RE: Abstract element and xsi:nil

> What you say appears to be counter-intuitive but true, 
> Structures, Section 2.6.2:

Almost everything connected with xsi:nil, including the very existence of
the construct, is counter-intuitive. Best just to ignore it. It was a
misguided attempt to force-fit a concept from the relational model into the
XML model where it isn't needed.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/