The influence of baryon resonances and vector mesons on cosmic ray cascades

The Δ, ρ, K* resonances have been incorporated in the 'leading cluster' of ultra-high-energy interactions. One important consequence results in deep modifications of hadron cascading in EAS, especially in the case of the ρ, which attenuate strongly the 'leading particle effect' in π+--air-nucleus collisions. The maximum development occurs at higher altitude and the absorption is faster, as suggested by the experiment. (author)