diff --git a/qhtcp-workflow/apps/r/calculate_interaction_zscores.R b/qhtcp-workflow/apps/r/calculate_interaction_zscores.R
index dd1c6b8d..94b63827 100644
--- a/qhtcp-workflow/apps/r/calculate_interaction_zscores.R
+++ b/qhtcp-workflow/apps/r/calculate_interaction_zscores.R
@@ -93,10 +93,9 @@ theme_publication <- function(base_size = 14, base_family = "sans", legend_posit
     theme(
       plot.title = element_text(face = "bold", size = rel(1.2), hjust = 0.5),
       text = element_text(),
-      panel.border = element_rect(colour = NA),
       panel.background = element_rect(colour = NA),
-      panel.border = element_rect(colour = NA),
       plot.background = element_rect(colour = NA),
+      panel.border = element_rect(colour = NA),
       axis.title = element_text(face = "bold", size = rel(1)),
       axis.title.y = element_text(angle = 90, vjust = 2),
       axis.title.x = element_text(vjust = -0.2),
@@ -108,7 +107,7 @@ theme_publication <- function(base_size = 14, base_family = "sans", legend_posit
       legend.key = element_rect(colour = NA),
       legend.position = legend_position,
       legend.direction = ifelse(legend_position == "right", "vertical", "horizontal"),
-      legend.key.size = unit(0.2, "cm"),
+      legend.key.size = unit(0.5, "cm"),
       legend.spacing = unit(0, "cm"),
       legend.title = element_text(face = "italic"),
       plot.margin = unit(c(10, 5, 5, 5), "mm"),
@@ -395,7 +394,7 @@ generate_and_save_plots <- function(out_dir, filename, plot_configs, grid_layout
     }
 
     # Start building the plot with aes_mapping
-    plot_base <- ggplot(df, aes_mapping)
+    plot_base <- ggplot(df, aes_mapping) + theme_publication()
 
     # Use appropriate helper function based on plot type
     plot <- switch(config$plot_type,