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  <xsd:element id="cnp_AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnRecognizedInPeriod" name="AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnRecognizedInPeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_AmountOfTotalGainsLossesForPeriodIncludedInEarnings" name="AmountOfTotalGainsLossesForPeriodIncludedInEarnings" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_ArcLightMember" name="ArcLightMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_BasisDifferenceAccretionGain" name="BasisDifferenceAccretionGain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_BasisDifferenceAmortization" name="BasisDifferenceAmortization" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_BondsGeneralMortgageDue2044Member" name="BondsGeneralMortgageDue2044Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_BondsPollutionControlDue2017Member" name="BondsPollutionControlDue2017Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_BondsPollutionControlDue2027Member" name="BondsPollutionControlDue2027Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CERCRemainingInterestinSESHMember" name="CERCRemainingInterestinSESHMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CapitalExpansionProjectDomain" name="CapitalExpansionProjectDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_CapitalStockSharesAuthorized" name="CapitalStockSharesAuthorized" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_CashCollateralPostedWithCounterparties" name="CashCollateralPostedWithCounterparties" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_CashContributed" name="CashContributed" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CashPaymentsAbstract" name="CashPaymentsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CenterpointEnergyMember" name="CenterpointEnergyMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CenterpointHoustonMember" name="CenterpointHoustonMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CercCorpMember" name="CercCorpMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_ConsecutivePeriodForSystemRestorationCostsToExceed100MillionInMonths" name="ConsecutivePeriodForSystemRestorationCostsToExceed100MillionInMonths" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:pureItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Costofnaturalgaspurchasesaffiliates" name="Costofnaturalgaspurchasesaffiliates" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CurrentAssetsMember" name="CurrentAssetsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_CurrentLiabilitiesMember" name="CurrentLiabilitiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInAccumulatedComprehensiveLossRollForward" name="DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInAccumulatedComprehensiveLossRollForward" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_DerivativeGrossVolumeBasisSwapsLongPosition" name="DerivativeGrossVolumeBasisSwapsLongPosition" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:volumeItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_DerivativeGrossVolumeLongPosition" name="DerivativeGrossVolumeLongPosition" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:volumeItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_DerivativeGrossVolumesOnNaturalGasContracts" name="DerivativeGrossVolumesOnNaturalGasContracts" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:volumeItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_DerivativeInstrumentsAssetsPhysicalForwardsPurchased" name="DerivativeInstrumentsAssetsPhysicalForwardsPurchased" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_DerivativeInstrumentsPhysicalForwardsPurchased" name="DerivativeInstrumentsPhysicalForwardsPurchased" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Derivativefairvalueoffsetsnet" name="Derivativefairvalueoffsetsnet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_DocumentAndEntitySupplementalInformationAbstract" name="DocumentAndEntitySupplementalInformationAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_ElectricTransmissionDistributionMember" name="ElectricTransmissionDistributionMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_EnergyServicesMember" name="EnergyServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_EquityContributionPeriodAxis" name="EquityContributionPeriodAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_EquityContributionPeriodDomain" name="EquityContributionPeriodDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalContributionofOwnershipPercentage" name="EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalContributionofOwnershipPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipShares" name="EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipShares" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFnancialInformationOperatingIncome" name="EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFnancialInformationOperatingIncome" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquityMethodInvestmentsUnderlyingEquityinNetAssetsNetofBasisDifference" name="EquityMethodInvestmentsUnderlyingEquityinNetAssetsNetofBasisDifference" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquitymethodinvestmentAdditionalContributionofownershipvalue" name="EquitymethodinvestmentAdditionalContributionofownershipvalue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_EquitymethodinvestmentbasisdifferenceTotal" name="EquitymethodinvestmentbasisdifferenceTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_ExtinguishmentOfDebtPurchasePricePercentageOfPrincipal" name="ExtinguishmentOfDebtPurchasePricePercentageOfPrincipal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCorporateEquities" name="FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCorporateEquities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetLiabilityValue" name="FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisNetAssetLiabilityValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_FieldServicesMember" name="FieldServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_GainLossOnIndexedDebtSecurities" name="GainLossOnIndexedDebtSecurities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Grossequityinearnings" name="Grossequityinearnings" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumAmountUponCompletionOfGatheringSystems" name="GuaranteeObligationsMaximumAmountUponCompletionOfGatheringSystems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IncentiveDistributionRight" name="IncentiveDistributionRight" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsnetofbasisdifference" name="IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsnetofbasisdifference" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IncreaseDecreaseInterestAndTaxesAccrued" name="IncreaseDecreaseInterestAndTaxesAccrued" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtCurrent" name="IndexedDebtCurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtSecuritiesDerivative" name="IndexedDebtSecuritiesDerivative" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss" name="IndexedDebtSecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_InterestOnTransitionAndSystemRestorationBonds" name="InterestOnTransitionAndSystemRestorationBonds" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_InterstatePipelinesMember" name="InterstatePipelinesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_June2014Member" name="June2014Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_Legalenvironmentalandotherregulatorymatterslegalmattersgasmarketmanipulationcasesabstract" name="Legalenvironmentalandotherregulatorymatterslegalmattersgasmarketmanipulationcasesabstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_LossContingencyPendingGasMarketManipulationLawsuitsNumber" name="LossContingencyPendingGasMarketManipulationLawsuitsNumber" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_March2014Member" name="March2014Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_May2014Member" name="May2014Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_MidstreamInvestmentsMember" name="MidstreamInvestmentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_MidstreamPartnershipMember" name="MidstreamPartnershipMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_NaturalGasDistributionMember" name="NaturalGasDistributionMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_NumberOfViesConsolidatedInFinancialStatements" name="NumberOfViesConsolidatedInFinancialStatements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_OGEMember" name="OGEMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_OperationAndMaintenance" name="OperationAndMaintenance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Optionvolatilities" name="Optionvolatilities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetActuarialGainsRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetActuarialGainsRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Othercomprehensiveincomelossreclassificationofdefinedbenefitplansnetgainlossrecognizedinnetperiodiccostbeforetax" name="Othercomprehensiveincomelossreclassificationofdefinedbenefitplansnetgainlossrecognizedinnetperiodiccostbeforetax" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_PercentageOnLimitationOfDebtToTotalCapitalizationUnderCovenantInHundredths" name="PercentageOnLimitationOfDebtToTotalCapitalizationUnderCovenantInHundredths" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_Percentageonlimitationofdebttototalcapitalizationundercovenantamendedinhundredths" name="Percentageonlimitationofdebttototalcapitalizationundercovenantamendedinhundredths" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueafterFourthYear" name="RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueafterFourthYear" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_RedemptionofIndexedDebtSecurities" name="RedemptionofIndexedDebtSecurities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_RestorationCostExpectedCost" name="RestorationCostExpectedCost" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_SESHMember" name="SESHMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_ScheduleOfCapitalExpansionProjectsByProjectAxis" name="ScheduleOfCapitalExpansionProjectsByProjectAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_SegmentReportingPensionPlanAssets" name="SegmentReportingPensionPlanAssets" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_SiteContingencyCompletedRemediation" name="SiteContingencyCompletedRemediation" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_SiteContingencyLossExposure" name="SiteContingencyLossExposure" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_SiteContingencyRemainingMinnesotaSites" name="SiteContingencyRemainingMinnesotaSites" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_SiteContingencySitesWithoutLiability" name="SiteContingencySitesWithoutLiability" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_SubordinatedUnitsMember" name="SubordinatedUnitsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtCurrent" name="TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtCurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtNonCurrent" name="TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtNonCurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_TransitionalServiceCoststobeReimbursed" name="TransitionalServiceCoststobeReimbursed" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_TransitionalServicesReceivable" name="TransitionalServicesReceivable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_UnrecognizedAmountOfAllowedEquityReturn" name="UnrecognizedAmountOfAllowedEquityReturn" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_WeatherHedgeAmountmaximum" name="WeatherHedgeAmountmaximum" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="cnp_WeatherHedgesTerm" name="WeatherHedgesTerm" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_YearrangeAxis" name="YearrangeAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="cnp_YearrangeDomain" name="YearrangeDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</xsd:schema>


