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In this paper, we extend the structural probit measurement error model by considering that the unobserved covariate follows a skew-normal distribution. The new model is termed the structural skew-normal probit model. As in the normal case, the likelihood function is obtained analytically which can be maximized by using existing statistical software. A Bayesian approach using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques to generate from the posterior distributions is also developed. A simulation study demonstrates the usefulness of the approach in avoiding attenuation which is the case with the naive procedure and it seems to be more efficient than using the structural probit model when the distribution of the covariate (predictor) is skew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new class of skew distributions by extending the alpha skew normal distribution proposed by Elal-Olivero [Elal-Olivero, D. Alpha-skew-normal distribution. Proyecciones. 2010;29:224–240]. Statistical properties of the new family are studied in details. In particular, explicit expressions for the moments and the shape parameters including the skewness and the kurtosis coefficients and the moment generating function are derived. The problem of estimating parameters on the basis of a random sample coming from the new class of distribution is considered. To examine the performance of the obtained estimators, a Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted. Flexibility and usefulness of the proposed family of distributions are illustrated by analysing three real data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a step-stress accelerated life test based on the generalized Khamis-Higgins model in the presence of Marshall-Olkin bivariate Weibull distributed dependent competing risks is considered under generalized progressive hybrid censoring. It is assumed that the stress is changed when a pre-specified number of failures take place, and four different failure causes are discussed. The classical and Bayesian statistical methods are used to estimate the unknown parameters. In addition to the maximum likelihood estimation, the stochastic expectation-maximization algorithm is also applied. The Monte Carlo Markov Chain samples with importance sampling are used to obtain the Bayesian estimates under two loss functions, and the Bayesian highest posterior density credible intervals are constructed. Then the parameters and reliability function under normal use stress level are calculated. The Monte Carlo method is applied to compare the performance of the estimation methods. Finally, a real-life data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]