Migrant workers in the Deciduous Fruit Industry are part of the marginalised communities in South Africa. They are often voiceless in the communities they find themselves. They are historically displaced, often prone to xenophobia and very vulnerable in terms of HIV. Not only do they have a high infection rate but they also struggle in isolation to carry the burden of HIV and AIDS affection or infection. They will face double jeopardy when a partner becomes ill, in the homeland and they have to continue with employment. The main aim of this research was to reach a holistic understanding through interdisciplinary investigation. The important question that I aim to answer is; “What is the experience of God in the lives of persons affected or infected by HIV and AIDS.” I have looked at Postfoundationalism and the Seven Movements as proposed by Muller to present the research undertaken among migrant workers with HIV and AIDS. The Practical Theology, which I explore, develops out of a very specific praxis, HIV and AIDS. I have also made used of Transversal Rationality as a practical way of doing interdisciplinary work with the stories of my co-researchers affected with HIV AIDS as a case study. I understand that Christian belief has its own integrity, which is exclusive, but if valid, is vital to be able to incorporate the different dimensions of our modern practise to give it the maximum level of meaning and significance. I hope to demonstrate this possibility through my thesis. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / The present study presents data about the prevalence and determinants of sputum smear non-conversion in smear positive tuberculosis patients. Despite the intervention by the Sekhukhune District Department of Health through continual training and workshops of professional nurses in respect of the NTCP, there are still more challenges observed in terms of TB management. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of sputum smear non-conversion in smear positive PTB patients after intensive phase of treatment. Method: Quantitative, descriptive retrospective study of TB records was conducted. Data collection was done by extracting data from ETR.net and exporting it to excel. Data cleaning was done before analysis. Data analysis was done using the computer Statistical Package Software for Social research (SPSS) volume 23.1. Findings: 834 TB patients’ records were extracted from the ETR.net database. 34% of records were available at 2 – months; 57% of the patients were males; also, 81% of the patients were diagnosed/treated at PHC facilities; 52% of the patients were HIV positive; 69% percent of the patients who were smear positive grading p+++ failed to convert after two months. In the univariate logistic regression patients with age 20 – 29 were observed to be 4.9 times likely (O.R. = 4.97) to be sputum positive (P = 0.142).Sputum grade 3(p+++) at the time of diagnosis was found to be significantly associated (P = 0.031) with sputum non – conversion after intensive phase of treatment. Conclusion: Two month sputum smear non-conversion is associated with pre-treatment sputum smear grading.

Tuberculosis (TB), a transmissible disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is a global health threat. To design an effective vaccine, we need to better understand how different elements of our immune system collaborate to fight against Mtb. CD4 T cells are crucial in protective immunity to Mtb because they produce cytokines including interferon-γ. In contrast, CD8 T cells are thought to play a modest role. Whether CD4 T cells act as “helper” cells to promote optimal CD8 T cell responses during TB is unknown. We argue CD8 T cells’ role are likely underestimated because CD8 T cell functions are compromised without CD4 T cells. Here, using two independent models, I show that CD4 T cell help promotes CD8 T cell effector functions and prevents CD8 T cell exhaustion. I demonstrate CD4 and CD8 T cells synergistically enhance the survival of infected mice. Purified helped, but not helpless, CD8 T cells effectively restrict intracellular Mtb growth. Thus, CD4 T cell help is indispensable for generating protective CD8 T cell responses. In addition, I investigate the mechanisms of CD4 T cell help. Signals from CD4 T cells, and signals relayed by antigen presenting cells collectively shape CD8 T cell responses. We infer that vaccines aimed for eliciting both CD4 and CD8 T cells, in which CD8 T cells are properly helped by CD4 T cells, are more likely to be successful.

This work deals with the issue of supply restoring for heating plant Teplárny Brno, a. s. Špitálka division, after a system-wide failure of the “blackout”. The thesis solves the “black start” of the Špitálka Teplárny Brno operation by delivering a voltage from the hydroelectric power Vír I, proposes a methodology for commissioning of individual devices, up to phasing the generators with subsequent possibility of creating an “island mode” in the area of Brno city, which the work already does not deal with. The work also deals with the preparation of the operational test, while starts of the selected devices are tested. The schedule of commissioning of each device is supported by calculations of the parameters for the entire system with regard to voltage drops while connecting the high load. The result of this work is the proposal of methodological process of supply restoring for power plant Teplárny Brno – Špitálka division, by submission a voltage from the hydroelectric power Vír I, which can be used both in any system-wide failure of the “blackout”, or during the operational test.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Background: Tuberculosis still continues to be a global public health problem and leads to many deaths. In an effective TB control strategy, TB patients are allocated to community care workers who provide care to these patients in their homes. It is important to understand the experiences of community care workers in order to strengthen TB control in the country. Objective(s): The purpose of this study was to explore lived experiences of community care workers of supporting patients taking Tuberculosis treatment. Methods: The design of the study was phenomenological, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual. The study site was Hlogotlou area in Limpopo Province. The target population was all community care workers supporting patients on Tuberculosis treatment. Purposive sampling was used with a sample of 13 participants, which was determined by the saturation of data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide and all sessions were audio recorded. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The results highlighted certain challenges met by community care workers. Patients thought that community care workers are there to kill them with treatment, they had mood swings during treatment and this caused them to use vulgar words and become aggressive to their community care workers. Most community care workers did not have enough information about Tuberculosis. This made it difficult for them to support patients on tuberculosis treatment. Conclusions: A good relationship with patients enhances treatment compliance. The researcher recommends that intensive training about tuberculosis should be provided to community care workers.

Tuberculosis, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has been a global health problem for years. The emergence of drug resistance in this organism generates the necessity of exploring novel targets and developing new drugs. Topoisomerases are enzymes found in all kingdoms of life responsible for overcoming the topological barriers encountered during essential cellular processes. The genomes of mycobacteria encode only one type IA topoisomerase (MtopI), which has been validated as a novel TB drug target. The goal of this study is to obtain new information on the mechanism and resistance of endogenous and synthetic inhibitors of MtopI. Rv1495 is a M. tuberculosis toxin that belongs to the MazEF family (MazE is the antitoxin and MazF is the toxin), with endoribonuclease activity. Rv1495 (MazF homolog in M. tuberculosis) toxin has been shown to interact directly with the C-terminal domain of MtopI for mutual inhibition. In this study the interaction of Rv1495 with the positively charged C-terminal tail in Mtop I is reported. This new information is useful for rational design and discovery of antibiotics for mycobacteria. Ethacridine, an FDA approved drug has shown activity against MtopI. In this project we studied the mechanisms of resistance associated with this drug as well the use of Ethacridine in combination with Moxifloxacin, to potentiate the bactericidal effect of this current second line drug for TB treatment. Results from sequencing of the genomic DNA isolated from the resistant mutants suggested the involvement of the Holliday-junction Ruv resolvase. Further studies showed that co-treatment with Ethacridine can enhance the moxifloxacin-mediated killing of M. smegmatis. FP-11g, a novel fluoroquinophenoxazine inhibitor of bacterial topoisomerase I, has shown promising activity against M, tuberculosis. We explored the bactericidal activity and resistance mechanisms associated to FP-11g using M. smegmatis as model organism. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of FP-11g was also evaluated on M. abscessus. FP-11g at concentration 4X MIC showed complete bactericidal activity against M. smegmatis after 24 hours. Inhibitory activity against M. abscessus was also observed. Results from sequencing of the genomic DNA isolated from the M. smegmatis resistant mutants revealed mutations in genes associated with general drug resistance.

[pt] O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados obtidos com simulações computacionais de interferência entre sistemas LTE e TV Digital na faixa de 700 MHz e de medições de campo. Os resultados da campanha de medições foram usados para validar uma ferramenta de simulação que permite a avaliação de interferência entre os sistemas SBTVD e LTE em diferentes cenários. A ferramenta foi, então, utilizada para analisar a probabilidade de interferência que depende da distância entre os sistemas, da potência de transmissão, do número de interferentes e outros parâmetros que permitem definir as condições para a coexistência harmoniosa dos sistemas. A partir da validação da ferramenta, cenários de interferência com múltiplos receptores LTE e DTV foram simulados, com o propósito de reproduzir problemas mais realistas. Na última etapa do trabalho, como estudo de caso, foi realizada uma avaliação de interferência do sistema LTE nos receptores de TV Digital em cenário representativo da região da zona sul do município do Rio de Janeiro. / [en] This work presents the results of computer simulations of the interference between LTE system and ISDB-TB Digital TV system in the 700 MHz band and field measurements. The results of the measurement campaign were used to validate a simulation tool that runs different scenarios between the SBTVD systems and LTE. The software tool was used to analyze the probability of interference and its dependence on the distance between systems, transmission power, number of interferers and other parameters, aiming to estimate the conditions for the coexistence of the systems. Once the software tool was validated, different interference scenarios with multiple LTE and DTV receivers were analyzed, in order to reproduce more realistic problems. In the last part of this study, an interference evaluation from LTE system on Digital TV receivers was performed in the scenario which represents a region within the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Background: There has been tremendous progress in the use of genomics1 in biomedical research and medical care since the launch of the Human Genome Project in 1990. However, it has also introduced new ethical challenges regarding the feedback of findings generated in genomic sequencing. While some would argue in support of the return of individual findings generated from genomics research, participants' preferences regarding which findings should be fed back differs. Most literature discusses feedback of findings in high income countries and very few address this issue in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs). As a result, it remains unclear whether and how individual findings from genomic studies in Africa should be fed back, who should provide these results and when. Methods: In order to contribute to addressing this gap, an empirical study was conducted to explore expectations and preferences for feedback of individual genetic findings in an HIV-TB genomics research project in Botswana. A qualitative study methodology involving deliberative focus group discussions (dFGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) was used. Participants for this study were adolescents involved in an HIV-TB genomics study being conducted at the Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence (BBCCCE). Parents and caregivers of children enrolled in that same genomic study were also enrolled in this study. A total of 93 participants (44 adolescents and 49 parents and caregivers) were enrolled in 12 dFGDs (6 groups of adolescents and 6 groups of parents and caregivers). Each group of participants met twice within a week, resulting in a total of 24 dFGD meetings. Participants of the dFGDs and in-depth interviews were selected purposively. Additionally, indepth interviews were conducted with 12 dFGD participants (6 adolescents and 6 parents or caregivers). The dFGDs and IDIs were conducted in Setswana, audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Data were imported into NVivo 12 and analysed using the framework approach for qualitative data analysis. Results: The study findings revealed that participants' desire to receive individual genetic results is underpinned by their cultural values, mainly solidarity and reciprocity. Participants viewed research participation as a mutual relationship and considered the return of research results to be one way of reciprocating their efforts. This seems to be underpinned by the principle of Ubuntu which advocates for solidarity and reciprocity within communities. Participants noted that when reciprocity obligations are respected, participants feel valued and expressed that not respecting reciprocity expectations could undermine participants' trust and participation in future studies. Almost all participants wanted to receive individual genetic results. While parents and caregivers wanted to receive individual genetic results regardless of their severity, preventability or actionability, adolescents were reluctant to receive results for genetic conditions that are severe and non-preventable, especially if they are also unactionable. Participants advanced different reasons for feedback of results including for awareness, improving lifestyle, accepting one's' situation, and preparing for the future. The findings also reveal the importance of taking into account participants' context, relations and empowerment when making decisions about whether and which results ought to be fed back. When asked about practical considerations for feedback of results, both adolescents and parents expressed that they would prefer to receive individual genetic results in person, with adolescents preferring researchers to provide feedback, while parents preferred feedback from doctors associated with the study. Adolescents and parents both expressed that feedback should be supported by counselling, but they differed on the timing of feedback. Most participants shared that they would like to be informed about the possibility of discovering individual genetic results during the consent process and that consent be obtained for feedback during the enrolment process. They further expressed that in cases where prior consent to feedback was not obtained, then participants should be re-contacted where lifesaving genetic information is discovered. Participants emphasized the need for researchers to ensure that participants' decisions regarding feedback of results are well-informed. Autonomy, transparency, and communication were identified as key values to uphold during the consent process. Conclusion: In conclusion, expectations of solidarity and reciprocity could translate into an obligation to feedback selected individual genetic results in African genomics research. Decisions on practicalities for feedback of results should take into account participants' context and considerations of participants' preferences. For example, in settings like BBCCCE it might be feasible for the study team to relay participants' results to treating doctors in the same centre, while also organising counselling services if necessary. However, in cases where a study is done in a public facility with limited resources, that could be difficult to implement. Consequently, researchers may have to take up the responsibility of feeding back individual results as well as providing genetic counselling in such settings. To make these decisions, researchers should engage with relevant stakeholders including policymakers and local Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) so as to make informed decisions regarding the feasibility and acceptability of their approach to feedback of results. Obtaining participants' consent for feedback of results is important to ensure that their rights and wellbeing are protected in research. This is critical in building trust relationships between participants and researchers. Lastly, although this study is focused in Botswana, these findings could also be generalised to similar contexts in Africa and provide an authoritative voice to H3Africa to be able to mandate projects with potential to generate individual genetic results to make provisions to feedback these results to study participants.

Thesis (MPH. (Epidemiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a fatal disease globally, if not managed well, with a million or more people dying by the disease annually in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Around two billion people are thought to be asymptomatically (latently) infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, putting them at risk of acquiring active tuberculosis. Tests that identify immunoreactivity to mycobacterial antigens rather than live bacteria, as well as mathematical modelling, are used to estimate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection. According to reports, tuberculosis (TB) was the cause of 1.3 million fatalities among HIV-negative people in 2016, surpassing the global number of HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) deaths. In addition, TB was a factor in 374,000 HIV-related deaths. Despite the effectiveness of chemotherapy over the last seven decades, tuberculosis remains the world's leading infectious killer. In 2016, 10.4 million new cases were reported, a number that has remained constant since the dawn of the twenty-first century, confounding public health specialists tasked with designing and implementing measures to lessen the global burden of tuberculosis disease. As a result, the current study aims to look into the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Lesotho in order to help policymakers make decisions on TB control in the country. Methodology:. In the current investigation, a cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study design was used, as well as a probability sampling strategy. The National TB-Database from the Ministry of Health in Lesotho was used as the source of data for this quantitative investigation, which was analyzed using STATA statistical software version 12 for Windows (STATA Corporation, College Station, Texas). A Chi-Squared test was used to compare categorical variables, while a t-test was used to examine continuous variables. A statistically significant P-value of 0.05 was used. Results: A total of 18 836 TB patient records were recovered, with 45 percent of the TB patients being females. The average age of the TB patients was 35.9 years, with a standard deviation of 12.7%, and the ages ranged from one year to 84 years. There vi was a statistically significant difference between the age groups (p value 0.001), with 33.1 percent of TB patents being in the age group 25–34 years, followed by 29 percent, 15.4 percent, 11.2 percent, and 5.5 percent in the age groups 35–44 years, 45–55 years, 15–24 years, and 55–64 years 65 years.. There has been a fluctuating treatment outcome of TB from 63.5% for cured patients in 2012 to 57.2% in 2013 and this rose to 60.4% in 2014 then eventually reached 76.7% in 2019. The TB treatment success rate in Lesotho also showed a similar trend as the cure rate. The overall TB death rates in the current study was found to be increasing on an annual basis from 7.4% in 2012 to 9.2% in 2018 then dropped to 8.5% in 2019. The TB patients who have not been evaluated for treatment outcomes have been decreasing annually from 4.4% in 2012 to 0.8% in 2019. The proportion of TB patients with known HIV status increased from 22.3% in 2015 to 90.5% in 2019 and similarly to the proportion of TB patients with HIV status positive increased from 15.1% in 2015 to 60.4% in 2019. The proportion of TB patients with HIV status positive increased with increasing age group all age groups. Conclusion: TB is still a concern in Lesotho, where treatment target goals have not yet been fulfilled, the findings of this study underline the importance of addressing the underlying socio-economic causes of TB. The most important goal in TB control is to detect 70% and cure at least 85% of sputum smear positive cases. If these goals are met, the prevalence, incidence, transmission, and medication resistance to tuberculosis (TB) could all decrease. Despite the National Tuberculosis Control Programme's attempts to enhance TB patients' access to treatment and adherence to therapy, the percentage of patients who have good treatment outcomes remains low. Despite having an 84 percent detection rate and using the DOTS technique, the available data did not identify the types of tuberculosis, therefore we were unable to forecast multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

La presente tesis aborda la problemática de la convivencia entre las redes de la televisión digital terrestre y móvil de cuarta generación en la banda del primer dividendo digital (banda de 700 MHz), en Sudamérica. Además, se proponen dos potenciales casos de uso de compartición de espectro para el uso futuro de la banda de televisión después de los dividendos digitales, como modo de acceso eficiente y flexible para el uso del espectro radioeléctrico. Para garantizar la convivencia entre las tecnologías de televisión y móviles en la banda del primer dividendo digital en Sudamérica, se evalúa tanto el impacto de las redes móviles sobre las de televisión, así como el caso contrario, las redes de televisión sobre las móviles, teniendo en cuenta los parámetros técnicos de operación de cada una de las redes implicadas, los cuales son definidos por organismos de estandarización o parámetros reales de redes implementadas por cada país. Dentro de los parámetros técnicos de operación que se definieron para las redes podemos citar: márgenes de protección entre las señales de televisión y móviles; distancias de protección entre el transmisor interferente y el receptor víctima; banda de guarda requeridas entre las dos tecnologías; límites de emisiones interferentes fuera de banda; niveles de atenuación adicionales en las máscaras espectrales; evaluación de técnicas de mitigación de interferencias, entre otros. Es importe resaltar, que las principales diferencias entre los estudios de convivencia en Sudamérica respecto a Europa son: la banda de guarda en Sudamérica son 5 MHz mientras en Europa son 9 MHz; el ancho de banda de un canal de televisión en Sudamérica es 6 MHz respecto a 8 MHz en Europa; el estándar de televisión adoptados en casi toda Sudamérica es ISDB-Tb, a excepción de Colombia que adopto DVB-T2. Asimismo, en el ámbito de esta tesis, se proponen dos potenciales casos de estudio para el uso futuro de la banda de TV, promoviendo la compartición de espectro como un modo de acceso eficiente: El primer caso de estudio, propone un nuevo concepto de espacios en blanco llamado µ-TV-White-Space, los cuales son aquellas zonas geográficas en los interiores de una vivienda y/o oficina que no son cubiertas por el servicio de televisión digital terrestre, ya sea por la ausencia de cobertura o por obstáculos. El escenario propuesto es una red DVB-T2 ofreciendo cobertura en recepción fija sobre tejado, como servicio primario, y, femtoceldas LTE-A en interiores de un hogar u oficina, como servicio secundario. Los resultados obtenidos proporcionan restricciones técnicas para que las femtoceldas LTE-A puedan operar correctamente en espectro compartido con los servicios de televisión. Específicamente, se define la Potencia Isotrópica Radiada Equivalente (PIRE) máxima que podrían transmitir las femtoceldas, en función de la separación en frecuencia con los servicios de televisión. El segundo caso de estudio, propone el uso de los espacios en blanco para la compartición de espectro entre los servicios de internet de las cosas bajo el estándar NB-LTE-IoT, como servicio secundario, y servicios de televisión digital terrestre bajo el estándar DVB-T2, como servicio primario. Se define la máxima potencia transmisible por los nodos y dispositivos IoT sin interferir al servicio primario. Además, se evalúa el impacto del ciclo de trabajo de los dispositivos considerando que existirá diversidad de aplicaciones. La importancia de esta propuesta se fundamenta en dos contribuciones: por un lado, se optimiza el uso de la banda de televisión mediante el acceso secundario de dispositivos de baja potencia en los espacios en blanco, siempre garantizando los servicios de televisión, como servicio primario, por otro lado, se contribuye con nuevas frecuencias para las tecnologías móviles de última generación, con el objetivo de aumentar la capacidad de las redes que soportarán tanto / This thesis deals with the issue about coexistence between television and fourth generation mobile networks within the band of the first digital dividend (700 MHz band), in South America. Moreover, two potential cases of sharing spectrum for future use of the television band after the digital dividends are suggested as an efficient and flexible way for usage of the radio spectrum. In order to ensure the coexistence between the television and mobile technologies within the band of the first digital dividend in South America, the impact of the mobile networks as well as the opposite case are assessed. The technical operation parameters for each of the involved networks defined by standardizing organisms or real parameters from implemented networks in each country are considered. Among the technical parameters that were defined for the networks, we can mention: protection ratio between television and mobile signals; protection distances between the interfering transmitter and the victim receiver; required guard bands between both technologies; maximum power of the interfering out-of-band emissions in adjacent channels; additional attenuation levels in the spectrum emission mask in transmission and reception; assessing of interference mitigation techniques, among others. It is important to highlight that the main differences between the coexistence studies for South America and Europe are: the guard bands in South America are 5 MHz whereas in Europe are 9 MHz; bandwidth for a channel in South America is 6 MHz in contrast with the 8 MHz of Europe; the television standard adopted in almost all South America is ISDB-Tb, except Colombia and the French Guiana, which adopted DVB-T2. Additionally, within the scope of this thesis, two potential study cases for future usage of the TV band are proposed, promoting sharing spectrum as an efficient access way: The first study we go a step beyond coexistence, since the aim is to exploit the unused radio spectrum in those geographical zones that are not covered because the useful signal is obstructed by the environment or it has a limited coverage by the network design. Those areas can be called "micro-TVWS" (µ-TV-White-Space). The most representative cases of our definition of µ-TV-White-Space are those indoor environments in areas where DTT received power is below the required sensitivity because a TV channel is broadcasted to rooftop reception. The proposed scenario considers a DTT network offering fixed rooftop reception as a primary service, and a LTE-A femtocell giving coverage within the interior of a home or office as a secondary service. Our results provide the technical restrictions of the LTE-A Femtocell, mainly on the maximum allowable Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) that could transmit on the DTT band in terms of carrier separation, from co-channel to adjacent band. The second study case, suggests the use of white spaces for spectrum sharing among the Internet of Things (IoT) services, under the NB-LTE-IoT standard, as secondary service, and digital terrestrial television services under the DVB-T2 standard, as primary service. The maximum transmissible power by the nodes and IoT devices without interfering the primary service is defined. Besides, the impact of the duty cycle of the devices is assessed considering that there will be a great diversity of applications, and thus, a great diversity of operation requirements. The significance of this proposal is due to two contributions: on the aone hand, the usage of the television band is optimized through secondary access of low power devices within the white spaces, always ensuring television services as primary service. On the other hand, new frequencies for last generation mobile technologies are given, with the aim at increasing the network capacity, which will bear mobile services as well as IoT, regarding the high challenge of offering connectivity to millions of devices during the next decade. / La present tesi aborda la problemàtica de la convivència entres les xarxes de la televisió digital terrestre i mòbil de quarta generació en la banda del primer dividend digital (banda de 700 MHz), en Sud-Amèrica. A més, es proposen dos potencials casos d'ús compartit d'espectre per a l'ús futur de la banda de televisió després dels dividends digitals, com a mode d'accés eficient i flexible per a l'ús de l'espectre radioelèctric. Per tal de garantir la convivència entre les tecnologies de televisió i mòbils en la banda del primer dividend digital en Sud-Amèrica, s'avalua tant l'impacte de les xarxes mòbils sobre les de televisió, com el cas contrari, les xarxes de televisió sobre les mòbils, tenint en compte els paràmetres tècnics d'operació de cadascuna de les xarxes implicades, els quals són definits per organismes d'estandardització o paràmetres reals de xarxes implementades per cada país. Dins dels paràmetres tècnics d'operació que es van definir per a les xarxes podem citar: marges de protecció entre els senyals de televisió i mòbils; distàncies de protecció entre el transistor interferent i el receptor víctima; banda de guarda entre ambdós tecnologies; límits de les emissions interferents fora de banda; nivells d'atenuació addicionals en les màscares espectrals; avaluació de tècniques de mitigació d'interferències, entre d'altres. És important destacar, que les principals diferències entre els estudis de convivència en Sud-Amèrica respecte d'Europa són: la banda de guarda en Sud-Amèrica són 5 MHz mentre que a Europa són 9 MHz; l'amplària de banda d'un canal de televisió en Sud-Amèrica és de 6 MHz respecte dels 8 MHz a Europa; l'estàndard de televisió adoptat en quasi tota Sud-Amèrica és ISDB-Tb, excepte Colòmbia i la Guaiana Francesa que van adoptar DVB-T2. A Europa quasi tots els països tenen adoptats els estàndards DVB-T de primera i segona generació. Així mateix, en l'àmbit de la tesi, es proposen dos potencials casos d'estudi per a l'ús futur de la banda de TV, de manera que es promoga la compartició d'espectre com un mode d'accés eficient: El primer cas d'estudi, proposa un nou concepte d'espais en blanc anomenat µ-TV-White-Space, els quals són aquelles zones geogràfiques que no són cobertes pel servei de televisió digital terrestre, ja siga per l'absència de cobertura o per obstacles. L'escenari proposat és una xarxa DVB-T2 que ofereix cobertura en recepció fixa sobre terrat, com a servei primari, i femtocel·les LTE-A en interiors d'una llar o oficina, com a servei secundari. Els resultats obtinguts proporcionen restriccions tècniques per tal que les femtocel·les LTE-A puguen operar correctament en espectre compartit amb els serveis de televisió. Específicament, es defineix la Potència Isotròpica Radiada Equivalent (PIRE) màxima que podrien transmetre les femtocel·les, en funció de la separació en freqüència amb els serveis de televisió. El segon cas d'estudi, proposa l'ús d'espais en blanc per a la compartició d'espectre entre els serveis d'internet de les coses (Internet of Things o IOT, en anglès), sota l'estàndard NB-LTE-IoT, com a servei secundari, i serveis de televisió digital terrestre sota l'estàndard DVB-T2, com a servei primari. Es defineix la màxima potència transmissible pels nodes i dispositius IoT sense interferir al servei primari. A més, s'avalua l'impacte del cicle de treball dels dispositius considerant que existirà diversitat d'aplicacions, i, per tant, diversitat de requeriments d'operació. La importància d'aquesta proposta es fonamenta en dues contribucions: per una banda, s'optimitza l'ús de la banda de televisió mitjançant l'accés secundari de dispositius de baixa potència als espais en blanc, sempre garantint els serveis de televisió, com a servei primari. Per altra banda, es contribueix amb noves freqüències per a les tecnologies mòbils d'última generació, amb l'objectiu d'a / Martínez Pinzón, G. (2018). Compartición del Espectro Radioeléctrico entre Tecnologías Inalámbricas de Última Generación en la Banda de la Televisión Digital Terrestre [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/102644