Exact inference for a simple step-stress model from the exponential distribution under time constraint

In reliability and life-testing experiments, the researcher is often interested in the effects of extreme or varying stress factors such as temperature, voltage and load on the lifetimes of experimental units. Step-stress test, which is a special class of accelerated life-tests, allows the experimenter to increase the stress levels at fixed times during the experiment in order to obtain information on the parameters of the life distributions more quickly than under normal operating conditions. In this paper, we consider the simple step-stress model from the exponential distribution when there is time constraint on the duration of the experiment. We derive the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the parameters assuming a cumulative exposure model with lifetimes being exponentially distributed. The exact distributions of the MLEs of parameters are obtained through the use of conditional moment generating functions. We also derive confidence intervals for the parameters using these exact distributions, asymptotic distributions of the MLEs and the parametric bootstrap methods, and assess their performance through a Monte Carlo simulation study. Finally, we present two examples to illustrate all the methods of inference discussed here.     

带Gauss型误差的GMANOVA-MANOVA模型中未知参数的精确置信域

对于带Gauss型误差的GMANOVA-MANOVA模型,在均匀协方差结构下,求出了其中未知参数的极大似然估计及其均值和方差,并依据极大似然估计构造了未知参数的精确置信域.     

A sequential order statistics approach to step-stress testing

For general step-stress experiments with arbitrary baseline distributions, wherein the stress levels change immediately after having observed pre-specified numbers of observations under each stress level, a sequential order statistics model is proposed and associated inferential issues are discussed. Maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the mean lifetimes at different stress levels are derived, and some useful properties of the MLEs are established. Joint MLEs are also derived when an additional location parameter is introduced into the model, and estimation under order restriction of the parameters at different stress levels is finally discussed.     

优良抽样设计下Logistic分布中参数的极大似然估计

当研究目标的实际测量具有不可修复的破坏性或耗资巨大时,有效的抽样设计将是一项重要的研究课题.在统计推断方面,排序集抽样(RSS)被视为一种比简单随机抽样(SRS)更为有效的收集数据的方式.动态极值RSS (MERSS)是一种修正的RSS.文章在SRS和MERSS下研究了Logistic分布中参数的极大似然估计(MLEs).在这两种抽样下证明了该分布中位置参数和刻度参数的MLEs的存在性和唯一性,并计算了所含参数的Fisher信息量和Fisher信息矩阵.比较了这两种抽样下对应估计的渐近效率.数值结果表明MERSS下的MLEs一致优于SRS下的MLEs.     

Improved parameter estimation of the log-logistic distribution with applications

In this paper, we deal with parameter estimation of the log-logistic distribution. It is widely known that the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) are usually biased in the case of the finite sample size. This motivates a study of obtaining unbiased or nearly unbiased estimators for this distribution. Specifically, we consider a certain ‘corrective’ approach and Efron’s bootstrap resampling method, which both can reduce the biases of the MLEs to the second order of magnitude. As a comparison, the commonly used generalized moments method is also considered for estimating parameters. Monte Carlo simulation studies are conducted to compare the performances of the various estimators under consideration. Finally, two real-data examples are analyzed to illustrate the potential usefulness of the proposed estimators, especially when the sample size is small or moderate.     

Statistical Inference for the Location and Scale Parameters of the Skew Normal Distribution

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the location and scale parameters of the skew normal distribution introduced by Azzalini. For this distribution, the classic maximum likelihood estimators(MLEs) do not take explicit forms. We approximate the likelihood equations and derive explicit estimators of the parameters. The bias and variance of the estimators are investigated and Monte Carlo simulation studies show that the estimators are as efficient as the classic MLEs. We demonstrate that the probability coverages of the pivotal quantities (for location and scale parameters) based on asymptotic normality are unsatisfactory, especially when the sample size is small. The use of unconditional simulated percentage points of these quantities is suggested. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the proposed inference methods.     

On the Maximum Likelihood Estimation of a Covariance Matrix

For a multivariate normal set-up, it is well known that themaximumlikelihood estimator (MLE) of covariance matrix is neither admissible nor minimax under the Stein loss function. In this paper, we reveal that the MLE based on the Iwasawa parameterization leads to minimaxity with respect to the Stein loss function. Furthermore, a novel class of loss functions is proposed so that the minimum risks of the MLEs are identical in different coordinate systems, Cholesky parameterization and full Iwasawa parameterization. In other words, the MLEs based on these two different parameterizations are characterized by the property of minimaxity, without a Stein paradox. The application of our novel method to the high-dimensional covariance matrix problem is also discussed.     

区间删失下恒定应力部分加速寿命试验的统计分析（英文）

In this paper, a statistical analysis method is proposed to research life characteristics of products based on the partially accelerated life test. We discuss the statistical analysis for constant-stress partially accelerated life tests with Lomax distribution based on interval censored samples. The EM algorithm is used to obtain the maximum likelihood estimations(MLEs) and interval estimations for the shape parameter and acceleration factor.The average relative errors(AREs), mean square errors(MSEs), the confidence intervals for the parameters, and the influence of the sample size are discussed. The results show that the AREs and MSEs of the MLEs decrease with the increase of sample size. Finally, a simulation sample is used to estimate the reliability under different stress levels.     

On Burr XII Distribution Analysis Under Progressive Type-II Hybrid Censored Data

In the current paper, based on progressive type-II hybrid censored samples, the maximum likelihood and Bayes estimates for the two parameter Burr XII distribution are obtained. We propose the use of expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to compute the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of model parameters. Further, we derive the asymptotic variance-covariance matrix of the MLEs by applying the missing information principle and it can be utilized to construct asymptotic confidence intervals (CIs) for the parameters. The Bayes estimates of the unknown parameters are obtained under the assumption of gamma priors by using Lindley’s approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique. Also, MCMC samples are used to construct the highest posterior density (HPD) credible intervals. Simulation study is conducted to investigate the accuracy of the estimates and compare the performance of CIs obtained. Finally, one real data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes.     

Distributions of maximum likelihood estimators of Lorenz curve and Gini index of exponential distribution

Summary This paper presents the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the Lorenz curve and Gini index of the exponential distribution, their exact distributions and moments. All these MLEs are shown to converge almost surely and in therth mean. Further their asymptotic distributions are obtained. Here we use only very simple arguments to derive certain results that are very useful in statistical study of ‘inequality’.     

Exact distributions of MLEs of regression coefficients in GMANOVA-MANOVA model

This paper studies the exact distributions of the MLEs of the regression coefficient matrices in a GMANOVA-MANOVA model with normal error. The unique conditions for linear functions of the MLEs of regression coefficient matrices are presented, and the exact density functions or characteristic functions for these linear functions are derived.     

Estimating the parameters of Weibull distribution and the acceleration factor from hybrid partially accelerated life test

This article considers the estimation of parameters of Weibull distribution based on hybrid censored data. The parameters are estimated by the maximum likelihood method under step-stress partially accelerated test model. The maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the unknown parameters are obtained by Newton–Raphson algorithm. Also, the approximate Fisher information matrix is obtained for constructing asymptotic confidence bounds for the model parameters. The biases and mean square errors of the maximum likelihood estimators are computed to assess their performances through a Monte Carlo simulation study.     

基于区间数据最大似然估计的新方法

In this paper, we study the two-parameter maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)problem for the GE distribution with consideration of interval data. In the presence of interval data, the analytical forms for the restricted MLE of the parameters of GE distribution do not exist. Since interval data is kind of incomplete data, the EM algorithm can be applied to compute the MLEs of the parameters. However the EM algorithm could be less effective.To improve effectiveness, an equivalent lifetime method is employed. The two methods are discussed via simulation studies.     

Efficient ML Estimation of the Multivariate Normal Distribution from Incomplete Data

It is well known that the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of a multivariate normal distribution from incomplete data with a monotone pattern have closed-form expressions and that the MLEs from incomplete data with a general missing-data pattern can be obtained using the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm. This article gives closed-form expressions, analogous to the extension of the Bartlett decomposition, for both the MLEs of the parameters and the associated Fisher information matrix from incomplete data with a monotone missing-data pattern. For MLEs of the parameters from incomplete data with a general missing-data pattern, we implement EM and Expectation-Constrained-Maximization-Either (ECME), by augmenting the observed data into a complete monotone sample. We also provide a numerical example, which shows that the monotone EM (MEM) and monotone ECME (MECME) algorithms converge much faster than the EM algorithm.     

Likelihood Inference under Generalized Hybrid Censoring Scheme with Comp eting Risks

Statistical inference is developed for the analysis of generalized type-II hybrid censoring data under exponential competing risks model. In order to solve the problem that approximate methods make unsatisfactory performances in the case of small sample size, we establish the exact conditional distributions of estimators for parameters by conditional moment generating function(CMGF). Furthermore, confidence intervals(CIs) are constructed by exact distributions, approximate distributions as well as bootstrap method respectively, and their performances are evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations. And finally, a real data set is analyzed to illustrate all the methods developed here.     

Maximum likelihood estimation of Wishart mean matrices under Löwner order restrictions

For Wishart density functions, there remains a long-time question unsolved. That is whether there exists the closed-form MLEs of mean matrices over the partially Löwner ordering sets. In this note, we provide an affirmative answer by demonstrating a unified procedure on exactly how the closed-form MLEs are obtained for the simple ordering case. Under the Kullback-Leibler loss function, a property of obtained MLEs is further studied. Some applications of the obtained closed-form MLEs, including the comparison between our ML estimates and Calvin and Dykstra's [Maximum likelihood estimation of a set of covariance matrices under Löwner order restrictions with applications to balanced multivariate variance components models, Ann. Statist. 19 (1991) 850-869.] which obtained by iterative algorithm, are also made.     

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In this paper we focus on the sequential k-out-of-n model with covariates. We assume that the lifetime distribution given covariates belongs to the exponential family, and deal with log-linear model of the scale parameter of the exponential distribution. The maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the model parameters with order restrictions are derived and some properties of the MLEs are discussed, and we give the algorithm of MLES and the result of simulation.     

Stability of principal components

In this article we deal with the problem of stability of the conclusions from principal components analysis over repeated samples. We define a measure of stability for each component and investigate some of the measures properties. We then obtain the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the measures, and derive their joint limiting distributions. The MLEs of the measures turn out to be asymptotically unbiased and jointly have the multivariate normal distribution. Modified estimators are also found to reduce the amount of bias in the MLEs. To facilitate interpretation of the measures we define stability confidence level as coverage probability, and associate with each measure a stability confidence level to describe the measure in terms of probability. Finally, we investigate the stability of the components via a simulation study and compare the performance of the MLEs and the modified estimators in terms of bias and precision. This work was sponsored by a grant from the Office of Vice-President for Research at Kuwait University under project number SS049.     

Likelihood inference for the destructive exponentially weighted Poisson cure rate model with Weibull lifetime and an application to melanoma data

In this paper, we develop the steps of the expectation maximization algorithm (EM algorithm) for the determination of the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the parameters of the destructive exponentially weighted Poisson cure rate model in which the lifetimes are assumed to be Weibull. This model is more flexible than the promotion time cure rate model as it provides an interesting and realistic interpretation of the biological mechanism of the occurrence of an event of interest by including a destructive process of the initial number of causes in a competitive scenario. The standard errors of the MLEs are obtained by inverting the observed information matrix. An extensive Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out to evaluate the performance of the developed method of estimation. Finally, a known melanoma data are analyzed to illustrate the method of inference developed here. With these data, a comparison is also made with the scenario when the destructive mechanism is not included in the analysis.     

Statistical inference for coherent systems with Weibull distributed component lifetimes under complete and incomplete information

Point estimators for the parameters of the component lifetime distribution in coherent systems are evolved assuming to be independently and identically Weibull distributed component lifetimes. We study both complete and incomplete information under continuous monitoring of the essential component lifetimes. First, we prove that the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) under complete information based on progressively Type‐II censored system lifetimes uniquely exists and we present two approaches to compute the estimates. Furthermore, we consider an ad hoc estimator, a max‐probability plan estimator and the MLE for the parameters under incomplete information. In order to compute the MLEs, we consider a direct maximization of the likelihood and an EM‐algorithm–type approach, respectively. In all cases, we illustrate the results by simulations of the five‐component bridge system and the 10‐component parallel system, respectively.