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In this paper, the stress–strength reliability $ R_{s,k} $ R s , k of a multicomponent s-out-of-k system for exponentiated Gumbel distribution is considered. An s-out-of-k system means a system with total k components and the system can survive only when atleast s of the total components function properly. The ability of the system to overcome the experiencing stress with its strength is termed as its stress–strengh reliability. The maximum likelihood estimator and Bayes estimator for $ R_{s,k} $ R s , k are obtained. The Bayes estimators are obtained using Markov chain Monte Carlo(MCMC) method under both symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. The loss functions we considered are squared error loss function, LINEX loss function and entropy loss function. The asymptotic, bootstrap and highest posterior density(HPD) confidence intervals for $ R_{s,k} $ R s , k are also obtained. A simulation study is conducted for evaluating the efficiency of the estimators derived in this paper. Real data sets are also considered for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-parameter Rayleigh distribution, as an extended distribution of the Rayleigh distribution, has been widely applied in reliability analysis. With the introduction of the location parameter, two-parameter Rayleigh distribution becomes more flexible in fitting real-data. In this paper, based on generalized progressively hybrid censored(GPHC) sample from the two-parameter Rayleigh distribution, Classical and Bayesian inferences are discussed. The Newton-Raphson(NR) and Expectation-Maximization(EM) algorithms are used to compute the maximum likelihood estimates(MLEs). As well as the asymptotic confidence interval(ACI) estimation is obtained through the asymptotic distribution theory of maximum likelihood estimation(MLE) and computation of the observed Fisher information matrix. In Bayesian frame, the estimation of unknown parameters and prediction of future observable are taken into consideration. Due to Bayesian estimation is challenging to compute precisely and for the purpose of comparison, the Lindley's approximation, the Tierney-Kadane(TK) approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo(MCMC) method are employed to obtain Bayesian estimates. Then, combining the MCMC algorithm mentioned in the article, the one- and two- samples Bayesian prediction are obtained. Finally, the simulation results are provided and a real-life data set is used for illustration purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the estimation of a multicomponent stress–strength reliability when stress and strength variables follow unit Bur XII distribution. In estimation procedure, the maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods are used. The maximum likelihood estimator is obtained via iterative methods. The asymptotic confidence interval is constructed using asymptotic properties of the corresponding estimator. In addition, two bootstrap confidence intervals are constructed. Bayesian estimator is obtained using three different approximation methods: Lindley's approximation, Tierney–Kadane approximation and Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. The interval estimation based on Bayesian method is studied. The simulation study is conducted to investigate and compare the performance of the considered methods. Finally, an original data set, general dam occupancy rate of Istanbul, Turkey obtained from Istanbul Statistic Office, is analysed in the concept of multicomponent stress–strength reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the inference of multicomponent stress-strength reliability has been derived using progressively censored samples from Topp-Leone distribution. Both stress and strength variables are assumed to follow Topp-Leone distributions with different shape parameters. The maximum likelihood estimate along with the asymptotic confidence interval are developed. Boot-p and Boot-t confidence intervals are also constructed. The Bayes estimates under generalized entropy loss function based on gamma priors using Lindley's, Tierney-Kadane's approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are derived. A simulation study is considered to check the performance of various estimation methods and different censoring schemes. A real data study shows the applicability of the proposed estimation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, it is introduced a new parametric distribution to be used in multivariate lifetime data analysis as an alternative for the use of some existing multivariate parametric models as the popular multivariate normal distribution which is the most widely used model assumed in the analysis of continuous multivariate data. Although the normal multivariate distribution has univariate marginal normal probability distributions and simple interpretations for all their parameters, it may not be well fitted by many data sets, especially in survival data applications, usually considering logarithm transformed data. In many cases the use of parametric multivariate discrete models could be more appropriate for the data analysis. In this paper, it is introduced a generalization of the bivariate Basu-Dhar geometric distribution to a trivariate case applied to count data. Some properties of this trivariate geometric distribution, including its marginal probability distributions, order statistics distributions, the probability generating function and some simulation studies are presented. It is also presented some discussion on an extension of the trivariate case for the multivariate case. Classical and Bayesian inferences are presented assuming censored or uncensored observations. To illustrate the proposed methodology, two applications with real lifetime data are considered as examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we focus on Bayesian estimation of the parameters in the geometric process (GP) in which the first occurrence time of an event is assumed to have Weibull distribution. The Bayesian estimators are derived based on both symmetric (Squared Error) and asymmetric (General Entropy, LINEX) loss functions. Since the Bayesian estimators of unknown parameters cannot be obtained analytically, Lindley's approximation and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are applied to compute the Bayesian estimates. Furthermore, by using the MCMC methods, credible intervals of the parameters are constructed. Maximum likelihood (ML) estimators are also derived for unknown parameters. The confidence intervals of the parameters are obtained based on an asymptotic distribution of ML estimators. Moreover, the performances of the proposed Bayesian estimators are compared with the corresponding ML, modified moment and modified maximum likelihood estimators through an extensive simulation study. Finally, analyses of two different real data sets are presented for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing risk analysis of time to failure data is preferred when failure of the unit occurs due to any one of several mutually exclusive causes. Masked data refer to the competing risk data with missing cause of failure. Masking in such data may depend on cause of failure or time to failure of the unit or may be independent of both. In this paper, we discuss competing risk models based on Lindley distribution assuming masking to be symmetric, cause dependent and time dependent. We consider maximum likelihood as well as Bayesian approaches for point and interval estimation of model parameters. We perform extensive simulation study to observe performance of various estimators. Finally, we analyze a real life masked data of cancer patients and select the best masking model for the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to estimate the unknown parameters of weighted exponential distribution based on the competing risks model under progressively Type-II censoring. It is supposed that the latent causes of failures have weighted exponential distributions with different parameters. The maximum likelihood estimations of four unknown parameters are derived and the uniqueness and existence of them are theoretically proved. Moreover, approximate intervals are proposed and constructed with the delta method and Fisher information matrix. Bootstrap methods are also applied to calculate the confidence intervals. Furthermore, Bayes estimates and the corresponding credible intervals under three various loss functions are computed by using the Monte Carlo Markov Chain method. A simulation study is conducted to assess the statistical performance of all the estimators. Ultimately, real data analysis is provided to illustrate all the statistical inferential procedures developed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Bayesian and non-Bayesian estimation of $$\psi = P(X \gt Y)$$ ψ = P (X > Y) based on the progressively first-failure censored data is considered. The $$X$$ X and $$Y$$ Y are strength and stress random variables and follow the Topp-Leone distributions, respectively. The maximum likelihood and Bayes estimators of $$\psi $$ ψ are derived. The Bayes estimators under generalized entropy loss function are computed using Lindley's approximation and Gibbs sampling methods. Different interval estimates like asymptotic, bootstrap confidence, Bayesian credible, and highest posterior density credible intervals of $$\psi $$ ψ are constructed. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo numerical study is conducted to check the performance of various estimators developed. Finally, an application of algorithm real data is considered for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lomax distribution has been widely used in economics, business and actuarial sciences. Due to its importance, we consider the statistical inference of this model under joint type-II censoring scenario. In order to estimate the parameters, we derive the Newton-Raphson(NR) procedure and we observe that most of the times in the simulation NR algorithm does not converge. Consequently, we make use of the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. Moreover, Bayesian estimations are also provided based on squared error, linear-exponential and generalized entropy loss functions together with the importance sampling method due to the structure of posterior density function. In the sequel, we perform a Monte Carlo simulation experiment to compare the performances of the listed methods. Mean squared error values, averages of estimated values as well as coverage probabilities and average interval lengths are considered to compare the performances of different methods. The approximate confidence intervals, bootstrap-p and bootstrap-t confidence intervals are computed for EM estimations. Also, Bayesian coverage probabilities and credible intervals are obtained. Finally, we consider the Bladder Cancer data to illustrate the applicability of the methods covered in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the problem of constant-stress accelerated life test when the failure data are progressive type-I interval censored. Both classical and Bayesian inferential approaches of the distribution parameters and reliability characteristics are discussed. In the classical scenario, the maximum likelihood estimates are approximated using the EM algorithm and the mid-point approximation method. Furthermore, the model's parameters are estimated by method of moments. Next in the Bayesian framework, the point estimates of unknown parameters are obtained using Tierney-Kadane's technique and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. In addition, both approximate and credible confidence intervals (CIs) of the estimators are constructed. For illustration purpose, a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed estimators and a real data set is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider Marshall-Olkin extended exponential (MOEE) distribution which is capable of modelling various shapes of failure rates and aging criteria. The purpose of this paper is three fold. First, we derive the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters and the observed the Fisher information matrix from progressively type-II censored data. Next, the Bayes estimates are evaluated by applying Lindley’s approximation method and Markov Chain Monte Carlo method under the squared error loss function. We have performed a simulation study in order to compare the proposed Bayes estimators with the maximum likelihood estimators. We also compute 95% asymptotic confidence interval and symmetric credible interval along with the coverage probability. Third, we consider one-sample and two-sample prediction problems based on the observed sample and provide appropriate predictive intervals under classical as well as Bayesian framework. Finally, we analyse a real data set to illustrate the results derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on hybrid censored sample from a two parameter exponentiated half logistic distribution, we consider the problem of estimating the unknown parameters using frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Expectation-Maximization, Lindley's approximation and Metropolis-Hastings algorithms are used for obtaining point estimators and corresponding confidence intervals for the shape and scale parameters involved in the underlying model. Data analyses involving the survival times of patients suffering from cancer diseases and treated radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy have been performed. Finally, numerical simulation study was conducted to assess the performances of the so developed methods and conclusions on our findings are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on progressively Type-II censored samples, the problem of estimation of multicomponent stress–strength reliability under generalized half-normal (GHN) distribution is considered. The reliability of a k-component stress-strength system is estimated when both stress and strength variates are assumed to have a GHN distribution with various cases of same and different shape and scale parameters. Different methods such as the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) and Bayes estimation are discussed. The expectation maximization algorithm and approximate maximum likelihood methods are proposed to compute the MLE of reliability. The Lindley's approximation method, as well as Metropolis–Hastings algorithm, are applied to compute Bayes estimates. The performance of the proposed procedures is also demonstrated via a Monte Carlo simulation study and an illustrative example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverse Weibull (IW) distribution is widely used due to its non-monotonic hazard function. For the IW distribution, existing research on statistical inference has mostly focused on censored data, but there has been no study on multiply Type-I censoring until now as far as we know. The multiple Type-I censoring, acted as an extended form of Type-I censoring, is frequently encountered in industry and medicine research, which also needs to be paid attention. Thus, this study conducts detailed analyses on the reliability of IW distribution with multiply Type-I censored data, including point estimation and confidence interval (CI) construction. Four methods, including the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), least square estimation (LSE), and two Bayesian estimations, namely MCMC and Lindley, are adopted in point estimation. Results show that the Lindley method performs best with small mission times, while MLE is optimal for large mission times. Specifically, for the CIs construction, we proposed a pivotal quantity based on LSE to construct the CIs of reliability and compare it with two popular methods, Fisher information matrix (FIM) derivation and MCMC algorithm. Our proposed method shows competitive performance as the MCMC and outperforms FIM. Finally, those estimation methods are applied to an example for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses stress-strength reliability estimation in s-out-of-k systems under progressive type-II censoring. The system consists of components facing common stress, where stress and strength variable follows independent new flexible exponential (NFE) distributions, sharing a common parameter. The estimation procedure is carried out using MLE, Bayesian estimation and uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimation (UMVUE) techniques. MLE is derived for known and unknown common parameters. Bayesian estimates are obtained using Lindley's approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques due to the complexity of obtaining the exact Bayesian estimates, when the common parameter is unknown. Moreover, UMVUE is derived when the common parameter is known. The 95% asymptotic confidence interval, highest posterior density credible intervals, and Bayesian credible intervals, are constructed. An extensive simulation study is carried out to compare the performance of various censoring schemes and estimation methods. Finally, two progressively censored real datasets are analyzed for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the estimation of the multicomponent reliability by assuming the inverted exponentiated Rayleigh distribution. Both stress and strength are assumed to have an inverted exponentiated Rayleigh distribution with common scale parameter. The random variable representing the stress experienced by the system and representing the strength of system available to overcome the stress. The system works flawlessly only if at least out of strength variables exceed the random stress. The multicomponent reliability of the system is given by. We estimate by using frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Bayes estimates of have been obtained by using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods since joint posteriors of the parameters does not have the explicit forms. We also construct asymptotic and highest probability density credible intervals for. The behavior of the proposed estimators is studied on the basis of estimated risks through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, a data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes. Abbreviations: PDF: Probability Density Function; CDF: Cumulative Density Function; IER: Inverted Exponentiated Rayleigh; MLE: Maximum likelihood estimators; HPD: Highest Posterior Density; UBT: Upside down Bathtub; HNC: Head and Neck Cancer data; MCMC: Monte-Carlo Markov Chains; CP: Coverage Probability; KS: Kolmogorov - Smirnov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the problem of estimating unknown parameters of the Burr XII distribution under classical and Bayesian approaches when samples are observed under progressive type-I interval censoring. Under classical approach we employ the stochastic expectation maximization algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimators for the unknown parameters and also compute associated interval estimates. Further under Bayesian approach we obtain Bayes estimators with respect to different symmetric, asymmetric and balanced loss functions. In this regard we use Tierney–Kadane and Metropolis–Hastings (MH) algorithm. For illustration purpose we analyse a real data set and conduct a Monte Carlo simulation study to observe the performance of the proposed estimators. Finally we present a discussion on inspection times and optimal censoring. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the problem of estimation of reliability of a ℓ-component system when both the stress and strength components are assumed to have a power Lindley distribution is discussed. The multicomponent stress–strength reliability parameter is obtained using both the Bayesian and the classical approaches when component-wise each unit follows a power Lindley distribution. To estimate the multicomponent stress–strength reliability parameter under the classical approach, the method of maximum likelihood and the asymptotic confidence interval estimation method are used as point and interval estimation methods, respectively. Under the Bayesian paradigm, the reliability parameter is estimated under the linear exponential loss function using the Lindley approximation, the Tierney–Kadane approximation and the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques and subsequently highest posterior density credible intervals are obtained. To validate the efficacy of the proposed estimation strategies, a simulation study is carried out. Finally, two real-life data sets are re-analysed for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a competing risks model is considered under adaptive type-I progressive hybrid censoring scheme (AT-I PHCS). The lifetimes of the latent failure times have Weibull distributions with the same shape parameter. We investigate the maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters. Bayes estimates of the parameters are obtained based on squared error and LINEX loss functions under the assumption of independent gamma priors. We propose to apply Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques to carry out a Bayesian estimation procedure and in turn calculate the credible intervals. To evaluate the performance of the estimators, a simulation study is carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on an adaptive Type-II progressively censored sample from the generalized exponential distribution, the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimators are derived for the unknown parameters as well as the reliability and hazard functions. Also, the approximate confidence intervals of the unknown parameters, and the reliability and hazard functions are calculated. Markov chain Monte Carlo method is applied to carry out a Bayesian estimation procedure and in turn calculate the credible intervals. Moreover, results from simulation studies assessing the performance of our proposed method are included. Finally, an illustrative example using real data set is presented for illustrating all the inferential procedures developed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops Bayesian analysis in the context of progressively Type II censored data from the compound Rayleigh distribution. The maximum likelihood and Bayes estimates along with associated posterior risks are derived for reliability performances under balanced loss functions by assuming continuous priors for parameters of the distribution. A practical example is used to illustrate the estimation methods. A simulation study has been carried out to compare the performance of estimates. The study indicates that Bayesian estimation should be preferred over maximum likelihood estimation. In Bayesian estimation, the balance general entropy loss function can be effectively employed for optimal decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, based on a jointly type-II censored sample from two exponential populations, the Bayesian inference for the two unknown parameters are developed with the use of squared-error, linear-exponential and general entropy loss functions. The problem of predicting the future failure times, both point and interval prediction, based on the observed joint type-II censored data, is also addressed from a Bayesian viewpoint. A Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to compare the Bayesian estimators with the maximum likelihood estimator developed by Balakrishnan and Rasouli [Exact likelihood inference for two exponential populations under joint type-II censoring. Comput Stat Data Anal. 2008;52:2725–2738]. Finally, a numerical example is utilized for the purpose of illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problem of constant partially accelerated life tests when the lifetime follows the generalized exponential distribution is considered. Based on progressive type-II censoring scheme, the maximum likelihood and Bayes methods of estimation are used for estimating the distribution parameters and acceleration factor. A Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out to examine the performance of the obtained estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, maximum likelihood and Bayes estimators of the parameters, reliability and hazard functions have been obtained for two-parameter bathtub-shaped lifetime distribution when sample is available from progressive Type-II censoring scheme. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is used to compute the Bayes estimates of the model parameters. It has been assumed that the parameters have gamma priors and they are independently distributed. Gibbs within the Metropolis–Hasting algorithm has been applied to generate MCMC samples from the posterior density function. Based on the generated samples, the Bayes estimates and highest posterior density credible intervals of the unknown parameters as well as reliability and hazard functions have been computed. The results of Bayes estimators are obtained under both the balanced-squared error loss and balanced linear-exponential (BLINEX) loss. Moreover, based on the asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimators the approximate confidence intervals (CIs) are obtained. In order to construct the asymptotic CI of the reliability and hazard functions, we need to find the variance of them, which are approximated by delta and Bootstrap methods. Two real data sets have been analyzed to demonstrate how the proposed methods can be used in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on record statistics from three-parameter modified Weibull distribution, we consider the problem of estimating the unknown parameters using Bayesian and non-Bayesian approaches. Under a continuous-discrete joint prior distribution, Bayesian estimators and confidence intervals for the shape and scale parameters involved in the underlying model are obtained. In addition, maximum likelihood prediction and Bayesian prediction (either point or interval) of future record statistics based on an informative set of records are developed. Data analyses involving records extracted from a machine used to measure burr and times to breakdown of an insulating fluid between electrodes have been performed. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to compare the methods developed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are mainly interested in estimating the stress–strength parameter, say R , when the parent distribution follows the well-known Marshall–Olkin model and the accessible data has the form of the progressively Type-II censored samples. In this case, the stress–strength parameter is free of the base distribution employed in the Marshall–Olkin model. Thus, we use the exponential distribution for simplicity. The maximum likelihood methods as well as some Bayesian approaches are used for the estimation purpose. The corresponding estimators of the latter approach are obtained by using Lindley's approximation and Gibbs sampling methods since the Bayesian estimator of R cannot be obtained as an explicit form. Moreover, some confidence intervals of various types are derived for R and then compared via a Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the survival times of head and neck cancer patients are analyzed by two therapies for illustrating purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common practical challenge is how to assign ability estimates to all incorrect and all correct response patterns when using item response theory (IRT) models and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) since ability estimates for these types of responses equal −∞ or +∞. This article uses a simulation study and data from an operational K − 12 computerized adaptive test (CAT) to compare how well several alternatives – including Bayesian maximum a priori (MAP) estimators; various MLE based methods; and assigning constants – work as strategies for computing ability estimates for extreme scores in vertically scaled fixed-length Rasch-based CATs. Results suggested that the MLE-based methods, MAP estimators with prior standard deviations of 4 and above, and assigning constants achieved the desired outcomes of producing finite ability estimates for all correct and all incorrect responses that were more extreme than the MLE values of students that got one item correct or one item incorrect as well as being more extreme than the difficulty of the items students saw during the CAT. Additional analyses showed that it is possible for some methods to exhibit changes in how much they differ in magnitude and variability from the MLE comparison values or the b values of the CAT items for all correct versus all incorrect responses and across grades. Specific discussion is given to how one may select a strategy to assign ability estimates to extreme scores in vertically scaled fixed-length CATs that employ the Rasch model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we obtain point and interval estimates of multicomponent stress-strength reliability model of an s-out-of-j system using classical and Bayesian approaches by assuming both stress and strength variables follow a Chen distribution with a common shape parameter which may be known or unknown. The uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator of reliability is obtained analytically when the common parameter is known. The behavior of proposed reliability estimates is studied using the estimated risks through Monte Carlo simulations and comments are obtained. Finally, a data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the Bayesian and non Bayesian estimation of multicomponent stress–strength reliability by assuming the Kumaraswamy distribution. Both stress and strength are assumed to have a Kumaraswamy distribution with common and known shape parameter. The reliability of such a system is obtained by the methods of maximum likelihood and Bayesian approach and the results are compared using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique for both small and large samples. Finally, two data sets are analyzed for illustrative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article compares likelihood and Bayesian estimations for partially accelerated constant-stress life test model under type II censoring assuming Pareto distribution of the second kind. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimators of the model parameters are derived. The posterior means and posterior variances are obtained under the squared error loss function using Lindley's approximation procedure. The advantages of this proposed procedure are shown. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted under different samples sizes and different parameter values to assess and compare the proposed methods of estimation. A noninformative prior on the model parameters is used to make the comparison more meaningful. It has been observed that Lindley's method usually provides posterior variances and mean squared errors smaller than those of the maximum likelihood estimators. That is, Lindley's method produces improved estimates, which is an advantage of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maxwell (or Maxwell–Boltzmann) distribution was invented to solve the problems relating to physics and chemistry. It has also proved its strength of analysing the lifetime data. For this distribution, we consider point and interval estimation procedures in the presence of type-I progressively hybrid censored data. We obtain maximum likelihood estimator of the parameter and provide asymptotic and bootstrap confidence intervals of it. The Bayes estimates and Bayesian credible and highest posterior density intervals are obtained using inverted gamma prior. The expression of the expected number of failures in life testing experiment is also derived. The results are illustrated through the simulation study and analysis of a real data set is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]