Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - Unrealized Gains And Losses (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Adjusted Cost	$ 146,580	$ 145,201
Unrealized Gains Or Losses	(452)	(633)
Total Fair Value	146,129	144,568
Fair Value Of Investments In Unrealized Position	33,836	38,956
Money Market Funds [Member]
Adjusted Cost	27,094	51,066
Unrealized Gains Or Losses	0	0
Total Fair Value	27,094	51,066
Fair Value Of Investments In Unrealized Position	0	0
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Adjusted Cost	107,241	79,830
Unrealized Gains Or Losses	37	(3)
Total Fair Value	107,279	79,827
Fair Value Of Investments In Unrealized Position	22,080	25,281
Auction Rate Preferred Securities [Member]
Adjusted Cost	12,245	14,305
Unrealized Gains Or Losses	(489)	(630)
Total Fair Value	11,756	13,675
Fair Value Of Investments In Unrealized Position	$ 11,756	$ 13,675

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

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This item represents the aggregate fair value of investments in debt and equity securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

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