Abstract
This extended abstract reports on on-going research on quantum algorithmic approaches to the problem of generalised tree search that may exhibit effective quantum speedup, even in the presence of non-constant branching factors. Two strategies are briefly summarised and current work outlined.

Abstract
Reinforcement Learning is at the core of a recent revolution in Artificial Intelligence. Simultaneously, we are witnessing the emergence of a new field: Quantum Machine Learning. In the context of these two major developments, this work addresses the interplay between Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning. Learning by interaction is possible in the quantum setting using the concept of oraculization of environments. The paper extends previous oracular instances to address more general stochastic environments. In this setting, we developed a novel quantum algorithm for near-optimal decision-making based on the Reinforcement Learning paradigm known as Sparse Sampling. The proposed algorithm exhibits a quadratic speedup compared to its classical counterpart. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first quantum planning algorithm exhibiting a time complexity independent of the number of states of the environment, which makes it suitable for large state space environments, where planning is otherwise intractable.

Abstract
Often referred to as ‘the mathematics of dynamical, state-based systems’, Coalgebra claims to provide a compositional and uniform framework to specify, analyse and reason about state and behaviour in computing. This paper addresses this claim by discussing why Coalgebra matters for the design of models and logics for computational phenomena. To a great extent, in this domain one is interested in properties that are preserved along the system’s evolution, the so-called ‘business rules’ or system’s invariants, as well as in liveness requirements, stating that e.g. some desirable outcome will be eventually produced. Both classes are examples of modal assertions, i.e. properties that are to be interpreted across a transition system capturing the system’s dynamics. The relevance of modal reasoning in computing is witnessed by the fact that most university syllabi in the area include some incursion into modal logic, in particular in its temporal variants. The novelty is that, as it happens with the notions of transition, behaviour, or observational equivalence, modalities in Coalgebra acquire a shape. That is, they become parametric on whatever type of behaviour, and corresponding coinduction scheme, seems appropriate for addressing the problem at hand. In this context, the paper revisits Coalgebra from a computational perspective, focussing on three topics central to software design: how systems are modelled, how models are composed, and finally, how properties of their behaviours can be expressed and verified. © 2022, College Publications. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Modelling complex information systems often entails the need for dealing with scenarios of inconsistency in which several requirements either reinforce or contradict each other. In this kind of scenarios, arising e.g. in knowledge representation, simulation of biological systems, or quantum computation, inconsistency has to be addressed in a precise and controlled way. This paper generalises Belnap-Dunn four-valued logic, introducing paraconsistent transition systems (PTS), endowed with positive and negative accessibility relations, and a metric space over the lattice of truth values, and their modal logic.

Abstract
Software is a critical factor in the reliability of computer systems. While the development of hardware is assisted by mature science and engineering disciplines, software science is still in its infancy. This situation is likely to worsen in the future with quantum computer systems. Actually, if quantum computing is quickly coming of age, with potential groundbreaking impacts on many different fields, such benefits come at a price: quantum programming is hard and finding new quantum algorithms is far from straightforward. Thus, the need for suitable formal techniques in quantum software development is even bigger than in classical computation. A lack of reliable approaches to quantum computer programming will put at risk the expected quantum advantage of the new hardware. This position paper argues for the need for a proper quantum software engineering discipline benefiting from precise foundations and calculi, capable of supporting algorithm development and analysis. © 2020 ACM.

Abstract
The present Special Issue of the Journal of Logical and Algebraic Methods in Programming was planned as a tribute to Jose Manuel Esgalhado Valenca on the occasion of his Jubilation. A tribute to a professor, in the deepest sense of the word, a colleague and a friend, but above all to a long and inspiring academic journey that has so profoundly shaped the development of Informatics as a scientific area in Portugal. A scientific area that, as he taught us, needs to be understood broadly: not only as an independent research domain, but also as an educational pillar, a strategy for social and economic development, a foundation for a multifaceted professional career. This preface introduces some steps of such a journey. The Special Issue features a selection of scientific papers written by his collaborators, colleagues and friends, covering the different areas Jose Valenca helped to launch and consolidate in Portugal, namely computational logic, verification and mechanized reasoning, and information security. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.