Shashlyk electromagnetic calorimeter modules with an energy resolution of about 3%/sqrt{E (GeV)} for 50-1000 MeV photons has been developed, and a prototype tested. Details of these improved modules, including mechanical construction, selection of wa
ve shifting fibers and photo-detectors, and development of a new scintillator with improved optical and mechanical properties are described. How the modules will perform in a large calorimeter was determined from prototype measurements. The experimentally determined characteristics of the calorimeter prototype show energy resolution of sigma_E/E=(1.96+-0.1)% oplus (2.74+-0.05)%/sqrt{E}, time resolution of sigma_T = (72+-4)/sqrt{E} oplus (14+-2)/E (ps), where photon energy E is given in GeV units and oplus means a quadratic summation. A punch-through inefficiency of photon detection was measured to be epsilon = 5*10^{-5} (Theta >5 mrad).
The branching fraction for the decay $K^{-} to pi^{0} e bar u$ is measured using in-flight decays detected with {bf ISTRA+} setup working at the 25 GeV negative secondary beam of the U-70 PS:linebreak $Br_{K_{e3}}= (5.124 pm 0.009 (stat) pm 0.029(no
rm) pm 0.030(syst))%$. From this value the $|V_{us}|$ element of the CKM matrix is extracted, using previously measured $f_{+}(t)$ form factor: $|V_{us}|=0.227 pm 0.002$. The results are in agreement with recent measurements by BNL E865, FNAL KTeV, KLOE.
