Fix scalar versus size(1) array incompatibility between numpy 1.x and 2.x

[dhuppenkothen]

Description

Fixes issue #37. Key problem is that implicit conversion of 1D arrays to scalars now throws a TypeError (see release notes for numpy 2.4 here: https://numpy.org/devdocs/release/2.4.0-notes.html). the .item() syntax extracts the relevant value from the array and passes this as a scalar instead.

Type of change

Please delete options that are not relevant.

• [ x] Bug fix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)

How Has This Been Tested?

Tested on the minimum example given in issue #37, on python 3.14 and numpy 2.4.

• [ x] My code follows the style guidelines of this project
• [x ] I have performed a self-review of my own code
• I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
• I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
• [x ] My changes generate no new warnings
• I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works
• [ x] New and existing unit tests pass locally with my changes
• Any dependent changes have been merged and published in downstream modules