Generalized modified slash Birnbaum–Saunders distribution

In this paper, a generalization of the modified slash Birnbaum-Saunders (BS) distribution is introduced. The model is defined by using the stochastic representation of the BS distribution, where the standard normal distribution is replaced by a symmetric distribution proposed by Reyes et al. It is proved that this new distribution is able to model more kurtosis than other extensions of BS previously proposed in the literature. Closed expressions are given for the pdf (probability density functio), along with their moments, skewness and kurtosis coefficients. Inference carried out is based on modified moments method and maximum likelihood (ML). To obtain ML estimates, two approaches are considered: Newton-Raphson and EM-algorithm. Applications reveal that it has potential for doing well in real problems

Extensions in survival models with cure rate and random effects

Neste trabalho são apresentadas algumas extensões de modelos de sobrevivência com fração de cura, assumindo o contexto em que as observações estão agrupadas. Dois efeitos aleatórios são incorporados para cada grupo: um para explicar o efeito no tempo de sobrevida das observações suscetíveis e outro para explicar a probabilidade de cura. Apresenta-se uma abordagem clássica através dos estimadores REML e uma abordagem bayesiana através do uso de processos de Dirichlet. Discute-se alguns estudos de simulação em que avalia-se o desempenho dos estimadores propostos, além de comparar as duas abordagens. Finalmente, ilustram-se os resultados com dados reais.In this work some extensions in survival models with cure fraction are presented, assuming the context in which the observations are grouped into clusters. Two random effects are incorporated for each group: one to explain the effect on survival time of susceptible observations and another to explain the probability of cure. A classical approach through the REML estimators is presented as well as a bayesian approach through Dirichlet Process. Besides comparing both approaches, some simulation studies which evaluates the performance of the proposed estimators are discussed. Finally, the results are illustrated with a real database