainty of a factor of two to three

First- and Second-Trimester Reference Intervals for Thyroid Hormones during Pregnancy in “Rhea” Mother-Child Cohort, Crete, Greece

Estimation and interpretation of thyroid function tests in pregnant women is of utmost importance for maternal, fetal and neonatal health. Our objective was to calculate laboratory- and geography-specific reference intervals for thyroid hormones during pregnancy in an iodine-sufficient area of the Mediterranean, Crete, Greece. This project was performed in the context of “Rhea” mother-child cohort. Fulfillment of extensive questionnaires and estimation of free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and antithyroid antibodies were performed. The reference population was defined using inclusion criteria regarding thyroidal, obstetric, and general medical status of women. Reference interval for TSH was 0.05–2.53 μIU/mL for the first and 0.18–2.73 μIU/mL for the second trimester. 6,8% and 5,9% of women in the first and second trimester, respectively, had TSH higher than the upper reference limit. These trimester-specific population-based reference ranges are essential in everyday clinical practice for the correct interpretation of thyroid hormone values and accurate classification of thyroid disorders