This paper describes a mixed‐methods study employing a social cognitive theoretical framework that emphasizes the interplay of person factors, environment, and behavior to explore the educational experiences of female students in an ethnically diverse learning environment. Specifically, we investigate the relations of ethnicity to female students' perceptions and experiences related to engineering, as well as their selection of and persistence in undergraduate engineering majors. An ethnically diverse sample of female engineering undergraduates at an urban research university completed an online survey and participated in semi‐structured interviews. Results revealed that participants of all ethnicities perceived strong institutional and peer supports in this diverse learning environment. Additionally, differences in participants' perceived barriers for achieving engineering educational and career plans were found based on ethnicity and parental level of education.

The purpose of this study was to provide a clearer understanding of virus adsorption, focusing specifically on the role of electrostatic interactions between virus particles and adsorbent surfaces. The adsorption of poliovirus 1, reovirus types 1 and 3, and coliphages MS-2 and T2 to colloidal silica synthetically modified to carry either positive or negative surface charge was evaluated. Adsorption experiments were performed by combining virus and silica in 0.1-ionic-strength buffers of pH 4.0, 6.4, and 8.5. Samples agitated for specified adsorption periods were centrifuged to pellet adsorbent particles plus adsorbed virus, and the supernatants were assayed for unadsorbed virus. All viruses adsorbed exclusively to negatively charged silica at pH values below their isoelectric points, i.e., under conditions favoring a positive surface charge on the virions. Conversely, all viruses adsorbed exclusively to positively charged silica at pH values above their isoelectric points, i.e., where virus surface charge is negative. Viruses in near-isoelectric state adsorbed to all types of silica, albeit to a lesser degree.