Abstract: Transient oscillations in network activity upon sensory stimulation have been reported in different sensory areas of the brain. These evoked oscillations are the generic response of networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons (EI-networks) to a transient external input. Recently, it has been shown that this resonance property of EI-networks can be exploited for communication in modular neuronal networks by enabling the transmission of sequences of synchronous spike volleys ('pulse packets'), despite the sparse and weak connectivity between the modules. The condition for successful transmission is that the pulse packet (PP) intervals match the period of the modules' resonance frequency. Hence, the mechanism was termed communication through resonance (CTR). This mechanism has three severe constraints, though. First, it needs periodic trains of PPs, whereas single PPs fail to propagate. Second, the inter-PP interval needs to match the network resonance. Third, transmission is very slow, because in each module, the network resonance needs to build up over multiple oscillation cycles. Here, we show that, by adding appropriate feedback connections to the network, the CTR mechanism can be improved and the aforementioned constraints relaxed. Specifically, we show that adding feedback connections between two upstream modules, called the resonance pair, in an otherwise feedforward modular network can support successful propagation of a single PP throughout the entire network. The key condition for successful transmission is that the sum of the forward and backward delays in the resonance pair matches the resonance frequency of the network modules. The transmission is much faster, by more than a factor of two, than in the original CTR mechanism. Moreover, it distinctly lowers the threshold for successful communication by synchronous spiking in modular networks of weakly coupled networks. Thus, our results suggest a new functional role of bidirectional connectivity for the communication in cortical area networks

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the government health insurance MediCal and its mental health policies to understand better how we can provide quality mental health services to Medi-Cal recipients of color. The methodology consisted of a policy analysis using a Critical Race Theory Framework (CRT) and maintaining an intersectionality theoretical grounding. The results show that timely quality mental health resources for Medi-Cal recipients are not available, leading individuals to seek services through the Emergency Department. Applying the CTR framework analyzing Medi-Cal policies can support the dismantling of a subsection of a healthcare system designed to serve the hierarchical needs of white and or wealthy individuals. Rebuilding the county mental health system with the core value of social justice can provide culturally competent, quality, timely, equitable mental health treatment to communities of color who are Medi-Cal recipients. It is also crucial to acknowledge that the data used in this thesis was recorded prepandemic. It is vital to recognize that many people have been brutally affected by COVID-19 and require an increase in mental health services. This analysis will inquire about people of color living in California before the pandemic in hopes that these strategies can be utilized to create a better system to serve communities of color from this point on. As Social Workers, we can vi influence federal parity laws and mental health reform policies, expand coverage for quality care, and advocate for equitable mental health services within communities of color.