'This method is for use in sanitizing a user\'s DataFrame or Panel
inputs.
Takes the given index of identifiers, checks their types, builds assets
if necessary, and returns a list of the sids that correspond to the
input index.
Parameters
index : Iterable
An iterable containing ints, strings, or Assets
as_of_date : pandas.Timestamp
A date to be used to resolve any dual-mapped symbols
Returns
List
A list of integer sids corresponding to the input index'

def map_identifier_index_to_sids(self, index, as_of_date):

    first_identifier = index[0]
    if (not isinstance(first_identifier, AssetConvertible)):
        raise MapAssetIdentifierIndexError(obj=first_identifier)
    if isinstance(first_identifier, Integral):
        return index
    matches = []
    missing = []
    for identifier in index:
        self._lookup_generic_scalar(identifier, as_of_date, matches, missing)
    if missing:
        raise ValueError(('Missing    assets    for    identifiers:    %s' % missing))
    return [asset.sid for asset in matches]
