In this paper we consider Riemannian manifolds $(M^n,g)$ of dimension $n\ge 5$, with semi-positive $Q$-curvature and non-negative scalar curvature. Under these assumptions we prove (i) the Paneitz operator satisfies a strong maximum principle; (ii) the Paneitz operator is a positive operator; and (iii) its Green’s function is strictly positive. We then introduce a non-local flow whose stationary points are metrics of constant positive $Q$-curvature. Modifying the test function construction of Esposito-Robert, we show...

Let $(M,g)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold with boundary. We consider the problem (first studied by Escobar in 1992) of finding a conformal metric with constant scalar curvature in the interior and zero mean curvature on the boundary. Using a local test function construction, we are able to settle most cases left open by Escobar’s work. Moreover, we reduce the remaining cases to the positive mass theorem.