Table 1.

Glossary of terms

	Definition
Complexity (dynamic)	Total degrees of freedom available to a system in terms of functional nodes (i.e., elementary mechanisms) and type of interconnections. Functionally quantified as the observable independent degrees of freedom that remain unaffected by synchronization events. (Range of output available to a system for a given parametric configuration. Quantified by phase-space filling characteristics at various scales of observation.)
Configuration (dynamic)	Architecture employed in the connectivity of systems components. (Observable behavior of a system, characterized by conformation to universal/hallmark patterns of dynamic activity.)
Dynamic range	The set of dynamical configurations simultaneously available to a system. In nonlinear systems available configurations are reached asymptotically and successively due to trajectory divergence.
Entrainment	Reduction of the potential complexity of a system of interconnected components (identified as the total number of degrees of freedom available) due to local and global synchronization events.
Hierarchical structure (horizontal and vertical connectivity)	A spatially extended set of coupled primary mechanisms constitutes a horizontal layer. Interaction of such layers via either a feedback or unidirectional coupling can result in vertical connectivity in hierarchical dynamical structures.
Maladaptation	The potential of a system to reach alternative steady states/dynamical configurations, through combinations of parametric variations. The original/“healthy” and resulting configurations may be functionally related, they correspond, however, to distinct equilibria/basins of attraction within the parametric/phase-space.
Plasticity	The capacity of a system to assume and maintain various dynamical configurations.
Pseudo-stable state	A homeostatic configuration that maintains apparent features of a primary/“healthy” behavior but is compromised in terms of robustness.
Robustness	Insensitivity of a system to parametric variations.
Synchronization	The ability of coupled oscillators to establish and maintain a constant phase shift (in phase or out of phase periodicities). Large arrays of interacting oscillatory systems can exhibit a single emergent periodic mode via nonequilibrium phase transitions.