static Object convertIfPromising(Object obj) {
    if (obj instanceof CycSymbol) {
      final String symbolName = ((CycSymbol) obj).getSymbolName();
      if (symbolName.startsWith(CycVariable.META_VARIABLE_PREFIX)
              || symbolName.startsWith(CycVariable.NORMAL_VARIABLE_PREFIX)) {
        return new CycVariable(symbolName);
      }
    }
    return obj;
  }