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Article

Investigation of Exponential Distribution Utilizing Randomly Censored Data under Balanced Loss Functions and Its Application to Clinical Data

by
Mustafa M. Hasaballah
1,*,
Oluwafemi Samson Balogun
2 and
Mahmoud E. Bakr
3
1
Marg Higher Institute of Engineering and Modern Technology, Cairo 11721, Egypt
2
Department of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
3
Department of Statistics and Operations Research, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Symmetry 2023, 15(10), 1854; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15101854
Submission received: 1 September 2023 / Revised: 23 September 2023 / Accepted: 29 September 2023 / Published: 2 October 2023

Abstract

:
In this research, random censoring is employed as a methodology for parameter estimation within the context of an exponential distribution. These parameter estimations are conducted using both the Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. In the Bayesian framework, Lindley’s approximation method is applied to derive estimates, which are subsequently assessed under three distinct balanced loss functions. To gauge the efficacy of different estimation techniques, simulation-based investigations are conducted. Additionally, a real-world data analysis is executed to illustrate the practical applicability of these methodologies. The findings consistently underscore the superiority of Bayesian parameter estimates in comparison with their maximum likelihood counterparts across all analyzed methodologies.

1. Introduction

The exponential distribution (EXPD) stands as a foundational form of probability distribution, employed to illustrate the duration of events occurring at a consistent and uniform pace. This continuous probability distribution finds extensive application across various domains to depict situations encompassing intervals of waiting, lifespans, or time frames. Owing to its unchanging failure rate and memoryless property, the EXPD holds significant importance in survival analysis, particularly within the realm of cure rate modeling. Approaches for computing cure fractions make use of this distribution to integrate insights from ailments such as cancer, thus furnishing a comprehensive understanding of survival probabilities. The CDF of the EXPD can be formulated as follows:
F ( x ) = 1 e μ x , μ > 0 , x > 0 .
Additionally, its corresponding PDF is defined as
f ( x ) = μ e μ x , μ > 0 , x > 0 .
The qth quantile function of the EXPD can be expressed as
x q = ln ( 1 u ) μ .
Numerous academics have paid close attention to the lifetime distribution modeled by the EXPD. Through a multiple type-II censoring method, Kang and Park [1] investigated estimating the exponentiated EXPD. Within the context of a multiple type-II censoring scheme, Singh and Kumar [2] produced Bayes estimators for the exponential parameter. Using a type-II hybrid censoring approach, Ganguly et al. [3] concentrated on exact inference regarding the two-parameter EXPD. Childs et al. [4] looked at the exact distribution of MLEs for the two-parameter EXPD’s parameters and quantiles while taking the hybrid censoring scheme into account. Using several type-II censored samples, Kang et al. [5] investigated entropy estimation for a double EXPD. When dealing with lower record values in the data, Kang et al. [6] generated MLEs and approximations for the unknown parameters of the generalized EXPD. Chan et al. [7] focused on type-II progressive hybrid censoring and statistical inference for the two-parameter EXPD. In the context of a generalized progressive hybrid censoring scheme, Cho et al. [8] examined the exact distribution of MLEs and the confidence intervals for EXPD parameters. Ahmed [9] explored Bayesian estimation methods for the EXPD using interval-censored data featuring a cure fraction.
Figure 1 shows different curves of the PDF for the EXPD with varying values of μ .
In life testing scenarios, the researcher may encounter limitations in observing the lifetimes of all the tested items due to constraints such as time, cost, and data collection logistics. To mitigate the challenges associated with time and cost, censored observations are often employed. Life testing models encompass a range of censoring approaches, among which conventional type-I and type-II censoring and progressive, hybrid, and random censoring schemes are frequently utilized. Within this paper, our focus is on situations where an item is lost or exits the testing experiment in an arbitrary manner before experiencing failure or completing the full test duration. This type of scheme is termed random censoring. Such censored observations are notably prevalent in medical studies, particularly in clinical trials. In these trials, patients might discontinue treatment before reaching the intended endpoint. Consequently, the precise survival times for these subjects remain unknown, classifying them as randomly censored observations.
Gilbert [10] brought the idea of randomly censored data into the literature. Then, in the setting of random censorship, Breslow and Crowley [11] carried out an extensive investigation that involved large sample analysis of life table and product limit estimates. Csorgo and Horvath [12] contributed to this field by presenting the Koziol–Green model, which was designed specifically to address random censorship scenarios. Additionally, Kim [13] devised chi-square goodness of fit tests, which are tailored for datasets subject to random censorship. Further contributions were made by Ghitany and Al-Awadhi [14], who delved into the subject of maximum likelihood estimation for the parameters of the Burr XII distribution under the influence of random censoring. Saleem and Aslam [15] concentrated on the Rayleigh distribution within the context of a random censoring time. Under the constraints of random censoring, Danish and Aslam [16,17] investigated Bayesian estimation for the generalized exponential and Weibull distributions, respectively. Furthermore, when dealing with randomly censored data, Krishna et al. [18] generated estimates for the Maxwell distribution. The randomly censored generalized inverted EXPD was examined by Garg et al. [19]. The development of the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimate methods for the randomly censored geometric distribution was pioneered by Krishna and Goel [20].
Building on this, Krishna and Goel [21] broadened their investigation to consider both conventional and Bayesian conclusions in the context of the two-parameter EXPD with randomly censored data. Using data that had been randomly censored, Kumar and Kumar [22] looked at estimates inside the inverse Weibull distribution. Recently, Garg et al. [23] focused on the parameter and reliability characteristic estimates in the Lindley distribution when presented with randomly censored data. Objective Bayesian analysis for the Weibull distribution was the topic of discussion for Ajmal et al. [24], who then applied their findings to the field of random censorship modeling. Goel and Krishna [25] investigated several methods for estimating the parameters within the two-parameter Geometric distribution when confronted with randomly censored data in a parallel line of research.
The subsequent sections of this article are structured as follows. Section 2 presents the mathematical framework for randomly censored data, where both the failure and censoring times adhere to the EXPD. In Section 3, the focus is on the MLE for the parameters that are not known. Moving on to Section 4, Bayes estimators are developed within the context of three balanced loss functions, utilizing Lindley’s approximation method. Section 5 offers an illustrative example using numerical data. Section 6 encompasses the simulation study. Finally, Section 7 provides the concluding remarks.

2. Randomly Censored Exponential Distribution

Let us consider an experimental set-up involving n units, each with lifetimes denoted as X 1 , , X n . These lifetimes are characterized as independent and identically distributed (iid) random variables with the CDF F X ( x ) and PDF f X ( x ) . Additionally, we have another sequence T 1 , , T n representing the iid random censoring times for these units, described by the CDF F T ( t ) and PDF f T ( t ) . Assuming mutual independence between X i and T i , we can observe iid random pairs ( Z 1 , D 1 ) , , ( Z n , D n ) , where Z i = min ( X i , T i ) , i = 1 , , n . Additionally, we define D i as
D i = 1 if X i T i , 0 if X i T i .
It becomes apparent that the joint PDF of Z i and D i is
f Z , D ( z , d ) = f X ( z ) ( 1 F T ( z ) ) d f T ( z ) ( 1 F X ( z ) ) 1 d , z 0 , d = 0 , 1 .
Additionally, the random variables X and T adhere to the proportional hazards model governed by the proportionality constant λ > 0 , given by
1 F T ( t ) = 1 F X ( t ) λ .
When λ equals zero, Equation (5) describes a scenario without censoring. By combining Equations (4) and (5), we arrive at the joint PDF of Z i and D i :
f Z , D ( z , d ) = f X ( z ) 1 F X ( z ) λ λ 1 d , z 0 , d = 0 , 1 .
By further employing Equations (4) and (5), the joint PDF in Equation (6) assumes the following expression:
f Z , D ( z , d ; μ , λ ) = μ e μ z e μ λ z λ 1 d .

3. Maximum Likelihood Estimators

In this section, we initiate our inquiry by utilizing a randomly censored sample represented by ( z , d ) = ( z i , d i ) for i = 1 , 2 , , n . Our emphasis is on examining the MLE procedure to ascertain the values of the unspecified parameters. From Equation (7), the likelihood function connected with the provided sample can be articulated in the subsequent manner:
L ( z , d ; μ , λ ) = i = 1 n μ e μ z e μ λ z λ 1 d .
L ( z , d ; μ , λ ) = μ n e μ ( 1 λ ) i = 1 n z i λ n i = 1 n d i .
The logarithmic likelihood function connected with the EXPD, denoted by Equation (9), can be expressed as
( μ , λ ) = n ln μ μ ( 1 λ ) i = 1 n z i n i = 1 n d i ln λ .
Thus, to obtain the MLEs for μ and λ , we compute the initial derivatives of the natural logarithm of the likelihood function Equation (10) with respect to μ and λ . By equating these derivatives to zero, we derive the subsequent system of three equations:
n μ ( 1 λ ) i = 1 n z i = 0 ,
μ i = 1 n z i + n i = 1 n d i λ = 0 .
Using Equations (11) and (12), we determine the MLEs for μ ^ and λ ^ , respectively, to be
μ ^ = n ( 1 λ ) i = 1 n z i ,
λ ^ = n i = 1 n d i μ i = 1 n z i .
The inverted Fisher information matrix is as follows:
I 1 ( μ , λ ) = 2 μ 2 2 μ λ 2 λ μ 2 λ 2 ( μ , λ ) = ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) 1 = v a r ^ ( μ ^ ) c o v ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) c o v ( λ ^ , μ ^ ) v a r ^ ( λ ^ ) .
The diagonal elements represent the variances of the MLEs for the parameters. By substituting the MLEs of the parameters μ and λ , we obtain the estimated variances for MLEs μ ^ and λ ^ .

4. Bayesian Inference

This section involves a discussion of the Bayes estimators for the undisclosed parameters of the model defined in Equation (7), utilizing randomly censored data. During this analysis, we employ three distinct balanced loss functions, specifically BSE, BLINEX, and BGE. Within this framework, we make an assumption about the independent gamma priors for the parameters μ and λ as follows:
π 1 ( μ ) μ d 1 1 e d 2 μ , μ > 0 .
π 2 ( λ ) λ d 3 1 e d 4 λ , λ > 0 .
The joint prior distribution of μ and λ can be expressed as follows:
π ( μ , λ ) μ d 1 1 λ d 3 1 e d 2 μ d 4 λ , λ > 0 .
The joint posterior distribution of μ and λ is as follows:
π * ( μ , λ ) = μ d 1 e μ λ y μ y d 2 μ d 4 λ λ d 3 d .
In Bayesian estimation, we employ both symmetrical and asymmetrical balanced loss functions. This approach is elucidated in the following description.

4.1. Symmetric Balanced Loss Functions

The BSE Loss Function

Jozani et al. [26] introduced a generalized balanced loss function, denoted as
L ρ , ϖ , ψ 0 ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ϖ ρ ( ψ ^ , ψ ^ 0 ) + ( 1 ϖ ) ρ ( ψ , ψ ^ ) ,
where ϖ (with 0 ϖ 1 ) is a weight parameter and ρ represents a user-defined loss function. The target estimator ψ ^ 0 is often obtained through the ML or least squares methods. For the BSE loss function, we choose ρ ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ( ψ ^ ψ ) 2 , leading to the following form:
L ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ϖ ( ψ ^ 0 ψ ^ ) 2 + ( 1 ϖ ) ( ψ ^ ψ ) 2 .
The Bayes estimate for the unknown parameter ψ is then given by
ψ ^ ( y ̲ ) = ϖ ψ ^ 0 + ( 1 ϖ ) E ( ψ | y ̲ ) .
In this equation, 0 ϖ 1 represents a weight parameter, and ρ is a user-defined loss function. The estimator ψ ^ 0 serves as a general “target” estimator for ψ , often obtained through methods like ML, least squares, or unbiasedness. This balanced loss function can be customized to various loss functions, including absolute value, squared error, LINEX, and general entropy loss functions. By selecting the loss function ρ ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ( ψ ^ ψ ) 2 , Equation (16) simplifies to the BSE loss function. in the following form:
L ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ϖ ( ψ ^ 0 ψ ^ ) 2 + ( 1 ϖ ) ( ψ ^ ψ ) 2 ,
The corresponding Bayes estimate for the unknown parameter ψ is then determined as follows:
ψ ^ ( y ̲ ) = ϖ ψ ^ 0 + ( 1 ϖ ) E ( ψ | y ̲ ) .

4.2. Asymmetric Balanced Loss Functions

4.2.1. The BLINEX Loss Function

The BLINEX loss function with a shape parameter a (where a 0 ) is derived by defining ρ ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = e a ( ψ ^ ψ ) a ( ψ ^ ψ ) 1 , as discussed by Zellner [27]. As a result, the Bayes estimation of ψ using the BLINEX function is given by
ψ ^ ( y ̲ ) = 1 a ln [ ϖ e a ψ ^ 0 + ( 1 ϖ ) E ( e a ψ | y ̲ ) ] .

4.2.2. The BGE Loss Function

The BGE loss function, determined by the shape parameter a, is defined as ρ ( ψ , ψ ^ ) = ( ψ ^ ψ ) a a ln ( ψ ^ ψ ) 1 . Consequently, the Bayes estimation of ψ using the BGE loss function is expressed as follows:
ψ ^ ( y ̲ ) = ϖ ( ψ 0 ^ ) a + ( 1 ϖ ) E ( ψ a | y ̲ ) 1 a .
The versatility of the balanced loss functions is evident as they encompass various special cases, including the ML estimate and both the symmetric and asymmetric Bayes estimates. For example, under the BSE loss function in Equation (20), the Bayes estimate reduces to the ML estimate when ϖ = 1 , while for ϖ = 0 , it becomes the Bayes estimate relative to the SE loss function.
Likewise, the Bayes estimator under the BLINEX loss function, as shown in Equation (21), reduces to the ML estimate when ϖ = 1 , and when ϖ = 0 , it corresponds to the case of the LINEX loss function, which is asymmetric.
Similarly, under the BGE loss function in Equation (22), the Bayes estimator reduces to the ML estimate when ϖ = 1 , and when ϖ = 0 , it corresponds to the GE loss function.

4.3. Lindley’s Approximation

In this section, we apply Lindley’s approximation method to calculate the values of μ and ϕ based on random censoring using BSE, BLINEX, and BGE loss functions (refer to Lindley [28]). The ratio of integrals that arises in Bayesian analysis is expressed as follows:
Q ^ B ( μ , λ ) = E [ Q ( μ , λ ) | x ̲ ] = μ λ Q ( μ , λ ) e ( x ̲ | μ , λ ) + ρ ( μ , λ ) d μ d λ μ λ e ( x ̲ | μ , λ ) + ρ ( μ , λ ) d μ d λ .
To obtain an asymptotic approximation of Lindley’s procedure, we utilize a Taylor series expansion for ρ ( μ , λ ) = ln [ π ( μ , λ ) ] and ( μ , λ ) in Equation (23), centered around the MLE of ( μ , λ ) :
Q ^ B ( μ , λ ) = E [ Q ( μ , λ ) | x ̲ ] = Q ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) + 1 2 i , j m Q i j ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) + 2 Q i ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) ρ j ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) φ ^ i j + 1 2 i , j , s , k m ^ i j s Q ^ k ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) φ ^ i j φ ^ s k ,
where i , j , s , k = 1 , 2 , , m , and then
Q ^ B ( μ , λ ) = Q ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ μ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ μ μ + ( Q ^ λ μ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ λ μ + ( Q ^ μ λ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ μ λ + ( Q ^ λ λ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ λ λ ] + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ φ ^ μ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ μ λ ) ( ^ μ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ μ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ μ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ μ φ ^ λ λ ) + ( Q ^ μ φ ^ λ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ( ^ λ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ λ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ λ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ] ,
where
^ h t = h + t μ h λ t , ρ = ln π ( μ , λ ) , ρ μ = ρ μ , ρ λ = ρ λ , Q μ λ = 2 Q μ λ , Q λ μ = 2 Q λ μ , Q μ = Q μ , Q μ μ = 2 Q μ 2 , Q λ = Q λ , and Q λ λ = 2 Q λ 2 .
The variables h and t can each take on values of zero, one, two, or three, with the condition that their sum, h + t , equals three. In this particular context, the function ( . , . ) represents the log-likelihood function of the observed data, and π ( μ , λ ) denotes the joint prior density function for ( μ , λ ) . Furthermore, φ i j refers to the (i, j)th element of the inverse FIM. Lastly, μ ^ and λ ^ represent the ML estimators for μ and λ , respectively.
The Bayes estimates for various parameters using the BSE, BLINEX, and BGE loss functions are given by the following equations, where ψ ^ = μ ^ , λ ^ :
(1)
The case of the BSE loss function
If Q ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) = ψ ^ , then the Bayes estimate is given by
ψ ^ B S E = ϖ ψ ^ M L + ( 1 ϖ ) [ ψ ^ M L + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ μ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ μ μ + ( Q ^ λ μ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ λ μ + ( Q ^ μ λ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ μ λ + ( Q ^ λ λ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ λ λ ] + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ φ ^ μ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ μ λ ) ( ^ μ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ μ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ μ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ μ φ ^ λ λ ) + ( Q ^ μ φ ^ λ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ( ^ λ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ λ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ λ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ] ] .
(2)
The case of the BLINEX loss function
If Q ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) = e a ψ ^ , then the Bayes estimate is given by
ψ ^ B L I N E X = 1 a ln [ ϖ e a ψ ^ M L + ( 1 ϖ ) { e a ψ ^ M L + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ μ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ μ μ + ( Q ^ λ μ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ μ ) × φ ^ λ μ + ( Q ^ μ λ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ μ λ + ( Q ^ λ λ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ λ λ ] + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ φ ^ μ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ μ λ ) ( ^ μ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ μ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ μ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ μ φ ^ λ λ ) + ( Q ^ μ φ ^ λ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ( ^ λ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ λ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ λ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ] } ] .
(3)
The case of the BGE loss function
If Q ( μ ^ , λ ^ ) = ψ ^ a , then the Bayes estimate is given by
ψ ^ B G E = [ ϖ [ ψ ^ M L ] a + ( 1 ϖ ) { [ ψ ^ M L ] a + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ μ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ μ μ + ( Q ^ λ μ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ μ ) φ ^ λ μ + ( Q ^ μ λ + 2 Q ^ μ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ μ λ + ( Q ^ λ λ + 2 Q ^ λ ρ ^ λ ) φ ^ λ λ ] + 1 2 [ ( Q ^ μ φ ^ μ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ μ λ ) ( ^ μ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ μ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ μ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ μ φ ^ λ λ ) + ( Q ^ μ φ ^ λ μ + Q ^ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ( ^ λ μ μ φ ^ μ μ + ^ μ λ λ φ ^ μ λ + ^ λ μ λ φ ^ λ μ + ^ λ λ λ φ ^ λ λ ) ] } ] 1 a .

5. Clinical Applications

To exemplify the proposed methodologies, we scrutinize the numerical data provided by Ghitany and Al-Awadhi [14]. The subsequent datasets pertain to 101 patients diagnosed with advanced acute myelogenous leukemia, as documented in the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. Among these patients, 50 underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, utilizing marrow from a histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling to restore their immune systems. The remaining 51 patients received an autologous bone marrow transplant, wherein their own marrow was reintroduced after substantial chemotherapy doses with the intention of rejuvenating their compromised immune systems. The recorded durations of leukemia-free survival (measured in months) for the 50 allogeneic transplant patients (denoted by “asterisks” to indicate instances of random censorship) are as follows: 0.030 , 0.493 , 0.855 *, 1.184 , 1.283 *, 1.480 , 1.776 , 2.138 , 2.500 *, 2.763 , 2.993 *, 3.224 , 3.421 , 4.178 *, 4.441 , 5.691 , 5.855 *, 6.941 , 6.941 , 7.993 , 8.882 , 8.882 , 9.145 *, 11.480 , 11.513 , 12.105 , 12.796 , 12.993 *, 13.849 , 16.612 *, 17.138 *, 20.066 , 20.329 *, 22.368 , 26.776 *, 28.717 , 28.717 *, 32.928 , 33.783 *, 34.221 , 34.770 *, 39.539 , 41.118 *, 45.033 , 46.053 , 46.941 *, 48.289 , 57.401 *, 58.322 , and 60.625 .
The K-S test was employed to ascertain whether a given sample adhered to a specific distribution. In this context, our aim was to employ the K-S test in order to verify if the observed durations of leukemia-free survival among the allogeneic transplant patients conformed to an EXPD. Upon performing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for the EXPD, the resulting value was computed to be 0.0915978. Notably, this value is lower than the corresponding critical value at the 5% significance level, which stands at 0.1884 at n = 50. Additionally, the associated p value was found to be 0.761215.
As the p value surpasses the threshold significance level of 0.05, it can be deduced that the data align with an EXPD. Furthermore, we generated a graphical representation of the empirical CDF of the dataset along with the CDF of the EXPD, depicted in Figure 2. The visual representation indicates a remarkable proximity between the two CDFs, thereby offering supplementary support to the conclusion that the EXPD adequately characterizes this dataset.
In order to obtain the estimations, we employed both the maximum likelihood method and the Lindley method. For the latter, non-informative gamma priors were utilized for both μ and λ . In this specific context, the hyperparameters were designated as zero ( a 1 = a 2 = a 3 = a 4 = 0 ). Subsequently, an exploration was conducted to assess the influence of diverse loss functions, specifically BSE loss, BLINEX loss, and BGE loss. This investigation encompassed varying values for the shape parameter “a” within the BLINEX and BGE loss functions. Furthermore, the analysis encompassed different magnitudes of “ ϖ ” for the parameters μ = 0.02 and λ = 2.0 . The comprehensive outcomes of this investigation are meticulously detailed in Table 1.

6. Simulation Study

In this subsection, a concise simulation study is conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of both the ML estimators and Lindley’s approximation for the EXPD. The dataset was generated from the EXPD using the quantile function outlined in Equation (3). Subsequently, estimates and MSE values were computed. The following formula was employed to determine the MSE values:
MSE ( ψ ^ ) = i = 1 1000 ( ψ i ^ ψ ) 2 1000 , where i = 1 , 2 , and ( ψ 1 , ψ 2 ) = ( μ , ϕ ) .
For the simulation design, the parameter values were set to μ = 1.50 and ϕ = 1.90 . Additionally, the chosen sample sizes were n = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. Lindley’s approximation method involved employing informative gamma priors for both μ and ϕ . In this particular scenario, the hyperparameters were set to ( a 1 = a 3 = 0.4 , a 2 = a 4 = 0.6 ). Subsequently, an exploration was carried out to evaluate the impact of various loss functions, specifically the BSE loss, BLINEX loss, and BGE loss. This investigation covered the manipulation of different values for the shape parameter “a” within the BLINEX and BGE loss functions. Furthermore, the analysis encompassed varying magnitudes of “ ϖ ” for the parameters μ and λ . The simulation results are presented in Table 2 and Table 3, encompassing the true values, parameter estimates, and corresponding MSE values.

7. Conclusions

This paper focused on the investigation of a parameterized EXPD utilizing randomly censored data. The analysis encompassed various classical estimation techniques, notably MLE. Moreover, Bayes estimators were explored using Lindley’s approximation method within the framework of three balanced loss functions. These estimators were evaluated under the assumption of both informative and non-informative priors for the parameters applied for simulation and real data, respectively. The performances of both the classical and Bayesian estimators were subjected to computational analysis via simulation studies. The results from these simulations indicate that the performance of the Bayes estimates outperformed that of the MLEs. Additionally, a practical application of the developed methodology was demonstrated through real data analysis. The results obtained from the simulation demonstrate the precise computation of parameters within the EXPD. Moreover, it is evident from Table 2 and Table 3 that as the sample sizes increased, the values of the MSEs for the parameter estimates decreased. The performance of the Bayes estimates surpassed that of the MLEs, given their smaller MSEs. Notably, the Bayes estimates using the BGE approach exhibited superior performance compared with those using BLINEX and BSE, as indicated by their smaller MSEs. Additionally, with an increase in “ ϖ ,” there was a corresponding decrease in the MSEs.

8. Future Work

In our forthcoming research, we plan to utilize random censoring within the context of the Rayleigh distribution while considering various loss functions, such as LINEX, entropy, and the unbalanced loss function. This will enable us to elucidate the pivotal role played by the choice of the prior distribution type in influencing the quality of an estimation.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, M.M.H.; methodology, M.M.H.; software, M.M.H.; validation, O.S.B.; formal analysis, O.S.B.; investigation, O.S.B.; resources, M.E.B.; data curation, M.E.B.; writing—original draft, M.M.H.; writing—review and editing, M.E.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD2023R1004), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

All datasets are reported within the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
EXPDExponential distribution
BSEBalanced squared error loss function
BLINEXBalanced linear exponential loss function
BGEBalanced general entropy loss function
PDFProbability density function
CDFCumulative distribution function
MLEsMaximum likelihood estimators
MLMaximum likelihood
FIMFisher information matrix
MSEsMean squared errors
K-SKolmogorov–Smirnov

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Figure 1. Plot of the PDF of the EXPD.
Figure 1. Plot of the PDF of the EXPD.
Symmetry 15 01854 g001
Figure 2. Plot of the fitted functions and a PP plot of the EXPD.
Figure 2. Plot of the fitted functions and a PP plot of the EXPD.
Symmetry 15 01854 g002
Table 1. Estimation of μ and ϕ using MLE and Lindley method.
Table 1. Estimation of μ and ϕ using MLE and Lindley method.
ParameterMLE ϖ BSELBLINEXBGE
a = −6a = 0.2a = 6a = −6a = 0.2a = 6
μ 0.017970.00.019080.019140.019080.019020.020720.018380.01600
0.30.018750.018790.018750.018710.020080.018260.01644
0.70.018410.018440.018410.018390.019310.018130.01699
0.90.018080.018090.018080.018070.018350.018010.01768
ϕ 1.999980.02.018582.356172.356171.648242.343721.899031.65700
0.32.013002.304951.984391.699252.265551.928661.72085
0.72.007422.230611.991071.773122.170971.958851.80725
0.92.001842.093011.997751.909092.049771.989601.93766
Table 2. Estimation of μ and corresponding MSEs using MLE and Lindley method.
Table 2. Estimation of μ and corresponding MSEs using MLE and Lindley method.
nMLEϖBSELBLINEXBGE
a = −6a = 0.2a = 6a = −6a = 0.2a = 6
101.12760.00.788311.371520.773030.780731.334570.746740.80524
0.56951 0.53030.070650.550250.533230.072590.542420.49591
0.30.89011.328640.876190.830851.288320.839940.84649
0.391570.081250.407510.464180.086670.451420.4418
0.70.991881.270350.982020.903091.231860.949440.90947
0.278980.100570.288170.373890.109760.321730.36599
0.91.093671.177631.090711.035761.158341.079081.0355
0.192520.142130.194550.237940.149580.203520.23955
201.149330.00.889251.323870.878870.857981.266910.854570.87257
0.52439 0.390530.064720.402350.423630.079270.429920.40382
0.30.967281.288370.958170.904841.23730.931020.9136
0.298740.07660.307960.366040.092640.336870.35504
0.71.04531.242831.039010.970541.203571.017020.97381
0.22200.094970.227360.293010.110080.247530.28971
0.91.123331.178621.121471.082481.164161.114161.08256
0.160310.126570.161550.190180.133460.166850.19093
301.142990.00.921281.274070.913560.886681.21380.893560.89727
0.50454 0.35110.079940.359360.386770.102810.380860.37306
0.30.987791.244890.981040.930731.194980.959720.93674
0.276470.092120.28300.335060.11300.304630.32795
0.71.054311.209111.049660.991151.174311.032870.99311
0.212940.108990.216820.270760.125160.231760.26908
0.91.120821.162471.119461.089051.15131.113991.08899
0.16050.134050.161430.183620.139870.165410.18432
401.159090.00.958661.267440.952180.922231.204180.934520.93026
0.49236 0.308290.079020.314780.343930.105140.332520.33399
0.31.018791.242111.013130.964561.192050.99490.96905
0.244690.089790.249850.297110.111780.267210.29208
0.71.078921.211891.075031.021811.178811.060951.02335
0.190360.104020.193440.239750.119610.205280.23857
0.91.139051.174171.13791.111731.164271.133381.1119
0.145310.123830.146060.164230.128890.14920.16464
501.043470.00.837021.109060.832930.82031.060710.822270.83214
0.4787 0.453820.169080.458690.469480.204830.470440.45279
0.30.898951.09260.894940.861331.056860.8810.86736
0.371930.180680.376550.415430.207240.392760.40743
0.70.960891.073780.957920.916261.051860.945870.91696
0.299770.194650.302880.348490.211180.315890.34776
0.91.022831.051751.021911.000571.045761.017770.99894
0.237360.211950.238190.258290.216580.242090.26021
601.156530.00.985251.229180.980420.949411.169450.966260.95536
0.44641 0.275520.08610.280170.308850.119010.293640.3020
0.31.036631.21091.032430.98871.166621.018250.99192
0.222780.095260.226540.267190.119990.239520.26383
0.71.088021.190041.085131.040631.162861.07441.04166
0.17690.106520.17920.217020.122080.188070.21625
0.91.13941.165671.138561.118331.158251.135161.11837
0.137890.120760.138460.152830.125170.140860.15302
701.163380.01.010231.228571.00560.969251.173020.991220.97413
0.41015 0.248210.083310.252540.286370.114380.2660.28105
0.31.056171.21181.052281.007131.170961.038781.00976
0.203440.091990.206820.247640.115150.218770.24507
0.71.102121.192941.099511.056631.168151.08971.05752
0.164110.102410.166140.20150.116790.173990.20089
0.91.148061.171341.147311.128951.164681.144291.12904
0.130230.11520.130730.143530.119190.132820.14363
801.156340.01.027971.214261.023670.981191.166451.009340.98479
0.38418 0.229310.089870.233220.273080.117560.246430.26927
0.31.066481.199131.062991.016731.164241.05041.01851
0.193130.098160.196090.237530.118570.207040.23586
0.71.104991.182291.102721.062361.161271.093981.06281
0.160930.107950.162680.195750.12050.169620.19551
0.91.143511.163271.142871.126821.157671.140271.12683
0.13270.119710.133140.144420.123150.134950.14456
901.141760.01.023241.189641.019350.977381.147261.005950.98066
0.35236 0.232990.101840.236580.276260.129260.249070.27275
0.31.058791.176911.055671.011541.146391.044081.01301
0.19890.109440.201610.241660.129240.211880.24024
0.71.094351.162911.092331.054931.144791.084371.05509
0.168150.118240.169770.201180.130130.176270.20114
0.91.129911.147361.129351.114971.14261.1271.11479
0.140750.128530.141160.151770.13170.142870.15199
1001.041100.00.892631.059570.889740.866981.02360.88020.87312
0.34724 0.320310.205180.333530.34700.23740.303890.30899
0.30.937171.055270.934560.902451.030770.924460.90485
0.325580.207280.288410.303420.228490.329460.31036
0.70.981711.04990.979870.947961.035990.972010.94732
0.275830.210720.277690.310960.222540.285850.31175
0.91.026251.043481.02571.012011.039981.023171.01074
0.231050.215390.231560.244460.218350.233950.24584
Table 3. Estimation of λ and corresponding MSEs using MLE and Lindley method.
Table 3. Estimation of λ and corresponding MSEs using MLE and Lindley method.
nMLEϖBSELBLINEXBGE
a = −6a = 0.2a = 6a = −6a = 0.2a = 6
101.451330.02.015271.926921.926921.047712.084371.715071.05876
0.31143 0.284430.159660.25760.294690.26270.222040.27467
0.31.846091.872251.801461.099661.980381.627291.11165
0.237330.158360.197940.210120.212820.224690.29323
0.71.676911.790161.647441.176111.838491.547361.19143
0.203260.166310.207430.59670.181250.251210.5815
0.91.507731.618571.499431.326581.600141.47431.34571
0.272220.218660.276540.41460.223290.294320.40359
201.537510.01.999221.973011.973011.178382.093391.797721.19854
0.18733 0.145280.080940.133540.161170.143680.117490.13286
0.31.86071.919211.828221.22911.994841.712211.25236
0.102170.075630.100020.190730.105140.11670.16219
0.71.722191.839111.700971.302621.863161.63341.32971
0.106820.077740.111240.198360.084530.136960.17099
0.91.583681.677241.577741.439821.654171.560571.46243
0.159240.117220.16224015840.12480.152720.14322
301.536870.01.946851.938651.938651.218142.035021.794291.24396
0.18289 0.126830.073190.121360.101040.116080.115950.16869
0.31.823851.886141.798691.266571.943061.709791.29509
0.098740.07120.09910.137740.090090.114710.10594
0.71.700861.80881.684281.335521.821811.631831.36606
0.109150.077480.113390.156430.082080.134080.32777
0.91.577871.657511.573191.457951.635441.559711.47906
0.158040.120410.160480.138770.128560.16870.12499
401.578210.01.953271.961381.961381.280262.043331.826721.31303
0.17735 0.094910.049120.09160.111010.08500.086880.17277
0.31.840751.909511.819071.327631.954581.745351.36269
0.069270.045250.069990.154450.060860.081040.11768
0.71.728231.833611.713931.39431.838941.67011.42962
0.076520.04870.080040.152860.053260.095440.15139
0.91.615711.688191.611681.508921.665961.600341.53021
0.116660.084810.118630.182620.092950.12490.16913
501.798170.02.295192.221992.221991.464372.345942.172441.51533
0.14212 0.131770.126680.126940.11480.127780.100830.13432
0.32.146082.168512.121751.514012.24262.047361.5702
0.143090.115070.130670.123860.128460.097670.11589
0.71.996982.089161.979641.585212.107381.933891.64302
0.061650.078180.056890.124140.094070.048610.09435
0.91.847881.930591.842731.71371.903221.830571.74923
0.037460.039450.037610.062130.037180.03870.05323
601.591470.01.923071.943381.943381.331412.005591.827991.37234
0.12707 0.067720.031810.067180.112010.054960.067380.19819
0.31.823591.893011.806781.376031.92331.750791.41737
0.051880.029750.053590.113060.039330.063290.11292
0.71.724111.820221.712941.437381.817761.679191.47546
0.062310.035260.06550.032540.039270.077470.04563
0.91.624631.685661.621471.536941.665171.612631.55615
0.09900.071450.100580.111660.079640.105350.11954
701.607510.01.904431.944321.944321.36131.995751.817371.40473
0.11337 0.053850.02620.053970.106240.044610.056810.10219
0.31.815361.894691.799711.404791.916641.749581.44788
0.044340.02410.046390.061020.03160.056120.02135
0.71.726281.823441.716111.464021.816181.686111.50254
0.055720.029260.058730.005750.033250.069350.07506
0.91.63721.694231.634361.557931.674041.626551.57622
0.087980.062940.089350.03350.070910.093390.02236
801.599690.01.848591.912371.912371.373751.948081.772041.41611
0.10003 0.050810.023560.052710.092750.035710.061480.05105
0.31.773921.864121.76011.415351.874841.716821.4565
0.05010.024550.053040.050470.030270.064790.01361
0.71.699251.79571.690461.471141.78311.664721.50673
0.064640.033520.067710.099440.038680.07810.07168
0.91.624581.675581.622161.556631.656781.61551.57251
0.094420.070430.095650.034250.078510.099250.02458
901.58240.01.81671.882751.882751.370941.912431.746821.41318
0.09154 0.045810.019090.048690.03390.026740.06030.05168
0.31.746411.83531.73391.41111.842191.694271.45127
0.051020.022880.054540.052730.026910.067630.01592
0.71.676121.768441.668181.464311.754691.644581.49803
0.069670.03550.072930.003330.041050.083670.07606
0.91.605831.653031.603651.543781.635511.597531.55806
0.001760.077210.002970.040770.085680.006550.03143
1001.85430.02.230492.221352.221351.586212.297872.152291.66284
0.08656 0.073660.022660.064520.011760.017400.031870.0706
0.32.117632.17012.100841.631632.207172.054831.70643
0.082950.072380.080890.085010.023220.063050.05178
0.72.004782.095541.993171.694452.092151.964611.75959
0.03530.057320.032480.055030.060160.026920.03401
0.91.891921.95531.888541.797411.92991.880881.82716
0.015730.020020.015680.023860.017320.015780.0197
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Hasaballah, M.M.; Balogun, O.S.; Bakr, M.E. Investigation of Exponential Distribution Utilizing Randomly Censored Data under Balanced Loss Functions and Its Application to Clinical Data. Symmetry 2023, 15, 1854. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15101854

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Hasaballah MM, Balogun OS, Bakr ME. Investigation of Exponential Distribution Utilizing Randomly Censored Data under Balanced Loss Functions and Its Application to Clinical Data. Symmetry. 2023; 15(10):1854. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15101854

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Hasaballah, Mustafa M., Oluwafemi Samson Balogun, and Mahmoud E. Bakr. 2023. "Investigation of Exponential Distribution Utilizing Randomly Censored Data under Balanced Loss Functions and Its Application to Clinical Data" Symmetry 15, no. 10: 1854. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15101854

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