The effects on the bending energy as the A−A 1 transition is approached are studied. We first investigate the effect on the composite soliton in the A phase; in particular the NMR satellites are calculated as a function of temperature. We also study the influence of the current flow on the stability of the uniform state. The Hook-Hall number that determines the critical flow for the stability of the uniform state is found to decrease as the A 1 phase is approached from below.