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Wiki Wiki Summary
Uncertainty Uncertainty refers to epistemic situations involving imperfect or unknown information. It applies to predictions of future events, to physical measurements that are already made, or to the unknown.
Uncertainty principle In quantum mechanics, the uncertainty principle (also known as Heisenberg's uncertainty principle) is any of a variety of mathematical inequalities asserting a fundamental limit to the accuracy with which the values for certain pairs of physical quantities of a particle, such as position, x, and momentum, p, can be predicted from initial conditions.\nSuch variable pairs are known as complementary variables or canonically conjugate variables; and, depending on interpretation, the uncertainty principle limits to what extent such conjugate properties maintain their approximate meaning, as the mathematical framework of quantum physics does not support the notion of simultaneously well-defined conjugate properties expressed by a single value.
Fear, uncertainty, and doubt Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (often shortened to FUD) is a propaganda tactic used in sales, marketing, public relations, politics, polling and cults. FUD is generally a strategy to influence perception by disseminating negative and dubious or false information and a manifestation of the appeal to fear.
Uncertainty quantification Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is the science of quantitative characterization and reduction of uncertainties in both computational and real world applications. It tries to determine how likely certain outcomes are if some aspects of the system are not exactly known.
NATO Accessory Rail The NATO Accessory Rail (or NAR), defined by NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4694, is a rail interface system standard for mounting accessory equipments such as telescopic sights, tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods and bayonets to small arms such as rifles and pistols.STANAG 4694 was approved by the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG), Land Capability Group 1 Dismounted Soldier (LCG1-DS) in 2009. It was published in March 2011.The NATO Accessory Rail is backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324/MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail, which dates back to 3 February 1995, and was designed in conjunction with weapon specialists like Aimpoint, Beretta, Colt Firearms, FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch.
Automotive aftermarket The automotive aftermarket is the secondary market of the automotive industry, concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, equipment, and accessories, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. The parts, accessories, etc.
Claire's Claire's (formerly known as Claire's Boutiques, Claire's Boutique and Claire's Accessories) is an American retailer of accessories, jewelry, and toys primarily aimed toward tween and teen\ngirls. It was founded in 1961 and is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Warn Industries Warn Industries is a manufacturer of vehicle recovery equipment and off-road vehicle accessories. The company produces products for use on trucks (i.e.
Competition Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, individuals, economic and social groups, etc.
Macbeth Footwear Macbeth Footwear is a Southern Californian brand of footwear, apparel, and accessories, including vegan and organic products. One of its founders is Tom DeLonge, ex-member of Blink 182.
List of industry trade groups in the United States This is a list of notable industry trade groups in the United States.
Sportsman's Warehouse Sportsman's Warehouse is an American outdoor sporting goods retailer which operates in 29 states across the United States. Sportsman's Warehouse sells apparel, footwear, and gear which caters to sportsmen and sportswomen with interests in hunting, shooting, reloading, camping, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities.
Global Brands Group Global Brands Group Holding Limited (Chinese: 利標品牌有限公司) is a bankrupt holding company that has its own brand of apparel and footwear, as well as being a brand management company. It designs, develops, markets and sells products under a diverse array of owned and licensed brands in a wide range of product categories.
Customer relationship management Customer relationship management (CRM) is a process in which a business or other organization administers its interactions with customers, typically using data analysis to study large amounts of information.CRM systems compile data from a range of different communication channels, including a company's website, telephone, email, live chat, marketing materials and more recently, social media. They allow businesses to learn more about their target audiences and how to best cater for their needs, thus retaining customers and driving sales growth.
2020s in fashion 2000s fashion is often described as being a global mash up, where trends saw the fusion of previous vintage styles, global and ethnic clothing (e.g. boho), as well as the fashions of numerous music-based subcultures.
1990s in fashion Fashion in the 1990s was defined by a return to minimalist fashion, in contrast to the more elaborate and flashy trends of the 1980s. One notable shift was the mainstream adoption of tattoos, body piercings aside from ear piercing and, to a much lesser extent, other forms of body modification such as branding.
History of fashion design History of fashion design refers specifically to the development of the purpose and intention behind garments, shoes and accessories, and their design and construction. The modern industry, based around firms or fashion houses run by individual designers, started in the 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth who, beginning in 1858, was the first designer to have his label sewn into the garments he created.
GeneRally A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel.The term general is used in two ways: as the generic title for all grades of general officer and as a specific rank. \nIt originates in the 16th century, as a shortening of captain general, which rank was taken from Middle French capitaine général.
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, or GAAS are sets of standards against which the quality of audits are performed and may be judged. Several organizations have developed such sets of principles, which vary by territory.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP or U.S. GAAP, pronounced like "gap") is the accounting standard adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While the SEC previously stated that it intends to move from U.S. GAAP to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the latter differ considerably from GAAP and progress has been slow and uncertain.
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK) Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the UK, or UK GAAP, is the overall body of regulation establishing how company accounts must be prepared in the United Kingdom. Company accounts must also be prepared in accordance with applicable company law (for UK companies, the Companies Act 2006; for companies in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, companies law applicable to those jurisdictions).
Daylight saving time Daylight saving time (DST), also known as daylight savings time or daylight time (United States, Canada, and Australia), and summer time (United Kingdom, European Union, and others), is the practice of advancing clocks (typically by one hour) during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time. The typical implementation of DST is to set clocks forward by one hour in the spring ("spring forward"), and to set clocks back by one hour in autumn ("fall back") to return to standard time.
Customer service Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during, and after a purchase. This makes it an important part of the value chain of clients.
Customer to customer Customer to customer (C2C or consumer to consumer) markets provide a way to allow customers to interact with each other. Traditional markets require business to customer relationships, in which a customer goes to the business in order to purchase a product or service.
Trademark A trademark (also written trade mark or trade-mark) is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others. The trademark owner can be an individual, business organization, or any legal entity.
Generic trademark A generic trademark, also known as a genericized trademark or proprietary eponym, is a trademark or brand name that, because of its popularity or significance, has become the generic term for, or synonymous with, a general class of products or services, usually against the intentions of the trademark's owner.\nA trademark is said to become genericized—or, informally, to have suffered genericide—when it begins as a distinctive product identifier but changes in meaning to become generic.
List of generic and genericized trademarks The following three lists of generic and genericized trademarks are:\n\nmarks which were originally legally protected trademarks, but have been genericized and have lost their legal status due to becoming generic terms,\nmarks which have been abandoned and are now generic terms\nmarks which are still legally protected as trademarks, at least in some jurisdictions\n\n\n== List of former trademarks that have been genericized ==\nThe following partial list contains marks which were originally legally protected trademarks, but which have subsequently lost legal protection as trademarks by becoming the common name of the relevant product or service, as used both by the consuming public and commercial competitors. These marks were determined in court to have become generic.
Proprietary software Proprietary software, also known as non-free software or closed-source software, is computer software for which the software's publisher or another person reserves some licensing rights to use, modify, share modifications, or share the software, restricting user freedom with the software they lease. It is the opposite of open-source or free software.
Copyright law of France The droit d'auteur (or French copyright law) developed in the 18th century at the same time as copyright developed in the United Kingdom. Based on the "right of the author" (droit d'auteur) instead of on "copyright", its philosophy and terminology are different from those used in copyright law in common law jurisdictions.
Programming language A programming language is any set of rules that converts strings, or graphical program elements in the case of visual programming languages, to various kinds of machine code output. Programming languages are one kind of computer language, and are used in computer programming to implement algorithms.
Proprietary firmware Proprietary firmware is any firmware on which is not free (libre). Examples of proprietary works include ones upon which the author has placed restrictions on use, private modification, copying, or republishing.
Proprietary estoppel Proprietary estoppel is a legal claim, especially connected to English land law, which may arise in relation to rights to use the property of the owner, and may even be effective in connection with disputed transfers of ownership. Proprietary estoppel transfers rights if,\n\nsomeone is given a clear assurance that they will acquire a right over property,\nthey reasonably rely on the assurance, and,\nthey act substantially to their detriment on the strength of the assurance\nit would be unconscionable to go back on the assuranceIf these elements of assurance, reliance and detriment, and unconscionability are present, the usual remedy will be that the property will be transferred to the claimant, if the court views the reliance to warrant a claim in all the circumstances.
Public domain The public domain consists of all the creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply. Those rights may have expired, been forfeited, expressly waived, or may be inapplicable.As examples, the works of William Shakespeare, Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci and Georges Méliès are in the public domain either by virtue of their having been created before copyright existed, or by their copyright term having expired.
Bitwise operation In computer programming, a bitwise operation operates on a bit string, a bit array or a binary numeral (considered as a bit string) at the level of its individual bits. It is a fast and simple action, basic to the higher-level arithmetic operations and directly supported by the processor.
Special Activities Center The Special Activities Center (SAC) is a division of the Central Intelligence Agency responsible for covert operations and paramilitary operations. The unit was named Special Activities Division (SAD) prior to 2015.
Learning difficulties Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficulty learning in a typical manner", this does not exclude the ability to learn in a different manner.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a self-report inventory behavioral screening questionnaire for children and adolescents ages 2 through 17 years old, developed by United Kingdom child psychiatrist Robert N. Goodman. The SDQ has been translated into more than 80 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Portuguese.
Dysphagia Dysphoria (from Ancient Greek δύσφορος (dúsphoros) 'grievous'; from δυσ- (dus-) 'bad, difficult', and φέρω (phérō) 'to bear') is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. It is the opposite of euphoria.
Risk Factors
JONES APPAREL GROUP INC ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS There are certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated
Risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect us include, without limitation, the following factors
The apparel, footwear and accessories industries are highly competitive
Any increased competition could result in reduced sales or prices, or both, which could have a material adverse effect on us
Apparel, footwear and accessories companies face competition on many fronts, including the following: * establishing and maintaining favorable brand recognition; * developing products that appeal to consumers; * pricing products appropriately; and * obtaining access to retail outlets and sufficient floor space
There is intense competition in the sectors of the apparel, footwear and accessories industries in which we participate
We compete with many other manufacturers and retailers, some of which are larger and have greater resources than we do
Any increased competition could result in reduced sales or prices, or both, which could have a material adverse effect on us
We compete primarily on the basis of fashion, price and quality
We believe our competitive advantages include our ability to anticipate and respond quickly to changing consumer demands, our brand names and range of products and our ability to operate within the industries &apos production and delivery constraints
Furthermore, our established brand names and relationships with retailers have resulted in a loyal following of customers
We believe that, during the past few years, major department stores and specialty retailers have been increasingly sourcing products from suppliers who are well capitalized or have established reputations for delivering quality merchandise in a timely manner
However, there can be no assurance that significant new competitors will not develop in the future
We also believe there is an increasing focus by the department stores to concentrate an increasing portion of their product assortments within their own private label products
These private label lines compete directly with our product lines and may receive prominent positioning on the retail floor by department stores
While this creates more competition, our independent studies indicate that our brands are preferred by the consumer
We may not be able to respond to changing fashion and retail trends in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on us
The apparel, footwear and accessories industries have historically been subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer preferences
We believe that our success is largely dependent on our ability to anticipate and respond promptly to changing consumer demands and fashion trends in the design, styling and production of our products
If we cannot gauge consumer needs and fashion trends and respond appropriately, then consumers may not purchase our products, and this could have a material adverse effect on us
We believe that consumers in the United States are shopping less in department stores (our traditional distribution channel) and more in other channels, such as specialty shops and mid-tier locations where value is perceived to be higher
We have responded to these trends by enhancing the brand equity of our labels through our focus on design, quality and value, and through strategic acquisitions which provide significant diversification to the business by successfully adding new distribution channels, labels and product lines
Despite our efforts to respond to these trends, there can be no assurance that these trends will not have a material adverse effect on us
- 22 - _________________________________________________________________ The apparel, footwear and accessories industries are heavily influenced by general economic cycles
A prolonged period of depressed consumer spending would have a material adverse effect on us
Purchases of apparel, footwear and related goods generally decline during recessionary periods when disposable income is low
In such an environment, promotional selling would adversely affect our profitability
The loss of any of our largest customers could have a material adverse effect on us
Our ten largest customer groups, principally department stores, accounted for approximately 50prca of revenues in 2005
In recent years the retail industry has experienced consolidation and other ownership changes
Federated Department Stores, Inc, our second largest customer in 2004, acquired May Department Stores Company, our largest customer in 2004, on August 30, 2005
The combined company accounted for approximately 19prca of our 2005 gross revenues
We believe that purchasing decisions are generally made independently by individual department stores within a customer group
There has been a trend, however, toward more centralized purchasing decisions
As such decisions become more centralized, the risk to us of such concentration increases
A decision by the controlling owner of a customer group of department stores to modify those customers &apos relationships with us (for example, decreasing the amount of product purchased from us, modifying floor space allocated to apparel in general or our products specifically, or focusing on promotion of private label products rather than our products) could have a material adverse effect on us
Furthermore, we believe a trend exists among our major customers to concentrate purchasing among a narrowing group of vendors
To the extent any of our key customers reduces the number of vendors and consequently does not purchase from us, this could have a material adverse effect on us
In the future, retailers may have financial problems or consolidate, undergo restructurings or reorganizations, or realign their affiliations, any of which could further increase the concentration of our customers
The loss of any of our largest customers, or the bankruptcy or material financial difficulty of any customer or any of the companies listed above, could have a material adverse effect on us
We do not have long-term contracts with any of our customers, and sales to customers generally occur on an order-by-order basis
As a result, customers can terminate their relationships with us at any time or under certain circumstances cancel or delay orders
The loss or infringement of our trademarks and other proprietary rights could have a material adverse effect on us
We believe that our trademarks and other proprietary rights are important to our success and competitive position
Accordingly, we devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks on a worldwide basis
There can be no assurances that such actions taken to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as violative of their trademarks and proprietary rights
Moreover, there can be no assurances that others will not assert rights in, or ownership of, our trademarks and other proprietary rights or that we will be able to successfully resolve such conflicts
In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States
The loss of such trademarks and other proprietary rights, or the loss of the exclusive use of such trademarks and other proprietary rights, could have a material adverse effect on us
Any litigation regarding our trademarks could be time-consuming and costly
As of December 31, 2005, the book value of our goodwill and other intangibles was dlra2dtta9 billion
We utilize independent third-party appraisals to estimate the fair value of both our goodwill and our intangible assets with indefinite lives
These appraisals are based on projected cash flows and interest rates
If interest rates or future cash flows were to differ significantly from the assumptions used in these projections, material non-cash impairment losses could result where the estimated fair values of these assets become less than their carrying amounts
- 23 - _________________________________________________________________ The extent of our foreign operations and manufacturing may adversely affect our domestic business
In 2005, approximately 89prca of our apparel products were manufactured outside of the United States and Mexico, primarily in Asia, while approximately 11prca were manufactured in the United States and Mexico
Nearly all of our footwear and accessories products were manufactured outside of North America in 2005 as well
The following may adversely affect foreign operations: * political instability in countries where contractors and suppliers are located; * imposition of regulations and quotas relating to imports; * imposition of duties, taxes and other charges on imports; * significant fluctuation of the value of the dollar against foreign currencies; and * restrictions on the transfer of funds to or from foreign countries
As a result of our substantial foreign operations, our domestic business is subject to the following risks: * uncertainties of sourcing associated with the new environment in which quota has been eliminated on apparel products pursuant to the World Trade Organization Agreement, effective January 1, 2005 (although China has agreed to safeguard quota on certain classes of apparel products through 2008 as a result of a surge in exports to the United States, political pressure will likely continue for restraint on importation of apparel); * reduced manufacturing flexibility because of geographic distance between us and our foreign manufacturers, increasing the risk that we may have to mark down unsold inventory as a result of misjudging the market for a foreign-made product; and * violations by foreign contractors of labor and wage standards and resulting adverse publicity
Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could cause delay and increase costs
Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of the fabrics or other raw materials used by us in our manufactured apparel and in the price of materials used to manufacture our footwear and accessories could have a material adverse effect on our cost of sales or our ability to meet our customers &apos demands
The prices for such fabrics depend largely on the market prices for the raw materials used to produce them, particularly cotton
The price and availability of such raw materials may fluctuate significantly, depending on many factors, including crop yields and weather patterns
In the future, we may not be able to pass all or a portion of such higher raw materials prices on to our customers
Our reliance on independent manufacturers could cause delay and damage our reputation and customer relationships
We rely upon independent third parties for the manufacture of most of our products
A manufacturerapstas failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to meet the required quality standards could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers for those items
The failure to make timely deliveries may drive customers to cancel orders, refuse to accept deliveries or demand reduced prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us
We do not have long-term written agreements with any of our third party manufacturers
As a result, any of these manufacturers may unilaterally terminate their relationships with us at any time
We are also increasing pre-production collaboration efforts with many of our third party manufacturers to utilize their capabilities to increase speed to market and improve margins
Difficulties in effectively achieving this collaboration could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve a substantial portion of the savings we anticipate as a result of our strategic review
Although we have an active program to train our independent manufacturers in, and monitor their compliance with, our labor and other factory standards, any failure by those manufacturers to comply with our standards or any other divergence in their labor or other practices from those generally considered ethical in the United States and the potential negative publicity relating to any of these events could materially harm us and our reputation
- 24 - _________________________________________________________________ Any inability to identify acquisition candidates could have a material effect on our future growth
A significant part of our growth depends on our ability to identify acquisition candidates and, in an increasingly competitive environment for such acquisitions, acquire such businesses on reasonable financial and other terms
Difficulties in integrating the organizations and operations of any acquired businesses into our existing organization and operations could have a material adverse effect on us and could damage our reputation
Difficulties in implementing a new enterprise system could impact our ability to design, produce and ship our products on a timely basis
We have announced the selection of the SAP Apparel and Footwear Solution as our core operational and financial system
The implementation of the SAP Apparel and Footwear Solution software is a key part of our ongoing efforts to eliminate redundancies and enhance our overall cost structure and margin performance
Difficulties migrating existing systems to this new software could impact our ability to design, produce and ship our products on a timely basis