>> However, I cannot get a boolean value out of this statement.
 >> Why wont this work: preceding-sibling::*[1] = 'title'  ???
 > Because title is the name of the element, not its value.
 > You want preceding-sibling::*[1][self::title]

or exists(preceding-sibling::*[1][self::title]), if you really must get
a boolean as a result.

at any place where a boolean is expected, because an empty node-set
evaluates to false() and a non-empty one to true().

--
Cheers,
Dimitre Novatchev
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Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence.
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To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk