NU Masters and Dissertations (Restricted)
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This collection contains access-restricted National University student dissertations and master's theses, including work by students who graduated from National University, Northcentral University, and John F. Kennedy University. To learn more about this collection, please visit the NU Institutional Repository website.
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Item Life cycle energy and emissions for electrocoagulation/pyrolysis wastewater treatment(2012) Flores, Benjamin; Hester, Randall; Sanjak, SalahThis study documents the energy intensity and environmental impact of the municipal wastewater treatment systems through analysis of operational records and mathematical calculations. Life cycle energy and impact assessment was conducted for conventional wastewater treatment using anaerobic sludge digestion and for a combined electrocoagulation/pyrolysis wastewater treatment system. In addition, effluent quality for both treatment trains was analyzed. From the comparative assessment of the two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), it is found that the life cycle energy for the conventional system is higher- 4769 Kwh/MG (equivalent to 3.6 MT of CO2/MG). The electrocoagulation/pyrolysis system consumes 689 Kwh/MG (equivalent to 0.48 MT of CO per MG). This is an 87% reduction in the emission of CO2; into the atmosphere for the electrocoagulation/pyrolysis system. The conventional system produces 1.4 MT/MG of waste sludge. The alternative system produces 0.9 MT/MG, a 36% reduction in the process waste stream (by weight). This reduces the impact of sludge wastes on landfill resources. In addition, analysis shows that, while both systems satisfy NPDES permit requirements, the treatment quality of the electrocoagulation/pyrolysis system consistently exceeds the quality of the conventional system. Thus, adoption of the new technology would be useful for reducing the total life cycle energy and environmental burden of municipal wastewater treatment.Item Legal limits while driving under the influence of marijuana(2017) Faas, Kayla S.Marijuana is a classified Schedule I drug which indicates its high potential for abuse and means the distribution and manufacture of any drugs within this schedule is a criminal offense as described in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970. However, state legislations have passed laws to legalize marijuana producing a preemptive effect against the CSA. While this public debate remains challenged by federal and state officials, there is a need to determine control measures for states that are currently legalized. A control measure currently being utilized by many state governments, legalized or not, is the enactment of legal THC limits for drivers. This study researched whether setting this THC limit is an effective way to deter motorists driving under the influence of marijuana. This study analyzed drivers who were only tested positive for marijuana and involved in an accident where a fatality occurred over the course of 10 years. It was first determined that there was an increasing number of “high” drivers involved in fatal accidents as more states legalized marijuana from the years 2003 to 2013 (see Table 4-1). This data was further researched to determine whether this increase in “high” drivers was more contributed from states that had legal limits or states without legal limits. It was determined that legalized states with legal limits showed lower significant impact on the national increase of high drivers. On the contrary, it was determined that legalized states with no legal limit showed significant contribution to the national increase in high drivers. Lastly, it was researched to determine whether illegal states that have legal limits also contributed. Interestingly, illegal states with and without limits, showed similar significance to the national increase. This suggests that legal limits are providing efficient deterrence in legalized states, but have no significant effect in states that are not legalized.Item A life cycle assessment of three biodegradable polymers versus three polyethylene based polymers(2010) Jaramillo, MarcieThree consumer-grade biodegradable polymers were studied by life cycle analysis in comparison to their polyethylene counterparts. The biodegradable polymers (polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA], polylactic acid [PLA], and Mater-Bi) were compared to the polyethylene polymers (low-density polyethylene [LDPE], high-density polyethylene [HDPE], and polyethylene terephthalate [PETE]) from both virgin materials as well as recycled polyethylene inputs. The life cycle impact was evaluated based upon manufacturing energy, energy gained from disposal by incineration, manufacturing CO2 emissions, CO2 emissions from disposal by incineration, and retail price of each polymer. For the polymers studied, the biodegradable polymer Mater-Bi had the lowest life cycle energy requirements as well as the lowest life cycle CO2 emissions. However, the retail price of consumer Mater-B1 items were twice that of its polyethylene counterpart, LDPE. PETE (either from virgin inputs or recycled inputs) had the highest life cycle energy requirements as well as the highest life cycle CO2 emissions. Conversely, PETE was priced similarly to its biodegradable counterpart, PLA. As microbial degradation rates within sanitary landfills are small, biodegradable polymers would be expected to degrade no more than similar organic waste, when disposed of in a traditional landfill. Based upon its low energy and CO2; profiles, Mater-Bi would be the most acceptable Bibieeradable polymer for consumer use. Mater-Bi becomes even more preferable when disposed of by composting, as intended.Item The long-term effects of poverty(2006) Lee, Hazel GayPoverty has had a devastating effect on many children in the United States, especially children from minority groups. To understand the long-term effects of poverty, it is important to study college students or graduates who have grown up in severe poverty and later pursued a college education. This qualitative study allowed insight into the struggles of primary years compared to those of college years, especially in reviewing referrals to special education resources and services. It seems that people who grew up in severe poverty are referred for, and have greater struggles with, language skills, reading, vocabulary, health, math and science concepts, self-esteem, and self-worth, not only during their childhood, but also into adulthood. By using a sample of 28 case studies that consist of African-American, Asian-Hmong, Caucasian, and Hispanic ethnic groups of both male and female gender, a relationship of childhood poverty and college struggles showed some interesting results. The ages of the participants were from 19-77 years old. The 28 participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire and shared their personal experiences from both childhood and college. These findings were evaluated and common factors from these 28 strangers showed a pattern supporting a theory that poverty is not a short-term condition, but rather a long-term effect that haunts children even when they pursued a college education.Item The legalization of prostitution(2013) Robledo, VeronicaShould prostitution be legalized? Those who are against the legalization of prostitution argue that it spreads sexually transmitted diseases. They also say that it is unethical and increases violent crimes toward prostitutes. On the other hand, those who are in favor of legalized prostitution say that it helps reduce the spread of STDs by promoting safe sex. Advocates insist that it reduces the amount of violence within the prostitution ring and produces great revenue for the government. The purpose of this study is to view the pros and cons regarding the legalization of prostitution. This paper will discuss in depth why prostitution should be legalized and how it would benefit the United States. By using previously published peer reviewed articles, it will assist in determining whether or not legal prostitution would help reduce the spread of STDs, reduce violence within the prostitution industry, and increase revenue by creating new jobs.