Total scalar curvature under a curvature operator lower bound

Abstract: Let $(M^{n}, g)$ be a complete, simply connected Riemannian manifold without boundary, of dimension $n\ge3$, with curvature operator at least that of the unit sphere. We prove that $\int_M {\rm scal}(x)\ d {\rm Vol}_x\le n(n-1)ω_n,$ where $ω_n$ is the volume of the unit $n$-sphere. Equality holds if and only if $(M,g)$ is isometric to the unit round sphere. In fact, we obtain a stronger bound containing ${\rm Vol}(M, g)$. In even dimensions, the proof follows from the Chern-Gauss-Bonnet formula. In odd dimensions, we apply the corresponding boundary formula to Deruelle's Ricci expander filling.