ajaxUpdateElement = function(element, updateUrl){
    $(element).innerHTML = '<div class="loading">&#160;</div>';
    new Ajax.Updater(element, updateUrl, {
        onComplete: function(){
            Element.hide(element);
            new Effect.Appear(element, {
                delay: 0.0,
                duration: 0.5
            });
        },
        asynchronous: true,
        evalScripts: true
    });
}

ajaxUpdateElementNoEffect = function(element, updateUrl){
    $(element).innerHTML = '<div class="loading">&#160;</div>';
    new Ajax.Updater(element, updateUrl, {
        asynchronous: true,
        evalScripts: true
    });
}