The new better than used failure rate (NBUFR), Abouammoh and Ahmed (1988), and new better than average failure rate (NBAFR) Loh (1984) classes of life distributions, have been considered in the literature as natural weakenings of NBU (NWU) property. The paper considers testing exponentiality against strictly NBUFR (NBAFR) alternatives, or their duals, based on goodness of fit approach that is possible in life testing problems and that it results in simpler procedures that are asymptotically equivalent or better than standard ones. They may also have superior finite sample behavior. The asymptotic normality are proved. Powers, Pitman asymptotic efficiency and critical points are computed. Dealing with censored data case also studied. Practical applications of our tests in the medical sciences are present.

This paper presents equations, which can be used to evaluate the failure frequency and the failure rate of a two identical component parallel redundant system in which each component can operate in its wear out period, and the failure rate of each component is exponential power distribution. The optimum maintenance interval for a two identical component parallel redundant system can be obtained using these equations. The proposed approach is presented and illustrated using several numerical examples. The optimum maintenance interval for each component in a two identical parallel redundant system will depend on factors such as: failure rate, repair and maintenance times of each component in the parallel redundant systems.

This paper discusses the reliability equivalences of a series-parallel system. The system components are assumed to be independent and identical. The failure rates of the system components are functions of time and follow Weibull distribution. Three different methods are used to improve the given system reliability. The reliability equivalence factor is obtained using the reliability function. The fractiles of the original and improved systems are also obtained. Numerical example is presented to interpret how to utilize the obtained results.

The objective of this paper is to discuss the stochastic analysis and the statistical inference of a three-states semi-Markov reliability model. Using the maximum likelihood procedure, the parameters included in this model are estimated. Based on the assumption that the lifetime and repair time of the system are gener-alized Weibull random variables, the reliability function of this system is obtained. Then, the distribution of the first passage time of this system is derived. Many important special cases are discussed. Finally, the obtained results are compared with those available in the literature.