The increasing demand for automation has led to the complexity of the design and operation of robotic systems. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) focused on the applications and challenges of Data Distribution Service (DDS)-based middleware in robotics from 2006 to 2024. We explore the pivotal role of DDS in facilitating efficient communication across heterogeneous robotic systems, enabling seamless integration of actuators, sensors, and computational elements. Our review identifies key applications of DDS in various robotic domains, including multi-robot coordination, real-time data processing, and cloud–edge–end fusion architectures, which collectively enhance the performance and scalability of robotic operations. Furthermore, we identify several challenges associated with implementing DDS in robotic systems, such as security vulnerabilities, performance and scalability requirements, and the complexities of real-time data transmission. By analyzing recent advancements and case studies, we provide insights into the potential of DDS to overcome these challenges while ensuring robust and reliable communication in dynamic environments. This paper aims to contribute to the transformative impact of DDS-based middleware in robotics, offering a comprehensive overview of its benefits, applications, and security implications. Our findings underscore the necessity for continued research and development in this area, paving the way for more resilient and intelligent robotic systems that operate effectively in real-world scenarios. This review not only fills existing gaps in the literature but also serves as a foundational resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to leverage DDS in the design and implementation of next-generation robotic solutions.

Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) are adopting technology to improve their quality of services, scale up, or reduce operation costs. However, due to the heterogeneity of systems they use, NPOs face system-integration challenges when collaborating with other organizations. Middleware is an intermediary software that assists dissimilar systems in working together. This paper explores middleware applications, opportunities, and challenges within the sector. It extensively reviewed the current state of research on middleware usage in the nonprofit sector for all papers published in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) until 2023. Out of 127 papers returned, only 31 remained after removing duplicates, invalid entries, and out-of-scope publications. Then, we synthesized insights from a thorough survey of these selected papers. In light of the survey results, we observed that NPOs primarily use middleware in a few of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely, health (SDG 3), NPO operations (SDG 8 and 9), NPO collaborations (SDG 17), development of sustainable cities (SDG 11), security and disaster management (SDG 16), and education (SDG 4). We also identified several challenges related to using middleware in the nonprofit sector, which include privacy, security, system development and performance, data processing and transfer, and volunteer attrition.

Countries are embracing intelligent transportation systems (ITSs), the application of information and communication technologies to transportation, to address growing challenges in urban mobility, congestion, safety, and sustainability. Architecture Reference for Cooperative and Intelligent Transportation (ARC-IT) is a notable ITS framework comprising Enterprise, Functional, Physical, and Communications Views (or layers). This review focuses on the Communications View, examining how publish/subscribe middleware enhances ITS through the communication layer. It identified application areas across ITS infrastructure, transportation modes, and communication technologies, and highlights key challenges. In the infrastructure domain, publish/subscribe middleware enhances responsiveness and real-time processing in systems such as traffic surveillance, VANETs, and road sensor networks, especially when replacing legacy infrastructure is cost-prohibitive. Moreover, the middleware supports scalable, low-latency communication in land, air, and marine modes, enabling public transport coordination, cooperative driving, and UAV integration. At the communications layer, publish/subscribe systems facilitate interoperable, delay-tolerant data dissemination over heterogeneous platforms, including 4G/5G, ICN, and peer-to-peer networks. However, integrating publish/subscribe middleware in ITS has several challenges, including privacy risks, real-time data constraints, fault tolerance, bandwidth limitations, and security vulnerabilities. This paper provides a domain-informed foundation for researchers and practitioners developing resilient, scalable, and interoperable communication systems in next-generation ITSs.

Philanthropy in Saudi Arabia is part of its religion, heritage, culture, and traditions, so the Saudi people love giving and helping each other. But most of the philanthropic work has not been officially documented, thus, the information on philanthropic work is scarce. Recently, Saudi Arabia enacted reforms to enhance philanthropic work. Thus, the growth of the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia is a result of an investment in philanthropic work. In this chapter, we discuss the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia to better understand philanthropy. Also, we explore the history of philanthropy in Saudi Arabia and the role of the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia within Vision 2030 in developing society and enhancing the personal capabilities and talents of individuals. As well, we classify non-profit organizations and discuss the challenges and obstacles facing non-profit sectors and review the enabling factors that will strengthen the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia.