function findEffect( obj, scope )
{
	Effect.Queues.get(scope).each(function(e)
	{
		if (e.element == obj)
		{
			return e;
		}
	});
	
	return null;
}
function cancelEffect( obj, scope ) {
	Effect.Queues.get(scope).each(function(e)
	{
		if (e.element == obj)
		{
			e.cancel();
		}
	});	
}
function mpFade( obj, options ) {
	cancelEffect( $(obj), 'opacity' );
	new Effect.Opacity( obj, Object.extend( {queue:{scope:'opacity'}, duration:.3}, options ) );
}
function fadeIn( obj, options ) {
	mpFade( obj, Object.extend( {to: 1}, options ) );
}
function fadeOut( obj, options ) {
	mpFade( obj, Object.extend( {to: 0}, options ) );
}
function appear(obj, options) {
	cancelEffect( obj, 'opacity' );
	new Effect.Appear( obj, Object.extend( {queue:{scope:'opacity'}, duration:.3}, options ) );
}
function disappear(obj, options) {
	cancelEffect( obj, 'opacity' );
	new Effect.Fade( obj, Object.extend( {queue:{scope:'opacity'}, duration:.3}, options ) );
}