Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Percentage of Income Before Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Percentage of Income Before Income Taxes [Abstract]
Tax at federal U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	26.70%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
State and local taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit	1.80%		2.00%	2.10%
Foreign income at other than U.S. rates	(2.90%)		(2.50%)	(1.90%)
Domestic production activities deduction	(2.10%)		(2.60%)	(2.60%)
Income tax benefit from R&D tax credits	(1.10%)		(4.10%)	(0.80%)
Income tax benefits from foreign tax credits	(0.40%)		(1.20%)	(0.50%)
Other, net	0.00%		0.10%	0.00%
Effective tax rate	30.30%		26.70%	31.30%