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The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not 'self-construals' (Markus & Kitayama, 1991) are an aspect of culture that accounts for the perceived importance of conversational constraints. To spell out the way in which culture influences communication styles, we developed a mediation model. The model assumes that the perceived importance of conversational constraints is determined by values, e.g., independent versus interdependent self-construals, and that values (self-construals) are determined in part by culture. Participants were 972 undergraduates studying in Korea, Japan, Hawai'i, and the mainland United States. After being presented with six situations, participants rated the perceived importance of each of three constraints in relation to each situation. They then completed a scale reflecting the independent and interdependent dimensions of their self-construals. The results were consistent with the proposed mediation model. Culture-level individualism influenced independent self-construals, which, in turn, correlated positively with the two outcome-oriented conversational constraints. The study also showed that culture-level collectivism affects interdependent self-construals, and, in turn, correlated positively with the three relational constraints. Of the various self-construal patterns, individuals simultaneously maintaining high independent and high interdependent construals ('biculturals') had the highest totals for the importance ratings of all the constraints combined, even though the mean for biculturals did not significantly differ from the mean for interdependents (low independent and high interdependent self-construals).

Quinapril (Q) and quinaprilat (QT) pharmacokinetics are dose proportional following single oral 2.5- to 80-mg Q doses. Q absorption and hydrolysis to QT is rapid with peak Q and QT concentrations occurring one and two hours postdose, respectively. Peak plasma QT concentrations were approximately fourfold higher than those of Q (923 vs 207 ng/mL following 40-mg Q). Dose-proportional QT area under the curve and dose-independent percent of dose excreted in urine as QT demonstrate that the extent of Q conversion to QT is constant over the dose range studied. Q and QT were eliminated from plasma with apparent half-lives of 0.8 and 1.9 hours and apparent plasma clearances of 1,850 and 220 mL/min, respectively, over the 2.5- to 80-mg dose range. Following oral 14C-Q, 61% and 37% of radiolabel was recovered in urine and feces, respectively. Q plus QT accounted for 46% of radioactivity circulating in plasma and 56% of that excreted in urine. Metabolism to compounds other than QT is not extensive. Two diketopiperazine metabolites of Q have been identified in plasma and urine, with approximately 6% of an administered dose excreted in urine as each of these metabolites. Peak plasma concentrations of these metabolites are similar to that of Q, and each is eliminated rapidly with a half-life of approximately one hour. Urinary excretion profiles indicate the presence of other minor metabolites. In summary, the absorption of Q and conversion to QT is rapid and dose-proportional, subsequent clearance of both Q and QT is independent of dose, and metabolism to compounds other than QT is not extensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]