Hey thanks for the feedback.
The dice ranks could have just been rolled into the Aspect rules (roll dN for Aspect rank 1, etc) but I think separating them makes it cleaner for other rules to interact with them, such as ranking up and down, position/effect, and, as you mentioned, advancement. The ranking down on a mixed success or failure can create a positive feedback where you're continually ranked down, but that's mitigated by a) GMs having other options beside ranking down and b) you can rank up to counteract it through smart play and roleplaying. You can also get around it to some degree by leaning into your higher ranked Aspects. Both the latter two points mean that failure leads you to play into your concept more, which is the design intent.
You're absolutely right about the Resolve/Aspect wording. It was tricky because it has to be purposefully vague, and it references rules you haven't been given yet. I added the "see Dice Ranks" parenthesis to indicate you'll probably have to come back to this rule, but it is something I'd like to be clearer.
I'm not sure what you mean about As being missing from the character sheet though?