a b s t r a c tInhaled aerosol dose models play critical roles in medicine, the regulation of air pollutants and basic research. The models fall into several categories: traditional, computational fluid dynamical (CFD), physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK), empirical, semi-empirical, and "reference". Each type of model has its strengths and weaknesses, so multiple models are commonly used for practical applications. Aerosol dose models combine information on aerosol behavior and the anatomy and physiology of exposed human and laboratory animal subjects. Similar models are used for in-vitro studies. Several notable advances have been made in aerosol dose modeling in the past 80 years. The pioneers include Walter Findeisen, who in 1935 published the first traditional model and established the structure of modern models. His model combined aerosol behavior with simplified respiratory tract structures. Ewald Weibel established morphometric techniques for the lung in 1963 that are still used to develop data for modeling today. Advances in scanning techniques have similarly contributed to the knowledge of respiratory tract structure and its use in aerosol dose modeling. Several scientists and research groups have developed and advanced traditional, CFD, and PBPK models. Current issues under study include understanding individual and species differences; examining localized particle deposition; modeling non-ideal aerosols and nanoparticle behavior; linking the regions of the respiratory tract airways from nasal-oral to alveolar; and developing sophisticated supporting software. Although a complete history of inhaled aerosol dose modeling is far too extensive to cover here, selected highlights are described in this paper.

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Traditional categorization of theories of aging into programmed and stochastic ones is outdated and obsolete. Biological aging is considered to occur mainly during the period of survival beyond the natural or essential lifespan (ELS) in Darwinian terms. Organisms survive to achieve ELS by virtue of genetically determined longevity assuring maintenance and repair systems (MRS). Aging at the molecular level is characterized by the progressive accumulation of molecular damage caused by environmental and metabolically generated free radicals, by spontaneous errors in biochemical reactions, and by nutritional components. Damages in the MRS and other pathways lead to age-related failure of MRS, molecular heterogeneity, cellular dysfunctioning, reduced stress tolerance, diseases and ultimate death. A unified theory of biological aging in terms of failure of homeodynamics comprising of MRS, and involving genes, milieu and chance, is acquiring a definitive shape and wider acceptance. Such a theory also establishes the basis for testing and developing effective means of intervention, prevention and modulation of aging.

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