Rainfall variability in Suriname and its relationship with the Tropical Pacific ENSO SST anomalies and the Atlantic SST anomalies

Spatial correlations (r) in the annual rainfall anomalies are analyzed using principlecomponent analyses (PCA). Cross correlation analysis and composites are used tomeasure the influence of sea surface temperatures anomalies (SSTAs) in the tropicalAtlantic and tropical Pacific Ocean with the seasonal rainfall in Suriname. It is shownthat the spatial and time variability in rainfall is mainly determined by the meridionalmovement of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). It occurs that the rainfallanomalies are fairly uniformly over the whole country. The strongest correlationbetween the December-January rainfall (short wet season) at station Cultuurtuin isfound with the SSTAs in the Pacific region and is about ckNino 1+2 = 0.59 at lag 1month. In March-May rainfall (beginning long wet season) there is a lagged correlationwith the SSTAs in the Pacific region (clag 3 Nino 1+2 = 0.59). The June-August rainfall(end part of long wet season) shows the highest correlation with SSTAs in the TSAregion and is about c = -0.52 for lag 0. In the September-November long dry seasonthere is also a lagged correlation with the TSA SSTAs of about clag 3 = 0.66. Thedifferent correlations and predictors can be used for seasonal rainfall predictions

Effectiveness of a web-based treatment program using intensive therapeutic support for female patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background: Disordered eating behavior and body dissatisfaction affect a large proportion of the Dutch population and account for severe psychological, physical and social morbidity. Yet, the threshold for seeking professional care is still high. In the Netherlands, only 7.5% of patients with bulimia nervosa and 33% of patients with anorexia nervosa are treated within the mental health care system. Easily accessible and low-threshold interventions, therefore, are needed urgently. The internet has great potential to offer such interventions. The aim of this study is to determine whether a web-based treatment program for patients with eating disorders can improve eating disorder psychopathology among female patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Methods/design: This randomized controlled trial will compare the outcomes of an experimental treatment group to a waiting list control group. In the web-based treatment program, participants will communicate personally and asynchronously with their therapists exclusively via the internet. The first part of the program will focus on analyzing eating attitudes and behaviors. In the second part of the program participants will learn how to change their attitudes and behaviors. Participants assigned to the waiting list control group will receive no-reply email messages once every two weeks during the waiting period of 15 weeks, after which they can start the program. The primary outcome measure is an improvement in eating disorder psychopathology as determined by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include improvements in body image, physical and mental health, body weight, self-esteem, quality of life, and social contacts. In addition, the participants’ motivation for treatment and their acceptability of the program and the therapeutic alliance will be measured. The study will follow the recommendations in the CONSORT statement relating to designing and reporting on RCTs. Discussion: This study protocol presents the design of a RCT for evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based treatment program using intensive therapeutic support for female patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified