This expression is nonzero iff reverse(a) > reverse(b) (where reverse is the bitreversal of an unsigned number).

It (using the address of the nodes as arguments) can serve as a tiebreaker in a Cartesian tree (such as one implementing a first-fit memory allocator) or even to replace the random priority value in a treap (meaning you need neither storage nor computation for the priority node of the treap).