Starch is an attractive raw material for biodegradable plastic applications due to its low cost, its availability in large quantities and its excellent thermal process-ability using conventional plastic processing equipments. Despite its attractive potential as a biopolymer material, the use of starch in biodegradable plastic applications is yet limited by its structural and functional properties, which are dictated by its genetic make up. This dissertation involves in-depth characterisations of a range of biotechnologically derived novel starches from different cereal sources to elucidate the relationship between starch structure and functionality. The importance of understanding starch structure-functionality relationship to further the development of starch biodegradable plastics are discussed to identify the research questions, which underlie the motivation of this dissertation and to contextualize the objectives of this dissertation. Diversities in starch macromolecular properties namely the amylose content and amylopectin chain length distribution are evident in these novel starches. The variation in amylopectin structure in these novel starches is explicable by considering the particular inhibition of starch biosynthesis gene expression in the generation of these starch mutants. Amylose content and amylopectin chain length distribution are two separate structural parameters in starch, which influence the granular and functional properties of starch. An improved method to analyse the 13C solid state NMR spectra for native starches was developed in this dissertation and provides the first elucidation on the occurrence of V-type polymorph, which is significant in high amylose starches. An increase in starch amylose content (or decrease in amylopectin content) leads to a decrease in the double helix content and crystallinity. A transition in the double helical packing arrangement of amylopectin side chains from A-type to B-type polymorph is noted for high amylose starches. This can be attributed to the changes in their amylopectin chain length distribution, which leads to the tendency of the glucan chains to form the B-type polymorph during crystallisation from thermodynamic considerations. The application of MTDSC provides the first elucidation on the step transition or heat capacity change, which is noted to occur within the gelatinisation endotherm for all starches. The use of Rheoscope, which allows for simultaneous monitoring of the changes in starch granular and rheological properties during gelatinisation, reveals that the manifested changes in viscosity can be attributed to the increase in the granules size as a result of swelling, the change in granules properties from rigid to more deformable granules due to water penetration and the increase in the viscosity of the continuous phase due to leaching of amylose. The variation in starch gelatinisation thermal properties namely the onset temperature, enthalpy and heat capacity change can be attributed to the variation in amylopectin chain length distribution, amylose content and the amount of starch structural order. A reduction in swelling power with increasing amylose content is consistently noted for all starch types. The variation in starch rheological responses during gelatinisation can be mainly attributed to the swelling ability of starch granules and their granule size distribution (to a lesser extent). Further MTDSC investigations on starch gelatinisation in the presence of water and glycerol with different concentrations indicate that plasticisation of starch granules prior to gelatinisation does not occur. The observed mid-temperature of the step transition (heat capacity change) is more likely due to a change in state of the starch macromolecules from being highly restrained within the granular packing to entangled macromolecules (as the order to disorder transition occurs) rather than due to glass transition. The addition of glycerol promotes starch gelatinisation in a similar way as the addition of water, which suggests that the same structural changes occur during gelatinisation regardless of the solvents used. In summary, the following starch structure-functionality relationships are deduced. The variation in starch macromolecular properties can be attributed to their corresponding mutation of starch biosynthetic genes expression. The variation in starch amylose content affects the extent of structural order inside the granules while the double helix packing arrangement is influenced by the amylopectin chain length distribution. Starch gelatinisation thermal properties are mainly influenced by the amylopectin chain length distribution while the swelling power and rheological properties are mainly affected by the amylose content.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / J. Scott Smith / Emulsifiers have been and remain highly functional ingredients in the food industry. Emulsifiers contain both hydrophilic and lipophilic parts, resulting in their ability to be useful in foods at very low levels. However, knowledge of why emulsifiers work and how to use them most effectively is reserved for the few scientists who specialize in the discipline. Therefore, a comparison of current emulsifier theory with known emulsifier usage in the industry is beneficial to all who use these ingredients. Current emulsifier theory effectively describes how emulsifiers behave in food systems. Emulsion theory details how emulsifiers facilitate the formation and stability of emulsions through study of the kinetics of food systems. Emulsion theory further relates the ability of emulsifiers to interact with other substances in a food system. The main interactions concerning emulsifiers are their ability to form mesophases with water, to strengthen or weaken protein interactions, to form complexes with starches, and to promote or subdue fat crystallization. However, industrial applications of emulsifiers indicate areas where exceptions to theory exist. While emulsion theory has been found to effectively describe the individual interactions and functions in food, the simplicity of the models indicates that complex food system models are still needed to truly understand how to maximize the functionality of emulsifiers.

<p>Problem</p><p>Funktioner i tunga fordon går allt mer från att vara mekaniska till att styras med hjälp av elektroniska signaler. För att förstå hur komponenter och system fungerar och ska repareras har mekanikerna Verkstadshandboken till sin hjälp. Från tryckt media har Verkstadshandboken övergått till digital publicering i visningsprodukten Scania Multi.</p><p> </p><p>Scania Multi var inledningsvis ett program för reservdelsinformation och har en navigeringsstruktur som är anpassad efter komponenternas placering på fordonet. Det är inte logiskt att hitta information om hur system och komponenter fungerar och ska lagas när man följer en navigeringsstruktur som från början är avsedd för reservdelar, det märks. Mekanikerna som använder Verkstadshandboken i Scania Multi har klagat över att information för reparationer och funktionsbeskrivningar inte finns. Ofta visar det sig att informationen faktiskt finns där men har varit svår att hitta.</p><p>Metod</p><p>Vilka risker och hinder finns det som påverkar om man vill eller orkar ta del av information? Olika signaler från vår omgivning påverkar våra val och beteenden och avgör om ett budskap når fram eller inte. Signalerna inverkar alltså på de val vi gör när vi ställs inför en ny situation.</p><p> </p><p>För att budskapet ska nå ända fram måste signalen vara rätt, ren och stark. Inom området informationsarkitektur pratar man om hur olika sorters design påverkar våra val och handlingar när vi ska interagera med ett digitalt informationsmaterial. Här pratar man om grafisk, informations- och interaktionsdesign. Jag har kopplat de olika typerna av design med de tre olika signalerna.</p><p> </p><p>Utifrån resonemanget om att rätt, ren och stark signal kan jämställas med informationsarkitekturens olika sorters design, gjorde jag en prototyp. Prototypens informationsdesign bygger på att jag har använt och strukturerat informationen med hjälp av den del i ISO standarden STEP som kallas Product Life Cycle Support. När jag sorterade informationen inom de olika avdelningarna använde jag mig av Information Mapping metoden.</p><p> </p><p>Prototypen har en fysisk och en funktionell vy som ska stödja mekanikernas behov när de använder Verkstadshandboken. För att ta reda på hur signalerna i prototypen fungerade testade jag den på sju yrkesverksamma mekaniker. Användningstestet byggde på två scenarion med tillhörande uppgifter där syftet var att få återkoppling på prototypens design och hitta förbättringspunkter.</p><p>Slutsats</p><p>Användningstesterna fokuserade framförallt på prototypens informationsdesign men berörde även prototypens grafiska design och gav vägledning om interaktionsdesignen var på rätt väg. Med hjälp av användningstesterna kunde jag analysera resultatet för att se vad som borde förbättras.</p><p> </p><p>Eftersom mekaniker inte har fått vara med och kravställa designen fick de interagera med en produkt som inte var optimal för deras behov. Mekanikerna är vana vid strukturen i nuvarande Verkstadshandboken i Scania Multi. Den nya strukturen tar hänsyn till fordonets funktionalitet på ett sätt som inte presenteras i dagens system.</p><p> </p><p>Det var fyra avsnitt där mekanikernas återkoppling på prototypens design var extra tydlig:</p><p>-       Det var svårt att se knappar och klickbara länkar.</p><p>-       Designen uppfattades som rörig.</p><p>-       När man väl hade förstått informationsdesignen var det lätt att se att den skulle kunna vara till stor hjälp vid exempelvis felsökning.</p><p>-       Uppdelningen av informationen upplevdes positivt när man hade vant sig vid de olika vyerna.</p>

No description available.

To compete in the global market, organisations have to ensure that their production is synchronised with their other business activities. To achieve this, companies deploy a variety of solutions known as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). These systems provide the bridge between control and business systems and are used by a variety of people across many business functions. Typical users range from production and maintenance personnel to engineers, finance and management. Sectors within the manufacturing industry have their own definitions of MES and these are based on their functional requirements and by the offerings of vendors in that sector. Thus, people differ in their understanding and definition of MES. To ensure common understanding of what functionalities or modules constitute MES, the Manufacturing Execution Systems Association (MESA) has defined MES to cover the following eleven areas: Resource Allocation and Status Operations/Detail Scheduling Dispatching Production Units Document Control Data Collection/Acquisition Labour Management Quality Management Process Management Maintenance Management Product Tracking and Genealogy Performance Analysis On examining the Manufacturing Execution Systems literature, it was realised that functionalities and definitions exist but a standard approach and implementation methodology is lacking. Thus, a framework was developed based on a literature study as well as from experience within the MES environment. To ensure that the framework meets the needs of organisations, two questionnaires were developed and sent to people from various functions within large South African companies (and across divisions). The results of the empirical study showed that for large organisations, i.e. organisations with over 200 employees and an annual turnover in excess of R 40 million, some form of manufacturing execution systems were used in all the companies surveyed. The most common functionality deployed was Data Collection1Acquisition and the payback on these systems was greater than two years. The respondents highlighted that MES governance and an overall company wide strategy for MES implementation was non-existent or not enforced across the group of companies. The respondents also indicated that the implementation was time consuming and that the projects usually exceeded the allocated budget and/or were late. The respondents were not unanimous on who was accountable for MES within the organisation and a quarter felt that this was unclear within the organisation. When asked about the process that was followed in the selection of a vendor and solution, the majority felt that the process was not well defined. However, respondents noted that change management is used on all major projects and the outcome is generally successful. All the companies outsource either some or all of their IT services and the relationship with the vendor seems successful, as the rating received for MES support was very good. The benefits of implementing Manufacturing Execution Systems are also being realised by those companies that responded to the questionnaires. The overall impression is that over 75% of the respondents feel positive about the benefits and state that the benefits are realised. The only major shortcoming is that information is not being shared across business units and sites as half of the respondents felt that this was not happening in their companies. The proposed MES Engagement and Implementation Framework that was tested with the empirical study was subsequently updated. The framework suggests that all MES implementations should begin with a review of the business and ICT strategy as these would assist when defining the business requirements and the criteria for the selection of the technology, vendor, and solution The business requirements should be ascertained and a realistic business case should be developed. The project team should re-confirm the requirements once a vendor is selected, and, with the necessary change management, implement a portion of the solution as a pilot project. Once successful, then only should the entire solution be rolled out. Another parallel process should consider the outsourcing for the support phase. The entire process of implementing MES is cyclical as new requirements, additional functionality, and benefits tracking results in new projects. In conclusion adopting this framework would result in better implementation and ensure that the benefits are realised for all MES projects and that the solution is adequately supported after implementation. A model for the implementation has also been proposed and it should be developed and tested further to guide MES implementation. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute / Karen A. Schmidt / Radio frequency dielectric heating (RFDH) can provide rapid and uniform heating throughout the products' mass, and can be used to bake, dry, and defrost foods. Studies have shown that when RFDH induced a 5-log reduction of Salmonella spp. in nonfat dry milk (NDM), whey protein nitrogen index (WPNI) decreased, suggesting that functional properties of the NDM might be impacted. This research was conducted to determine if RFDH affected the functional properties of NDM [high-heat (HH) and low-heat (LH)]. Nonfat dry milk were treated to 75, 80 and 85°C in the RFDH unit, then were held for 125, 63 and 43 min for LH-NDM or 115, 52 and 43 min for HH-NDM, and cooled to ~23 ± 1°C. Powders were evaluated for WPNI , nitrogen solubility index, and color. Maillard browning and functional properties of NDM samples were evaluated after NDM was rehydrated to 3.5% protein with deionized water, and adjusted to pH 7.00. Glucono-delta-lactone was added in rehydrated NDM (3.5% protein; natural pH) as an acidifying agent to form milk gels, and the physical properties of the gels were determined. Two replications were conducted and data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA (RFDH and NDM) and Tukey mean differentiations (p ≤ 0.05). Results showed that LH-NDM (collapsed for RFDH treatments) had 5.7% less viscosity, 20.9% less overrun, 27.4% less foam stability, as well as 15% less water holding capacity compared with HH-NDM (collapsed for RFDH treatments). This can be explained by the natural whey protein denaturation differences in the HH-NDM and LH-NDM. Viscosity and surface tension were impacted by the RFDH treatment. NDM (HH and LH) treated to 85°C had 10% greater viscosity than the control, and the NDM treated to 75°C had less surface tension compared with samples treated to 80°C, 85°C and the control. Overall, RFDH decreased WPNI in LH-NDM, but not HH-NDM. The SDS-PAGE gel images provided supportive evidence to the WPNI results. RFDH is a processing technology that could change a few functional properties of NDM in this study, which makes it a promising method that may be further exploited for various food applications, such as emulsifiers, foaming agents, etc. However, potential negative impacts, such as color change caused by Maillard reaction, loss of WPNI in LH-NDM, cannot be neglected.

<p>Vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) configuration has been recognized as the state-of-the-art architecture in the complex oxide epitaxial thin films, which are constructed by two immiscible phases simultaneously and vertically growing on a given substrate and forming various columnar microstructures, such as nanopillars embedded in matrix, nanomaze, and nanocheckboard. Due to its architectural features, VAN structure enables a powerful control on the multifunctionalities via vertical strain engineering, microstructural variations, and interfacial coupling. It provides flexibility in complex oxide designs with various functionalities (e.g., electrical, magnetic, optical, etc.), as well as a platform to explore the correlations between strain, microstructure, and multifunctionalities of the nanocomposite thin films.</p> <p>In this dissertation, integrated VAN systems with multilayer configuration have been constructed as a new three-dimensional (3D) framework, e.g., inserting 1-3 layers of CeO₂ (or LSMO) interlayers into the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO)-CeO₂ VAN system and forming 3D interconnected CeO₂ (or LSMO) skeleton embedded in LSMO matrix. This new VAN 3D framework enables both lateral and vertical strain engineering simultaneously within the films and obtains highly enhanced magnetotransport properties, such as the record high magnetoresistance (MR) value of ~51-66%, compared with its VAN single layer counterpart. In order to demonstrate the flexibility of this design, other systems such as 3D ZnO framework embedded in LSMO matrix have been constructed to explore the thickness effects of the ZnO interlayers on the magnetotransport properties of the LSMO-ZnO system. The maximum MR value is obtained at the ZnO interlayer thickness of ~2 nm, which enables the optimal magnetoresistance tunneling effect. Meanwhile, the significance of the interlayer selection in the microstructure and magnetoresistance properties of the LSMO-ZnO system has been investigated by varying the interlayer materials yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), CeO₂, SrTiO₃, BaTiO₃, and MgO. The formed 3D heterogeneous framework provides a new dimension to tailor the microstructure, strain and functionalities within the films.</p> <p>Moreover, a new strain engineering approach with engineered tilted interfaces has been demonstrated by multilayering different VAN layers with various two phase ratio and creating a hybrid nanodumbbell structure within the LSMO-CeO₂ VAN thin films. The nanodumbbell structure accomplishes a more efficient strain engineering and exhibits highly enhanced magnetic and magnetoresistance properties, compared with its VAN single layer and interlayer counterparts. </p> <p>These examples presented in the thesis demonstrate the flexibility and potential of 3D strain engineering in complex VAN systems and a higher level of property control, coupled with unique microstructures and interfaces. Beyond perovskites, these 3D designs can be extended to other material systems for a broader range of applications, such as energy conversion and storage related applications.</p>

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito do treinamento de vibração na força e na potência musculares a 60º.s-1 e a 180º.s-1 e na funcionalidade de idosos. Participaram do estudo quarenta e sete idosos que já freqüentavam um programa de exercícios físicos. Os sujeitos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo experimental (GE) (n=24, 70.7±5.8 anos, 62.7±12.3 kg e 155.9±8.0 cm ) e grupo controle (GC) (n=23, 70.0±5.7 anos, 65.3±10.7 kg e 157.9±6.6 cm). Adicionalmente ao programa de exercícios físicos, o GE realizou o treinamento de vibração durante 13 semanas, sendo 2 vezes por semana, enquanto que o GC continuou apenas com o programa regular de exercícios físicos. O treinamento de vibração não foi efetivo em melhorar força, potência e o desempenho nos testes funcionais dos idosos. No entanto, encontramos efeito de tempo para os testes de força dos flexores de cotovelo, distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de 6 minutos e redução no tempo para realizar o percurso no teste de agilidade/equilíbrio. Concluindo, o treinamento vibratório não foi efetivo em melhorar a funcionalidade de idosos fisicamente ativos / The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a whole body vibration training program in the knee extensors isokinetic peak torque and average power, and in functional tests of physically active elderly. Forty seven elderly, whom participated of a training program for the elderly, were recruited. The subjects were divided into two groups; the whole body vibration group (TV) (n=24, 70.7±5.8 years, 62.7±12.3 kg e 155.9±8.0 cm ) and the control group (GC) (n=23. 70.0±5.7 years, 65.3±10.7 kg e 157.9±6.6 cm). The TV performed the whole body vibration exercises and their regular training program for 13 weeks, 2 x per week, while the GC performed the regular training program only. The TV was not effect in increasing both isokinetic peak torque and average power. On the other hand, their regular training program was effective in increasing elbow flexors strength endurance, distance covered in the 6 min walk test, and in speed in the time up and go test. As a conclusion, TV was not effective in improving physically active elderly functionality

Introdução: A capacidade funcional refere-se fundamentalmente à potencialidade humana para o desempenho ocupacional, imprescindível para uma melhor qualidade de vida. O objetivo desta pesquisa, aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do HCFMRP-USP (processo no 648/2008), foi avaliar a capacidade funcional de pacientes submetidos a neurocirurgia oncológica e sua relação com a qualidade de vida. Método: Durante o período de maio/08 a abril/09 (12 meses) foram avaliados 52 sujeitos adultos de ambos os sexos; o grupo experimental teve 26 pacientes, sendo 14 com diagnóstico de meningioma (grupo1) e 12 com diagnóstico de glioma de alto grau (grupo 2); e o grupo controle teve 26 sujeitos, subdivididos em grupos: 1A (pareado com o grupo 1) e 2A (pareado com grupo 2). Foram realizados dois tipos de dinamometria - avaliação de força de preensão (Grip TrackTM Testing) e de pinça (Pinch TrackTM Testing) com equipamento computadorizado Tracker SystemTM; aplicação de protocolos internacionais validados no Brasil - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HAD, Item Short-Form Health Survey - SF-36 e Health Assessment Questionnaire HAQ, no período pré-operatório e no terceiro mês de pós-operatório. Na análise estatística foram aplicados os testes Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon e Coeficiente de Correlação de Spearman Resultados: Constatou-se que nos três primeiros meses de pós operatório houve aumento da capacidade funcional dos sujeitos dos grupos experimentais (1 e 2) e diminuição dos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão; não houve diferença significativa nos testes de força no pré e no pós operatório, mas ambos os grupos apresentam diminuição de força no membro dominante em comparação com os grupos controle. Houve correlações de forte magnitude entre os dados coletados através dos testes Grip TrackTM Testing, Pinch TrackTM Testing; protocolos: HAD, HAQ e SF-36, com rho 0,600 a 0,969. Os domínios aspecto social e emocional do instrumento de qualidade de vida mostraram uma piora no pósoperatório imediato. Esses resultados corroboram a compreensão ampliada do conceito de funcionalidade, como proposto na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade e Incapacidade e Saúde\" (CIF). Conclusão: A funcionalidade está diretamente relacionada com a qualidade de vida, principalmente nos aspectos psicossociais, sendo necessária compreendê-la de forma mais ampla do que funções físicas específicas, para implementar planos de tratamentos mais adequados para os sujeitos com tumor cerebral, tanto no pré como no pós operatório, com acompanhamento de uma equipe multidisciplinar. / Introduction. Functional capacity refers mainly to the potential for human occupational performance, essential for a better quality of life. This research, approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research- HCFMRP USP (in case 648/2008), was to assess the functional capacity of patients undergoing neurosurgery oncology and its relationship to quality of life. Methods. During the period of the abril/09 May/08 (12 months) were assessed 52 subjects adults of both sexes, the experimental group had 26 patients, 14 with a diagnosis of meningioma (group1) and 12 diagnosed with high grade glioma (group 2); and the control group has 26 subjects, divided into groups: 1A (paired with group 1) and 2A (paired with group 2). Were performed two types of dinamometry - evaluation of grip strength (grip TrackTM Testing) and pinch (Pinch TrackTM Testing) SystemTM Tracker with computerized equipment, application of international protocols validated in Brazil - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HAD, Item Short- Form Health Survey - SF-36 and Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ in the preoperative period and in the third month postoperatively. Statistical analysis using the statistical Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Results . It was found that the first three months postoperatively increased functional capacity of the subjects of the experimental groups (1 and 2) and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, no significant difference in the strength tests before and after surgery but both groups have reduced strength in the dominant limb compared with control groups. There were strong correlations between the magnitude of data collected through tests Grip TrackTM Testing, Testing Pinch TrackTM; protocols: HAD, HAQ and SF-36 with rho 0.600 to 0.969. The aspect of social and emotional domains of quality of life instrument showed a worsening in the immediate postoperative period. These results support the expanded understanding of the concept of functionality, as proposed in the \"International Classification of Functioning and Disability and Health (ICF). Conclusion. The functionality is directly related to the quality of life, especially on psychosocial aspects and needed to understand it more broadly than specific physical functions, to implement plans of treatment best suited to individuals with brain tumor, both pre and postoperatively, with the accompaniment of a multidisciplinary team.

Introdução: A capacidade funcional refere-se fundamentalmente à potencialidade humana para o desempenho ocupacional, imprescindível para uma melhor qualidade de vida. O objetivo desta pesquisa, aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do HCFMRP-USP (processo no 648/2008), foi avaliar a capacidade funcional de pacientes submetidos a neurocirurgia oncológica e sua relação com a qualidade de vida. Método: Durante o período de maio/08 a abril/09 (12 meses) foram avaliados 52 sujeitos adultos de ambos os sexos; o grupo experimental teve 26 pacientes, sendo 14 com diagnóstico de meningioma (grupo1) e 12 com diagnóstico de glioma de alto grau (grupo 2); e o grupo controle teve 26 sujeitos, subdivididos em grupos: 1A (pareado com o grupo 1) e 2A (pareado com grupo 2). Foram realizados dois tipos de dinamometria - avaliação de força de preensão (Grip TrackTM Testing) e de pinça (Pinch TrackTM Testing) com equipamento computadorizado Tracker SystemTM; aplicação de protocolos internacionais validados no Brasil - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HAD, Item Short-Form Health Survey - SF-36 e Health Assessment Questionnaire HAQ, no período pré-operatório e no terceiro mês de pós-operatório. Na análise estatística foram aplicados os testes Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon e Coeficiente de Correlação de Spearman Resultados: Constatou-se que nos três primeiros meses de pós operatório houve aumento da capacidade funcional dos sujeitos dos grupos experimentais (1 e 2) e diminuição dos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão; não houve diferença significativa nos testes de força no pré e no pós operatório, mas ambos os grupos apresentam diminuição de força no membro dominante em comparação com os grupos controle. Houve correlações de forte magnitude entre os dados coletados através dos testes Grip TrackTM Testing, Pinch TrackTM Testing; protocolos: HAD, HAQ e SF-36, com rho 0,600 a 0,969. Os domínios aspecto social e emocional do instrumento de qualidade de vida mostraram uma piora no pósoperatório imediato. Esses resultados corroboram a compreensão ampliada do conceito de funcionalidade, como proposto na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade e Incapacidade e Saúde\" (CIF). Conclusão: A funcionalidade está diretamente relacionada com a qualidade de vida, principalmente nos aspectos psicossociais, sendo necessária compreendê-la de forma mais ampla do que funções físicas específicas, para implementar planos de tratamentos mais adequados para os sujeitos com tumor cerebral, tanto no pré como no pós operatório, com acompanhamento de uma equipe multidisciplinar. / Introduction. Functional capacity refers mainly to the potential for human occupational performance, essential for a better quality of life. This research, approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research- HCFMRP USP (in case 648/2008), was to assess the functional capacity of patients undergoing neurosurgery oncology and its relationship to quality of life. Methods. During the period of the abril/09 May/08 (12 months) were assessed 52 subjects adults of both sexes, the experimental group had 26 patients, 14 with a diagnosis of meningioma (group1) and 12 diagnosed with high grade glioma (group 2); and the control group has 26 subjects, divided into groups: 1A (paired with group 1) and 2A (paired with group 2). Were performed two types of dinamometry - evaluation of grip strength (grip TrackTM Testing) and pinch (Pinch TrackTM Testing) SystemTM Tracker with computerized equipment, application of international protocols validated in Brazil - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HAD, Item Short- Form Health Survey - SF-36 and Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ in the preoperative period and in the third month postoperatively. Statistical analysis using the statistical Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Results . It was found that the first three months postoperatively increased functional capacity of the subjects of the experimental groups (1 and 2) and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, no significant difference in the strength tests before and after surgery but both groups have reduced strength in the dominant limb compared with control groups. There were strong correlations between the magnitude of data collected through tests Grip TrackTM Testing, Testing Pinch TrackTM; protocols: HAD, HAQ and SF-36 with rho 0.600 to 0.969. The aspect of social and emotional domains of quality of life instrument showed a worsening in the immediate postoperative period. These results support the expanded understanding of the concept of functionality, as proposed in the \"International Classification of Functioning and Disability and Health (ICF). Conclusion. The functionality is directly related to the quality of life, especially on psychosocial aspects and needed to understand it more broadly than specific physical functions, to implement plans of treatment best suited to individuals with brain tumor, both pre and postoperatively, with the accompaniment of a multidisciplinary team.