The development of nuclear-electromagnetic cascade models in air in the late forties have shown informational content of the study of cores of extensive air showers (EAS). These investigations were the main goal in different experiments which were carried out over many years by a variety of methods. Outcomes of such investigations obtained in the HADRON experiment using an X-ray emulsion chamber (XREC) as a core detector are considered. The N e spectrum of EAS associated with γ-ray families, spectra of γ-rays (hadrons) in EAS cores and the N e dependence of the muon number, N µ , in EAS with γ-ray families are obtained for the first time at energies of 10 15-10 17 eV with this method. A number of new effects were observed, namely, an abnormal scaling violation in hadron spectra which are fundamentally different from model predictions, an excess of muon number in EAS associated with γ-ray families, and the penetrating component in EAS cores. It is supposed that the abnormal behavior of γ-ray spectra and N e dependence of the muon number are explained by the emergence of a penetrating component in the 1st PCR spectrum 'knee' range. Nuclear and astrophysical explanations of the origin of the penetrating component are discussed. The necessity of considering the contribution of a single close cosmic-ray source to explain the PCR spectrum in the knee range is noted.

Abstract. Usually it is supposed that the definition of the CR mass composition in knee region is the key to problem of CR spectrum modification in this range. However tens of the experiments were done for the last half of century and have not decided this problem up to now. The possible causes of fiasco and arguments in favour of necessity to reformulate attack method are discussed, taking into account a new experimental data about fine structure of CR spectrum and EAS core investigations. The possible presence of the exotic processes in the area of a knee is discussed. If exotic component really exists in CR then impossible to formulate correctly more common problem of mass composition without solving this one. It is represented, that the problem of presence of an exotic component in CR should be solved easier than a CR composition problem. The observational basis is discussed. The hypothesis of strange quark matter in CR is suggested for the exotic component.

Abstract. We present a description of the new complex installation for the study of extensive air showers which was created at the Tien Shan mountain cosmic ray station, as well as the results of the first measurements made there in 2015-2016. We also present new results on high-energy radiation observed during a thunderstorm.

We present a description of the new complex installation for the study of extensive air showers which was created at the Tien Shan mountain cosmic ray station, as well as the results of the first measurements made there in 2015-2016. We also present new results on high-energy radiation observed during a thunderstorm.

Abstract. Usually it is supposed that the definition of the CR mass composition in knee region is the key to problem of CR spectrum modification in this range. However tens of the experiments were done for the last half of century and have not decided this problem up to now. The possible causes of fiasco and arguments in favour of necessity to reformulate attack method are discussed, taking into account a new experimental data about fine structure of CR spectrum and EAS core investigations. The possible presence of the exotic processes in the area of a knee is discussed. If exotic component really exists in CR then impossible to formulate correctly more common problem of mass composition without solving this one. It is represented, that the problem of presence of an exotic component in CR should be solved easier than a CR composition problem. The observational basis is discussed. The hypothesis of strange quark matter in CR is suggested for the exotic component.