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Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets $ 277us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet  
Amortization expense 46us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 46us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
WEG Development Agreement [Member]    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets $ 328us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersByTypeAxis
= nrthf_WegDevelopmentAgreementMember