maxN <- function(x, N=2, decreasing = FALSE){
  len <- length(x)
  if(N>len){
    warning('N greater than length(x).  Setting N=length(x)')
    N <- length(x)
  }
  if (decreasing == FALSE) {
    sort(x,partial=len-N+1)[len-N+1]
  } else {
    -sort(-x,partial=len-N+1)[len-N+1]
  }
}