code: def get_n_tail(tmax, tail_temps):
      
      #print "tail_temps: {0}, tmax: {0}".format(tail_temps, tmax)
      t_index = 0
      adj_tmax = 0
      if tmax < tail_temps[0]:
          return 0
      try:
          t_index = list(tail_temps).index(tmax)
      except: # finds correct tmax if there was no tail check performed at tmax
          for temp in tail_temps:
              if temp <= tmax:
                  adj_tmax = temp
          t_index = list(tail_temps).index(adj_tmax)
      incl_temps = tail_temps[0:t_index+1] # b/c not inclusive
      return len(incl_temps)
docs: determines number of included tail checks in best fit segment