CHARACTERISTICS OF STATIONARY HAZARDOUS AS REGARDS ANTHRAX AREAS IN ALTAI TERRITORY IN THE MODERN PERIOD

Objective of the study is to comprehensively evaluate and forecast the development of epidemic process in case of anthrax in Altai Territory. Materials and methods. The data on stationary hazardous as regards anthrax areas (SHA) were obtained while analyzing cadastres of SHA in Altai Territory, as well as the reference book “Cadastre of stationary hazardous as regards anthrax areas in the Russian Federation”. Statistical and report forms from the institutions of the Rospotrebnadzor and Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance in Altai Territory, and from Altai Plague Control Station were used for retrospective analysis of anthrax morbidity rates in Altai Territory over the period of 1953–2015. Laboratory investigations of field and clinical samples were carried out in compliance with Methodological Regulations 4.2.2413-08. Results and conclusions. Anthrax remains topical issue for Altai Territory as there are 1262 stationary hazardous areas situated in here, as well as registered animal and human infections. The density of such areas in Altai Territory is 7.5 times higher than across Siberia. Factors for the SHA formation and their sustainability are soilclimatic aspects of the region. The majority of hazardous areas are found in steppe and forest-steppe zones, predominantly along the cattle-driving paths. In Altai Territory, between 1953 and 2015, out of 1262 registered areas, 314 ones manifested epidemiological activity, including 246 new ones. Human infections were reported in 36 districts (59.1 %), while in 21 (34.4 %) – morbidity rates exceeded the territorial average. Cumulative dynamics of anthrax morbidity as regards livestock in Altai Territory in 1953–2015 showed downward trends. Complex evaluation of the situation and forecast of epidemic process development, employing composite index – epizootiological index and zoning of the territory according to the risk of epidemic complications – allows for the improvement of managerial decisions with the view to adequate anti-epidemic measures

Distribution of Tryptophan-Dependent <I>Yersinia pestis</I> Variants in the Altai Mountain Natural Plague Focus

Carried out is the analysis of spatial location of tryptophan-dependent variants of plague microbe in the territory of Altai mountain plague natural focus. 1166 Y. pestis strains isolated in 1990–2010, were studied as regards nutrient requirements. 140 of them (12 %) were determined as tryptophan-dependent. The highest occurence of such strains was registered in Ulandryk focal region (21.6 % in average). Among strains isolated in Tarkhatin focal region only 2.3 % were tryptophan-dependent, and in Kuray region they were absent. Thus, the data obtained suggest that spatial heterogeneity of Y. pestis subsp. altaica in the focus takes place

PEN: a low energy test of lepton universality

Allowed charged $\pi$ meson decays are characterized by simple dynamics, few available decay channels, mainly into leptons, and extremely well controlled radiative and loop corrections. In that sense, pion decays represent a veritable triumph of the standard model (SM) of elementary particles and interactions. This relative theoretical simplicity makes charged pion decays a sensitive means for testing the underlying symmetries and the universality of weak fermion couplings, as well as for studying pion structure and chiral dynamics. Even after considerable recent improvements, experimental precision is lagging far behind that of the theoretical description for pion decays. We review the current state of experimental study of the pion electronic decay $\pi^+ \to e^+\nu_e(\gamma)$, or $\pi_{e2(\gamma)}$, where the $(\gamma)$ indicates inclusion and explicit treatment of radiative decay events. We briefly review the limits on non-SM processes arising from the present level of experimental precision in $\pi_{e2(\gamma)}$ decays. Focusing on the PEN experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland, we examine the prospects for further improvement in the near term.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures; paper presented at the XIII International Conference on Heavy Quarks and Leptons, 22-27 May 2016, Blacksburg, Virginia, US

PEN experiment: a precise measurement of the pi+ -> e+ nu decay branching fraction

A new measurement of $B_{\pi e2}$, the $\pi^+ \to e^+\nu(\gamma)$ decay branching ratio, is currently under way at the Paul Scherrer Institute. The present experimental result on $B_{\pi e2}$ constitutes the most accurate test of lepton universality available. The accuracy, however, still lags behind the theoretical precision by over an order of magnitude. Because of the large helicity suppression of the $\pi_{e2}$ decay, its branching ratio is susceptible to significant contributions from new physics, making this decay a particularly suitable subject of study.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, talk given at the Tenth Conference on the Intersections of Particle and Nuclear Physics (CIPANP 2009), La Jolla/San Diego, CA, 26-31 May 2009; to appear in Proceedings to be published by the American Institute of Physic

The First Case of <I>Yersinia pestis</I> subsp. <I>pestis</I> Isolation in the Territory of the Altai Mountain Natural Plague Focus. Communication 2. Probable Ways and Mechanisms of Plague Agent Main Subspesies Importation into the Territory of the Focus

Analysis of the epizootical situation in the North-West Mongolia and bordering regions of Russia has revealed the fact that plague agent of the main ssp., for the first time ever isolated in the Altai mountain natural plague focus in 2012, is imported from Serkh-Munkh-Khairkhan, which stands approximately 240 km away from it on the straight. It has been demonstrated that possibility of Yersinia pestis ssp. pestis transfer into the territory of Gorny Altai via slow natural migration of infected rodents, lagomorphs and their ectoparasites, as well as transmission by birds or terrestrial varmints in the mountainous environment over that large distance even within the period of several decades, is extremely negligible. The situation is conditioned by the presence of numerous physical-geographical barriers between the two regions involved and ecological peculiarities of the plague vectors and carriers. It is more likely that the agent of the main spp. has appeared in Gorny Altai due to the importation of infected fleas with isabelline wheatear ( Ocenanthe isabellina ) during a spring migration

Precise Measurement of the Pi+ -> Pi0 e+ nu Branching Ratio

Using a large acceptance calorimeter and a stopped pion beam we have made a precise measurement of the rare Pi+ -> Pi0 e+ Nu,(pi_beta) decay branching ratio. We have evaluated the branching ratio by normalizing the number of observed pi_beta decays to the number of observed Pi+ -> e+ Nu, (pi_{e2}) decays. We find the value of Gamma(Pi+ -> Pi0 e+ Nu)/Gamma(total) = [1.036 +/- 0.004(stat.) +/- 0.004(syst.) +/- 0.003(pi_{e2})] x 10^{-8}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is the pi_{e2} branching ratio uncertainty. Our result agrees well with the Standard Model prediction.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, revtex4; changed content; updated analysi

Mongolian Part of the Trans-Boundary Sailugem Natural Plague Focus in 2017. Communication 2. Modern Epidemiological Risks

Objective – to study the current epidemiological risks at plague enzootic frontier territory of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia. Materials and methods. Epidemiological analysis was performed according to the reporting documentation of the National Centre of Zoonotic Infections in Mongolia, results of anonymous questioning of 179 residents of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia, materials of the Department of Health of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag, the Aimag Centre of Zoonotic Infections and the Administration of the Aimag Governor. Results and discussion. Plague was first registered in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag in 1989. The total of 9 patients with plague and 4 lethal outcomes were revealed. In all cases marmots were an infection source, the infection occurred in the process of cutting the carcasses. The majority of the plague patients had bubonic form of plague. All patients were men aged 13 to 34 years. Public inquiry showed that 21,8 % of population considered meat of marmots as a delicacy, 54 % – hunted for the animals, 25,7 % – consumed uncooked organs of marmots as a folk remedy, 19,5 % – participated in cutting of marmot carcasses. Results of the inquiry indicated that a marmot was an object of active hunting for local population. Analysis of epizootic activity of the transboundary Sailugem natural plague focus, modern social and economic conditions in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag has showed that in this territory epidemic risks have shaped and act at present. They can be divided into two groups: epidemic risks capable to cause human sporadic plague cases and epidemic risks leading to anthropozoonotic plague dissemination among the population and exportation of Yersinia pestis beyond the limits of enzootic territories. Effective interaction of anti-epidemic Institutions of Mongolia and Russia and also the Agencies and Institutions of the executive power of all levels permits to counteract these risks

Spin physics with antiprotons

New possibilities arising from the availability at GSI of antiproton beams, possibly polarised, are discussed. The investigation of the nucleon structure can be boosted by accessing in Drell-Yan processes experimental asymmetries related to cross-sections in which the parton distribution functions (PDF) only appear, without any contribution from fragmentation functions; such processes are not affected by the chiral suppression of the transversity function $h_1(x)$. Spin asymmetries in hyperon production and Single Spin Asymmetries are discussed as well, together with further items like electric and magnetic nucleonic form factors and open charm production. Counting rates estimations are provided for each physical case. The sketch of a possible experimental apparatus is proposed.Comment: Presented for the proceedings of ASI "Spin and Symmetry", Prague, July 5-10, 2004, to be published in Czech. J. Phys. 55 (2005