Intensity Of Structural Changes Research Articles

Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 experienced at different stages of gestation on perinatal outcomes and structural changes in the placenta

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the attention of obstetricians and gynecologists was focused on studying the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Currently, the dynamics of mutations in genes encoding SARS-CoV-2 proteins determines the emergence of a large number of new strains of the virus that are highly virulent. Given this fact, the problem of assessing the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes also remains relevant.
 AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) transmitted at different stages of gestation on perinatal outcomes and structural changes in the placenta.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2022–2023, a prospective analysis of 113 cases of childbirth in women who had the novel coronavirus infection during pregnancy was carried out in obstetric institutions in Novosibirsk. The total sample of subjects was divided into three study groups using cluster analysis. Group 1 included 25 women who had SARS-CoV-2 at a gestation period of up to 16 weeks; Group 2 consisted of 61 patients who underwent COVID-19 at gestation period of 17 to 34 weeks; and Group 3 comprised 27 pregnant women in whom COVID-19 was detected after 34 weeks of pregnancy. The control group included 65 pregnant women who had a negative smear test result for SARS-CoV-2. Pathological examination of the placenta included macro- and microscopic studies. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.0 program.
 RESULTS: The most common fetal distress was observed in patients of Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.002). We found an inverse correlation between the gestational age at which a woman suffered coronavirus infection and the volumetric density of capillaries and intervillous fibrinoid, as well as the percentage of formation of the syncytial-capillary membrane and villi with symplastic buds. On the contrary, a direct correlation between the gestational age and the volumetric density of connective tissue was found. Intervillusitis was more often observed in the placentas of women of Groups 1 and 2. Histitocytic infiltration was characteristic of the placentas of patients of Group 2.
 CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of adverse perinatal outcomes and the intensity of structural changes in the placenta depend on the gestation period in which the patient suffered the novel coronavirus infection. The most significant structural changes in the placenta were detected in patients of Group 2.

Assessment of the Level, Direction and Factors of Structural Changes in the Irkutsk Region Industry

It is known that the structure of industrial production in Russia was formed under the influence of many factors that caused its raw materials specialization and accelerated development of the military-industrial complex. Since the realization of the need for structural transformations (the beginning of the 90s), authorities, associations of industrialists and the scientific community have offered various options for actions aimed at mitigating (eliminating) accumulated and continuing to intensify structural deformations, some measures (programs) have been implemented in whole or in part. In addition, the modern actualization of import substitution processes should also have a significant impact on the structure of the economy and industry, in particular. As a result, there is a need to assess the direction and intensity of structural changes in industrial production over the period 1991–2023, as a result of which it is possible to judge the degree of impact and effectiveness of implemented measures, including in the field of import substitution, on the structure of industry. In the article, this assessment is carried out on the example of the Irkutsk region. According to calculations, the conclusion is made about the preservation and deepening of the raw materials specialization of the industry of the Irkutsk region, despite the measures taken. The key factor was the implementation of major investment projects in the field of oil and gas production, as well as their transportation, which led to a significant increase in the share of extractive industries. At the same time, there is a point-by-point growth in some manufacturing industries, including high-tech ones, which does not affect the structural dynamics as a whole, but proves the effectiveness of the measures taken in the field of import substitution and the development of manufacturing industries.

DYNAMICS OF PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE MYOCARDIUM IN CHRONIC EXPERIMENTAL ENDOTOXICOSIS

Relevance. Modeling the conditions of endotoxicosis by introducing bacterial lipopolysaccharide against the background of toxic liver damage is due to the fact that under such conditions the situation that accompanies almost every chronic pathology, including cardiovascular, is reproduced. The release of substances that play a role in the formation of endogenous intoxication causes heart damage in the absence of cardiac pathology, and in its presence worsens the course and prognosis. However, it should be found out whether these changes are the result of only toxic damage to cardiomyocytes or have another morphological basis and what their dynamics are.
 Objective: to characterize the morphological changes of the myocardium in experimental chronic endotoxicosis.
 Materials and methods. The research was carried out by modeling endotoxicosis in 18 laboratory animals for 90 days by daily intragastric injection of tetrachloromethane at the rate of 3-5 ml/kg of body weight and every 6th day by intraperitoneally adding bacterial lipopolysaccharide at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg of body weight. Animals were removed from the experiment by decapitation at 30, 60, and 90 days. Animals were removed from the experiment by decapitation after anesthesia with intraperitoneal administration of sodium thiopental at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The control group consisted of 6 intact animals. For histological examination, myocardial tissue was condensed in paraffin, and deparaffinized sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, examined for the detection of neutral glycosaminoglycans and acidic mucopolysaccharides, stained with Alcian blue and PAS-reaction according to standard methods, and examined under a Nikon Eclipse Ci-E light microscope.
 Results. During researching the myocardium at the light-optical level of experimental animals, after 30 days of chronic endogenous intoxication caused by injection of tetrachloromethane and bacterial LPS, it undergoes changes, first of all, it concerned cardiomyocytes: we observe thinned cells around the vessels and unchanged ones at a distance from the vessels. In some of them, hyperchromia of the nuclei and phenomena of contractile damage and fiber fragmentation were noted. Manifestations from the CMC increased during the next period of the experiment: after 60 days, expressed wave-like deformation of fibers with atrophic changes in muscle cells was detected in the myocardium. Hemodynamic changes were characterized by hyperemia, the number of perivascular hemorrhages increased. On the 90th day of the experiment, in addition to inflammatory manifestations and dystrophic-necrotic changes, cardiomyocyte atrophy in combination with expressed interstitial edema was detected in the myocardial tissue of animals. In the stroma, in addition to small foci of perivascular cardiosclerosis, foci of adipocyte growth were determined. Cardiomyocyte defibrillation and hemorrhages were observed in some areas
 Conclusion. The intensity of structural changes in cardiomyocytes and hemodynamic disorders in chronic endotoxicosis depends on the duration of intoxication and the character of structural changes. The interstitium of the myocardium of rats under experimental endotoxicosis conditions is dystrophic-sclerotic and is manifested by a different combination of edematous and sclerotic manifestations at different stages of exposure to toxicants.

Sectoral structural shifts in the Belarusian economy: Directions and assessment

The article is devoted to the analysis and assessment of the intensity of sectoral structural shifts in the Belarusian economy for the period from 1990 to 2020. Their key features and specifics are determined, the convergent nature of changes in the sectoral structure of the economy of Belarus and the economies of developed countries is established. The conclusion about the decrease in the intensity of structural changes in the republic is substantiated, which indicates a slowdown in the growth potential of the economy and necessitates the implementation of the state structural policy.

ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ СТРУКТУРИ ЕКОНОМІКИ МІСТ ЗАХІДНОГО РЕГІОНУ УКРАЇНИ: СЕКТОРАЛЬНИЙ ВИМІР

Анотація. Досліджено особливості трансформації структури економіки міст Західного регіону України. Для цього проаналізовано просторову концентрацію економічної діяльності в містах обласного значення Західного регіону України, а також швидкість та інтенсивність трансформації структури їхніх економік. Залежно від структури економіки міст обласного значення в базовому періоді та інтенсивності структурних зрушень у ній упродовж досліджуваного періоду виокремлено два типи досліджуваних адміністративних одиниць: 1) міста обласного значення, які зберегли профільність економічної структури; 2) міста обласного значення, які диверсифікують структуру економіки. До останніх, зокрема, належать: а) міста обласного значення — промислові центри, які диверсифікували свою діяльність шляхом розвитку сервісної економіки; б) міста обласного значення, які трансформували структуру економіки в напрямі розвитку промисловості; в) міста обласного значення, які, попри поліпрофільність економічної структури в базовому періоді, наростили упродовж наступних років економічний потенціал лише в певному секторі економічної діяльності; г) інші міста обласного значення, зокрема ті, які змінили вектор економічної діяльності в напрямі розвитку суміжних галузей. Констатовано існування позитивних тенденцій (вища адаптивність структури економіки досліджуваних адміністративних одиниць до сучасних умов соціально-економічного розвитку), а також негативних тенденцій (асиметричність регіонального суспільно-економічного розвитку внаслідок концентрації ділової активності та капіталу в містах обласного значення; диспропорційність секторальних і просторових структурних змін в економіці міст обласного значення; посилення монопрофільності економічного розвитку окремих міст обласного значення в контексті загострення ризиків економічної діяльності) у трансформаційних процесах економіки міст обласного значення. Ключові слова: трансформація економіки, міста обласного значення, структура економіки, регіональна економіка, сектор економіки. Формул: 2; рис.: 0; табл.: 2; бібл.: 10.

Analysis of the Dynamics of Structural Processes in the Context of Ensuring Sustainable Development

The tendencies and the extent of structural changes in the economy of the regions of Ukraine in the context of ensuring its sustainable development are examined in the context of the types of economic activity in terms of gross value added (GVA) during 2011-2018. In particular, the rate of change in the share of the structural mass of the economy of the regions that occurred during this period is estimated; the dynamic processes that took place in the structure of the economy of Ukrainian regions are analyzed. The analysis of the mass of structural changes shows their insignificant scale and reduction of the share in the structure of gross value added of such types of economic activity as industry, construction and finance. The estimation of intensity of structural changes by an indicator of average rates of their change shows low and rather differentiated level of intensity of structural changes in the context of types of economic activity. During the analyzed period, the annual average rate of structural changes in Ukraine was 0.131. Based on the calculation of the rate of structural changes, it is proved that structural changes in the economy of Ukraine are quite slow and are characterized by significant interregional differentiation, and the lack of positive dynamics in increasing the speed of structural changes in education is the main obstacle to creating an innovation-oriented model of economic development and reorientation of the structure of the regional economy to the requirements of the post-industrial type to the established concepts and dominants of sustainable development in accordance with EU standards.

СВІТОВИЙ ДОСВІД ФОРМУВАННЯ І РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ СТРУКТУРНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ: МОДЕЛІ ТА ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ

The article is devoted to the formation and implementation of state structural policy, which is closely linked to economic growth and development of the economy as a whole. Economic growth must be sustainable and long-lasting, which requires a combination of all types and instruments of structural policy, depending on the time period and level of functioning of the economy. Due to structural changes, low-income countries can bridge the gap and catch up with highly developed countries. This relationship is not absolute, the intensity of structural change can be both a consequence and a cause of economic growth. At the same time, all significant and long periods of rapid economic growth after the Second World War, as a rule, took place against the background of pronounced structural reforms within national economies. Due to which these countries demonstrated «economic miracles». Highlighting the main trends of structural reforms in the world economy is important primarily in terms of developing an effective structural policy in Ukraine. The study used methods of analysis and synthesis, historical and logical, grouping and classification, comparison. The content of structural policy has been clarified by domestic and foreign scholars. It is established that the concepts of structural and industrial policy are either identified or there is no clear demarcation line between them. The tools of vertical, horizontal and matrix structural policy are highlighted. American, Japanese and European models of structural policy on the example of the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Great Britain are considered. The structural policy of these countries is formed as a result of applying an integrated approach to its priority areas and the mechanism of its implementation. It has an internal integrative form, which is manifested in the constant increase in the level of interaction with other areas of economic policy, thus creating a synergistic effect of economic development as a whole. The general tendency of structural changes in the world economy is revealed – growth of a share of sphere of services at preservation of rather stable share of the processing industry. Together, they are seen as drivers of economic growth. Adaptive elements of implementation of world experience in "design" of structural policy of Ukraine are offered.

Features of Low-Energy He and Ar Ion Irradiation of Nanoporous Si/SiO2-Based Materials

Low-energy (50–200 eV) He and Ar ion irradiation of on Si/SiO2-based nanoporous materials is modeled with the use of the molecular dynamics method. The obtained results corroborate the experimentally observed effect of densification of near-surface layers of materials with small-size pores and low porosity due to the ion-induced pore collapse process. The differences in the He and Ar ion irradiation of nanoporous materials and the influence of ion energy on the intensity of structural changes are studied.

Development trends and structural disorders in the human resource provision

The article describes the dynamics of the number of employees employed by large, medium and small construction enterprises, as well as by types of construction activities during the period 2010-2018. On the basis of calculations of the index, speed and intensity of structural changes in the personnel supply of enterprises by types of construction works, their dynamics during the period 2010-2018 was established. The purpose of the paper is to identify trends in development and structural changes in the staffing of the functioning of construction enterprises. The functioning of construction enterprises is currently occurring under difficult conditions of external and internal threats to Ukraine's national security, which is reflected by a number of negative socio-economic trends. In particular, human resources, as one of the key factors in the development of construction enterprises, have declined significantly in recent years. This is due to a number of objective and subjective reasons, one of which is the activation of labor migration. After a rapid decrease in the number of employees at construction enterprises during 2010-2015, from 2017, a positive trend is observed. The results of the analysis show that the greatest impact of staffing in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings and specialized construction works in the study period is traced in 2018, and in the construction of engineering structures - in 2012, where the intensity of structural changes showed the highest value. The lion's share of all employees work in small construction enterprises - 156.1 thousand people (53%), medium-sized enterprises - 109.3 thousand people and significantly fewer in large enterprises - 6.8 thousand people (2.5%) in 2018. Changes in the structure of employment by size of enterprises over the years 2010-2018 are observed. The largest number of employees is observed in enterprises specializing in the construction of buildings - about 150 thousand people, including the construction of residential and non-residential buildings - 138.6 thousand people and the organization of construction of buildings - 11.4 thousand people.

Metrics of Structural Changes and the Necessity of Considering Interindustry Relationships

This paper considers the problem of measuring structural changes in the economy. An evaluation of the intensity of structural changes, quantitative estimates of the contribution of the structural factor to economic dynamics on the paths of growth and decline are proposed. The possibility of measuring the properties of the economic structure is investigated. The notion of structural and technological sensitivity of the economy is introduced.

СТРУКТУРНЫЕ СДВИГИ РАЗВИТИЯ АГРАРНОГО СЕКТОРА РОССИИ В РАМКАХ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ НАЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ ПРИОРИТЕТОВ

Purpose: to study the problem of structural changes in the development of the agricultural sector in Russia within the framework of the national priorities implementation. Materials and methods: the synthetic tools of the study are based on the methods of economic statistics, which helped to analyze the structural dynamics of the country's agricultural sector. The object of the research was the agrarian structure of the Russian agricultural sector. The statistical analysis was carried out in the context of individual categories of farms. Results. The problems of structural changes in the agricultural sector of Russia within the framework of the implementation of national priorities are dealt with. For this, the methodology for calculating structural changes in agriculture and the mining industry, as well as the agricultural sector in the context of certain categories of farms, was used. The analysis is carried out for agricultural organizations, peasant (farmer) households. The problem of structuring the agrarian sector of the Russian economy is considered as a systemic task of state management of the industry, reduced to the formation of optimal proportions between the elements of the agrarian structure and their development. The results of agrarian reforms in agriculture for the period 2006–2019 are presented. A comparative characteristic of the options for organizing large-scale agro-industrial production in Russia and abroad is given. Conclusions. The presented dynamics of structural changes in agriculture on the basis of linear and quadratic coefficients makes it possible to determine the effectiveness of the state agricultural policy in the context of the implementation of national priorities. It has been substantiated that in the mid-term strategic development the intensity of structural changes in agriculture will be determined by the development trends of the small-format sector of the economy, including the one through the system of agricultural cooperation.

Mapeamento dos padrões de atuação dos países nas Cadeias Globais de Valor e os ganhos em termos de mudança estrutural

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo mapear padrões de atuação dos países nas Cadeias Globais de Valor (CGV) e os respectivos ganhos, identificando-se sob quais circunstâncias tal atuação foi acompanhada de mudança estrutural. Os padrões de atuação referem-se à inserção dos países nas CGV e possíveis evoluções por meio dos diferentes tipos de upgrading. O mapeamento foi feito com uma amostra de 40 países entre 1995 e 2008, utilizando-se 12 indicadores que captaram características inerentes à participação neste processo. Em função da quantidade de informação, foi utilizada a análise de clusters, que associada a outros critérios analíticos, permitiu identificar seis padrões de inserção e upgrading dos países nas cadeias globais relacionados ao potencial de mudança estrutural. Verificou-se que a intensidade da mudança estrutural associa-se a padrões específicos de atuação nas cadeias referentes ao upgrading funcional e de cadeia, sendo que por este último, a mudança estrutural ocorrendo apenas em países situados em estágios produtivos iniciais.

Comprehensive analysis of the process of population ageing in Poland in the years 1950–2016

Aim – The main aim of the study is to determine the dynamics of the ageing process of the Polish population and to present a forecast of population ageing based on comprehensive analysis of the age structure of this population. The separated components of this structure are biological age groups: 0–14, 15–64, 65 years and more. The time period of the research comprises the years 1950–2016, while the population forecast by age is presented for 2020 and 2050. The elaboration includes data from GUS. Research methodology – In assessing the level of the ageing of Polish society there were used, among others, the old age index, old age coefficient, a measure of the similarity of structures, a measure of the structural change intensity, and the median age. Score – In the years 1950–2016 in Poland there were observed changes in the age structure of the population in age groups: 0–14 years old, 15–64 years old, 65 years old and more, including a steady trend in the percentage of people in the age group 0–14 years old and a steady upward trend in the percentage of people aged 65 and over, a strong upward trend in the old age index, and a strong tendency of increase in the post-working age dependency ratio. The Central Statistical Office’s (GUS) forecasts indicate that the population ageing measured by changes in the age structure of the population and the shifting of the median age which are taking place in Poland in a dynamic manner, will continue with increased intensity over the next decades. Originality/value – The added value of the work is the use of the similarity of structures and the intensity of structure changes, which together with an approach based on classical indicators allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the age structure of the Polish population in dynamic terms, determining the quantitative nature of changes in the age structure over time, the direction of these changes and their intensity. It was also pointed out that in light of the ongoing demographic transformations, the concept of silver economy understood as an economic system aimed at using the potential of the elderly and taking into account their needs is becoming a priority.

Hierarchical Clustering Methods With Territorial Integrity Criterion

During the conference entitled Spatial Econometrics and Regional Economic Analyses, which took place in Lodz in 2014, there was a proposition to introduce the spatial coherence property into the Ward method, which is applied to group administrative units [1]. At each stage of agglomeration in the modified Ward method, there are included only those aggregates which are adjacent to each other. This work is an extension of this concept based upon other methods of hierarchical clustering, in particular the single and complete linkage method. The study highlighted the benefits of cluster­ing methods with the coherence property, also emphasizing the limitations of these procedures. First of all, the introduction of the restricting condition during the procedure of the hierarchical clustering reduces the homogeneity of isolated clusters. Spatial constraints may also lead to a situation where the distance between the clusters linked at a later stage is smaller than at an earlier stage (graphically, we can talk about the dendrogram “backflow”). The method of complete linkage is free of these aberration where the distance between the clusters is defined as the maximum distance between their elements. The modified clustering algorithm was implemented as an extension of STATISTICA software. Examples of an application of the hierarchical clustering method with the coherence concern sector changes in the European regional space. The aim of the analysis was to isolate spatially coherent areas that demonstrate a similar direction and intensity of structural change in selected areas of the labour market.

Resilience of metropolitan, urban and rural regions: a Central European perspective

Abstract In this article, we examine a relationship between population/economic size and resilience of Czech regions. More specifically, we ask if there are any significant differences among metropolitan cores and hinterlands, urban regions and rural regions in (post)crisis economic development in the period 2009–2013. Three aspects of resilience were considered: volatility of unemployment, renewal (increase in economic performance compared to other regions) and reorientation (measured by the intensity of structural changes in total employment). We found relatively small differences among particular types of regions and high intra-group heterogeneity. Specialized industrial urban regions exhibited the fastest economic growth in the (post)crisis period. Metropolitan cores lagged slightly behind, but experienced relatively stable economic development. Although rural regions exhibited the highest unemployment volatility, they did not lag behind in terms of value added growth. Regional resilience in a small open economy like Czechia seems to be predominantly driven by extraregional factors such as the position in global production networks and economic performance in particular industries or large transnational corporations.

Current challenges for regional development: threats to economic security

The article deals with current challenges for regional development and their impact as causes of threats to economic security. Economic security is seen as a complex multilevel system, the formation of which occurs at various levels of economy’s hierarchy: the state level, an economic sector, an industry (economic activity), a region, a business enterprise, a city, a town, a village, a local territorial community, a person. It is determined that a region’s internal and external environment is the key factor of its economic security. The assessment, which was carried out, enables to establish the following characteristics: structural imbalances, a gap between regional investing priorities and determined priorities, a break in the production chain, an asymmetry in technological development of regional industries, expansion of foreign companies on the domestic market, incompatibility between the system of institutions and the aims of social and economic development of regions.The research paper describes the current challenges for regional development, such as deepening of regional differences in creating tensions in regional labour markets; intensification of migration processes; growing differences in the intensity of structural changes; reducing foreign investment; institutional and fiscal decentralization; growing problems in organizing and financing social services; deepening asymmetry in the development of cross-border infrastructure, which requires a system of protection against increasing threats to economic security.A range of methodological approaches to assessing the level of economic security is generalized. A set of quantitative and qualitative indicators is suggested for evaluating the results of security assurance activities at all levels of the hierarchy: a region, a territorial community, a business enterprise, a person.The priority areas of administrative activity designed to prevent threats to economic security are identified. Given the current challenges, these priority areas include: structural reform of the economy, an increasing backbone role of state-owned entrepreneurship, inter-regional and inter-municipal cooperation, modernization of social safety in terms of personal security, strengthening safety of entrepreneurship, reinforcement of security of local communities under conditions of political, administrative, financial, fiscal, economic and environmental decentralization.The main characteristics of each area are pointed out. Further research studies are to be undertaken to empirically examine the results of these measures and identify barriers for institutional assurance of economic security.

Structural Convergence of Economies of Slovak Republic and Czech Republic

The aim of the paper is to identify important factors of development of industrial structure of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic economies in the transition process. A multi-industrial analysis focuses on development of inter-industrial structures in terms of gross value added measurement. This paper further quantifies the structural change intensity indicator and the structural deviation indicator, which provide quantitative insight into the formation of the structure of the Slovak economy and the Czech economy. Finally, it offers discussion, gives several proposals of improving weaknesses in the industrial structure of the Slovak economy and express recommendations for current situation. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5p235

Role of Lipid Infiltration of Hepatocytes in the Morphogenesis of Chronic Hepatitis C

Immunohistochemical and PCR analysis of the structure of lipid-containing hepatocytes and replication of chronic hepatitis C viral particles revealed no positive correlation between the presence of HCV RNA in blood specimens, number of infected hepatocytes (by expression of HCV NS3Ag) with clinical biochemical parameters and intensity of structural changes in biopsy specimens. Small-vesicular subcytolemmal lipid infiltration of hepatocytes was detected, presumably associated with hepatitis C virus replication phase. Characteristic subcytolemmal location of the lipid droplets can reflect their involvement in virus transport from the cell and indicate a virus-induced nature of lipid metabolism disorders.

INVESTIGATION OF CHANGES IN PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF SHRINKAGE OF ONION DURING HOT AIR DRYING

The effect of air drying temperature on shrinkage, rehydration ratio and microstructure of dried onion slices (3±0.2 mm thickness and 30 mm diameter) was studied. The different drying conditions led to distinctive structural changes in the samples, affecting the shrinkage and rehy dration ratio. Experiments showed that the intensity of structural changes depends on temperature and drying times. A higher temperature and time caused greater damage to the microstructure of onion slices, resulting in the formation of a highly porous str ucture. The results also indicated that increasing time and temperature increased the shrinkage and rehydration ratio of samples. In mathematical modeling of shrinkage, the model proposed in this study, which had R 2 values higher than 0.978 and SSE values pretty low, predicted accurately the experimental data.

Structural change, technology, and economic growth: Brazil and the CIBS in a comparative perspective

Schumpeterian growth theory stresses the role of structural change in long run growth. Countries which increase the share of technology-intensive sectors in their economic structures benefit more from technological learning and innovation. In addition, they are more able to respond to changes in the international markets and to compete in sectors whose demand grows at higher rates. The paper compares Brazil (and to a lesser extent the CIBS group of countries) from the point of view of the direction and intensity of structural change. It is suggested that structural change has been relatively weak in Brazil and that this has been associated with a less dynamic growth performance since the 1980s.