Data Sheet 1_Emergent flow theory: autonomic coherence as a gain parameter for the temporal architecture of conscious integration.pdf

This relationship is formalized in a phenomenological dynamic equation for a latent integrated-complexity state Q, constrained observationally by measures such as the Perturbational Complexity Index (PCI): dQ/dt = κ·γ·Σ(n,k) [αnk · g(ΔTnk)] − βQ + ξ(t) [Master Equation — Integrated Cortical Complexity Q (γ denotes the dimensionless, latent effective autonomic gain parameter; γ̂ is its empirical estimator, used for calibration and testing but not written into the equation itself)].

Five empirical predictions (P1–P5), each with explicit adjudication criteria, are derived from this architecture — with P4 comprising a falsifiable existence test (P4a) followed by conditional model discrimination (P4b) — targeting the HRV–PCI covariation profile, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation effects on conscious access markers, stress-induced ΔTᶠ disruption, the functional form of the observable γ̂–PCI relationship as an empirical constraint on the latent γ–Q hypothesis, and salience network causal contributions.

EFT is offered as a Tier-2 theoretical framework complementary to GNW, IIT, and PP/FEP, situating autonomic coherence as a proposed physiological precondition within which the integrative capacities described by these frameworks may be realized.</p>