Finite-Sample Calibration and Power Benchmarks in Two-Sample Random-Integration Tests
In high-dimensional two-group studies, a supplied variable set can be used directly or to learn a projection. We study how much attainable power these choices retain at fixed observation and calibration budgets. For complete unbiased random-integration statistics under Gaussian common shape, a fixed-spectrum comparison orders direction-wise power and gives an explicit criterion balancing an oracle advantage against learning loss. Joint regeneration controls level for a specified learner with unknown diagonal shape. A paired construction permits observation reuse and finite-reference calibration of fitted scores and menus. In the paired diagonal experiment, an invariant sparse likelihood-ratio benchmark provides an attainable efficiency target. Finite-amplitude bounds connect a classical bounded quadratic to this target; conditioning on the coordinate maximum yields informative complementary bounds at moderate and strong signals. Both comparisons include finite reference budgets, and null-only simulations certify local comparisons with specified fitted rules. Equal-budget experiments and a leukemia application compare aggregation, projection and fitted quadratic scores. For correlated paired data, classical sign randomization supplies a separate calibration under central symmetry. The efficiency guarantees apply to the stated experiments and signal classes; general small-budget shape efficiency and adaptation to unknown signal allocation remain open.