If value is a 0-dimensional array, returns the contents of value.
       Otherwise, returns value.

def _check_scalar(value):
    '''If value is a 0-dimensional array, returns the contents of value.
       Otherwise, returns value.
    '''
    if isinstance(value, np.ndarray):
        if value.ndim == 0:
            # We have a 0-dimensional array
            return value[None][0]
    return value