Reliability estimation in stress–strength models: an MCMC approach

In this paper, we consider the estimation of the stress–strength parameter R=P(Y<X) when X and Y are independent and both are modified Weibull distributions with the common two shape parameters but different scale parameters. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling method is used for posterior inference of the reliability of the stress–strength model. The maximum-likelihood estimator of R and its asymptotic distribution are obtained. Based on the asymptotic distribution, the confidence interval of R can be obtained using the delta method. We also propose a bootstrap confidence interval of R. The Bayesian estimators with balanced loss function, using informative and non-informative priors, are derived. Different methods and the corresponding confidence intervals are compared using Monte Carlo simulations.     

Maximum likelihood estimation of the bimodal failure rate for censored and tied observations

DIMITROV, RACHEV and YAKOVLEV ( 1985 ) have obtained the isotonic maximum likelihood estimator for the bimodal failure rate function. The authors considered only the complete failure time data. The generalization of this estimator for the case of censored and tied observations is now proposed.     

Percentile Related Bounds and Estimator for the Mean of the Negative Binomial Distribution

Upper and lower bounds are obtained for the mean of the negative binomial distribution. These bounds are simple functions of a percentile determined by the shape parameter. The result is then used to obtain a robust estimate of the mean when the shape parameter is known.     

Inference on Overlap for Two Inverse Gaussian Populations: Equal Means Case

The inverse Gaussian distribution is often suited for modeling positive and/or positively skewed data (see Chhikara and Folks, 1989 Chhikara , R. S. , Folks , J. L. ( 1989 ). The Inverse Gaussian Distribution . New York : Marcel Dekker . [Google Scholar]) and presents an interesting alternative to the Gaussian model in such cases. We note here that overlap coefficients and their variants are widely studied in the literature for Gaussian populations (see Mulekar and Mishra, 1994 Mulekar , M. , Mishra , S. N. ( 1994 ). Overlap coefficients of two normal densities: equal means case . J. Japan. Statist. Soc. 24 : 169 – 180 . [Google Scholar], 2000 Mulekar , M. , Mishra , S. N. ( 2000 ). Confidence interval estimation of overlap: equal means case . Computat. Statist. Data Anal. 34 : 121 – 137 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], and references therein for further details). This article studies the properties and addresses point estimation for large samples of commonly used measures of overlap when the populations are described by inverse Gaussian distributions. The bias and mean square error properties of the estimators are studied through a simulation study.     

Correlation-Type Goodness of Fit Test for Extreme Value Distribution Based on Simultaneous Closeness

In reliability studies, one typically would assume a lifetime distribution for the units under study and then carry out the required analysis. One popular choice for the lifetime distribution is the family of two-parameter Weibull distributions (with scale and shape parameters) which, through a logarithmic transformation, can be transformed to the family of two-parameter extreme value distributions (with location and scale parameters). In carrying out a parametric analysis of this type, it is highly desirable to be able to test the validity of such a model assumption. A basic tool that is useful for this purpose is a quantile–quantile (QQ) plot, but in its use, the issue of the choice of plotting position arises. Here, by adopting the optimal plotting points based on Pitman closeness criterion proposed recently by Balakrishnan et al. (2010b Balakrishnan , N. , Davies , K. F. , Keating , J. P. , Mason , R. L. ( 2010b ). Computation of optimal plotting points based on Pitman Closeness with an application to goodness of fit for location-scale families. Submitted to Computational Statistics & Data Analysis.  [Google Scholar]), and referred to as simultaneous closeness probability (SCP) plotting points, we propose a correlation-type goodness of fit test for the extreme value distribution. We compute the SCP plotting points for various sample sizes and use them to determine the mean, standard deviation and critical values for the proposed correlation-type test statistic. Using these critical values, we carry out a power study, similar to the one carried out by Kinnison (1989 Kinnison , R. ( 1989 ). Correlation coefficient goodness of fit test for extreme value distribution . The American Statistician 43 : 98 – 100 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), through which we demonstrate that the use of SCP plotting points results in better power than with the use of mean ranks as plotting points and nearly the same power as with the use of median ranks. We then demonstrate the use of the SCP plotting points and the associated correlation-type test for Weibull analysis with an illustrative example. Finally, for the sake of comparison, we also adapt two statistics proposed by Gan and Koehler (1990 Gan , F. F. , Koehler , K. J. ( 1990 ). Goodness of fit based on P-P probability plots . Technometrics 32 : 289 – 303 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), in the context of probability–probability (PP) plots, based on SCP plotting points and compare their performance to those based on mean ranks. The empirical study also reveals that the tests from the QQ plot have better power than those from the PP plot.     

Testing parallelism of regression lines against ordered alternatives

For the problem of testing the equality of slopes of several regression lines against the alternative that the slopes are in increasing (decreasing) order of magnitude, two types of tests are proposed. These are the likelihood ratio test and a test that depends on suitable linear combination of one group statistics. Rank analogues of the two tests are also examined.     

Book Reviews

This article examines some difficulties associated with the Haynes–Stone model and attempts to clarify how the model can be justified as representing the hypothesis that “quantity is demand determined and price is supply determined.” It also argues that the applications of such a model as was done by Haynes and Stone might not have resolved the controversies related to the Phillips curve and the supply function of exports (or imports).     

Estimation of Current-Quarter Gross National Product by Pooling Preliminary Labor-Market Data

Two methods of using labor-market data as indicators of contemporaneous gross national product (GNP) are developed. The establishment survey data are used by inverting a partial-adjustment equation for hours. A second GNP forecast can be extracted from the household survey by using Okun's law. Using preliminary rather than final data adds about .2 to .4 percentage point to the expected value of the root mean squared errors and changes the weights that the pooling procedure assigns to the two forecasts. The use of preliminary rather than final data results in a procedure that assigns more importance to the Okun's-law forecast.     

The numerical evaluation of the distribution function of a bilinear from to a quadratic from with econometric examples

This paper considers a general and computationally convenient method of evaluating the distribution function of statistics that are the ratio of a bilinear form to a quadratic form. Numerous Economemc applications of the method are given.