ABSTRACT This study aimed at evaluating bovine behavioral parameters managed in crowding pens built with modular panel of reforestation wood and homogeneous particle sheets of sugarcane bagasse and in conventional wooden crowding pens. The animals treated had their body surface temperature measured by the infrared thermography method and the behavior evaluated through the flight time parameters and the behavior score in the crowding pens. The results indicated that the animals managed in these buildings showed no difference in the behavioral parameters, but the mean and maximum superficial body temperatures were lower in the animals managed in the crowding pens of modular panel.

Elephant grass ash (EGA) was produced at 700 °C, with two different treatments: hot water (EGAhw) or acid solution (EGAas). The efficiency of the treatments at removing the potassium oxide was evaluated with the aim of using the EGA as a pozzolanic mineral addition for cement-based composites. Characterizations were carried out by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), pozzolanic activity by electric conductivity and application of the kinetic-diffusive model. The analysis evidenced that the chemical treatment was more efficient for removing potassium oxide. The pozzolanic activity test and the kinetic parameters for the EGAas indicated that this ash is suitable for cement-based composites.