Abstract
X-Wing is a hybrid key-encapsulation mechanism based on X25519 and ML-KEM-768. It is designed to be the sensible choice for most applications. The concrete choice of X25519 and ML-KEM-768 allows X-Wing to achieve improved efficiency compared to using a generic KEM combiner. In this paper, we introduce the X-Wing hybrid KEM construction and provide a proof of security. We show (1) that X-Wing is a classically IND-CCA secure KEM if the strong Diffie-Hellman assumption holds in the X25519 nominal group, and (2) that X-Wing is a post-quantum IND-CCA secure KEM if ML-KEM-768 is itself an IND-CCA secure KEM and SHA3-256 is secure when used as a pseudorandom function. The first result is proved in the ROM, whereas the second one holds in the standard model. Loosely speaking, this means X-Wing is secure if either X25519 or ML-KEM-768 is secure. We stress that these security guarantees and optimizations are only possible due to the concrete choices that were made, and it may not apply in the general case.

Abstract
Forest fires in Portugal are a recurring tragedy, especially during the summer, leaving a devastating trail affecting the environment and local communities. In addition to the loss of vast forest areas, these disasters harm wildlife, pollute the air, and compromise soil and water quality, contributing to environmental degradation and increasing the risk of soil erosion and landslides. Furthermore, fires have significant economic impacts, affecting communities that depend on the forest for subsistence, tourism, and agricultural activities. To address this issue, an innovative Web Service has been developed that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to calculate real-time fire risk. This service integrates up-to-date weather data with historical fire patterns, providing an accurate and timely assessment of fire potential in specific areas. The machine learning model behind the service was trained with historical fire data from mainland Portugal between 2017 and 2023, allowing for a more accurate and predictive analysis of fire risk. The Web Service facilitates proactive emergency prevention and decision-making response by integrating real-time weather information with historical fire data. Authorities can use the information provided by the service to implement preventive policies to help elderly people. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Abstract
Robotic competitions stand as platforms to propel the forefront of robotics research while nurturing STEM education, serving as hubs of both applied research and scientific innovation. In Portugal, the Portuguese Robotics Open (FNR) is an event with several robotic competitions, including the Robot@Factory 4.0 competition. This competition presents an example of deploying autonomous robots on a factory shop floor. Although the literature has works proposing frameworks for the original version of the Robot@Factory competition, none of them proposes a system framework for the Robot@Factory 4.0 version that presents the hardware, firmware, and software to complete the competition and achieve autonomous navigation. This paper proposes a complete robotic framework for the Robot@Factory 4.0 competition that is modular and open-access, enabling future participants to use and improve it in future editions. This work is the culmination of all the knowledge acquired by winning the 2022 and 2023 editions of the competition.

Abstract
Participatory processes are an essential aspect of collaborative planning and decision-making processes, but designing such processes effectively can be quite challenging. This work departs from the assumptions that in sustainable urban mobility planning, the functional urban area needs to be considered, and that citizen engagement is often enacted at the neighborhood level. Under these assumptions, we have examined the experiences of 6 metropolitan cases (Bologna, Nantes, Manchester, Montreal, Christchurch, and Santiago de Chile) and draw insights from their experiences. We conclude this work with some general reflections on the importance of systemic approaches to effectively plan for sustainable transitions in urban mobility.

Abstract
In this paper we present simulations for international kidney exchange programmes (KEPs). KEPs are organised in more than ten countries in Europe to facilitate the exchanges of immunologically incompatible donors. The matching runs are typically conducted in every three months for finding optimal exchanges using hierarchical optimisation with integer programming techniques. In recent years several European countries started to organise international exchanges using different collaboration policies. In this paper we conduct simulations for estimating the benefits of such collaborations with a simulator developed by the team of the ENCKEP COST Action. We conduct our simulations on generated datasets mimicking the practice of the three largest KEPs in Europe, the UK, Spanish and the Dutch programmes. Our main performance measure is the number of transplants compared to the number of registrations to the KEP pools over a 5-year period, however, as a novelty we also analyse how the optimisation criteria play a role in the lexicographic and weighted optimisation policies for these countries. Besides analysing the performances on a single instance, we also conduct large number of simulations to obtain robust findings on the performance of specific national programmes and on the possible benefits of international collaborations.

Abstract