Bridge360 Metatheory Model v18.1.2 — Hand-Shake Edition Cost-Calibrated Resolution Geometry (K-Ladder Edition) Description for Zenodo Record Bridge360 v18.1.2 (Hand-Shake Edition) is a compact, audit-ready governance and instantiation specification designed to couple rigorous knowledge propagation and emergence analysis with practical deployment decision-making in complex adaptive systems — particularly artificial intelligence, scientific modeling, and socio-technical governance. At its core, the model integrates: K-gated governance geometry — using algorithmic entropy (K) as the base currency to enforce efficiency, prevent bloat via Anti-Potemkin filters, and classify reasoning artifacts into governance bands (A: binding/delegable, B: operational with sign-off, C: exploratory/sandbox). Laughlin-style emergence overlay — drawing on condensed-matter physics analogies to characterize phase transitions in symbolic coordination, via spectrum position Ψ ∈ [0,1], regime threshold θ, transition width δ, asymmetric hysteresis (θ_up > θ_down), and Λ-invariance as the stability condition for symbolic claims. Cost-calibrated resolution geometry (k-ladders) — the primary novelty of this edition: three explicit, pre-declared measurement ladders (for Ψ stability, δ sharpness/hysteresis, and Λ behavioral convergence under coarse-graining) with operational protocols, marginal cost envelopes ($5–250k range), expected information gain, sigma-checks, and stop/escalate decision trees to avoid analysis inflation. The hand-shake protocol (PoS ↔ science per se interface) enforces strict module separation: PoS module handles admissibility, banding, budgets, tripwires, audit logs, and revision discipline. Science per se module provides operational definitions, measurement plans, uncertainty quantification (bootstrap CIs), and replication notes. All outputs remain truth-neutral: labeled as MEASURED (under declared probe family F), ESTIMATED (with uncertainty), or ASSUMED (for governance purposes). The specification is deliberately minimal and non-top-heavy, excluding narrative, extended examples, and decorative formalism. Key improvements in v18.1.2 (K-Ladder Edition): Explicit embedding of cost-calibrated k-ladders (Ψ, δ, Λ) with default escalation paths and band-specific k-minima (e.g., k≥3 adversarial robustness for Ψ in Band A eligibility). Bounded forecasting outputs (e.g., Ψ_adv ± CI for brittleness prediction, Λ breakdown points for implementation-drift tolerance). Localized diagnostic artifacts for failure-mode explanation (component decomposition, hysteresis path-dependence, resolution breakdown localization). Streamlined handshake deliverables (PoS Interface Spec + Science Instantiation Sheet) and audit schema, all k-explicit. This version is intended as a steering protocol rather than an ontic claim about reality. It supports operators in high-stakes AI safety, alignment, scientific reproducibility, and systemic governance contexts by making emergence properties measurable, forecastable, and governable without resolution inflation. Target audience: AI governance researchers, safety/alignment practitioners, systems theorists, scientific reproducibility teams, and decision-support operators working with complex adaptive systems. License recommendation: CC-BY-4.0 (or equivalent open license allowing derivatives with attribution) to enable reuse in research, tooling, and policy applications. Related concepts: K-gating, entropy attractors, Laughlin emergence, resolution ladders, PoS-science handshake, band classification (A/B/C). Version date: 2026-01-10 Status: Governance-grade specification (proof-of-concept operationalized via k-ladders) This record provides the full integrated Markdown specification for archival, citation, and collaborative development.