The mean AllWISE W1−W2 contrast has a 95% upper bound of 0.0128 mag for 23 CPV pairs under a t model with independent pairs

We test whether complex periodic variable (CPV) candidates have a larger mean AllWISE W1−W2 color than similar young rapid rotators. We reuse 69 fixed pairs selected without infrared colors in the control match. Archive match and photometry rules retain 23 pairs. Their mean CPV-minus-control color is +0.0048 mag. The two-sided 95% Student t interval is −0.0048 to +0.0144 mag. The one-sided 95% upper bound is +0.0128 mag under a t model with independent pairs. It corresponds to a geometric mean relative W2/W1 flux ratio below 1.01185 under that model. The pair-bootstrap interval includes zero. An alternate match with a limit on main-sequence height gives +0.0107 mag, with nominal interval +0.0008 to +0.0206 mag. This secondary result shows control sensitivity. An exploratory W3 test depends strongly on one weak measurement. Quality rules remove 46 pairs and can exclude unusual systems. The bound applies to the retained sample and does not establish equal colors or the absence of dust. The package preserves raw records, source provenance, code, figures, all checks, and offline reproduction instructions. An independent primary audit and a fresh numerical and figure replay pass.

complex periodic variables · young stars · AllWISE · infrared photometry · matched controls · dust · reproducible astronomy