*
* This function has to be called for both leaf and non-leaf nodes. In the case
* of leaf nodes (i.e. *node_id* is within the range of 0 .. (N-1), with N as
*
* This function has to be called for both leaf and non-leaf nodes. In the case
* of leaf nodes (i.e. *node_id* is within the range of 0 .. (N-1), with N as